Paints & Pastels: 5 Family-Friendly Games That Look Great on Xbox Series

So, you've bagged an Xbox Series X or S. You've hooked it up to your Ultra 4K display, and now you're rearing to go. So, what comes next? With all these choices in the palm of your hand and a picture-perfect rig before you, you're probably asking yourself which games showcase the power of the latest hardware in its entirety.

Well, we covered a few games a little while back, mainly targeting a maturer audience. This time, however, we'll slip into something a little more, say, family-friendly. Rainbows, paints, and a whole lot of pastel colors; all the things that look pretty darn good with all the highest specs enabled. Let's slap those up on the canvas. Here are, in our opinion, five of the most beautiful games to play on an Xbox Series.

5. The Gunk

The Gunk is Image & Form's first stab at taking on a 3D world, unlike its earlier works that gravitated more towards the side-scroller and deck-building region. However, having over twenty years experience in the gaming industry, the lack of knowledge hardly played a factor in the development of the marvel that soon became The Gunk. Granted, the game isn't big on narrative, nor is it likely to eat away at your entire month. But it is, however, one of the best looking games of the last twelve months.

The Gunk puts you on an alien planet that has been ravaged by a thick and blobby tar-like substance. With nature being devoured and the future of the planet being threatened by its unforgiving presence, you must use your tools and exploration skills to revitalise every nook and cranny of the defunct homeland. The Gunk will only take you a few hours to complete, but every shred of it is plastered in vibrant textures and mesmerising landscapes. Plus, on an Xbox Series, you'll be able to appreciate the world a whole lot more, and then some.

4. It Takes Two

If you like patchwork and puzzles, then you might want to consider investing in It Takes Two, a local co-op game that will send you and a partner on some of the most vivid ventures ever produced for a video game world. And boy, it sure does look great on an Xbox Series. Even if you're not exactly keen on solving intricate puzzles and banding together to form a team — It Takes Two is still well worth sinking into, if only to absorb the rainbow it develops.

It Takes Two follows Cody and May, a married couple on the brink of divorce. After telling their daughter Rose of their woeful fate, the two are transported into doll versions of themselves, forced to make amends with their marriage. Under the belief that finding Rose can return them back into their human form, the two set out on an epic journey full of surprises and unlikely wonders.

3. Psychonauts 2

There's no ignoring the fact that the original Psychonauts had quite the reputation, and not the greatest one, either. But following on from its cult-like transformation which saw a steady growth in popularity, a sequel was almost destined to break out onto the market at one point or another. Lo and behold, Psychonauts 2 smashed its way over to the shelves in 2021, making a game-changing comeback with all the bells and whistles to boot.

Psychonauts 2 picks up with Raz, a young acrobat with a life-long dream of becoming an elite member of the global task force known as the Psychonauts. In a bid to halt the determined Dr. Loboto from stealing other brains, the unlikely hero is led to master his supernatural abilities to counter the new threat. Over a series of outlandish trials and psychedelic visions, you must pave the way to a new generation of heroes.

2. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Following on from the plethora of praise Moon Studios' Ori and the Blind Forest garnered, the creative waterfall of a developer finally cashed in on an enchanting sequel that glimmered twice the beauty as its predecessor. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an elegantly designed Metroidvania, embellished with helpings of well constructed puzzles and combat sequences. Like its previous game, the beauty lies within the radiant world you spend hours traversing.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps returns to the one and only Ori, a guardian spirit with a knack for protecting those held dear to it. After a flight turns sour and puts dear owlet Ku in harm's way, Ori is put on a new course to banish the threat and return peace to the land of Niwen. Expect charming palettes, a whole lot of shimmering lights, and an adorable and heartfelt story to keep you company.

1. The Artful Escape

To make it clear — you do not need to have a lasting hunger for psychedelic rock ballads in order to get a kick out of The Artful Escape, though it would probably help make your voyage a little more pleasing. But it that's not your thing, then rest assured that the colorful indie game still delivers one of the most memorable world designs ever made.

The Artful Escape follows Francis Vendetti, a conflicted musician with a knack for falling into his late uncle's wider shadow. As the up and coming artist discovers an unorthodox opportunity which allows for him to forge his own musical legacy, he soon steps up and takes it. Little does he know, however, is that his stage is galaxies apart. And his fans, well, let's just say they're not the usual folk-loving types.

So, what's your view? What games would you recommend playing on an Xbox Series? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

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