They say a picture is worth a thousand words; well, a video game is worth thousands of pictures — you do the math on that one! Although graphics aren’t the most important part of a video game, they’re certainly the first thing you will notice. Thankfully, graphics have come a long way in the decades following Pong, and the future looks limitless. So, in celebration of the great leaps in graphical fidelity made by the industry, here are 20 current games with the most stunning graphics.
1. Death Stranding
Thanks to its powerful Decima Engine, Hideo Kojima’s beautiful yet polarizing follow-up to his work on the Metal Gear Solid series features some of the most photorealistic environments in gaming. The desolate landscapes and detailed character models of Kojima’s cinematic masterpiece come together to create an eerily captivating experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt Red knocked it out of the park with this one and it's easy to see why. The Witcher 3 and its intricate narrative take place in a vast open world, making its visuals even more of a triumph. With its detailed environments and realistic weather effects, every scene in “The Witcher 3” could easily be confused for a painting.
Victoria Romanova on Wikimedia Commons
3. Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar Games has recently taken a lot of flack for the extended development periods of their releases (particularly GTA VI). But with its meticulously crafted world and smooth gameplay, Red Dead Redemption 2 was able to set new standards for realism in gaming and convincingly showcase why their games take so long to develop.
4. Horizon Zero Dawn
A critical darling upon its release in 2017, Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn was a technical masterpiece that handily exhibited the enduring power of Sony’s PlayStation 4. With its lush greenery riddled with towering robotic foes, Horizon Zero Dawn’s vivid and vibrant world is expertly brought to life with dynamic lighting and detailed textures that have gamers begging for more.
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5. Cyberpunk 2077
CD Projekt Red followed up the massively popular Witcher 3 with a game that had major shoes to fill. Unfortunately, Cyberpunk 2077 — with its technical issues and overall bugginess — fell short of the hype. But this still couldn’t take away from the game’s breathtaking graphics. The neon-lit streets and detailed character models outshine the game’s glitches, especially on high-end PCs and next-gen consoles
CD Project Red on Wikimedia Commons
6. God of War (2018)
As the eighth installment in the long-running God of War series (and the first to be released on next-generation hardware), Santa Monica Studio had its work cut out for them. Luckily, the acclaimed developer rose to the occasion by giving players a beautiful and detailed depiction of Norse mythology, accompanied by fluid character animations and impeccable attention to detail.
istolethetv on Wikimedia Commons
7. Ghost of Tsushima
Enveloping players in the rich and storied history of Japan’s samurai past wasn’t going to be easy, but developer Sucker Punch Productions delivered with flying colours. With its bold colour palette and detailed environments, Ghost of Tsusiama’s graphical fidelity brings to life the game’s sweeping fields and flowing cherry blossom trees, truly making it a visual marvel to behold.
Image by Xyrus Portugues from Pixabay
8. Final Fantasy XV
Since the early days (especially 1997’s Final Fantasy VII) Square Enix’s famed series has been highly regarded for its gorgeous visuals. After fifteen installments in the series, the developer had engendered lofty expectations for their most recent follow-up. Thankfully, Final Fantasy XV succeeded on all fronts, providing gamers with a vibrant and expansive world that seamlessly combines vivid realism with enthralling fantasy.
9. Metro Exodus
Set in a post-apocalyptic Russia, "Metro Exodus" atmospheric environment is as detailed as it is unique. With its incredible lighting and weather effects, developer 4A Games was able to provide gamers with a gritty and immersive experience that truly captures the isolating and unsettling nature of the bleak world they set out to create.
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10. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
As the eleventh installment in the acclaimed Assasin’s Creed franchise, Ubisoft Quebec set out to push the limits of its hardware and live up to the series’ long-standing tradition of bringing robust historical settings to life. With its panoramic views, detailed historical architecture, and dynamic water effects, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey makes travelling through ancient Greece an utter delight for the eyes.
Tehsigo Eternamente on Wikimedia Commons
11. Forza Horizon 4
As the primary developer behind the esteemed Forza Horizon series, Playground Games is more than familiar with the franchise's pedigree as one of the best-looking racing games on the market. With stunning reflections, pristine lighting, and incredibly detailed car models, the developer was able to deliver on the promise of the franchise by offering players a realistic high-fidelity driving experience unlike any other.
12. The Last of Us Part II
In developing a follow-up to the generation-defining The Last of Us, Naughty Dog Entertainment knew that they had to not only deliver a stellar narrative, but equally spectacular visuals as well. Luckily, the developer set out to push the boundaries of what console gaming is capable of. The Last of Us Part II gives players a detailed environment and compelling characters making for a post-apocalyptic setting that is as beautiful as it is haunting.
13. Elden Ring
From sprawling fields to intricate dungeons, Elden Ring’s world is as beautifully rendered as it is difficult to traverse. The immersive and cut-throat experience of FromSoftware’s spiritual successor to their famed Dark Souls series offers vast and detailed landscapes that truly bring to life the expert worldbuilding of Hidetaka Miyazaki and Game of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin.
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14. Control
Set within the reality-bending world of paranormal affairs, Remedy Entertainment expanded on the world-building perigee of games like Max Payne and Alan Wake with its impressive 2019 release, Control. The developer expertly combines lighting and particle effects to create a unique and otherworldly atmosphere that truly exhibits the surreal and stunning nature of the game’s visuals.
Remedy Entertainment on Wikimedia Commons
15. Hi-Fi Rush
With Hi-Fi Rush, developer Tango Gamerworks set out to make a game as visually unique and offbeat as the game’s quirky premise. Although technically a rhythm game, Hi-Fi Rush allows players to traverse and fight their way through an impeccably rendered world where cell-shaded graphics are brilliantly used to depict the protagonist’s vibrant and colourful synesthesia.
WillisGMiller on Wikimedia Commons
16. Gears 5
As the most recent installment in the long-running Gears of War franchise, Gears 5 is one of the most detailed and visually impressive action games on the Xbox. With its stellar lighting and environmental effects, Gears 5 offers players an expansive and colourful world that pushes the limitations of its hardware and enhances the experience of exploring its rich narrative.
17. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
With Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, developer Insomniac Games set out to definitively showcase the raw power of the PlayStation 5. Its seamless loading of detailed worlds and realms, smooth animations, and Pixar-esque vibrancy make this celebrated installment in the famed Rachet & Clank series an impressive step forward in the crowded action platforming genre.
Sergey Galyonkin on Wikimedia Commons
18. Flight Simulator (2020)
Photorealistic landscapes and highly accurate aircraft models have always been a staple of this acclaimed flight sim series. But with enhanced tech, more meticulously crafted real-world environments, and seamless gameplay mechanics, developer Asobo Studio managed to up the ante and offer players breathtaking views from above that are unlike any other.
Elwood P. Dowd on Wikimedia Commons
19. Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps, with its stunningly unique and vibrant visual style, is often cited as a modern platforming masterpiece and artistic marvel in gaming. Its hard-painted backgrounds combined with fluid character animations make for a visual storytelling wonder that is as compelling to look at as it is fun to play.
Moon Studios on Wikimedia Commons
20. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Insomniac Games delivered the goods with their follow-up to the widely beloved Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018). With its stunning recreation of a wintery New York City, complete with beautifully rendered snowy streets and highly detailed character models, Insomniac Games put all other Spider-Man games to shame by offering gamers the most detailed and visually stunning portrayal of the web-slingers adventures thus far.
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