Best 2026 Video Games for animation quality

#1

The new 2D story cutscenes are a standout addition, described as well animated, polished, and even TV-worthy.

#2

Small character motions add an outsized amount of personality, from playful traversal flourishes to expressive NPC movement. The animation helps the monochrome world feel lively rather than static.

#3

Animation is repeatedly described as fluid, expressive, and full of personality, especially in Glimmer and the grotesque bosses.

#4

Reviewer evidence is strongly positive: animation quality was repeatedly praised as a standout strength across 2 review(s).

#5

Enemy animation helps sell the creatures as strange and dangerous, while Cel’s movement animation also receives specific praise.

#6

Animation work was praised, from smooth traversal transitions to small riding details that make mounted movement feel convincing.

#7

The move to 3D brings higher-quality character and weapon animations, with exaggerated swings and readable motion that add personality.

#8

Combat animation is a standout, with smooth movement, convincing attack weight, and flashy sequences that sell counters and special moves.

#9

Character and battle animation was praised as smooth and effective, even when other visual elements still showed the game’s age.

#10

Animations are described as crisp, matching the clean pixel-art presentation. Movement and environmental motion help the visuals feel polished rather than static.

#11

Cleaned-up gun animations remove some of the original wonkiness and make weapons feel much more polished in motion.

#12

Despite the pixel presentation, animation is described as beautiful and well supported by the surrounding audiovisual design.

#13

Character movement is consistently praised as smooth, playful, and expressive. Even more critical takes still treat the animation as one of the presentation strengths.

#14

Battle animations and Kinship attacks are a visual highlight, with fluid, energetic motion and plenty of spectacle.

#15

Animation quality was a major strength, from smooth animations to improved cutscene direction and fully animated event scenes.

#16

Movement and character animation are notably smoother and more detailed, though occasional NPC stiffness stands out against the otherwise high presentation bar.

#17

Animation is a consistent strength, with reviewers praising superb, beautiful, smooth, expressive, and detailed 2D character work.

#18

Animation detail was strongly praised, especially Ditto’s transformations and Pokémon character touches.

#19

Mio and the surrounding machines are consistently praised for smooth, expressive animation that gives the small robot personality and keeps movement readable. The hand-crafted motion complements the game’s painterly presentation.

#20

Character movement, finishers, and cinematic sequences are frequently praised for fluid, detailed animation, although occasional facial stiffness stands out.

#21

Animation quality was a strong visual highlight, repeatedly described as smooth, buttery, and momentum-selling.

#22

The talking guns and first-person weapon work earn strong praise for expressive, polished animation that gives the arsenal personality.

#23

The hand-drawn rubber-hose animation is one of the game's biggest triumphs, filling weapons, enemies, reloads, and scenery with expressive motion. A few repeated or abrupt animation cycles keep it from...

#24

Detailed rotoscoped animation gives people and creatures an uncanny, almost human physicality. It reinforces the dreamlike look, although that commitment can contribute to a dated or imprecise feel.

#25

Characters and props spring to life as scenes fill in, making each finished section feel like a small reward.

#26

Reviewers respond very positively to the animation quality, describing it as a notable strength of the overall experience.

#27

Animation receives positive notes for sketch-to-ink presentation, panel-like motion, and impressive super animations.

#28

The remake’s character and combat animation earns strong praise for smoother movement, livelier cutscenes, and more cinematic attacks. A few comments frame the gains as refinement rather than a radical...

#29

The preserved sprite animation earns consistent praise for staying faithful to the Super Famicom look while giving Torneko and the monsters plenty of personality.

#30

The limited direct assessments are positive, praising stellar character-scene animation and well-executed motion even when the broader presentation can be rough.

#31

Animation gets strong marks overall, especially the smooth pixel work. Even simpler enemy motion is presented cleanly enough to support readable encounters.

#32

Reviewers praise smoother transitions and expressive Mii animation, especially how animation supports personality and absurdity.

#33

Animation quality has limited but strong support, especially for fluid melee motion.

#34

Badge completion uses flashy animation that makes each objective feel satisfying.

#35

Character and battle animation drew praise for looking smooth and lively within the doll-like presentation.

#36

The demo preview praises expressive traditional animation. Jumps and dashes convey both weight and agility.

#37

Animation quality receives limited but positive evidence from cockpit wheel/hand movement matching wheel input.

#38

Animation quality received positive evidence from one review that noted improved animations supporting better combat feel.

#39

Animation quality is positive where discussed, with motion capture and large boss animations helping sell character interaction and spectacle.

#40

Animation quality is praised in limited evidence for nuanced character movement and detailed creature presentation.

#41

Animation quality received positive evidence through praise for Leon’s reload animations.

#42

Animation is treated as part of the charm, with reviewers pointing to goofy premises and animations that make even failure feel amusing.

#43

Animation quality was praised through an excellently animated boss-cutscene sequence.

#44

Impactful hit reactions help gunfire feel powerful and responsive.

#45

Cargo-transfer animations add useful visual feedback and make loading activity more satisfying to watch.

#46

Animation is one of the game’s clearest showpieces, with bespoke parries, blocks, executions, facial reactions, and combat transitions repeatedly singled out as exceptional. A few reviewers noticed a gap between...

#47

Movement and combat animation generally look polished and energetic, with finishers and traversal selling Dylan's speed and force. A few rough character-animation moments keep it from being uniformly pristine.

#48

The deliberately floppy, hand-drawn animation usually complements the game’s chaotic personality, and several reviewers found it funny and expressive. Its rough-looking movement is generally treated as an intentional stylistic choice...

#49

Frame-skipped, stop-motion-like animation gives Yoshi and the creatures a handmade personality that fits the living-book theme. Character reactions are expressive and often part of the charm.

#50

Small animated payoffs give scenes life and often deliver the joke after a successful shot without making targets hard to read.