The image in games has remained virtually unchanged in recent years. We are already used to high details, high-quality textures and realistic character faces. Perhaps the situation will change after the release of new video cards, but in 2024 the graphics remained at approximately the same level as before.
That is why when compiling this article, we did not pay attention to the number of pixels in the hero’s boot, but to the artistic component. Combined with cutting-edge technology, it can still impress even today.
Please note that the selection only includes games released last year. PC versions Horizon: Forbidden West, God of War: Ragnarok and Final Fantasy 16 was not included in the material, because they appeared on the PlayStation 5 much earlier.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
This game takes full advantage of the capabilities of modern PCs. The detail of every shrub and house, as well as the phenomenal range of drawings Microsoft Flight Simulator is almost photorealistic. An excellent choice for those who want to experience the romance of flying an airplane without leaving their home. It is true that the wow effect only occurs at high settings, and this requires a very powerful computer.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Beautiful locations, spectacular special effects during battles, well-designed character faces – every element The Final Fantasy remake is executed at an incredible level. Admittedly, the image quality is limited by the technical capabilities of the PlayStation 5. That’s why we recommend playing the PC version of the game, which goes on sale on January 23.
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Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
The second Hellblade turned out to be one of the biggest disappointments of the year. She didn’t bring anything new compared to the first part, and the story mode is extensive and filled with boring puzzles. However, the graphics in the game are truly excellent. Particularly impressive are the main character’s emotions, which are reflected on her face. But is it worth going through Hellblade 2 for the sake of a nice picture? That’s a big question.
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
The new Indiana Jones game can impress not only with its appearance, but also with its gameplay. The developers of MachineGames, known for the latest parts of the Wolfenstein series, have come up with a kind of analogue Deus Ex: Human Revolution, but in the setting of the late 1930s. The characteristic atmosphere of an adventurous adventure is created, among other things, by a clear and contrasting image with an eye for detail, high-quality models and advanced lighting. Even the latest indie films look mediocre in comparison The Great Circle. It was this project that was noticed by the Digital Foundry team, which analyzes graphics in video games.
Silent Hill 2 (2024)
In 1999, the life cycle of the first PlayStation came to an end. The console could not provide a high viewing distance, so the developers of Team Silent “flooded” the streets of Silent Hill with thick fog. This feature has become a signature feature of the series. Another surprising thing is that the city, which is hidden behind a translucent haze, seems incredibly realistic even today. In addition, the game cleverly uses the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5. The landscape, the interior of the premises, the faces of the characters and the appearance of creepy monsters – every element The Silent Hill 2 remake looks flawless. Especially if you play on PC.
Black Myth: Wukong
The game based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West has become one of the most successful in 2024. A good plot is combined here with high-quality gameplay in the best traditions of the Dark Souls series, but with its own characteristics. Action Black Myth is set in a beautiful setting with dense forests and ancient temples, and every character looks colorful and memorable. The wow effect of the photo is achieved by the large-scale world, high-quality 3D models and ray tracing.
Kingdom of the ants
A real-time strategy game about ants. Each of them has been worked out to the smallest detail: every hair and joint on his body is visible. In combination with detailed landscapes, the effect of photorealism is achieved. In addition, several hundred insects can be in the frame at the same time. They search for food, build anthills and fight aggressive termites. If you like this concept or just miss RTS, you can give it a try.
Tekken 8
The best fighting game of 2024 was a delight for fans of the genre. IN In Tekken 8 we saw a number of new mechanics that allow you to access improved attacks and restore lost health. And thanks to the transition to Unreal Engine 5, the battles look incredibly impressive. We can see every muscle on the characters’ bodies, which look great both in static shots and in action. Battles now look as authentic and realistic as possible, even if we are talking about a fantasy work.
Like a dragon: infinite wealth
Like a Dragon is a spin-off of the series Yakuza, in which turn-based battles replaced real-time combat. At the same time, the game has a very crazy plot. For example, you fight a gang of homeless people, find a lover for a living cancer and work with a bandit who wears diapers.
The main action of the game takes place in Hawaii. Colorful graphics create the right atmosphere. The warm colors, bright sunlight, detailed palm trees and grains of sand on the beaches make us feel like we are in a resort. You can also praise the faces of the main characters and their facial expressions, which are worked out in great detail.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl
The second Stalker turned out to be a very controversial game. It has obvious merits in the form of atmosphere, well-executed shooting, and an open world that’s interesting to explore. But the experience is spoiled by strange artificial intelligence, an overly simple plot and numerous bugs.
However, here we are not evaluating the quality of the project as a whole, but the graphics. And only with her is ‘Heart of Chernobyl’ okay. We see the Exclusion Zone in all its glory: rusty car wrecks, abandoned houses and factories, but also anomalies with unusual special effects. And the mutated opponents in the form of bloodsuckers, controllers and pseudo-giants look really creepy. True, as with the new version of Microsoft Flight Simulator, the game’s visuals will impress only those with powerful PCs, for whom graphic quality is more important than frame rate per second.
Do you agree with our choice? Or were you impressed by the graphics in other games? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Which game graphics from our selection impressed you?
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Source: VG Times
Christina Moncayo is a contributing writer for “Social Bites”. Her focus is on the gaming industry and she provides in-depth coverage of the latest news and trends in the world of gaming.