Summary
While there’s certainly room for a more realistic approach to game graphics and design, and most definitely a market for it, it could be argued that the results are somewhat less imaginative. It’s certainly not always the case, but games that get more creative with their visuals and mechanics can often provide more memorable experiences.
These are titles that liberate themselves from reality, offering escapism through heavily stylized visuals and gameplay that don’t try to hide their video game nature. These are gamified experiences full of artistic expression that challenge and escape reality in their own ways.
Cruelty Squadis a first-person shooter with an aggressive and uncaring art style, offering players a decidedly grimy experience. However, it’s packed with opportunities for player expressionand dynamic encountersthat facilitate emergent gameplay.
Realism is not a factor inCruelty Squad’sart style or its gameplay, providing players withHitman-esque missions in a truly strange and at-times unsettling world. It won’t be for everyone, but the unique feel ofCruelty Squadmay be worthwhile for certain players.
Max Payneis a neo-noir third-person action game that drags players through a smoky, grimy underworld of dangerous criminals. From psychedelic dream sequences to slow-motion dives in frantic bullet storms,Max Paynecares little for realism.
In fact,Max Paynepractically plays like a genre piece from the very start. As a result, fans of over-the-top action are sure to enjoyMax Payne’sunhinged reality, though it does contain a dark and rather grounded story despite the liberties it takes.
HROTis an old-school first-person shooter with a drab and dreary art style perfectly complemented by its frequent use of surreal imagery and brutalist architecture. While its gameplay may be fairly standard,HROT’scomplete lack of realism and unabashed strangeness elevates the overall experience.
In addition,HROT’sdowntrodden, rainy environments provide a consistently immersive andoften eerie atmosphere. As a result,HROTmanages to be an immersive and memorable adventure despite its one-tone approach, though it won’t be for everyone.
Resident Evil 5is a survival-horror game that focuses heavily on action and frequent set-pieces. However, it excels with its lack of realism and B-movie tone. In addition,Resident Evil 5features co-operative play, in which the game arguably excels.
The lack of realism lies primarily inResident Evil 5’soverall tone, valuingover-the-top actionand B-movie charm over anything close to a grounded experience. But its intent is clear and decided, and players that enjoy the playful side of theResident Evilfranchise are sure to get a kick out of this title, especially in co-op with a friend.
RimWorldis a trulydetailed colony-sim with a focus on managementand organic storytelling. Visually,RimWorldcares little for realism, offering a relatively no-frills art style. However, as a result, it’s incredibly easy-to-read at all times.
However, it’s not justRimWorld’svisuals that are unrealistic;RimWorldalso frequently bends the rules within its gameplay, despite plenty of simulated elements. That said, it does this for good reason, providing simulations that play by concrete rules, led by sturdysystems that have been painstakingly streamlined.
Caves Of Qudis a traditionalroguelike that stands outwith its exotic open-world and unique science-fantasy setting. With visuals as traditional as its gameplay,Caves Of Qudclearly doesn’t care about realism, but this only helps to spark the imagination, supported by evocative writing and an atmospheric soundscape.
Additionally,Caves Of Qudcares little for realism in its world-building and gameplay. There are simulated elements and deep, detailed systems, butCaves Of Qudplays by its own rules, offering a science-fantasy adventure that’s both mysterious and immersive.
Combining FPS and RPG gameplay,Borderlands: The Pre-Sequelis similar in many ways to its predecessors. However, it stands out with its unique settingand briskly-paced narrative, supported by a diverse cast of bantering, quipping characters.
Borderlandshas never cared much for realism, butBorderlands: The Pre-Sequeltakes things to the next level with its unhinged side-quests and preposterous technologies; moonshot cannons, talking weapons, and — in the case of the game’s DLC — delving into the mind of a robot.
Kentucky Route Zeropresents players withan atmospheric experiencefrom the very start. With its frequent use of grounded and emotional music, along with surreal imagery and characters struck by solemn tragedy, it manages to offer an immersive road trip across a truly imaginative landscape.
It’s also anutterly surreal experience, replete with magical realism and woven with a poetic narrative.Kentucky Route Zerosimply doesn’t care for realism, and instead dedicates itself to a charming sense of whimsy, supporting its grounded ideas with unbridled imagination.
