6. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm
At least one animé game needed to make this list. Considering that cel-shading is designed to emulate this particular style of animation, it makes sense that these games would nail the cel-shaded visual style. Of all the games based on an animé series, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja has the best graphics by far. It had many problems in terms of gameplay, but the visuals were stunning and truly blurred the lines between the game and the animé. Kudos to SmashTom94 for the footage.
5. MadWorld
MadWorld, like XIII earlier in this list, used its cel-shaded style to oppose the mature content of the game. Were it on any other console, Mad World would have been considered unremarkable at best, but its place is solidified due to it being on the Wii. With the Wii’s severe deficiency of adult and potentially gory titles, MadWorld was able to stand out for its graphics, black and white noire style and content, if not for its gameplay.
4. Valkyria Chronicles
The PS3 doesn’t have quite as many exclusive titles as it necessarily deserves, but when they do come along they tend to get noticed. Except for one little title called Valkyria Chronicles. If it wasn’t content enough being one of the most intriguing strategy games released on a home console this generation, it also looked the part. The cel-shaded style of VC was unique in how it looked like a moving line drawing, in the same vein as the rotorscope animation seen in the likes of the original Prince of Persia. It is a beautiful and original game that deserved far more sales than it got. Thanks to EmoPrinny for the upload.
