The 10 Most Visually Stunning Games of the Last 10 Years

6. Limbo (2010)

An indie game that made a mark because of its haunting visual presentation. It’s the stuff of nightmares, but certainly deserves a spot on this list.

7. Bioshock (2007)

The city of Rapture is one of the most wondrous creations in video games, and the creepy environment and retro, steam-punkian styling is what made Bioshock memorable.

8. Shadow of the Colossus (2005)

The only last-gen game to make this list, it’s hard to deny that the sprawling monsters of Shadow of the Colossus didn’t inspire awe when you first saw them.

9. Deus Ex: Human Revolution (2011)

It owes much to Blade Runner, but in a time when every other game is set in some sort of dystopian future, Deus Ex has the honor being the most visual fantastic of them all.

10. Portal 2 (2011)

This might be my personal favorite on the list. The sleek styling of the first game might have made the cut, but combining that with the overgrowth and destruction of Aperture in the sequel made for one of the most impressive linear landscapes in gaming history.

 

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31 Comments

  1. Ten most visually stunning games of the last 10 years? Seriously off the top of my head I would say your missing Crysis and Battlefield 3 on the pc and Uncharted on the PS3

  2. I know its not the best, but Twilight Princess I think had awsm graphics. For its time I mean. Its kinda old but i still find it better looking than sum games today…

  3. I have to say there wasn’t really much from the nintendo catergory. I am not saying the games really were centered around visual effects, but you are missing a few games that were surprising for what the could do, both Twilight Princess and its predecssor Skyward Sword. The Final Fantasy series, which has joined the nintendo club, and so forth.

  4. I have to admit, I’m a little sad to see that only 1 last-gen game made the list. I mean, yeah, newer games will be by definition better looking, but some great looking games came out before these. So really, a better title would be, “Visually Stunning games of the past half decade.” Bummer that games get forgotten or overlooked just because they’re last-gen.

  5. Those on the list are all technical and critical darlings with insane detail, but for pure eye candy I’ve got Final Fantasy XIII. I thought the first few levels were going to melt my eyes. Just gorgeous.

  6. Good call on Limbo. Stunning game. Where the heck is Uncharted 1/2/3? The latter 2 especially. Gorgeous games.
    This seems focused more on technical than artistic merits. There are some games with amazing art direction, but lack in the technical department. The above mentioned Okami comes to mind.
    Or how about Journey? I just played through it, and thought it was amazing in both aspects.

  7. There seens to be a mix of games with great graphics and games with great art direction in this list. Perhaps choosing one or the other would have given a more cohesive list.

    Couple of my faves in terms of art direction:

    Jet Set Radio Future
    Blinx: the Time Sweeper
    Far Cry 2
    Minecraft
    Psychonauts

    and in terms of graphics (at time of coming out):

    Crysis
    The Witcher 2

  8. Crysis and Metal Gear Solid 4, both were leaps and bounds ahead when they were released and for sometime after. Battlefield 3 is also something to behold on maximum settings.

  9. I’d say the first Ninja Gaiden on the xbox was AMAZING. It was on par if not better than most 360 games even a few years after it’s original release.

  10. That is a great list. Can’t complain about any of those choices.
    But I do just want to add a couple of my additions:

    Killer 7, it’s the cel shaded simplicity that makes it so stunning.
    Mass Effect (any one), primarily scenery shots from the citadel are simply beautiful.
    Also Just Cause 2, finally blue’s and green’s!

  11. My posts are few and far between, and I agree with most of the ones on this list, but seriously OKAMI had the most distinctive and stunning visuals I have ever seen, even if it was on the PS2. Seriously check it out if you haven’t already. Even now, the game is a joy to play and the brushwork mechanic is so completely and thoroughly realized that you will wonder how no one thought of this before. Even with the wonderful gameplay, stunning soundtrack, great story, etc., it’s the visuals that stand out.

    Please Paul, do one of those “Paul plays…” routines and check out OKAMI.

    Ash

  12. Need to add Journey to that list, it looks outstanding when you’re in it.

    great list though. Agree with all of them. Red Dead blows my mind everytime I return.

  13. I think some of you are playing on consoles, and say some of the graphics in these games are terrible. Well I’m sorry to say that Consoles don’t come close to PC gameplay. Why do you thnk more than 60% of gamers are migrating over to PC? It may be expensive, but it’s well worth it to see every detail and every fine quality in the games mentioned. Even though I would add a few because it’s the last 10 years.

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