The Best Hand-drawn Games for Xbox Series X

Update : Train Traffic Manager added at rank #24.
1

The Wild at Heart (2021)

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84
Review score
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Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch PC Windows Mac OS

The Wild at Heart is a beautiful and joyous tale of discovery, full of quirky characters, exploration and puzzles. You play as Wake, a young scallywag searching for excitement who stumbles upon an adventure to save the world and reunite the Greenshields. With its hand-drawn art style, mysterious creatures and day-night cycle adding tension to the gameplay, you'll be sure to have some exciting escapades!


What we like:
  • Quirky characters with unique traits
  • Beautiful artstyle
  • Light combat & puzzles that increase in difficulty
  • Day-night cycle adding tension to the gameplay
What could be improved:
  • The standard loop:go here - do that
  • Parts of the narrative are well-honed

  • puzzle
  • hand-drawn
  • crafting
  • story
  • action-adventure
  • fantasy
  • emotional
  • time-management
  • 2d
  • atmospheric
  • colourful
  • resource-management
  • survival
  • exploration
  • adventure

2

Cozy Grove (2021)

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81
Review score
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Xbox One Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 IOS iPhone Mac OS PC Windows

Cozy Grove offers a charming, narrative-driven island-style setting game where you play as a Spirit Scout who helps ghosts trapped on an island. With a range of activities such as fishing, crafting, and collecting resources, this game has an unexpected depth with ghost bear characters having their narratives ranging from comedic to bittersweet and impactful.


What we like:
  • Adorable cast of characters
  • Beautiful hand-drawn visuals
  • Charming soundtrack
  • Deep layer of complex themes
  • Available on multiple platforms
What could be improved:
  • Lack of cross-save functionality
  • Smaller scale compared to Animal Crossing
  • Limited storage
  • Time-limited quests
  • Limited play each day

  • relaxing
  • crafting
  • hand-drawn
  • life-sim
  • simulation
  • inventory
  • cute
  • real-time
  • cozy
  • narrative
  • collectathon
  • isometric
  • story
  • resource
  • difficult

3

A Memoir Blue (2022)

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73
Review score
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Xbox One IOS iPhone Nintendo Switch Mac OS PC Windows Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Xbox Series X

A song from years ago triggers a flood of memories for champion swimmer Miriam. Embark on an evocative journey through her turbulent childhood and the complicated relationship she shared with her devoted mother.


  • interactive
  • hand-drawn
  • puzzle
  • underwater
  • narrative
  • abstract
  • story
  • relaxing
  • point-and-click

4

Afterimage (2023)

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75
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Xbox Series X/s

Afterimage is a Metroidvania game where you play as Renee, a young girl who survived an attack and sets out on a journey to regain her memory. Battle fierce enemies and explore the ruins of Engardin with over 200 different equipment options and deep RPG mechanics, crafting a unique gameplay experience. The stunning hand-drawn art style and original orchestral soundtrack add to the immersive experience.


What we like:
  • Smooth and responsive combat
  • Excellent exploration and enormous map
  • Exciting weapon and skill progression
  • Varied enemy design
  • Nice visuals and relaxing soundtrack
What could be improved:
  • Difficulty ramp-up can feel abrupt and inaccessible areas can be frustrating
  • Lack of minimap can be inconvenient
  • Poorly made quests and bad progression system
  • Poorly designed boss fights except for a few

  • metroidvania
  • platform
  • souls
  • boss
  • hand-drawn
  • 2d
  • exploration
  • rpg
  • anime
  • multiple-endings
  • scroller
  • lore
  • action-adventure
  • hack-and-slash
  • combat

5

Greak: Memories of Azur (2021)

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72
Review score
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PC Windows Playstation 4 Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch

Join the adventure in Greak: Memories of Azur, a beautifully hand-drawn game that takes you through magical lands. Dive into a captivating story of family and unity, solve intricate puzzles, and engage in thrilling combat. Experience the unique character swapping mechanics and immerse yourself in the expressive live orchestra soundtrack. A must-play for anyone interested in a fresh take on the Metroidvania genre.


What we like:
  • Stunning hand-drawn graphics
  • Engaging puzzles and storytelling
  • Unique character swapping mechanics
  • Expressive live orchestra soundtrack
What could be improved:
  • Short gameplay for the price
  • Challenging management of multiple characters
  • Clunky controls
  • Limited character development

  • platform
  • hand-drawn
  • puzzle
  • inventory
  • boss-fight
  • 2d
  • boss
  • combat
  • scrolling
  • adventure
  • battle
  • cooperative

6

Hidden Through Time 2 (2024)

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70
Review score
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PC Windows IOS iPhone Mac OS Xbox One Android Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch

Join Clicky on a new, enchanted adventure in Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic! Search for hidden objects scattered around hand-drawn worlds, and unlock more as you go. With both a single player campaign and an online mode where you can create your own dreamworld, the adventure never ends!


  • wholesome
  • hand-drawn
  • hidden-object
  • cute
  • colourful
  • relaxing
  • puzzle
  • customization
  • adventure
  • point-and-click
  • character
  • sandbox
  • online
  • historical
  • pick-up-and-play

7

Imp of the Sun (2022)

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71
Review score
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Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch PC Windows

Bring back the light to the sun’s empire in this 2D fast-paced action-platformer game inspired by Peruvian cultures. Make your way through hand-crafted environments, battle using your skills and improve them as you will need them in order to defeat the Four Keepers that stole the power of the sun.


  • hand-drawn
  • platform
  • 2d
  • soundtrack
  • metroidvania
  • boss-fight
  • exploration
  • nonlinear
  • emotional
  • combat
  • non-linear
  • colourful
  • boss
  • open-world
  • story

8

Nocturnal (2023)

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76
Review score
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Xbox One PC Windows Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Android Playstation 4

After years of traveling, Ardeshir finds his native island covered in a mysterious fog. Carve your way with fire and steel to find out what happened to your people in this action-platformer game. You’re the only one who can discover the secrets that lie beyond the Mist.


  • platform
  • scroller
  • soundtrack
  • 2d
  • linear
  • narration
  • action-adventure
  • mystery
  • hand-drawn
  • dark
  • puzzle
  • demons
  • exploration
  • combat
  • eroge

9

The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo (2023)

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76
Review score
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Xbox One Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows

The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo is a whimsical point’n’click adventure with a surrealist story, astounding hand-drawn animations and hilarious puzzles. Mr. Coo is trapped and broken into pieces. But most of all, he has no idea of what’s going on. Is that a giant chicken over there?


  • point-and-click
  • hand-drawn
  • cartoony
  • illustration
  • design
  • surreal
  • surrealist
  • philosophical
  • puzzle
  • adventure
  • graphic
  • clicker
  • funny
  • 2d
  • wonderland

10

Curse of the Sea Rats (2023)

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62
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox Series X/s

Curse of the Sea Rats is a ‘ratoidvania’ platform adventure with lovingly crafted, hand-drawn animations. Embark on the epic journey of four prisoners of the British empire, transformed into rats by the notorious pirate witch, Flora Burn.


  • hand-drawn
  • cooperative
  • platform
  • non-linear
  • boss
  • local
  • metroidvania
  • pirates
  • multiple-endings
  • campaign
  • combat
  • exploration
  • empire
  • 2.5d
  • fight

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