I’ve never been one to call myself a graphics whore. In fact, over the years, I’ve taken quite a few shots at those friends of mine that I knew only cared about graphics. Oddly enough, the two types of people that seem to really love graphics fall on opposite ends of the spectrum, ranging from hardcore PC gamers that love their real time benchmark demos to frat boys who can not get over how good a game looks, bra.
However, even my elitist mind can get knocked down a few pegs when I see something truly stunning, something that makes my jaw drop until drool leaks out, and I’m left mumbling incoherently while watching awe-inspiring visuals. Over the years, games that have really stood out to me in terms of graphics have been Mass Effect 2, Uncharted 2, Red Dead Redemption, Metal Gear Solid 4 and Crysis. In terms of design, I’d have to say Shadow of the Colossus and any number of the Zelda games.
It seems that CVG has put together a list of what they consider to be the 9 best looking games of all time. That’s a fairly lofty claim, although I don’t know if any of you will be surprised by their list, save for one or two entries. I really do like that they included Team Fortress 2 and Limbo on the list though, because those two games have such unique looks that make them both iconic.
So what do you guys think? What games left you stunned visually when they came out, and what games do you think still rank among the best looking games of all time? Go!
Source – CVG
To be honest, I think Unreal Tournament 3 should be on there. Sure, I don’t like the bulky-look of the characters, but it really kind of revolutionized how graphics should be. Great lighting, great textures, great water-looking system.
If anything, it could be an a list of games that impacted how games should/do look. Or maybe just a list of engines, who knows, I’m just ranting now XD
I’m surprised to not see Doom III, that was a long anticipated game that was “stunningly beautiful” when it came out. I remember the first time I saw 3D games and I thought they were gorgeous. Like Spyro or Goldeneye. Yeah, they don’t really hold up anymore, but the same will be said 10 years from now about Crysis.
Although I have a relatively powerful machine (i7 920, Geforce 275 gtx) I still prefer to turn most of the graphics down in games, I’d rather have it run beautifully at 100 FPS than shoot for 40 FPS with fancy visuals. I play games for the story, bra.
TMNT: Turtles In Time still looks beautiful on the SNES.
I have no problem with anything on that list. One of the better list I’ve seen, in fact.
No complaints with that list. I’ve played most of them and can’t deny their claims. Even the ones I haven’t played I always thought stood out graphically.
I myself am not a graphics whore. I’m function over form with most things in life as my love of the Bad Company’s and Dragon Age Origins proves. But I always try to stop and appreciate the visual spectacles games offer. In other words, I like to have both.
As for games which I think deserve an honourable mention: Hitman Blood Money (I can’t go one post without mentioning that can I?) and RE4 really stood out upon their release (Hitman could have hundreds of people on-screen at once and still have them quite detailed and RE4 just looked so damn good). For a modern game I would say CoD4. There are so many visually stunning set pieces (the tanker mission, the opening of ‘Charlie Don’t Surf’, nukes, etc.) but Crysis was probably given the mention in favour of it.
I’ve said it before, but Mario 64 blew my mind the first time I saw it. It was one of those games that made me think about the future of games and what they could be. Sure, it’s horribly dated now, but at the time its bright visuals and fully realized 3D look really struck a chord with me.
Also, Gears of War really impressed me when I first laid eyes on it.
Number one game that comes to mind when I think of graphics that blew me away would most definitely have to be Shadow of the Colossus. Specifically, the fight with the flying colossus over the lake. I remember grabbing onto his wing and just marvelling at the detail and realistic movement.
I’ll also agree with you all that the list is pretty good, especially with the addition of Okami. I think I’d add Tomb Raider and mention Final Fantasy XIII, when you finally reach Gran Pulse.
Interesting list, to say the least. Team Fortress 2 is an inspired choice, I feel. The “Normal Rockwell with a murder boner” style works very well, and the characters all having definable outlines from a distance is a very unique multiplayer mechanic.
I’ll have to agree with Eddy on Gears of War; the first time I plugged my 360 into an HD TV and turned it on, the goddamn menu screen blew me away. Seriously, that thing looked so damned crisp.
Red Dead is another one that I feel should be on here. That game was really beautiful, and one of the only times I actually felt engaged while riding through a barren desert.