Unity is widely recognized as one of the most beginner-friendly and versatile game engines for developers. Its free personal subscription plan makes it especially accessible to indie developers and small game development companies.
Here, we list the best Unity games, our timeless favourites, all created using this powerful engine. These games showcase the engine’s flexibility and the creativity it enables, making Unity a popular choice for developers worldwide.
Unity is a powerful cross-platform game engine primarily used for creating 2D and 3D video games and interactive experiences. Owned by Unity Technologies, it offers a comprehensive suite of game development tools, including a large user community, extensive asset library, and more. Let’s see why it is the right choice for creating the best Unity games.
Here is a list of popular games that use Unity. These games continue to remain relevant several years after their launch.
Genre: Puzzle, Adventure, Strategy
Art: 3D
Developer: Ustwoo Studio Ltd.
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows
Monument Valley, released in 2014, is a celebrated indie puzzle game and a prime example of Unity engine games. Players guide Ida through intricate optical illusions and architectural landscapes, offering a visually striking experience. Its 3D minimalistic art and precision-crafted puzzles make it a standout among mobile games made with Unity.
Genre: VR, Action, Rhythm
Art: 3D
Developer: Beat Games
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Meta Quest
Released in 2018, Beat Saber is a highly acclaimed VR rhythm game that exemplifies the best Unity games. Players use VR controllers to slice through blocks to the beat of the music, offering an immersive and physically engaging experience. Its precise mechanics and vibrant visuals highlight the power of the Unity engine in creating dynamic VR environments.
Genre: RPG, Adventure, Fitness
Art: 3D
Developer: Niantic, Inc.
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pokemon Go was a groundbreaking 2016 mobile game made with Unity that popularized augmented reality (AR) gaming. This Unity engine game was a pioneer in using AR mapping extensively throughout gameplay. Its simple core loop of exploration and discovery, combined with the blend of real and virtual worlds, created a highly addictive experience.
Genre: Metroidvania, Fighting
Art: 2D
Developer: Moon Studios
Platforms: Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Ori and the Blind Forest is a standout indie Metroidvania game that breaks away from the 3D trend in many Unity games. Following Ori’s journey through a dying forest, its 2D art style and captivating visuals create a unique and emotional experience. Known for its enchanting atmosphere and engaging narrative, it remains one of the best Unity games.
Genre: Puzzle, Adventure, Stealth
Art: 3D
Developer: House House
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, GeForce Now
This slapstick stealth puzzle game features a mischievous goose that turns villagers’ peaceful mornings into chaos. With a charming cartoon-like style, players prank and annoy villagers, leading to hilarious and entertaining gameplay. Initially a single-player game, it offers a co-op mode for double the fun. As one of the best Unity games, it delivers a uniquely amusing experience.
Genre: Shooter, Run-and-Gun
Art: 2D
Developer: Studio MDHR
Platforms: Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, GeForce Now, Amazon Luna
Inspired by the 1930s cartoon style, Cuphead is a classic run-and-gun game. The game features beautifully handcrafted 50,000 frames using cel-shading art. While the gameplay is challenging, it remains engaging. Cuphead stands out among Unity engine games for its colourful watercolour backgrounds and retro jazz music.
Genre: Action-Adventure
Art: 3D
Developer: Hipster Whale
Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, AndroidTV, tvOS, iPadOS, Sky Q, KaiOS, Series 30+
Crossy Roads is an endless runner where players help characters safely cross roads. Popular with kids and parents, it features characters like Frankenstein’s monster, a ghost, a vampire, and a zombie. If characters get hit by vehicles or fall into the water, they die instantly in a cartoon-like manner without graphic violence. With in-app purchases or by watching ads, players can unlock more characters. The addictive gameplay makes it one of the best Unity games.
Genre: Action-Adventure, Puzzle
Art: 3D
Developer: Mobius Digital
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Embarking in your little spaceship to explore the mysteries of space in Outer Wilds is an alluring experience. The eye-catching artwork, realistic physics, and advanced gameplay mechanics stand out, while the audio and soundtrack enhance the journey. Named “Game of the Year 2019” by Giant Bomb, The Guardian, Polygon, and Eurogamer, it is one of the best Unity engine games, earning multiple awards for its captivating design.
Genre: FPS, Action RPG, Adventure
Art: 3D
Developer: Battlestate Games
Platforms: Windows
This first-person shooter is among the best Unity games, blending survival, battle royale, and RPG elements. Its highly detailed, realistic environments and character models, dynamic lighting, and atmospheric effects enhance the immersive experience. The challenging gameplay and stunning graphics make it a prime example of Unity’s massively multiplayer game development capabilities.
Genre: Fighting, Metroidvania
Art: 2D assets, 3D environments
Developer: Team Cherry
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Amazon Luna
Hollow Knight is a standout 2D action-adventure game created using Unity. Renowned for its challenging levels and captivating art, it offers an immersive experience as players navigate an insectoid warrior through a kingdom plagued by a magical disease. The game features many bosses, adding to its engaging gameplay and making it one of the best Unity games.
There are several reasons for developing games using the Unity engine, from both a developer’s and a client’s perspective. Unity offers cross-platform support, minimal coding requirements, a user-friendly interface, built-in analytics, and a large asset store. Here are some advantages of using Unity:
Unity engine games are popular due to these versatile features, enabling developers to create engaging and visually stunning games across various platforms.
Unity’s pivotal role in VR/AR is monumental. As a leading game development platform, it simplifies the creation of complex, interactive 3D content, especially for VR and AR environments. Its versatility allows developers to craft immersive experiences across various industries, including gaming, education, and healthcare.
Unity’s robust, user-friendly tools and extensive asset library enable creators to build detailed virtual worlds with minimal coding. Additionally, its compatibility with multiple VR and AR hardware enhances accessibility, fostering a more inclusive ecosystem. Unity’s continuous innovation in rendering, physics, and user interface design makes it indispensable in shaping the future of VR/AR technologies. This innovation is evident in some of the best Unity games and VR experiences, showcasing its ability to bring immersive worlds to life.
Some top games made with Unity and VR technology are Beat Saber, Job Simulator, The Room VR: A Dark Matter, and Fruit Ninja VR.
Unity has catalyzed indie game development, democratizing creation and fostering innovation. By providing a user-friendly platform with robust tools and a vast asset store, Unity empowers indie developers to bring their visions to life efficiently and cost-effectively. This accessibility has led to a surge in indie game development, resulting in many successful and critically acclaimed titles.
From puzzle-solving masterpieces like Monument Valley to the adrenaline-pumping action of Beat Saber, the best Unity games showcase the engine’s versatility and the talent of indie developers. Unity’s multiplatform support has also expanded the reach of indie games, making them accessible to a wider audience. By lowering the barriers to entry and providing essential tools, the engine has empowered countless developers to create exceptional games.
Unity is a powerful game-creation tool, but it is not without challenges. Let’s see some common hurdles developers face.
Performance optimization
Achieving smooth gameplay, especially for games that aim to be among the best Unity games, is crucial. Optimizing memory usage, asset management, and graphics is essential to prevent performance bottlenecks, particularly on less powerful devices.
Learning curve
Unity offers a vast toolkit, but mastering it takes time. Think of it like learning a new language – there is much to absorb. While the basics are accessible, delving deeper requires dedication.
Multiplatform development
Ensuring a game shines on various platforms (PC, consoles, mobile) is complex. Each platform presents unique challenges, demanding careful testing and optimization to deliver a consistent experience.
Asset store quality control
Unity’s Asset Store is a treasure trove, but finding top-notch assets that align with your vision can be time-consuming. Careful evaluation is essential to select resources that contribute to the overall quality of your game.
Keeping up with Unity
Unity’s frequent updates introduce new features and improvements but can also disrupt ongoing projects. Staying current while maintaining project stability is a balancing act.
Realistic physics and lighting
Creating immersive worlds requires accurate physics and lighting. While Unity provides tools, achieving the desired level of realism often demands experimentation and fine-tuning.
Community support
Unity’s community is vast, but finding specific solutions can be challenging. While helpful, forums can sometimes be overwhelming, making it difficult to isolate the most relevant information.
As a leading Unity game development company, Juego Studios leverages Unity’s full potential to create exceptional gaming experiences. Our expertise spans various genres and platforms, ensuring that each project meets the highest standards of quality and innovation. Partner with us to bring your vision to life with cutting-edge technology and creative excellence.
Unity Engine stands out as a versatile and powerful game development tool, supporting both indie and large-scale projects. Its comprehensive suite of tools, extensive asset library, and strong community make it a go-to choice for developers looking to create high-quality, immersive games across multiple platforms.
Unity offers a free Personal Edition with limitations on project revenue. For larger projects or commercial purposes, you’ll need a paid subscription. Educational and enterprise licenses are also available.
Unity is popular for game development because of its versatility. You can create 2D and 3D games for PC, consoles, mobile, and VR platforms. It has a user-friendly interface, an extensive asset store, and the ability to handle complex projects while offering high performance.
Yes, Unity is widely used for developing AR and VR applications. Unity’s cross-platform compatibility allows developers to target multiple AR and VR platforms with a single codebase, making it a versatile choice for creating these cutting-edge applications.