Technology is improving at an exponential rate, which is great news for gamers because games will get bigger, better, and more beautiful as time goes on. Game graphics are bordering on realism these days, and it's incredible to see how far the industry has come since the 8-bit graphics of earlier games like Pac-Man and Super Mario Bros.
Now, when it comes to the most visually stunning games of this generation, there are a few clear winners in our eyes. From vast jungles to thriving oceans, the games we’ve chosen cover a range of different environments, so if you’re in the market for a game that’ll blow your mind, consider choosing one from our list below.
Anyway, let’s get started with number 7.
7 – It Takes Two
It Takes Two is a couch co-op game that was released earlier this year, and it's both so much fun and incredibly beautiful in terms of its visuals. You play as one of two main characters who have been turned into toys, and throughout the game, you have to navigate a bunch of pseudorealistic environments to get to your daughter so she can reverse the curse.
The premise may sound silly, but this game and its environments are so well-made that we’d highly recommend giving it a shot with a friend or SO.
6 – Minecraft
Minecraft as a base game isn’t particularly visually stunning, but with the right mods and a powerful PC, you can make this game look incredible.
There are ray-tracing mods that simulate how light interacts with objects in the real world, mods that will make lava and water act and look realistic, and there are plenty of shaders available that can change and enhance your Minecraft visuals in so many different ways.
Just be warned though – once you download some of these mods for yourself, you’ll have a hard time going back to the base game visuals.
5 – Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V came out all the way back in 2013, but to this day it still remains one of the greatest open-world games to play, with so many things to do and areas to explore.
The graphics have improved so much over the years too, with the game now offering 4k ultra graphics for those of you lucky enough to have a high-end PC.
There's not much else to say about this game, other than if you've played it before, you should absolutely try it out again with the latest graphics because the game is on a whole other level than what it was at release.
4 – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt boasts one of the most beautiful medieval fantasy worlds in gaming, and this, along with its excellent gameplay, helped the game secure the Game Of The Year award back in 2015.
From the mountainous regions that cloak the game's landscape to the built-up cities and settlements dotted all around, everything looks phenomenal. Even the water and rain physics are incredible, which just goes to show the extra lengths the developers were willing to go to make this game stand out.
And hey, let's not forget about the various monsters that you get to encounter throughout the world. Every single one looks as beautifully terrifying as the next, so if you want a game that's not only visually pleasing but visually terrifying too, then you're in for a treat.
3 – Forza Horizon 5
It wouldn't be right not to include a top-tier racing game in our list, so here we are with Forza Horizon 5. This game offers by far the best visuals of any racing game out there currently, so if you love the genre and want to experience something next level, this is the game for you.
From snowy landscapes to jungles and desert roads, there’s such a huge range of stunning environments on offer here in Forza Horizon 5 that we guarantee you won’t be getting bored any time soon.
2 – Horizon Zero Dawn
Next up at number 2 is Horizon Zero Dawn, which is a fantastic post-apocalyptic game set in a universe where the world we know is long-gone, and robot dinosaurs now roam the lands.
Every single area in this game looks phenomenal, and there are so many overgrown ruins to discover and explore, so if you like that kind of aesthetic, you have to give this game a go.
The robot dinosaurs are also a big part of why this game is so visually stunning because they're all so big and incredibly detailed. Don't stare at them too long though, because a lot of them are aggressive and will attack you if you get too close.
1 – Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is arguably the best western game you can get your hands on right now, and I guarantee you’ll have a hard time finding someone that played and didn’t enjoy this masterpiece.
In terms of the visuals, there is so much that the game does right, which is why it’s at the top of our list. The water is rendered beautifully, every object interacts with ambient light so well, and there are even mud tracks that get left behind by people and horses as they wander around the world. Like, how crazy is that?
Not only are the visuals stunning and true to the era that the game is set in, but the sound design is incredible too, which the game has won multiple awards for. Every part of this game is beautifully crafted, making for an immersive experience unlike any other out there.
Final words
As the years go on, there will no doubt be so many more games released that will top these ones, but for now, these are our top 7 picks for the most visually stunning games. If you’re worried about your PC not being able to run these games, then trust us when we say that upgrading your hardware to experience them in all their glory is 100% worth it.
Thanks for reading!
