3 Most Beautiful Games of December 2018

Most Beautiful Games of December 2018

Ashen

As 2018 comes to a close, the slew of new video game releases has started to slow down as well. This month was rather slow, but we’ve picked out three of the most beautiful games we got to play in December 2018.

Starting us off, we have Ashen, the new third-person action RPG from A44 Games. While not exactly the most graphically intensive game ever, Ashen features a striking visual style very similar to the one we saw in Absolver.

Characters are all faceless, but that lends a certain unsettling charm to the game’s ambiance, and the washed out color palette still manages to be inviting every step of the way, enticing you to keep exploring.

Ashen’s open world is gorgeous as well, featuring some disturbing but still breathtaking views as you climb over desolate mountains to witness dying fires and waxed abominations rise from the ground to attack you. Ashen can be pretty creepy at times, but it can be hard to tear your eyes away.

Most Beautiful Games of December 2018

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Probably the most popular video game release of December 2018, and even possibly for the Switch this entire year, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a very good and very fun video game. Not only that, it’s also quite pretty to look at.

Starting with the insanely long World of Light story mode, the hand-drawn map itself is simply lovely to look at, and traversing across a largely 2D plane has never been more enjoyable.

Along with the fact that each area in World of Light is themed after a specific series or character, it’s also crammed with little details like rivers, clouds, and flames just billowing past you.

Outside of that, the stages themselves continue to impress. Every stage in Smash Ultimate is a sight to behold, as you just never quite know what to expect from them.

You’ll probably be too preoccupied with all the action that’s going on onscreen, but if you have time, it’s definitely worth soaking in the backgrounds and admiring the amount of love and detail Nintendo has poured into recreating iconic locales from our favorite video games from the past two decades.

Most Beautiful Games of December 2018

GRIS

Without a doubt, GRIS is the most stunning and lovely game we’ve played in December 2018, and possibly even the year.

Developed by Nomada Studio, GRIS is a 2D puzzle platformer that tells a silent story about a young girl trapped in her own mind. The game features these jaw-dropping watercolor graphics, and everything just looks so stunningly fragile and delicate.

As you progress through the chapters, you’ll unlock new colors in the world, giving the game a more vibrant look. The animations are wonderfully fluid, and every aspect of this game’s presentation is simply top-notch.

GRIS is one of the most emotionally provocative titles you’ll play this month, and its short length makes it a great one-time experience for players who just want a taste of something new.