15 Biggest Recent Graphical Leaps That Showcase How Far Gaming Has Come

Gaming has come a long way from the heydays of the arcade where you would continually drop quarters into slot machines and compete for high scores with your friends. Modern games have evolved into the ultimate amalgamation of art and technology, and rake in more revenue than most other forms of entertainment. While many of the beloved franchises of the past have been lost to the changing times, some IPs have managed to stay relevant for generations upon generations. This feature is dedicated to celebrating such franchises and showcasing 15 of the biggest graphical leaps in gaming.

Deus Ex to Mankind Divided

Deus Ex was a revolutionary game when it was originally released way back in 2000. Its complex web of mechanics and interesting narrative themes paved the way for systemic game design for years to come, and a lot of that still stands true for Mankind Divided which is the latest entry in this long-running franchise. Of course, there’s a night and day difference between the visual fidelity of both games – and a simple side by side comparison is all that’s needed to see the graphical leap in all its glory. Mankind Divided has amazing weather effects, superb lighting and reflections, and lifelike animations while the original feels clunky and borderline unplayable by modern standards.