These are Twine games that make heavy use of gradient backgrounds. This excludes Twine games that use a variety of single colour backgrounds. Those too are wonderful but do not fit this list.
There is something about a well-placed gradient background that can really dazzle an audience. Not only are they visually appealing but they can be used to help tell the story. Like any visual effect what matters is how you implement it. This list shows some Twine games the use gradient backgrounds in a creative and effective way.
Perhaps this list will provide some inspiration if you choose to make a Twine game.
1. 20 Strokes by PaperBlurt (2014) Average member rating: (12 ratings)
Kinetic Mouse Car says:
Features a eye-catching blue gradient background to create the image of swimming in a pool. These are contrasted with a black background that indicates when the protagonist has a stray train of thought. Short and straightforward.
2. dhan by litrouke (2017) Average member rating: (1 rating)
Kinetic Mouse Car says:
This is an atmospheric story in a desert. The gradient backgrounds are more subtle, and it sticks to a basic palette of tans and bronze. The gradient will darken, especially in intense scenes in the second half of the gameplay. This is all contrasted with an occasional black screen that represents the protagonist's sleep.
3. Funicular Simulator 2021 by Mary Goodden and Tom Leather (2021) Average member rating: (14 ratings)
Kinetic Mouse Car says:
This is a relatively newer Twine game, and it has some of the most beautiful gradients that I have seen so far. Even better, the game combines these backgrounds with basic animation so that it changes colour in a dazzling way.
4. origin of love by Sophia de Augustine (2022) Average member rating: (4 ratings)
Kinetic Mouse Car says:
There is only one gradient background, but it pairs well with the other visual elements to create a fun look. It is a beautiful vertical pink gradient background behind a pale pink box for text plus rounded corners and a pink border. Links are similarly stylized and even reveal pink pop-up boxes. I really love the resulting effect. Yes, there is pink everywhere, but it is easy on the eyes and avoids being distracting or overpowering.
5. Perihelion by Tim White (2021) Average member rating: (8 ratings)
Kinetic Mouse Car says:
Purple and green. Red and blue. Yellow, orange, and red. These are only a few of the gradients that you will encounter. Most locations have their own background, and they feature bold colour combinations that makes the game memorable.
6. SKATE OUT! by PaperBlurt (2015) Average member rating: (6 ratings)
Kinetic Mouse Car says:
This one is a bit of a sequel to 20 Strokes which is also on this list. Its default gradient background bright blue* and red, but there is a second deep red and black gradient that can crop up by surprise depending on the player's choices. Both are punchy and bright (and the font choices are nice too).
*When I first played this game, I had a blue light filter activated on my computer's screen, giving the impression that it was green. It was an unexpected surprise.
7. Swedish Dads by Xian Xian (2016) Average member rating: (1 rating)
Kinetic Mouse Car says:
This is probably the shortest game on the list, but it is still a good example of gradient backgrounds in a Twine game. There are only a few but are used to distinguish between two gameplay paths.
8. Tangaroa Deep by Astrid Dalmady (2016) Average member rating: (43 ratings)
Kinetic Mouse Car says:
I had someone mention this game to me. It is an excellent example of how gradient effects can tell a story. You are in a deep diving submersible. The deeper you go the blue-green gradient grows darker to simulate the depths of the ocean. Quite effective.
9. Those Days by George Larkwright (2021) Average member rating: (5 ratings)
Kinetic Mouse Car says:
There are about six different gradient backgrounds in this game. Imagine you made a watercolour painting in art class and accidently spilled a glass of water on it. Usually, the paint bleeds so the colour is a bit fainter. That is what most of the backgrounds look like. Light and subtle. Then there are two that are more saturated in colour. But they all look great.
10. To Spring Open, by Peter Berman and Yoon Ha Lee (as Two-Bit Chip) (2015) Average member rating: (18 ratings) Kinetic Mouse Car says:
This Twine game uses a wide variety of visual effects, especially with its backgrounds. It uses a mix of gradient and non-gradient backgrounds. Sometimes it opts for a gradient textbox against a basic background, which was a nice variation in design. My favorite was the Butterfly Court.
11. Vesp, by Porpentine (2016) Average member rating: (15 ratings) Kinetic Mouse Car says:
The first few minutes of the gameplay is just text against a black screen but once you leave your apartment you will experience some seriously beautiful backgrounds. I especially like the pink and green gradient. It sort of reminds me of watermelon.
12. With Those We Love Alive by Porpentine and Brenda Neotenomie (2014) Average member rating: (107 ratings)
Kinetic Mouse Car says:
Probably the most well-known game on this list. Uses vibrant and diverse range of gradient effects to illustrate a surreal world. They also contributing to the feeling of a dream state in some scenes.
