What Games Prove Graphics Aren't Everything

Animal Well is the first that comes to mind for me. Very pixel-art, very basic, but there are intricacies in its design that elevate the art beyond just graphics and unveil a surprising amount of depth and intention in the design. The use of colours and art throughout affords it an incredible amount of charm and wonder, and it's all complimented by gameplay which is seemingly simplistic but encourages a lot of experimentation and exploration to uncover the real depths of the game.

I think some people might be put off by a small, pixel-art type game, but man the joy this game brings when you get into it and start to slowly uncover more and more secrets… there are layers to this game that the most 4K 60fps games struggle to achieve.

Roblox

My kids have access to a vast library of PS games and PC games, but they would rather play Roblox with their friends. Suits me fine, dont need a top of the range pc to play it, or any pc at all really.

But I cant believe they would rather play it than any of the other games, like 12 year old me would kick their asses.

This is a bit of a tricky one as some low resolution games have better design and artistry than new games.

If we're coming from an 'old games look bad' point of view and ignore that they can in fact look great, my vote goes to Robotron.

Recently really got into it here during one of our high score challenges and it plays better IMO than any twin stick shooter that has come since.

Released in 1982 but feels like it could have been made by an indie company yesterday. 1982 visuals but still looks brilliant.

Papers Please - was the one that sprung to mind immediately. Such a fantastic game.

Championship/Football Manager games in general don't need to ever bother with graphics as they are a completely different animal. Although they do put some efforts in with decent menus, nice GUI, backgrounds etc.

Sensible Soccer is a great shout. Although that type of pixel art is an amazing world by itself, I don't think anyone would say SWOS really needed to bother with looks.

An interesting recent one was SUPERHOT, but might not really be considered as part of it's appeal was it's style.

Breakout and Pong can still be easily played today without needing graphical improvements.

Or for a recent (Google tells me 2010 but it can't be that long, surely) game, Thomas Was Alone was pretty basic.

Didn't get too far into it, but Baba is You would also be an example.

RedCard Soccer 2003

Bishi Bashi Arcade

I mentioned before how we had a game on our first ever PC at home, but I never knew how to play it properly, never knew what was going on, and after a while couldn't remember the name of it. Then when roguelikes started to become popular, I wondered what "Rogue" was, looked it up and it was that game. Well, this version of it:

Super Nintendo sega Genesis when I was dead broke man I couldn't picture this

Slay the Spire. Pure gameplay.