Say what you will about the state of the industry, but even as games evolve, their graphics remain a key aspect. Even some of the biggest flops this year sport some gorgeous visuals, as publishers and developers push the boundaries of what’s possible, pouring years of time and money into their work.
With all the talk of current-gen consoles and how they lack exclusives to showcase their graphical prowess (or how unsustainable the triple-A model has become), it’s worth looking back on the previous generation. Not only did its titles push the envelope despite their limited hardware (specifically the Xbox One and PS4), but their presentation and visual fidelity can easily compete with many of the current generation. Here are 15 graphically impressive titles from the previous generation that rival today’s greats (and, in some cases, even surpasses them).
The Last of Us Part 2
As divisive as the story and ending turned out, everyone seemingly agrees that The Last of Us Part 2 is a gorgeous game. Everything about it – the animation work, the environmental detail, the textures, the cutscenes – looked amazing. It’s almost hard to believe that the PS4 could handle all this while maintaining a steady frame rate. Granted, the internal fans did their best jet engine impression but it ultimately felt worth it.
