SinceMinecraftpopularized the voxel aesthetic with its creative block-like beauty, there have been a plethora of games that have followed in its stead. Some of them have followed it to a tee, recreating that blocky look, while others have used voxels to create more detailed environments and characters.
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However, many people still associate voxel graphics with games likeMinecraft, and while it is a great game, there are many other titles out today that are doing great work with voxels.
10Dustoff Heli Rescue
Dustoff Heli Rescuehas players pilot a helicopter under heavy gunfire in an attempt to rescue wounded soldiers, all from the comfort of home. This game features real-time shadows and lighting, different weather conditions, and a number of different environments that range from jungles to caves.
The game’s voxel graphics may not be the most detailed, but its fast-paced gameplay and great lighting make up for the lack of detail. Players can expect action-packed, arcade-style gameplay across 25 missions.
9Earth Defense Force: World Brothers
Marketing itself almost exclusively (and accurately) as a voxel-based version ofother games in theEarth Defense Forcefranchise, this game provides a lot of customization for fans of previousEDFtitles, and many playable characters. For some fans ofEarth Defense Force, the voxel-based graphics are a negative, but for those that love voxel graphics, this game is worth a look, especially for fans ofEarth Defense Force.
Because the game brings in enemies and characters from other games in the franchise, the roster is both large and varied, so for players that enjoy the different tones thatWorld Brothershas, it takes a while to get stale. Graphically, the game does what it can with its voxel-based style to recreate the huge creatures ofEDF, but uninspired lighting and environments bring this game down visually.
8Selaco
Although the game is yet to release,Selacocurrently has a demo live on Steam, and if the full game is anything as good as the demo, players can expect a voxel-based combination of games likeF.E.A.R.,QUAKE, andDOOM.Selaco’sF.E.A.R.influence is immediately apparent inits enemy AI, while its retro-FPS influences can be felt in its gunplay.
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The game’s Steam page tells players to expect an immersive world with destructible objects that indicate the carnage players have caused during combat, as well as a lengthy linear campaign with a fully-fledged sci-fi story.Selaco’svisual style is extremely unique, using low-frame animations, exceptional lighting, and well-imagined sci-fi environments to create an immersive atmosphere.
7Riverbond
This top-down action game combines classic hack-and-slash gameplay with a twin-stick shooter in beautifully imagined voxel-based levels with real-time physics and destruction. The game even has cross-over characters from games likeShovel Knight,Enter The Gungeon, andBastion.
Riverbondcan be played single-player but also features up to 4-player local co-op that fits the game perfectly with its old-school chaos. The game features a variety of weapons, as well as bosses to defeat, providing a great lightweightcouch co-op experiencefor fans of voxel-based graphics.
6Unrailed!
This online and local co-op game has players escorting a train as far as they can take it (or a specific length, depending on the game mode), a task that involves gathering resources for crafting tracks, putting out fires (both figuratively and literally), and carving a path through the voxel environment.
LikeMinecraft,Unrailed!uses its blocky aesthetic in tandem with its gameplay mechanics, allowing players to gather resources by mining rock and chopping wood, which can also be used to build bridges to take the train across water. These mechanics are central to the gameplay, as the train never stops moving, and must always have tracks in front of it. To be successful, players will need to master resource management and teamwork to keep the train running.
5Staxel
This relaxing farming game combines the creative and explorative nature ofMinecraftwith the farming and town gameplay ofStardew Valley. The combination of these two gameplay styles creates a cozy and engaging atmosphere that is sure to keep players in the sandbox.
Staxelalso borrows fromTerrariawith its village-building elements, tasking players with attracting new residents to the village, building their houses, and decorating them. The game also features online multiplayer, allowing players to invite friends to their farm and enjoy the lovingly crafted voxel environment together.
4Shroomchitect
This game, developed by burgeoning indie team PUNKCAKEDélicieux (creators ofShotgun King: The Final Checkmate), is described by its developers as an “atmospheric creative game”.Shroomchitecttakes inspiration from recent creative hitTownscaper, as well as classics likeThe SimsandDwarf Fortress, but at a much smaller scale.
The game aims to be accessible, providing a stress-freeexperience intended to relax the player, rather than bog them down with heavy micromanagement - players can’t even lose. Visually, the game is stunning, combining home-brew voxel graphics with pixel art to create an extremely unique look.
3Shadows Of Doubt
This game takes place in an alternate, industrialized version of the 1980s that borders on cyberpunk. The game has a heavy old-school noir atmosphere to it, which is pertinentconsideringShadows of Doubtis a detective game. The gameplay is largely stealth-based, with a lot ofimmersive-sim style mechanicstoo, such as multiple ways to trespass into key locations.
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What’s most impressive aboutShadows of Doubt, however, is the fact that it gives players complete freedom in its small but extensively detailed open world. Players can travel anywhere inShadows of Doubt’scity, both interiors and exteriors, and observe the fully simulated world. Every citizen inShadows of Doubthas a daily routine that players can use to crack cases.
2Battlebit Remastered
ThisBattlefieldinspired low-poly voxel-based FPS combines up to 254 player servers with fully destructible environments and hectic squad-based gameplay to create a chaotic and immersive experience that harkens back to the days ofBad Company 2.
The game may not be the prettiest, but it uses its voxel-based graphics to enhance its gameplay with near-fully destructible maps that fully immerse players in the environment and help to sell the action.Battlebit Remastered’slow-poly voxel environments also make it an accessible game for players with all kinds of PCs, bringing in a wider range of players necessitated by the game’s large servers.
1Teardown
Of all the games mentioned,Teardownis perhaps the best at looking great while simultaneously using its voxel aesthetic to enhance its core mechanics.Teardownsimulates fully destructible voxel environments for players to plan and enact several heists by tearing down walls to create shortcuts, stacking objects to reach higher ground, and using the environment to complete each heist quickly and creatively.
On top of a 40-mission campaign,Teardownalso hasextensive mod support, a built-in level editor, and a creative mode for those who want to build up as well as tear down.
