In this day and age video game graphics are almost better than any blockbuster movie you’ll see out there. But sometimes there’s nothing more nostalgic than a game with gorgeous Pixel art. Pixel art used to define video games in its early days and it’s gone nowhere even decades later. We love the nostalgic retro aesthetic style that pixel art games bring and we’ve got a list of upcoming games for you to check out if you love pixel art too.

 

Sea of Stars

Developer: Sabotage Studio

Sea of Stars is probably my most anticipated game on this list and it’s been something I’ve been following as a turn-based JRPG stan. In this modernised take on the classic game genre, Sea of Stars follows the story of two Children of the Solstice who will combine the powers of the sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic. It’s a full-fledged love letter to the JRPG genre with dozens of original characters and story arcs that will take you on a captivating journey.

Sea of Stars does its RPG duty of exploring classic themes of adventure and friendship, while also being chock-full of the unexpected twists and events. That coupled with its gorgeous 2D pixel-art world is a must for any fans of the genre.

Release Date: 30th August 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5|4. Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam

 

Harvest Island

Developer: Yobob Games

A pixel art farming sim that isn’t Stardew Valley? What might be the point you may ask? Well in Harvest Island farming is going to be secondary to the actual story of the game. In Harvest Island, your farming life is driven by a need to appease the gods as opposed to just getting profits, although that’s nice too. In this world, there are gods around the island and every day they’ll ask you for items. Give them what they want and you’ll be able to receive blessings to upgrade your farm.

Its pixel art style takes on a bit more of a darker tone when it comes to the story, but rest assured that all the farming elements will still be there. Such as planting crops, befriending animals, fishing and more.

Release Date: 3rd October 2023
Platforms: PC – Steam

 

Afterdream

Developer: Jesse Makkonen, Gamera Games

Afterdream is on this list for its unique nightmare-horror pixel art look. In this 2D psychological horror adventure game, you’re trapped in a lucid dream, bending the lines between reality and fiction. But to tell reality from dream you’ll be able to use a special camera to analyse your surroundings and navigate through a mysterious residence populated by ghosts. All while attempting to discover the purpose of their nocturnal visit in a vivid and dreamlike setting.

It’s a unique pixel art style that plays like an old horror movie with its lighting. And is just minimalist enough for you to stay completely focused on this thriller-horror mystery.

Release Date: Q3 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5. Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam

 

While the Iron’s Hot

Developer: Bonelamps Games

While The Iron’s Hot is a blacksmith simulator in which you’re on the quest to become a master Blacksmith. Set in the faraway land of Ellian, this is a place where legendary artisans have gathered for centuries to perfect their craft. Now it’s your turn to join them.

While the Iron’s Hot is a crafty adventure assembled with mystery, wit, and charm. Forge, smelt, and combine works of metal to grow your smithing skills and discover new items to create. Explore an island filled with resources, treasures, puzzles, and fellow artisans. Spend your days perfecting your craft, helping the townsfolk and like any good Stardew Valley player, you’ll be rebuilding the town of Ellian to its former glory.

Release Date: Q3 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam

 

Moonstone Island

Developer: Studio Supersoft

Moonstone Island brings you two famous pixel art games into one – Stardew Valley and Pokemon! In this creature-collecting life-sim open world you’re a budding alchemist in training. Spend your days exploring over a hundred islands of this world. Make friends, brew potions, collect Spirits, and test your strength in card-based encounters to complete your Alchemy training.

Following your village’s tradition, you must move to an island in the sky to complete your Alchemy training. Armed with a team of nature spirits, magical potions, and the support of your new friends, you’ll explore ancient temples, dangerous dungeons, and hostile biomes to uncover the dark secret of Moonstone Island.

Release Date: Q3 2023
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam

 

SacriFire

Developer: Pixelated Milk

SacriFire pays homage to 90s JRPG titles and the best way to do that is with gorgeous pixel art renditions. The game’s modern take on combat merges real-time and turn-based styles to provide a fluid experience that is both challenging and satisfying. Fight alongside companions, choose from multiple weapons, target individual enemy body parts, and string attacks together to create elaborate combos.

Travel between the sprawling subterranean city of Antioch and the idyllic spirit paradise of Erebus in a well-developed game universe which includes elements of both fantasy and science-fiction. SacriFire aims to both respect and subvert the standard RPG tropes, so although you’ll feel right at home with our cast of lovable characters, you’ll never know what to expect next.

Release Date: 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5|4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC – Steam

 

Gunbrella

Developer: Doinksoft

Pixel art is a great medium for casting the mood of the game and in Gunbrella you’re getting gritty noir-punk action adventure. Fight your way through this tangled urban landscape full of villains and dark secrets. How will you defend yourself? With a Gunbrella of course!

What’s a Gunbrella? It’s almost exactly what it sounds like, a bulletproof umbrella that’s also a gun. Playing as a gruff woodsman on a quest for revenge your investigation will soon have you entangled with the inner workings of a creepy cabal of ghouls and gangsters, cops and cultists, and the fallout of corporate exploitation.

Release Date: 2023
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam

 

Nivalis

Developer: ION Lands, 505 Games

One of my favourite and imo underrated games – Cloudpunk has an upcoming spinoff game entitled Nivalis. Nivalis is the megalopolis city where Cloudpunk is originally set and it’s a gorgeous neon-soaked city full of back alley deals, unscrupulous corporations, artificial intelligence and more. If you love the cyberpunk genre you should definitely give Cloudpunk a try, it’s a somewhat casual sim where you drive a cab for a living but eventually get tangled up in the corporate politics of Nivalis.

ION Lands’ upcoming game Nivalis brings you back to this world but instead of a cab driver, you’re an aspiring entrepreneur starting up your own food stall. Do well and you’ll eventually be able to open your own noodle stand, restaurant and even nightclub. But the ruffians of Nivalis won’t make that easy for you, you’ll need to watch out for the Corps, gangs and pretty much the collapse of the whole city.

Find out everything we know about Nivalis in our article here.

Release Date: 2024
Platforms: PC – Steam

 

Witchcrafter: Empire Legends

Developer: Dream Hunters

Witchcrafter: Empire Legends is a gorgeous dark fantasy RPG with metroidvanian-style gameplay. You’ll play as a young witchcrafter Estel striving to control your power of the four elements. Set in a wor-torn empire you’re on a journey to save your kidnapped father and find the fifth element of your journey. Meet people from all backgrounds, will they help or hinder your quest? Your decisions count in this branching, thought-provoking story set in a vivid, murky world.

Release Date: TBA
Platforms: PC – Steam

 

Replaced

Developer: Sad Cat Studios

I think pixel art is one of the best ways to paint a cyberpunk city. The harsh pixel lights force blurry edges to the world and set you in a completely different space than the one you’re in. It’s an excellent portrayal of REPLACED, a 2.5D sci-fi retro-futuristic action platformer set in an alternate 1980s America.

You play as R.E.A.C.H. – an artificial intelligence trapped in a human body against its own will, striving to adjust to human life, in and around Phoenix City. Outlaws are rife in a society that has sustained lasting damage and taken a turn for the worse, following a catastrophic nuclear event. Everything is ruled by corruption and greed and the ones in power see humans and their organs as nothing more than currency.

Release Date: TBA
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC – Steam