#20. F1 24

We tend to include the F1 games in our annual lists of games with the best visuals pretty regularly, but that’s because the series has this department on lock. Like its predecessors, F1 24 is a beautiful game, touting stellar vehicle models with an impressive level of attention to detail, authentic lighting and weather effects lending new life to the courses, and more. Year after year, this series successfully delivers a realistic and comprehensive recreation of the real sport, and the presentation and visual fidelity play an important role in that.

#19. BODYCAM

Bodycam has a number of shortcomings in its current state that we’re hoping it will address over the course of its ongoing early access period, but one area where the game deserves all the props in the world is the way it looks. As its name suggests, its played from the first-person perspective of a bodycam on your character, and combines that with a hyper-realistic aesthetic that achieves quite a striking result. The game looks startlingly good at times, and we’re curious to see how it will continue to improve on the road to its full release.

#18. EMPIRE OF THE ANTS

Here’s another game coming from a small time that ended up surprising a great many people with its graphics. Empire of the Ants is a decidedly small-budget game, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from just looking at it. Sporting an impressive photorealistic style, the game transports players to a lush jungle where every single blade of grass, every leaf on the ground, every rock jutting out of the ground, and every single insect and critter that you lay your eyes on looks shockingly lifelike. Obviously, there are some rough edges here and there, but the overall result is nothing short of splendid.

#17. GRAY ZONE WARFARE

Indie studio Madfinger Games launched its multiplayer open world FPS Gray Zone Warfare in early access this year, and though there’s plenty of work for the developer to do to address feedback from the community, the game’s visuals are pretty much unanimously liked. There’s a good amount of rough edges that need sanding out, which is to be expected from a game of this size coming from a smaller team and still being in early access, but its open world map is also full of beautiful sights to see.

#16. DRAGON BALL: SPARKING! ZERO

Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO brought the Budokai Tenkaichi series back with a bang this year, and though the list of things in the game worthy of praise is a long one, its graphics are high on it. As you’d expect from a Dragon Ball game, Sparking! ZERO relies more on its stylized art style than on pure visual fidelity, but one way or another, the effect it achieves instantly catches the eye. In motion, the game looks particularly amazing, and watching explosive, map-destroying fights between colossally powerful characters attacking each other with everything they’ve got never loses its charm.

#15. LIKE A DRAGON: INFINITE WEALTH

The Like a Dragon series has always straddled the line between high budget photorealism and mid budget stylization perfectly, and Infinite Wealth does the same, producing yet another Dragon Engine game that you can’t quite tear your eyes away from. Given the scope of the game, it’s not surprising that not everything looks spectacular- but a lot of things to do, and everything else looks at least a minimum level of good. Overall, Infinite Wealth brings its vibrant Hawaii setting to the screen spectacularly, and easily ranks as one of the year’s better-looking games.

#14. STELLAR BLADE

Stellar Blade took many by surprise for multiple reasons, but all of it could be boiled down to it coming from a relatively unknown studio with little to no AAA console experience. For it to turn out as well as it did was a pleasant surprise, then, as was the fact that it also ended up looking as gorgeous as it did. Stellar Blade touts some of the most impressive visuals we’ve seen in a PS5 exclusive game so far (especially if you play it on a PS5 Pro), with everything from the dilapidated post-apocalyptic environments and the excellently designed monsters you fight to the Eve’s slick combat animations looking pristine.

#13. DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGUARD

Like pretty much everything else about the game, Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s graphics divided opinion, with many expressing their dislike of the new, more stylized art style. And though it is clearly a break from the more grimdark style past games used, we fall in the group that ultimately really likes what the game looks like. The Veilguard is a visual stunner in more ways than one, with a bevy of environments that are brimming with vistas that will take your breath away, not to mention some of the most impressive lighting we’ve seen in a game this year.

#12. STAR WARS OUTLAWS

Calling Star Wars Outlaws an uneven experience would be a huge understatement, but when the game is at its best, it’s really, really good- and in the graphics department, it’s definitely at its best. Yes, the game has its fair share of visual glitches and technical hiccups, but little of it detracts from just how stunning it looks more often than not. No matter where you find yourself in its open world multiplanetary setting, Outlaws finds ways to take your breath away with its sights and sounds. Coming from the studio behind The Division, that doesn’t come as a huge surprise.

#11. DRAGON’S DOGMA 2

Capcom has an admirable habit of cranking out a steady stream of AAA megatons that somehow all look spectacular. Dragon’s Dogma 2 was the company’s big centerpiece in 2024, and though it doesn’t look as good as, say, the best-looking Resident Evil games out there, it does look really, really good. From the detailed environments of its sprawling open world, to the incredibly lifelike (and vastly varied) roster of monster and creatures that you take on, to, of course, how oppressively impressive the game’s darkness feels, there’s a bevy of things in Dragon’s Dogma 2 that illustrate just how visually impressive it is.

#10. INDIANA JONES AND THE GREAT CIRCLE

It may have been a while since MachineGames’ last major full-fledged AAA release, but as a studio that has always delivered visually impressive games, it did not disappoint with its return to the spotlight in the final days of this year with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a game that impresses graphically in more ways than one. It crafts its period setting with great alpomb, lets players explore a vast and varied collection of beautiful and highly detailed locations, and of course, does it all while capturing that classic Indiana Jones aesthetic. It absolutely knocks the ball out of the park in this department.

#9. SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was a disastrous game- there’s just no two ways about it. But even the most disastrous games tend to have at least some redeeming qualities, and so, too, did Suicide Squad. Chief among the few was how good it looked, an area where Rocksteady Studios as a developer has never disappointed in the past. The game obviously has crippling issues that make it an absolute drag to play even at the best of times, but visually, there’s a lot to be impressed with here, especially if it’s the game’s impressive cinematics you’re talking about.

#8. TEKKEN 8

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call Tekken 8 one of the best-looking fighting games ever made. Coming earlier this year as one of the biggest current-gen exclusive Unreal Engine 5 games so far, Bandai Namco’s acclaimed fighter was promising to be absolutely astounding to look at in the lead up to release, and it unquestionably lived up to that promise. From the stages to the character models to the often explosive effects we see on the screen, Tekken 8 has no shortage of tricks up its sleeve to make you stop in your tracks and marvel at its beauty.

#7. WARHAMMER 40,000: SPACE MARINE 2

Space Marine 2 is without a doubt one of the most technically impressive games we’ve played in a long, long time. For starters, it looks excellent, with gorgeously detailed environments, well-crafted character models, and excellent enemy designs. But of course, what’s most impressive about it are the many sequences and moments where you find yourself facing overwhelmingly massive hordes of enemies, when literally hundreds upon hundreds of foes are on-screen together, all barreling in your direction while you stomp around and mow them down. The fact that the game accomplishes all of that without any significant issues with its performance just makes it that much more impressive. It’s truly something of a miracle.

#6. BLACK MYTH: WUKONG

For about four years prior to its launch, every time we saw more of Black Myth: Wukong, one thing that stood out above everything else was just how stunning it looked- something that stood out that much more given the fact that the game was coming from a lesser-known Chinese studio with a nonexistent AAA track record. When it launched in August, Black Myth was thankfully exactly as gorgeous as it was touted to be. Varied environments, spectacularly designed bosses, and some of the most breathtaking vistas we’ve seen in games all year all come together in what’s easily one of the best-looking games of this generation (even if it does have the odd technical rough edge).

#5. FINAL FANTASY 7 REBIRTH

There’s no end to the things about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth that we can praise endlessly, and its visual splendour is high on that list. Obviously, we can’t ignore the fact that the game does suffer from some graphical inconsistencies, especially when played on Performance Mode. Even at its worst, however, Rebirth has a knack of looking impressive, while at its best, it’s drop-dead gorgeous. Its staggeringly large world is crawling with beautiful sights that are begging to be sought out and taken in, while on a PS5 Pro in particular, it looks absolutely stunning with little to no caveats.

#4. SILENT HILL 2

Silent Hill 2’s remake sparked a good deal of skepticism from many, which, given developer Bloober Team’s spotty track record up to that point, was fair to understand, but the one area where even the game’s biggest skeptics knew it wouldn’t disappoint was its graphics. That’s a department that always shines in Bloober games, and sure enough, Silent Hill 2 is an absolute looker. The decrepit eponymous town and the horrors that it hide are brought to life in spectacular and terrifying fashion, while Silent Hill 2’s familiar cast of characters are given new life by the stellar fidelity that the game now boasts. And yes, the fog looks amazing.

#3. MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2024

Microsoft Flight Simulator took our collective breath away when it launched in 2020, and still stands as one of the best-looking games around on any platform. Appropriately enough, Microsoft Flight SImulator 2024 turned out to be somehow even more visually impressive. Marginally gains are definitely setting in, which is unavoidable, but at the end of the day, even the most jaded person can’t help but be floored by the stunning level of detail, authenticity, and photorealism with which Flight Sim 2024 brings its grand vision to life.

#2. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: HEART OF CHORNOBYL

Much like its predecessors, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is a little rough around the edges, and with its slate of technical issues and its deliberately punishing nature, it’s definitely not a game for everyone. But boy oh boy is it a visual delight. GSC Game World’s open world shooter is easily among the best-looking games to have been released this generation. It boasts a staggering level of detail and fidelity across a huge world with impressive consistency. The game deserves all the praise in the world for the lengths to which it goes to make its world feel authentic, and to immerse players in its deadly setting.

#1. SENUA’S SAGA: HELLBLADE 2

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 certainly has its critics, and there are many who argue that it doesn’t hold a candle to its predecessor in a lot of ways that really matter. One area where it unquestionably makes huge strides, however, is the graphics department. Ninja Theory as a studio has always prided itself on pushing the envelope with what it does on the technological side of things, and this time, with the financial backing of Microsoft, the developer really went all out. Whether it’s its dark and grimy setting or the incredibly lifelike characters and their facial movements, the stellar lighting and the rich atmosphere it helps create or the spectacular animations that allow even gameplay moments to look like gorgeously handcrafted cinematics- from its first moment to its last, Hellblade 2 remains a visual delight.

Nobody Wants to Die    

Dystopian crime drama Nobody Wants to Die provokes intriguing questions on immortality’s morality and dangers of transhumanism, but narratively it doesn’t always stick its landing. That said, this glorified walking sim posing as an action-adventure exhibits truly next-gen graphics; a rain soaked, neon daubed, noir version of New York is impressively lit and intricately detailed. Detective James Karra’s time manipulation device, whereby fractured crime scenes can be rewound, is a marvel to look at. Here, a thousand shards reconfigure pleasingly giving visual aplomb to an already photorealistic experience, a saving grace showcasing the power of Unreal Engine 5’s particle tech.

]]> 604975 https://gamingbolt.com/15-unreal-engine-5-games-that-look-ridiculously-good Wed, 06 Nov 2024 17:41:55 +0000 https://gamingbolt.com/?p=602689 A game isn’t guaranteed to be a visual stunner purely because it’s using a particular engine, but a good engine certainly can make it easier for developers to deliver much more technically and visually impressive games than you’d expect in ordinary circumstances. Many, for instance, have already been able to use Unreal Engine 5 and its particular toolset to craft some genuinely gorgeous games- which is exactly what we’re here to discuss. Here are fifteen games built on Unreal Engine 5 that will take your breath away with their visual accomplishments.

TEKKEN 8 

Post-launch missteps notwithstanding, there’s plenty to love about Tekken 8 itself, and its visuals are high on that list. From the intricately crafted character models and the insanely detailed environments that all of the game’s explosive bouts take place in, to, of course, the fights themselves, everything in the game looks incredibly crisp and high-quality, helping elevating the on-screen action to even greater heights.

]]> 602689 https://gamingbolt.com/bodycam-early-access-review-through-the-looking-glass Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:22:47 +0000 https://gamingbolt.com/?p=591005 Boots-on-the-ground competitive first-person shooters with smaller maps often describe titles like XDefiant. You have a more tactical inclination, like Rainbow Six Siege, or something more hardcore. Few titles in the genre have tried to fully immerse you in a tactical situation that blurs the lines in visual quality and camera perspective while still adhering to the video game-style objective-based modes. Movement feels weighty, and tensions are high as you navigate each corner like it’s your last. It’s a novel approach that defines a new breed of shooters with body camera perspectives.

Since DRAMA’s Unrecord made headlines for its hyper-realistic visuals and combat, such shooters have gained more exposure. Reissad Studio’s aptly titled Bodycam is no exception, but instead focuses on multiplayer. It sounds like a slam dunk concept, potentially even the next step towards realistic shooters, but Bodycam demonstrates the sub-genres many peaks and valleys.

"It’s a tense atmosphere all around – even turning on your flashlight can be a death sentence – and the presentation adds to that with an almost overwhelming amount of fidelity, especially in the environment."

As an early access title, it’s worth clarifying what the experience doesn’t offer. There’s no story or underlying plot outside of vague connotations of counter-terrorists battling terrorists. There’s no initiation or tutorial to prepare you for what’s coming. There isn’t even a primer on the different modes or what they offer. You have three options – host a lobby, manually search for one to join or Quickplay to hop into a game. After jumping out of a mysterious plane for the op in question, the lobby engages in one of three modes – Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Body Bomb.

Upon entering, you notice how your weapon moves slightly independently of your view and sways when aiming down sights. The peeks around the corners feel right, especially when leaning in. If using a fully automatic assault rifle or submachine gun, it recoils heavily even when slightly tapping the trigger. The noise level is explosive and honestly, quite apt for how the weapons sound in real life. However, while you may be an operative of sorts, your perspective isn’t through their pixelated eyes.

Instead, it’s from their body camera, lending an almost oppressive feel as you gingerly navigate through hallways and doors, aiming carefully at targets a few feet away or firing blindly into the dark. When you die, there’s no kill cam – you simply watch as the body slumps to the floor before the feed is lost. Unless you’re shot through the head, in which case it’s an instant disconnection. Small comforts.

It’s a tense atmosphere all around – even turning on your flashlight can be a death sentence – and the presentation adds to that with an almost overwhelming amount of fidelity, especially in the environment. The sheer detail in the textures, the realistic lighting and shadows, and the graffiti on the walls and ceiling all lend an authentic air. The recently added Abandoned Hospital instills a spooky enough vibe, while Tumblewood is vibrant yet almost eerie, given the thick forestation and shadows.

"The map selection isn’t too shabby, topping out at six in total, and there’s also a Training map to fine-tune your aiming and even run an obstacle course."

Such detail helps each map distinguish itself, though some feel more like lived-in environments than maps tailored for competitive play. It’s not a negative, but there can be some issues with the fundamental gameplay, which we’ll get into. Still, the visual flourishes are also apparent on the body camera itself. You’ll notice slight lens flares, with heavy light emphasizing the dirt on the lens. The animation looks janky sometimes, especially with your teammates, but it’s not a deal breaker.

Unfortunately, the novelty of the experience wears off after a few rounds (and deaths). Bodycam isn’t a glorified tech demo, as some of the more negative Steam user reviews have proclaimed, but that doesn’t mean it’s without issues. The map selection isn’t too shabby, topping out at six in total, and there’s also a Training map to fine-tune your aiming and even run an obstacle course. Other than that, the lack of game modes, alongside features like match replays and career stats, is noticeable. There is a world leaderboard with different ranks, though there’s no competitive play or separate Ranked mode.

Progression outside of this consists of playing matches and earning R Points to purchase cosmetics. These range from glasses, weapon skins and vest add-ons to helmets, headphones and pants. Nothing that provides a competitive advantage and is completely obtainable in-game, but the shop cycles through cosmetics periodically.

There’s no permanent range of cosmetics available to unlock at all times, which means hoarding those R Points and hoping you can get the item you want. Of course, you can also spend real money for Points to “save time.” The cosmetic selection isn’t the most exciting for now, though the various categories for decorating your character are noteworthy.

"However, those who plant the bomb can do so anywhere, including their spawn. Many players do just that and shoot anyone who wanders close."

While combat can be an acquired taste, especially when trying to learn the nuances, there are some gripes. Movement can feel clunky, though it’s not the worst. Forget customization – you can’t even select your weapon at the start of a round, so some players get a shotgun by luck and outright dominate on the more close-quarters maps.

Others will consistently pick you off at range, highlighting spawn issues. Whether it’s due to map size or just the logic, there aren’t enough safe places to spawn in maps. Even worse is an enemy can spawn next to you in Deathmatch and instantly kill you (yes, even when the match starts). You’ll be killed off the rip regularly, especially outdoors, and it’s baffling that there’s no spawn protection.

Then you have Body Bomb, which has one of the more questionable approaches to the mode. One side plants the bomb while the other tries to defuse it. Sounds simple, right? You can even control a little drone after dying, spectating the enemy and making callouts (which crashes at the slightly annoying nudge against obstacles, so beware).

However, those who plant the bomb can do so anywhere, including their spawn. Many players do just that and shoot anyone who wanders close. Frags and other tools help to flush them out, and the lack of different spawning locations for each side can even things out, but it’s still ridiculous.

"If you’re jumping in for the novelty and without many expectations, Bodycam may be fine. However, those seeking something substantial may want to wait until Unrecord drops."

The most recent update added the vote-to-kick option for players, minimizing potential team-killing. However, there are no dedicated servers. Players host the lobbies – if you leave, everyone gets booted. You could easily have scenarios where teams host lobbies and leave when things aren’t going their way, effectively voiding the matches. Reissad is taking steps to ban cheaters or those who abuse points to climb the leaderboard, but more stringent anti-cheat would be appreciated. At least the netcode isn’t too shabby, assuming you find a lobby with agreeable latency.

Despite its gorgeous looks and realistic sounds, Bodycam is still very much a work in progress. Bugs can be quashed, animations polished further, and performance improved. New maps and modes will be added, including a mode where players take on zombies, which could add a fun bent of horror to the realistic gunplay. While the core gameplay is fine, it lacks that special something to really grab you (and the perspective doesn’t exactly help those prone to motion sickness). As such, the package needs the most basic of features, a proper competitive multiplayer structure, and actual progression to warrant long-term investment.

If you’re jumping in for the novelty and without many expectations, Bodycam may be fine. However, those seeking something substantial may want to wait until Unrecord drops.

This game was reviewed on PC.

LOST FRAGMENT

Currently in development at NIHIL INANE Studio, LOST FRAGMENT is one of the most realistic looking games on the market. Created using Unreal Engine 5, LOST FRAGMENT presents a striking rendition of its world with photorealistic textures and impressive lighting. It’s a survival horror game, and you will be slowly and steadily inching your way through these carefully curated environments as you anticipate the next jumpscare or the encounter. The first-person bodycam-style camera is perfect for immersing you in this world, and the subtle camera shake and slow movement speed really escalate the tension to another level. The game is currently slated to release sometime next year, so do keep an eye out for it.