Pixel art games are thriving as we head through 2024 and into 2025. From retro-inspired platformers to modern indie RPG epics, this era has delivered some truly gorgeous and engaging titles for PC gamers. Whether youâre chasing nostalgia or looking for fresh gameplay twists with a retro aesthetic, the following ten pixel art games stand out for their stunning visuals, addictive mechanics, and strong community reception. Grab your mouse and keyboard (or controller) and get ready to pixelate your gaming life!
1. Momodora: Moonlit Farewell
Moonlit Farewell features fluid 2D combat and breathtaking pixel environments, which makes it a must-have pixel art game for fans.
Where to Play: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1747760/Momodora_Moonlit_Farewell/
Genre & Style: Metroidvania (action-adventure platformer) with a focus on melee combat and exploration. As the latest installment in the beloved Momodora series, Moonlit Farewell delivers gorgeous pixel art and smooth animations in a dark, whimsical world. Fast-paced dodging, arrow shots, and flashy combos define its gameplay.
Price & Platforms: Priced at around $16.99, itâs available on PC (Steam) and has since expanded to consoles, making it a widely accessible pixel art game.
Co-op or Multiplayer: None â this is a single-player adventure. The tight design and boss battles are meant to be tackled solo, much like classics of the genre.
Why Itâs Worth Playing: Moonlit Farewell is a masterclass in pixel art Metroidvania design. It stands out as a remarkable pixel art game where every screen is lovingly crafted, with an expert use of lighting that makes environments pop off the screen. The level design balances challenge and accessibility, so newcomers can get hooked (there are adjustable difficulty options) while veterans find satisfying secrets and bonus gear. Combat is snappy and satisfying; youâll face off against well-designed bosses that fans have called âconsistently fun and well-designedâ. The developer Bombservice has a reputation for quality â the previous game in the series was a standout in the genre â and this finale lives up to that legacy.
Community Feedback: Players on Reddit and Steam rave about the âwonderful pixel art and musicâ and how balanced and engaging the gameplay feels. Many regard it as a top-tier pixel art game, having replayed it on higher difficulties or in boss-rush mode because the boss fights are that enjoyable. The community loves the âflashy attacksâ and the fact that the game remains approachable without sacrificing depth. If youâre a Metroidvania fan (or want to become one), Momodora: Moonlit Farewell is an absolute must-play.
2. REPLACED
Where to Play: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1663850/REPLACED/ (coming soon)
Genre & Style: Cinematic action platformer with a dystopian cyberpunk setting. REPLACED blends 2.5D pixel art and modern lighting to create a moody, Blade Runner-esque atmosphere. You play as R.E.A.C.H., an AI stuck in a human body, exploring an alternate 1980s America. The gameplay combines platforming, environmental exploration, and free-flow combat (think Another World/Flashback meets John Wick). Every frame looks like a pixel art painting thanks to dynamic parallax effects and a filmic presentation â the gameâs striking art and fluid animations turned heads immediately, making it a standout pixel art game in its genre.
Price & Platforms: Scheduled for release in 2025, REPLACED will launch on PC (and Xbox consoles) and is expected to be on Game Pass on day one . Price isnât confirmed yet, but similar indie titles tend to land in the $19.99â$29.99 range. Given the high production values, expect something in that ballpark.
Co-op or Multiplayer: None. REPLACED is a narrative-driven single-player experience, focused on immersion and storytelling. The absence of multiplayer allows the game to feel like an interactive neo-noir movie, with you as the sole star.
Why Itâs Worth Playing: Few upcoming indies have generated as much hype as REPLACED. Its E3 reveal trailer stunned audiences with neon-soaked pixel art visuals and a synthwave soundtrack that drips with 1980s nostalgia . Imagine a pixelated cyberpunk world where every rain-soaked street and flickering neon sign is rendered in loving detail. The combat looks fast and âcrunchyâ, with fluid animations of punches, kicks, and gunplay, giving off serious John Wick vibes in pixel form . Beyond the eye candy, the premise is intriguing: an AI living in a human body uncovering dark secrets. If you enjoy cinematic platformers or cyberpunk stories, REPLACED promises to deliver both style and substance. The developers (Sad Cat Studios) have poured effort into blending 3D lighting with pixel art to achieve a unique look that has other devs and artists buzzing about how they pulled it off, making this a true pixel art game innovation.
Community Feedback: The gaming community has been ogling REPLACED since its 2021 debut â with near-instant âoohs and aahsâ at the visuals . On forums and Reddit, players compare it to the long-anticipated (and still unreleased) The Last Night, but many believe REPLACED is on track to actually deliver on its promise. Comments highlight the âgorgeous pixel-art cyberpunkâ style and the atmospheric music, which together create an almost tangible sense of time and place. After a few delays, fans are just excited to finally get their hands on it in 2025, and many are already planning to dive in via PC Game Pass on launch . Keep this on your wishlist if you love pixel art pushed to new heights in the realm of pixel art games.
3. Mina the Hollower
Where to Play: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1875580/Mina_the_Hollower/
Genre & Style: Action-adventure (top-down) with retro gothic flavor. Mina the Hollower comes from Yacht Club Games (the creators of Shovel Knight), and it channels classic Game Boy Color vibes â think The Legend of Zelda: Linkâs Awakening mixed with Castlevania. It features 8-bit style pixel art (in a widescreen 16:9 presentation) and smooth, almost NES-meets-modern animations. As Mina, a whip-wielding âHollowerâ, youâll burrow through the ground, whip foes, and explore a monster-filled island. The gameplay emphasizes exploration, light RPG elements, and challenging combat against creatures of the night. Yacht Club describes it as âa bone-chilling action adventure featuring classic gameplay & an 8-bit aestheticâ .
Price & Platforms: Release date is TBD (the devs aim for late 2024 or 2025). Itâs planned for PC (Windows, macOS, Linux) and likely all major consoles . Given Yacht Clubâs past, expect a price around $20-$30 â a great deal considering their gamesâ usual depth. Mina the Hollower had a wildly successful Kickstarter, so thousands of backers are already invested (literally) in its release.
Co-op or Multiplayer: Single-player only. Like the 8-bit Zelda titles it draws inspiration from, Mina is a solo quest. The focus is on mastering Minaâs abilities (like burrowing underground) to traverse puzzles and defeat bosses. Yacht Club hasnât mentioned any multiplayer, so itâs all about that nostalgic single-player journey.
Why Itâs Worth Playing: This game is highly anticipated â not just because of Yacht Clubâs pedigree, but because it seems to perfectly fill a niche we didnât know we needed. Mina the Hollower looks and feels like a lost Game Boy Color masterpiece, yet itâs enhanced for modern sensibilities. The pixel art is colorful and âpixel-perfect,â capturing that retro charm while using modern effects for atmosphere. Notably, the gameâs soundtrack is a collaboration between in-house composer Jake Kaufman and legendary guest composer Yuzo Koshiro (of Streets of Rage fame) â a combo that has retro music fans salivating. You can expect catchy chiptunes with a spooky vibe. Gameplay-wise, Minaâs trusty whip isnât just for combat; itâs used Castlevania-style to break objects and interact with the environment, and her burrowing ability adds a fresh mechanic to puzzles and dodging attacks. If you loved Shovel Knight, know that Yacht Club is bringing their A-game: early previews have praised the tight controls and engaging level design. This could easily be the indie darling of 2025.
Community Feedback: The hype train for Mina is full steam ahead. Backers and fans on Reddit frequently express their excitement, often citing how âit feels like a game from our childhood, but brand new.â Industry veterans are also watching closely â having a âhighly anticipated new titleâ from Yacht Club means the gaming communityâs expectations are sky high . The fact that a legendary composer like Yuzo Koshiro is onboard has JRPG and retro music fans eager to hear the soundtrack in action . In short, the community buzz is that Mina the Hollower could be the next big retro-inspired hit, blending nostalgia with polished, modern design. Keep an eye out for its release date announcement â this is one adventure you wonât want to miss.
4. Vikings on Trampolines
Where to Play: https://store.steampowered.com/app/748810/Vikings_On_Trampolines/
Genre & Style: Co-op party platformer with a delightfully whimsical pixel art style. Developed by D-Pad Studio (the team behind Owlboy), Vikings on Trampolines is exactly what it sounds like â you play as tiny Viking characters bouncing on trampolines, battling each other or teaming up against bosses in a fun pixel art game. The gameplay is a mix of classic arcade simplicity and chaotic party game action. It features both a cooperative adventure mode (fight evil balloons, strange bosses, and complete mini-games together) and a competitive versus mode for up to 4 players . Controls are intentionally simple (one or two buttons) so that anyone can jump in â the challenge comes from mastering timing and aerial maneuvers as you bounce to stay alive!
Price & Platforms: Not released yet, but expected in 2025 on PC (Steam) and likely consoles. Price hasnât been announced; similar indie party games often sit around $14.99-$19.99. Considering the developerâs track record and the gameâs polish (it already won a Nordic Game award in prototype stage), itâll be worth it. PC players should look for Pixel Art Game experiences on Steam â go ahead and wishlist if this sounds up your alley.
Co-op or Multiplayer: Yes! This game is built for multiplayer. It supports 1-4 players local co-op and competitive play (with Steam Remote Play Together support for online). In Adventure Mode, you and friends team up to bounce through levels and take down big baddies. In Versus Mode, itâs every Viking for themselves in trampoline deathmatch (last one bouncing wins). Itâs an ideal couch co-op title within the realm of pixel art games â bring friends, siblings, or kids. (No single-player campaign beyond maybe practicing with bots; the focus is definitely on the multiplayer fun.)
Why Itâs Worth Playing: Vikings on Trampolines oozes charm and fun, bringing back that local multiplayer magic of old party games. The pixel art is vibrant and lovingly crafted â the art director is the renowned pixel artist known as Snakepixel, and heâs pushed the 16-bit style to new heights (people have literally said âit looks like a SNES game, but betterâ ). If you enjoyed the art in Owlboy, youâll love this â although the tone here is much more lighthearted and goofy. The concept is so simple yet creative: bouncing mechanics create hilarious chaos as you knock your friends off platforms or dodge wacky enemies. In co-op, communication (and friendly yelling) is key as you coordinate bounces to, say, launch a teammate into a bossâs weak spot. Meanwhile, itâs worth stating that Versus mode has that easy-to-learn, hard-to-master quality that can make it the next indie Pixel Art Game hit (think TowerFall or Duck Game, but with trampolines!). D-Pad Studioâs pedigree also gives confidence â they spent years honing this concept (the idea was originally from a 2011 prototype) to ensure itâs pure pixelated pandemonium.
Community Feedback: Early hands-on impressions and showcases (like at Gamescom) have been very positive. Players who tried it at events report uncontrollable laughter and surprisingly strategic battles amid the bounce. The retro gaming community loves D-Padâs art direction, often commenting on how VOT uses âhi-bitâ pixel art to create smooth animations and detailed backgrounds, all without losing that 90s charm . On social media, every new clip the devs share (e.g. a boss fight against a giant balloon monster) garners comments like âI need this Pixel Art Game now!â If you have a group of friends and a love for retro silliness, Vikings on Trampolines is poised to be a co-op crowd-pleaser in 2025.
4. Soulbound
Where to Play: https://soulbound.game/
Genre & Style: Soulbound is a browser-based pixel-art MMORPG that masterfully blends roguelike action, bullet-hell combat, and sandbox MMO elements. Set in the vibrant, techno-dystopian world of Arcadia, players embark on adventures that combine fast-paced dungeon runs with peaceful activities like farming, fishing, and crafting. The game draws visual inspiration from classics like Chrono Trigger and Terraria, offering a nostalgic yet fresh aesthetic.
Price & Platforms: Soulbound is free-to-play and accessible directly through modern web browsersâno downloads or installations required. Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with Discord, allowing players to launch the game as an activity within voice or text channels. This dual-platform approach ensures that players can enjoy the game both solo and socially.
Co-op or Multiplayer: Designed with multiplayer at its core, Soulbound supports cooperative gameplay. Whether teaming up to tackle challenging dungeons, participating in large-scale raids, or engaging in community events, players can easily form parties and coordinate strategies. The game’s integration with Discord enhances this experience by simplifying party formation and communication.
Why Itâs Worth Playing: Soulbound stands out in the MMORPG landscape for several reasons:
- Seamless Accessibility: Play instantly in your browser or within Discord without any downloads.
- Dynamic Combat: Experience high-intensity, bullet-hell combat that rewards skill and strategy.
- Deep Customization: With swappable abilities, diverse weapon archetypes, and intricate skill trees, players can craft unique builds tailored to their playstyle.
- Player-Driven Economy: Engage in professions like blacksmithing, farming, and trading, contributing to a vibrant in-game economy.
- Evolving World: Regular updates introduce new content, balance changes, and quality-of-life improvements, ensuring the game remains fresh and engaging.
Community Feedback: The Soulbound community is active and passionate. Players frequently praise the game’s innovative integration with Discord, its challenging yet rewarding gameplay, and the depth of its customization options. The developers maintain a strong connection with the community, often incorporating player feedback into updates and engaging directly through official channels.
Let me know if you’d like this adapted into a visual promo, YouTube video script, or blog post.
5. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
Eiyuden Chronicleâs battles deliver classic JRPG vibes with beautiful HD-2D style reminiscent of a Pixel Art Game.
Where to Play: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1658280/Eiyuden_Chronicle_Hundred_Heroes/
Genre & Style: Japanese RPG (turn-based JRPG) that serves as a spiritual successor to the Suikoden series. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes features traditional turn-based combat with parties of up to six characters, and it famously offers 100+ recruitable heroes (each with their own abilities) to find and join your cause. Visually, it uses a striking â2.5Dâ style: gorgeous 2D pixel characters on 3D backgrounds with depth-of-field and lighting effects (similar to games like Octopath Traveler). The art style is both nostalgic and modern â detailed sprite work combined with smooth animations and epic spell effects. If you long for the golden era of 90s JRPGs, this game is basically a love letter to that era, wrapped in a modern package.
Price & Platforms: Released on PC in April 2024 at $49.99. Itâs a premium indie RPG (backed by publisher 505 Games) and is available not only on PC (Steam, etc.) but also on PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch. By 2025, it has seen discounts (itâs been on sale for ~$25 during promotions), making it a great time to pick up this Pixel Art Game if you havenât.
Co-op or Multiplayer: None â this is a single-player epic. The focus is on narrative and party-building. However, it offers a ton of content (50+ hours easily if you engage in side quests and bonding with your heroes). Thereâs no multiplayer, but players often share their party compositions and favorite character combos online as part of the fun from enjoying a Pixel Art Game.
Why Itâs Worth Playing: Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes was one of the most crowdfunded RPGs in recent memory, and for good reason: itâs made by the creators of Suikoden and it truly feels like a modern Suikoden. For fans of that classic series (or anyone who enjoys expansive RPGs with large casts), this Pixel Art Game hits the sweet spot. The âhundred heroesâ mechanic isnât just a gimmick â thereâs an addictive satisfaction in recruiting characters from all walks of life (soldiers, thieves, chefs, even weird creatures) and seeing your base of operations grow. Combat is enhanced by beautiful pixel art battle animations and team-up attacks. The story delivers on political intrigue and emotional moments, reminiscent of the older generation of JRPG storytelling. And if you enjoy strategy, there are optional guild missions and war scenarios that spice up gameplay variety. In short, itâs a rich, content-packed RPG that successfully merges old-school charm with quality-of-life improvements of today (yes, you can speed up battles or auto-battle if you like). Not to mention a sweeping soundtrack and eye-catching art that makes each new region a joy to explore.
Community Feedback: Upon release, JRPG communities on Steam and Reddit were abuzz. Many long-time fans called Eiyuden Chronicle âthe Suikoden successor we hoped for,â praising its huge character roster and classic combat. Steam reviews are âMostly Positiveâ (around 77% positive) with players applauding the story and nostalgic gameplay that âfeels Suikoden every step of the wayâ . Some criticism popped up about a lack of modern polish in places (itâs a mid-budget game, after all), but patches have addressed bugs. Players particularly love the distinct battle styles of different heroes â one review noted âthe graphics look nice, the story is interesting, and there are so many characters⌠each one feels different, which makes the Pixel Art Game funâ. If youâre a fan of classic Final Fantasy or Suikoden, community consensus is that this game is a must-play JRPG in the current generation.
6. Holstin
Holstinâs retro pixel art meets eerie lighting â survival horror never looked so intriguing. Those interested in the genre will find a pixel art game vibe here that captures the essence of horror.
Where to Play: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2235430/Holstin/ (coming soon)
Genre & Style: Survival Horror (with adventure elements). Holstin is a 2D top-down horror game that channels the spirit of classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, but with a unique Eastern European twist. Itâs set in a creepy, isolated Polish town in the 1990s, and features an unsettling pixel art style with an innovative perspective shift (the camera subtly rotates with your character, giving a pseudo-3D feel even though the art is pixel-based). Expect tense exploration, puzzle-solving, limited ammo, and horrifying creatures lurking in the dark. The visuals combine chunky pixel sprites with dynamic lighting and shadows, creating a moody, grainy look thatâs utterly unique â as one journalist put it, âHolstin could be the next Resident Evilâ in terms of atmosphere.
Price & Platforms: Holstin is slated for release in 2025 (when itâs ready â the devs even did a successful Kickstarter to expand the game). It will be on PC (Steam) and also on consoles (Switch, PlayStation, Xbox were all mentioned). Price is TBD, but likely in the $20-$25 range given the scope. A free demo is already on Steam for those who want a taste, and it has generated a lot of positive buzz for this Pixel Art Game.
Co-op or Multiplayer: None. This is a single-player, narrative-driven horror experience. And frankly, that isolation amplifies the horror â itâs just you, a pistol with a few bullets, and the thing making noise just out of sightâŚgulp.
Why Itâs Worth Playing: If youâre a horror fan, Holstin should be high on your radar. Itâs combining old-school survival horror sensibilities (inventory management, save points, key puzzles) with a fresh presentation that we havenât seen before. As a pixel art game, itâs not cutesy or nostalgic here â itâs grim and detailed, portraying decaying buildings and grotesque creatures with just enough fidelity to fire up your imagination. The developers have implemented an impressive lighting system that casts real shadows from your flashlight, which in a top-down pixel game is wild. This means the game world often shifts as you explore, revealing horrors (or hiding them) in a very dynamic way. The storyline has you investigating a supernatural plague, and it drip-feeds psychological horror and mystery much like Silent Hill did. Early demo players reported genuinely scary encounters â the kind that make you lean forward in your chair. Viceâs gaming section even gushed that âHolstin is fing amazing**â* and may be âthe definitive âclassic survival horrorâ gameâ of our time. High praise! The combat is there, but itâs not the focus â survival and exploration are. So if you enjoy being on edge, piecing together disturbing story clues, and fighting back only when absolutely necessary, Holstin will scratch that itch.
Community Feedback: The horror gaming community is already rallying behind Holstin. On Reddit, youâll find comments like âthis commands your attentionâ and excitement that it might fill the void left by the lack of 2D horror titles. Many were impressed by the public demo, calling it atmospheric and praising the Slavic folklore influence that gives it a distinct flavor apart from Hollywood horror tropes. Some are even dubbing it potentially âthe next Resident Evilâ for indie horror, likely making it a standout Pixel Art Game among fans. Press outlets echoed these sentiments: one early impression said Holstin âhad to bust out the big-boy curse wordsâ to describe how blown away they were. All in all, the community sentiment is that Holstin could be a breakout horror hit â keep those lanterns ready for when it finally drops.
7. Core Keeper
Where to Play: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1621690/Core_Keeper/
Genre & Style: Sandbox survival adventure with cozy pixel graphics. Core Keeper can be described as Terraria meets Stardew Valley â itâs a top-down 2D game where you mine, craft, build a base, farm crops, and battle monsters, all set in a sprawling underground world. This pixel art game features procedurally generated caverns full of resources, treasures, and giant boss creatures. Visually, it has charming 16-bit style pixel art with modern lighting: darkness is your enemy in these caves, but torches and glowing flora create a lovely ambiance as you explore. The gameplay loop is highly addictive: explore new biomes, mine ore and gems, upgrade your gear, defeat a boss to unlock the next area, and gradually power up the mysterious Core at the center of the cave. Itâs an open-ended sandbox, so you can spend hours just base-building or fishing if you want, or charge ahead on combat and progression.
Price & Platforms: Released in full in August 2024 (after a successful Early Access period) for PC at $19.99. Itâs also now available on consoles, but PC is where it started and where the largest community resides. The game, a popular title in the Pixel Art Game category, is frequently updated, and the developers have kept the price reasonable considering the endless replayability. On Steam itâs been a hit, often featured in top sellers for sandbox and crafting genres.
Co-op or Multiplayer: Yes! Core Keeper supports 1-8 players cooperatively online. You can host a world and have friends join your cavern to help mine, fight and build (and yes, it has Steam Remote Play and dedicated server support). Playing together really elevates the fun â coordinating roles (one friend fights bugs while another digs tunnels and another farms food) is immensely satisfying. Thereâs no PvP; itâs purely a co-op survival experience. Solo play in this pixel art game is perfectly enjoyable too (the difficulty scales), but co-op is where the game shines.
Why Itâs Worth Playing: Few games this generation have sucked players in as deeply as Core Keeper. It takes the best elements of the survival-crafting genre and trims the fat to deliver a compelling loop that is both relaxing and exciting. One moment youâre peacefully watering glow tulips in your underground garden, the next youâre gearing up to take down a giant slime boss with your trusty tin sword. The progression is smooth and rewarding â every expedition yields new materials to upgrade your base or craft the next pickaxe or to cook exotic dishes that grant buffs. Speaking of, the cooking system is delightful: find ingredients in the cave (mushrooms, berries, fish, etc.), throw two into a pot and voilĂ , youâve created a meal (perhaps a hearty mushroom stew for strength, or a glowing berry pudding for light). The pixel art might look simple, but itâs amazingly effective in setting the mood. As TheSixthAxis review put it, Core Keeper is a âclever, challenging, and immensely enjoyable⌠ore-mining, boss-beating delightâ. The lighting and shadows in the caves create real tension â you feel both wonder and caution stepping into a new biome. And with up to 8 friends, it becomes this wonderful shared adventure â some players even treat their server like a D&D campaign, each taking on jobs (miner, farmer, fighter, builder) and working together to unveil the map. Itâs that flexibility â to play however you want â that makes Core Keeper endlessly playable. If you loved Minecraft, Terraria, or Stardew, youâll find yourself right at home digging into this Pixel Art Game.
Community Feedback: The community around Core Keeper is super passionate. On Steam it boasts an âOverwhelmingly Positiveâ rating with players clocking hundreds of hours. Common feedback highlights how âworth every pennyâ the game is and how it âhas grown a lot since early accessâ, improving with each update. Pixel Art Game fans often share screenshots of their elaborate underground bases and farms on Reddit, trading tips on how to optimize drill setups or breed the new critters from the latest update. In the r/CoreKeeperGame subreddit, youâll find everything from newbies amazed by their first boss kill to veterans designing beautiful subterranean villages. The co-op aspect is often praised â many mention itâs the perfect game to chill with friends while still offering challenging goals. In summary, the community sees this pixel art game as one of the standout indie games of 2024, a title that keeps on giving and cemented itself among the top-tier sandbox games on PC.
8. Warside
In Warside, tactical battles unfold in classic top-down pixel style â tanks, troops, and aircraft clash in turn-based combat. If you’re into the Pixel Art Game aesthetic, you’ll love the classic style here.
Where to Play: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2368300/Warside/
Genre & Style: Turn-based tactics (Strategy). Warside is essentially a modern love letter to Advance Wars and similar tactical war games. It features charming 16-bit style pixel art maps viewed from a top-down perspective, with vibrant unit sprites (infantry, tanks, planes, ships â the whole arsenal). You choose a Commander and lead one of several factions in strategic battles on grid-based maps. Itâs fast-paced for a tactics game, encouraging aggressive play (âaction-tacticsâ as the devs call it) rather than defensive turtling. Each Commander has unique powers, and each faction boasts some exclusive units, adding variety to the classic formula. Thereâs also a built-in map editor, so players can craft and share their own battlefields for endless replayability. If you have nostalgia for games like Advance Wars, Warsong, or even the recent Wargroove, Warside will push all the right buttons â with updated pixel graphics and even online multiplayer. The Pixel Art Game style adds charm and nostalgia to your gameplay experience.
Price & Platforms: Released in April 2025 on PC (Steam) for a very reasonable $14.99. (Itâs also available on Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox). For strategy fans, that price is a steal given the amount of content: a story campaign of 30+ missions and skirmish/multiplayer modes. Thereâs good bang for your buck here, and the devs have plans for post-launch support too, expanding the Pixel Art Game universe.
Co-op or Multiplayer: Yes, Warside supports both local and online multiplayer. You can go head-to-head against friends (or strangers via matchmaking) in PvP, and it even allows for local hot-seat play â a rarity these days â where two players can take turns on the same PC. While the campaign is single-player only, the devs have promised a co-op mode as well; in fact, at launch the game included online PvP and a map editor, and a co-op campaign mode was teased to be in the works. As a Pixel Art Game, it offers a retro visual twist in multiplayer experiences.
Why Itâs Worth Playing: Simply put, Warside captures the magic of classic tactics games with a fresh coat of paint. The pixel art is colorful and clean, immediately invoking that GBA-era charm, but itâs enhanced with modern touches like dynamic lighting and weather effects. Battles are genuinely fun to play and replay; the balance of units (infantry, recon, artillery, air units, naval) provides a rock-paper-scissors strategy thatâs easy to learn but allows for clever tactics. Importantly, Warside introduces some tweaks that prevent stalemates â there are units and commander abilities specifically designed to break defenses and keep the front lines fluid. The result is that matches tend to be more dynamic and exciting, with control of cities and factories swinging back and forth â you wonât often get bogged down in drawn-out wars of attrition. The single-player campaign features 12 unique Commanders each with their own personality and power, giving a lot of variety to the missions. One mission you might unleash an EMP ability to disable enemy vehicles, while in another, your opponent might use a naval bombardment power to soften your forces. These powers can dramatically turn the tide, making each battle feel unique. And letâs not forget the map editor â for the creatively inclined, designing your own scenarios (and downloading othersâ) adds infinite longevity. If youâre the type who spent hours in Advance Wars or Fire Emblem, Warside will hit you with a wave of nostalgia while still feeling like a fresh, new game in 2025, bringing the Pixel Art Game style to life.
Community Feedback: Strategy fans have embraced Warside. Early reviews commend its âgorgeous pixel artâ and note that it âplays like the classics we grew up withâ, which is exactly what many wanted. Some players highlight the effective AI and well-designed campaign missions â the difficulty ramps up nicely without feeling unfair. On forums, youâll see discussions of favorite Commander combos and screencaps of crazy matches (the gameâs map editor led to some really inventive challenge maps in the community). A review on one site said âthe tactical core is solidâ and praised how the game supports local and online play out of the box. Thereâs also appreciation for the quality-of-life features (undo for move commands, fast-forwarding enemy turns, etc.). If anything, a few critics pointed out it doesnât reinvent the wheel â but thatâs kind of the point. Warside delivers exactly what fans asked for: Advance Wars in a modern engine, with plenty of content and multiplayer options. For the community of turn-based tactics lovers, Warside has been a welcome addition proving the timelessness of Pixel Art Game enthusiasm.
9. The Siege and the Sandfox
Where to Play: https://store.steampowered.com/app/653060/The_Siege_and_the_Sandfox/
Genre & Style: The Siege and the Sandfox bills itself as the first âStealthvania,â a unique blend of stealth game and Metroidvania platformer. Think of a 2D side-scrolling Prince of Persia crossed with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, plus a dose of Mark of the Ninja-style stealth. You play as a legendary Sandfox (essentially a master thief/assassin) traversing a sprawling ancient palace and underground caverns in a kingdom under siege. The pixel art game elements are particularly showcased in dynamic parkour platforming â running, vaulting, and climbing fluidly â combined with stealth mechanics like staying in the shadows, sneaking past guards, and using silent takedowns. Of course, being a Metroidvania at heart, the palace is an interconnected map full of hidden passages and upgrades that grant new traversal abilities. All of this is presented in absolutely gorgeous 16-bit inspired pixel art with modern effects: the backgrounds are rich with details of a Persian-inspired palace, and the developers even used Unreal Engine to add dynamic lighting and painted normal maps on sprites, creating a striking mix of retro and modern visuals.
Price & Platforms: Released May 2025 on PC (Steam, EGS, GOG, etc.) at $14.99. Also available on consoles. For a debut indie title, itâs very polished and well worth the price â a single playthrough can run 8-12 hours or more if you explore everything. The Pixel Art Game genre balance and design make $15 a steal (no pun intended) for this âstealthvania.â
Co-op or Multiplayer: None. The Siege and the Sandfox is strictly a single-player adventure. Sneaking through a palace solo fits the narrative, and the gameâs design is focused on that single-player immersion â detecting enemy patterns, exploring at your own pace, etc. In this pixel art game, thereâs no multiplayer mode, but it does offer speedrun-friendly features for those who like to race through Metroidvanias (timer options, etc.).
Why Itâs Worth Playing: This game does something fresh in the genre by combining stealth with Metroidvania. If you enjoy sneaking in games, youâll get a kick out of evading patrols in a 2D setting. You have tools like sound distractions and hiding spots, which is unusual in a platformer. But if you also love exploration and backtracking with new abilities, Sandfox has that too. For example, you might acquire a grappling hook that not only lets you reach new areas but also swing silently above foes. The feeling of pulling off a tricky platforming sequence, then quietly dropping behind an enemy for a stealth takedown, feels fantastic. The devs put a lot into crafting this pixel art game, focusing on art and atmosphere â as noted in a press release, they use âhand-animated retro-style pixel art, combined with hand-painted normal maps and Unreal lighting, to provide an incredibly rich visualâ experience. And it shows: the game world looks alive, with flickering torch lights, lush palace interiors, and dangerous caverns. The story is also intriguing: youâve been betrayed and framed for the kingâs murder, so you uncover a sinister plot while also dealing with supernatural threats beneath the city. Itâs the kind of narrative that keeps you invested in both the stealth and the story. Plus, fans of Castlevania will appreciate that there are boss fights, but they often have creative stealth or parkour-centric twists in how you defeat them. All these elements make The Siege and the Sandfox stand out as one of the more innovative indies of 2025.
Community Feedback: Early players have been pleasantly surprised by how well the âstealthvaniaâ concept works. One detailed Reddit review broke down that Sandfox is âa unique, one-of-a-kind gameâ with very accessible stealth (enemies have clear sight cones, etc.) and satisfying Metroidvania progression. People have praised the fluid movement â the protagonistâs parkour is often called out as a highlight, making traversal as fun as the stealth. In terms of pixel art game aesthetics, screenshots of the gameâs scenes often make rounds with comments like âI canât believe this is done in pixel art, itâs so detailed.â Critics also noted that the marriage of genres could have been clunky, but Cardboard Sword (the dev team) pulled it off: you truly get both experiences seamlessly. Sales-wise itâs a slow-burn hit, but among Metroidvania enthusiasts, itâs becoming a cult favorite. If you scan Metroidvania forums or Discords, youâll see The Siege and the Sandfox being recommended as a 2025 must-play, especially for those craving something familiar but refreshingly new in the genre.
10. Threads of Time
Where to Play: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2090210/Threads_of_Time/
Genre & Style: JRPG (turn-based) with a time-traveling twist. Threads of Time is an upcoming indie RPG that openly wears its inspiration on its sleeve: itâs a love letter to Chrono Trigger and classic Final Fantasy titles . The game features a party of characters from different eras who come together to hop through time â from prehistoric ages to futuristic sci-fi settings â in order to stop a world-ending threat. Itâs presented in a beautiful 2.5D style: pixel art characters (reminiscent of 16-bit RPGs) traverse 3D environments built in Unreal Engine 5 . This means you get both the nostalgic sprite look and modern visuals like dynamic camera angles and effects. Combat is classic turn-based (likely with some timing or combo mechanics, as Chrono Trigger had), and yes, expect team combo attacks and epic boss battles across timelines. Essentially, if youâve been longing for a new Chrono game, Threads of Time aims to scratch that itch with its epoch-spanning adventure and âdream teamâ of heroes from various eras, which is quite the experience for Pixel Art Game lovers.
Price & Platforms: Scheduled for a 2025 release, it will be on PC (Steam) as well as consoles via publisher Humble Games. Price isnât final, but these mid-sized indie RPGs often launch around $29.99. Considering its scope (multiple time periods, presumably 30-40 hours of gameplay), it should be a good value. Keep an eye on Steam â you can wishlist it now and even see some gorgeous screenshots on the store page, especially if you enjoy games in the Pixel Art style.
Co-op or Multiplayer: Single-player only. This is a story-driven RPG experience meant to be played solo, focusing on narrative and character development. (Itâs hard to do co-op in a turn-based JRPG without things getting awkward, so itâs no surprise itâs single-player). However, sharing your party builds and choices with the community is part of the fun for these games â expect fan debates on which character from which era is the strongest, etc., once itâs out. Those passionate about Pixel Art Games will find satisfaction in their solo adventures.
Why Itâs Worth Playing: The elevator pitch for Threads of Time is basically âwhat if Chrono Trigger, but made in 2025?â. And honestly, thatâs enough to get a lot of RPG fans excited. The time travel mechanic means the game can constantly surprise you with new settings â you might go from a medieval castle straight to a high-tech dystopian city and then to an ancient ruins, keeping the scenery and enemy variety fresh. It also opens the door for cool story moments where actions in one era affect another (cause-and-effect puzzles, anyone?). The turn-based combat is expected to be robust, possibly with positioning or timing elements, and of course spectacular pixel-art animations for spells and techs. Graphically, the blend of pixel characters in a 3D world is very appealing; games like Octopath and Live A Live have shown how attractive this style can be, and Threads of Time seems to be embracing that fully, with Unreal Engine-powered lighting making those pixels shine (literally). The developers (Riyo Games) have also emphasized Chrono Trigger-like features such as dual and triple tech attacks (combining party membersâ powers) and a story that emphasizes character bonds across time. If youâre someone who cherishes narrative-driven RPGs with strategic combat and nostalgic art, this Pixel Art Game is practically tailor-made for you. It also doesnât hurt that the music weâve heard in trailers hits those melancholic JRPG notes perfectly â presumably a sweeping soundtrack to match the eras.
Community Feedback: Even pre-release, Threads of Time has garnered a fair bit of hype in retro RPG circles. The reveal of its concept had fans on Reddit exclaiming that itâs âthe Chrono Trigger successor weâve been waiting for.â People are especially drawn to its charming pixel art and the promise of multi-era adventure. On forums like ResetEra, users listed it among their most anticipated indie games, noting the surge of modern 2D JRPGs and how Threads of Time stands out by focusing on time-travel (a relatively underused gimmick since Chrono Trigger). The Humble Games showcase trailer got over 100k views , and the comments were filled with classic JRPG fans excited to see callbacks to their favorite 90s games. Essentially, the community vibe is that Threads of Time could be something special â a game that taps into nostalgia but also brings fresh energy to turn-based RPGs. Weâll find out in 2025 if it lives up to the legacy, but all signs point to an adventure well worth taking for any RPG enthusiast interested in Pixel Art Games.
Conclusion:
Pixel art games in 2024-2025 are proving that this retro-inspired style isnât just alive â itâs thriving and evolving. From the jaw-dropping cyberpunk vistas of REPLACED to the cozy caverns of Core Keeper, and from the pulse-pounding platforming of The Siege and the Sandfox to the strategic showdowns of Warside, thereâs an incredible variety on offer. These games are backed by passionate developers and communities that appreciate the blend of old-school aesthetics with modern gameplay innovations. Whether youâre teaming up with friends for a trampoline-bouncing Viking romp, or venturing solo into haunted towns and time-warping quests, thereâs a Pixel Art Game adventure here for every kind of PC gamer.
Whatâs especially great is how these titles show that pixel art isnât just about nostalgia (though thatâs a sweet bonus); itâs a deliberate artistic choice that can convey emotion, tension, and atmosphere in ways even high-end 3D sometimes canât. The best pixel games use every trick in the book â dynamic lighting, fluid animation, detailed spritework â to pull us into their worlds. This creative direction heavily influences the Pixel Art Game community. And by prioritizing gameplay and creativity over photorealism, these indie titles often surprise and delight us in ways we donât expect.
So, if youâve been itching for something new yet familiar, something that can make you feel like a kid on your old console and a gamer in 2025 at the same time, give these games a try. The PC platform has them all, and many will run smoothly even on modest rigs (another perk of pixel art!). Plus, youâll be supporting indie creators who pour their hearts into these projects. Hereâs to a year (and beyond) of pixel-powered fun â happy gaming, and may your 2025 be filled with many charmingly blocky Pixel Art Game adventures!
Interested in exploring more about pixel art games? This list showcases the top 25 classics that define pixel art genre.
