Best PS5, PS4 Art Direction of 2023 | Push Square

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Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PS5, PS4 Art Direction of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. Here we'll highlight titles that pushed the boundaries of game visuals, whether that's through near photo-realism, a stylish look, or unique artistic elements. These games are a joy to look at just as much as they are to play.

Octopath Traveler II brings the HD-2D art style Square Enix has coined to PS5, PS4, and it looks stunning. The lovely pixel art makes this JRPG shine no matter which of the many characters you're playing as, and the locales they explore provide beautiful colour to their journey. It's proof you don't need photo realism to create a jaw-dropping game; even the styles of old can be made to look brand new again.

At its cinematic best, Final Fantasy XVI is comfortably one of the most eye-popping games on PS5. But what really makes Clive's adventure stand out is its superb art direction. From immaculate character designs to incredible-looking bosses and monsters, it's often a joy to behold — particularly in terms of detail. Square Enix leans into darker fantasy territory with Final Fantasy XVI, and on a visual level, it pays off in spectacular fashion.

Lies of P from Round8 Studio might have one of the most unique setups in gaming this year: it's a dark re-telling of the Pinnochio story that plays like a Dark Souls. The South Korean team leans into this to sublime effect with animatronic enemies and bosses patrolling the city of Krat while a full moon shines down overhead. The game never lets up, with a healthy serving of environments and animated robots to take down, all up to a good graphical quality. The game itself is great, but it also