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We’ve seen amazing graphics in some games in recent times, be it Call of Duty Black Ops 6 or Ghost of Tsushima, these games delivered a masterpiece of an experience. But is it all we need for a game to be legendary? Well, not quite, really. In our childhoods, there used to be amazing games with not-so-great graphics, but they succeeded even without the visuals due to their gameplay, storytelling, and creativity.
Those games are now hard to find and have almost become a nostalgia for our generation. But worry no more, as we’ve got a list of 15 surprisingly great games with terrible graphics.
9 Surprisingly Great Games With Terrible Graphics
Minecraft
We’re sure you’ve seen your younger brothers or sisters playing Minecraft, and if not, you must have heard about the Minecraft Movie. The point is that it’s one of the most famous games of today’s era that offers unique, rough visuals that make it nostalgic and engaging. The game was never meant to impress on a technical level. This minimalistic approach of not focusing on the graphics became iconic and one of the great games with terrible graphics.
Cruelty Squad
As the name suggests, the game is quite “cruel” since it was intentionally designed to look as ugly as possible. The game features a feverish aesthetic that repulses the viewer yet fascinates them enough to give it a team. Behind the preposterous visuals lies a unique, open-ended game that offers surreal gameplay and an emerging storyline, making it a must-try.
Grand Theft Auto 3
No matter how popular or nostalgic Grand Theft Auto 3 is, its poor graphics can’t be overlooked. Launched in 2001, the game was almost a revolution for the gaming community, however, it looks tacky on today’s modern displays. Although its storyline and the amazing gaming experience make its terrible graphics easy to overlook, making it one of the great games with terrible graphics.
Dwarf Fortress (Classic)
For most of its time, Dwarf Fortress was infamous for its ASCII graphics that resembled lines of code rather than a game. This weird interface hid an absolute banger of a game that hid an engaging storyline and deep mechanics. The lack of visuals was later seen as a practical choice since they would have slowed the development and the game’s scope.
The Walking Dead
Despite being a hit Netflix series now, The Walking Dead has always been notorious for its uninspired graphics. The environment looks bland, and the characters lack attention to detail. Yet, some players found nirvana in this survival game, which offered a distinct perspective on a zombie apocalypse, making it one of the great games with terrible games.
Hellboy: The Science of Evil
Hellboy suffers from pitiful graphics even by the standards of that era. Characters look functional but uninspired, and the environment lacks detail and variety. However, the game is saved by its amazing adaptation of the Hellboy universe and its solid gameplay.
Dexter: The Game 2
Dexter is infamous for its lifeless visuals with poorly rendered character models and environments. Despite these graphics, the game offered a unique take on the Dexter franchise, allowing players to step into the mind of a vigilante serial killer. For many, the narrative and gameplay are what save this game from being an absolute flop.
Ride to Hell: Retribution
Ride to Hell’s visuals are so bad that they’ve become a running joke in the gaming community. Yet, its sheer audacity to exist and unintentional humor have earned it a cult following. While its gaming experience is a matter of debate, it’s surely won some hearts, which makes it one of the great games with terrible graphics.
Animal Crossing
The original Animal Crossing was a pain to watch, with its low-resolution textures and blocky character models that looked outdated even at the release. Despite this, the game’s relaxing experience, quirky villagers, and charming social simulation have earned it a special place in the list of great games with terrible graphics.
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