Cinematic Games You Need to Play (or Replay)
There's something special about a game that you don't just play, but one that delivers a whole new experience and swallows you whole. One that makes you forget about everything around you, that you lose hours to.
Cinematic games aren't just "pretty", they're crafted in a similar way that a director creates their TV show or film, using pacing, framing, score and so much more - plus, let's not forget, even the most linear game allows you to explore a little, so every detail matters.
So, in no particular order, here's some games that you should probably experience at least once - but let us know if we missed any!
Death Stranding and Death Stranding 2
Starting strong with Hideo Kojima's walking-simulators-gone-epic. OK, some people weren't a fan of having to hoof about, but for those of us who enjoyed it - boy did we enjoy it. It's a lesson in what a game could be. Long, lonely, often quiet, you can become lost in the surroundings and really take in the stunning visuals and landscapes, and haunted by it. Especially that Timefall.
From the star studded casts to the wide filmic shots, slow pans, and close-ups really drive a sense of cinematography, like Kojima couldn't decide if it was a game or a film - so just said yes.
Shadow of the Colossus
OK, so yes, we're sneaking in a console-only game - but hang on. Whether we're talking the original 2005 release or the 2018 re-master, you've got to admit, Shadow of the Colossus is stunning & has some amazing storytelling.
Every colossus feels different, tragic, and unique. The absolute scale compared to you, the way the camera frames the battles, the lingering camera angle after your victory as you drink it in - only to realise (spoilers) you're the bad guy!
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A newer game, but one that's been met with insanely positive reception - and rightly so - Clair Obscur effortlessly blends a somewhat unique artstyle with theatrical combat, almost as though it were choreographed like a play.
The name Clair Obscur means "light-dark" (French), which is an art technique, usually known as chiaroscuro (Italian). It uses contrasts in a dramatic way, hence the game looks and feels the way it does.
From epic landscapes and unending skies, huge atmospheres, the game feels alive and unfathomably large. It's definitely the sort of game you could easily take a pause & just look around the environment that seems almost limitless and unbound.
Red Dead Redemption 2
RDR2 is possibly one of the best Rockstar games going without argument. It takes that old classic theme of the wildwest, with sweeping vistas, long horse-rides, and some good ol' rootin-tootin-cowboy-shootin' antics, too. It has all the hallmarks of greatness, plus, the characters are rich and well developed.
Even the simple things that Arthur does enrich the gameplay, from shaving, feeding your horse, watching the sun set & rise - it's like you're co-directing a piece of cinema and we're hear for it.
Rockstar even manage to make the more open areas of the map interesting, and not just a bunch of grass and some trees - and of course, in true Rockstar fashion, when you get bored of the main story, there's plenty to do, weird easter eggs included.
The Quarry
Another title that straddles the film/game line, Supermassive Games came swinging with this one. Leaning into that teen-horror movie trope, complete with dramatic lighting, exaggerated camera angles, and performances that are spot on for the genre - the only thing you're waiting for is a cheap jumpscare or someone saying "let's split up!"
It's essentially a playable slasher, with enough narrative-playability to allow you to craft your own "director's cut".
Until Dawn
You could say it's the spiritual successor to the The Quarry - and I'd agree. It's possible one of the best "Friday-night-with-friends" games around - unless you want to ruin your friendships with Mariokart.
It's tense, clever, and designed to draw you in - with fixed camera angles, tight corridors, and sudden shifts - almost paying homage to the great horror films that came before it. Cheesy? Yes. Brilliant? Yes.
The Last of Us & The Last of Us Part II
So cinematic, they literally made TV shows from them. Naughty Dog know what they're doing - every shot, animation, line - all done with purpose and designed to drive emotion.
Part II does especially well, with perspective shifts and long, quiet dialogue - all designed to make you uncomfortable and question things.
Cyberpunk 2077
After a bit of a rocky start, there's no denying that Cyberpunk 2077 has evolved into a visually striking game for PC - especially when you crank it up and chuck on path tracing. Pretty much every element of this feels as though it's ripped from a dystopian film, with Night City's neon lit, rain-soaked streets, to the towering megastructures, to the vast wastelands - plus, it has Keanu?!
The story is designed for replayability, letting you do different routes, explore, and do a bunch of other stuff rather than the main quest. Everything feels seamless from one place to the next.
Yes, the chunks of "what-coulda-been" & cut content that seem to linger as a sore point, but maybe one day, we'll get all of the pieces of the puzzle (or some clever modders will do it) - but there's no denying, it's very easy on the eyes
Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT
A real love letter to samurai cinema, it features Kurosawa‑inspired framing, wind‑driven composition, and some of the most breath-taking landscapes you'll find in games today. Whilst some have argued it's "too linear", it does allow open-world exploration - allowing you to enjoy the various scenes - from snow covered hills to warm grasses to rocky coastlines.
Combat is smooth, choreographed, almost dance-like, and the use of lighting, colour, and weather reflect the narrative and beats. A masterpiece in what games can be & really true to it's film-genre counterpart.
Uncharted 4
A blockbuster of a game, with set-pieces unfolding like a summer action film, it's got collapsing buildings, high-speed chases, and treasure hunting antics that'll take you all over the globe. It even has the quiet moments of character development with warmth and intimacy.
The writing and storytelling on in parity with the landscapes and crafted environments, both offering more than just simple gameplay.
Bioshock Infinite
You didn't think we'd miss this out? Bioshock Infinite might feel like a cop-out or an obvious choice, but it's here for a reason, and there's no denying that even now - it is simply sublime. I'd argue all of Bioshock ticks the boxes, but Infinite is the one I fell in love with most.
It's got it all: a floating, futuristic, steampunk-esq city, a tragic duo, and metaphors galore.
Honourable Mentions
Detroit: Become Human
Quantic Dream's most polished games, it's got drama, branching paths, mo-cap performances, and really does feel like a TV show.
Skyrim
Yes it's old, so vanilla Skyrim doesn't quite hold up - sorry not sorry. But throw in some mods (not THOSE mods) and holy heck - texture packs & lighting overhauls really help turn this into a Nordic fantasy film.
GTAV
Much like Skyrim, the vanilla is bad but it's showing it's age - but when you get some mods on the go, it really does some heavy lifting. Life-like buildings, cars, rain, and everything in between.
Outer Wilds
Super pretty, super stylised, Out Wilds is gorgeous and fun, fed with a good story, that makes you explore & figure how to piece together research to learn how to navigate the system and enter the Eye.
Firewatch
Another that you may not think is "cinema", but there's no denying that it's use of warm visuals, simplistic yet complex style, and narrative really tug at your heartstrings. It could easily lend itself to being a film or limited series.
