Best Games That Prove “Graphics Are Not Everything”

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The price of new games, typically between $70 and $80 for major releases, is increasing because developers are investing a lot of time in their projects. A significant part of this time is spent optimizing games to run well on modern computers and ensuring they look their best. It’s fantastic to immerse yourself in worlds like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, or Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and be captivated by the visuals.

Impressive graphics aren‘t the only thing that matters. These games prove that players will often prioritize fun and interesting gameplay, or unique and artistic visuals, over having the most modern look. We’ll be looking at how these games stack up against the best graphics of their time.

Minecraft

Not Just A Blockhead

Minecraft is a remarkable indie game success story, and it never relied on impressive graphics – not when it first came out, and not even now. Instead, it chose a simple, blocky art style, giving it a feel similar to playing with LEGOs.

An early version of the game was first available around 2009, and the official release came in 2011, at the same time as major titles like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. The success of Minecraft more than ten years ago stemmed from its incredible freedom and creative possibilities, and it’s likely to stay popular even if Microsoft decides to approve and launch Minecraft 2.

Vampire Survivors

Created A New Genre

Vampire Survivors unexpectedly launched into Early Access in 2021. While the game’s graphics appear to use pre-made assets, and it doesn’t offer a lot for a typical roguelike game, it’s surprisingly addictive. Players find themselves endlessly clearing enemies on screen with minimal effort.

Vampire Survivors became incredibly popular, even starting a new type of roguelike game. Its success led to collaborations with major franchises for downloadable content, such as Castlevania and SaGa.

Undertale

If Memes Became A Game

Undertale was created as a tribute to classic role-playing games from the 1990s, such as EarthBound, and it intentionally used a similar, simple 16-bit art style. However, the visuals aren’t perfectly polished – many of the characters don’t have consistent designs.

The game has a look that’s almost like it was hand-drawn, which some might find silly, but it’s actually a big part of what fans enjoy. Beyond the art style, Undertale became popular because it did something unexpected with the RPG genre, making players reconsider their experiences with other RPGs.

Stardew Valley

Simple Is Better

Stardew Valley offers a gameplay experience that’s similar to Minecraft, but in a more streamlined way, and features a pixelated art style. While it looks okay at first glance, the movements of characters and objects aren’t very smooth. Shovel Knight and Sea of Stars demonstrate how indie games can successfully capture the look of older, classic games while still standing out with impressive animation and careful design.

Stardew Valley doesn’t have stunning graphics, but it offers a lot to do, including mining, fishing, and farming. Stardew Valley’s developers continue to add new content as long as people are playing, making the game an even better value for its low price.

PEAK

Climbing To The Top

It’s tempting to make jokes about PEAK – after all, it aims high, and it definitely became a huge success. This charming indie game boasts vast, open environments perfect for playing with friends. While the supporting characters aren’t deeply developed, and the character designs aren’t overly detailed, the vibrant colors make the game visually appealing.

The game isn’t overly complex, though reaching the top of your first mountain can be tough. It’s a relaxing experience in general, and even more fun when played with friends. Despite this being PEAK’s debut year, it’s clear this game has a lot of potential and staying power.

Schedule 1

Successful In Lieu Of GTA 6

Schedule 1 was first released in Early Access in 2025, and its simple graphics give that away immediately. While it looks like a quickly made blueprint shared online, the gameplay is surprisingly deep. Players take on the role of a drug runner and grower, with plenty of different tools available to help them succeed.

Schedule 1’s success might be because Grand Theft Auto 6 has been pushed back to 2026, and players are looking for a solid crime game to play in the meantime. However, attributing its success to that alone doesn’t fully appreciate what Schedule 1 offers. While it appears simple, just a few minutes of gameplay will quickly captivate players.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Rough Around The Edges

Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet, even for a Nintendo Switch game released in 2022, didn’t look very polished when they first came out. Performance was also a problem; the games didn’t run smoothly, and some environments appeared unfinished, as if they needed several updates. While some reviewers pointed out these flaws, the games were still a huge commercial success-which is typical for Pokemon titles-and players still enjoyed the experience.

These were yet another set of Pokemon games offering a large number of creatures to catch and a vast world to discover, which proved sufficient for fans. Fortunately, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet appear and perform more smoothly on the Switch 2.

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2025-10-03 10:36