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[analog_future]

It's honestly been a pretty fantastic year for visual leaps in games. We're finally exiting the cross-gen phase and are now, more and more regularly, starting to see games completely built for current-gen hardware, and it shows.

For 2024, the answer is obvious to me: Hellblade II stands head-and-shoulders above any other game released this year as far as visuals are concerned.

After that, I'd put Silent Hill 2 at #2, and then the rest all trade blows in various ways.


What's your vote, GAF?

 

[PeteBull]

Hellblade2, with a heavy heart since im not particular fan of this game, but gotta respect the devs for going all in on graphical fidelity there. Its current gen's The Order 1886
Close 2nd with much better overall gameplay/game quality is definitely Wukong, especially on topend pc rig:

 

[Robb]

From what I’ve played this year it’s Hellblade II, and it’s not close.

Too bad the game sucked though.

 

[GymWolf]

Winner: hellblade 2
Winner if you don't consider glorified playable tech demos: wukong
Honorable mention: sh2 remake

UE5 has the best visuals, sorry haters.

 

[Fbh]

Best Graphics: Hellblade 2
Best Visuals: Unicorn Overlord.

 

[Zacfoldor]

I voted for SH2. They figured out how to prevent turning the lighting up to gain an advantage thru their milky black system that they ingeniously used in most locations in the game but not all. In doing so they were able to control what you could see in the shadows and what you could not. The enemy models were fleshy, large, unique, and unafraid. The usage of imagery by way of graphics is the best ever. Going down a lonely road at night in SH2 is one of the most eerie feelings ever in a game. The usage of lighting in the game rivaled some of the best games ever, for effect. Though they may have been technically not the best graphics of the year, they added the most to their respective game, and if the graphics were downgraded the gameplay would be worse.

 

[Exentryk]

Black Myth Wukong - Delivered on that next-gen feeling, and was also an amazing game. GOTY.

Edit: Second best for me is Silent Hill 2. Graphics really added to the immersion and horror. One of the best horror games ever made.

 

[SJRB]

Flight Sim 2024 maxed out looks absolutely insane, so that's my vote.

 

[winjer]

I would say Astrobot. The graphics and art design, created something very special.

 

[Radical_3d]

Space Marine II:
- Actually a game.
- Decently optimised.
- Great art style.

 

[Grildon Tundy]

I initially voted for Silent Hill 2, but had to change it to Hellblade 2. I played both and forgot Hellblade 2 existed for a minute.

SH2 has better art direction and atmosphere, but HB2 wins pure graphical grunt.

 

[analog_future]

Space Marine II:
- Actually a game.
- Decently optimised.
- Great art style.

I knew I was forgetting one to add to the poll

 

[Guilty_AI]

Stellar Blade because graphics are meaningless without something worthwhile to stare at.

 

[adamsapple]

My vote goes to Hellblade 2.

 

[GymWolf]

Stellar Blade because graphics are meaningless without something worthwhile to stare at.

Senua was pretty hot

Spoiler

 

[TerribleAtThisGame]

I voted for SH2. They figured out how to prevent turning the lighting up to gain an advantage thru their milky black system that they ingeniously used in most locations in the game but not all. In doing so they were able to control what you could see in the shadows and what you could not. The enemy models were fleshy, large, unique, and unafraid. The usage of imagery by way of graphics is the best ever. Going down a lonely road at night in SH2 is one of the most eerie feelings ever in a game. The usage of lighting in the game rivaled some of the best games ever, for effect. Though they may have been technically not the best graphics of the year, they added the most to their respective game, and if the graphics were downgraded the gameplay would be worse.

I somehow kept marveling at the little paper flyers stapled to utility poles blowing in the wind. That and the way the filthy, wet wallpaper looks like I could feel the weight of it just by looking at it. Silent Hill 2 has tech issues but it often looks stunning.

The courtyard of Wood Side Apartments is one of most "I feel like I can touch this" moments I've had in a game.

 

[bender]

DoDonPachi SaiDaiOuJou

 

[cormack12]

From what I’ve played this year it’s Hellblade II, and it’s not close.

Too bad the game sucked though.

Pretty much - regardless of what you say about gameplay or walking sim it's spectacular

 

[Big Baller]

Silent Hill 2

 

[Haint]

Hellblade 2 represents the single largest visual leap and most significant technical achievement in videogame history (56K/Mobile No)

The following images are all RAW unedited screencaps featuring me flying the camera around at 50-100fps. NONE are CG videos or Live Action Stills, everything is 100% real time. The only modifications performed in some case are in-game focus readjusted from moving camera, and in-game exposure...

www.neogaf.com

 

[rofif]

Wukong or silent hill2.
Heart says stellar blade because of modeled panties but simping has it's limits
I've not played wukong but I chose it

 

[M1chl]

Voted for MS flight sim, the scale and graphics quality its just :chef_kiss:

But all games listed DO look good, tho

 

[T4keD0wN]

Nobody Wants to Die > Hellblade 2 = Wukong >> Indiana Jones > Silent Hill 2 = SW Outlaws > Stalker 2

Nobody Wants to die was the most detailed UE5 game so far (but its a short walking simulator like hellblade)
Hellblade 2 had the most flawless visual presentation and Wukong was the most impressive, Indy had probably the best tech since it runs like a dream even with pathtracing.

Havent played Flight Sim, but its graphics seem broken and Astrobot is mostly carried by artstyle which i value more than graphics, but that doesnt matter here.

I dont want to gatekeep, but Stellar Blade and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth are Unreal Engine 4 games (last gen) and they look the part.

 

[Josemayuste]

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.

 

[FoxMcChief]

I think Indiana Jones looks the best.

 

[MiguelItUp]

From what I've played, definitely Silent Hill 2 remake. Indiana Jones is probably the runner up for me.

 

[LordOcidax]

Hellblade 2, there’s no discussion here. Is a technical fact.

 

[RayBoy]

Hellblade 2

 

[Markio128]

I’ve only played 3 of those listed: FF7:R, Astrobot and Stellar Blade. It’s pointless me voting based on the fact I haven’t played most of them.

 

[analog_future]

Some shots of some of the top games this year:

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle:

Silent Hill 2:

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II (credit to Haint ):

 

[Mr Moose]

That I've played? Probably Hellblade II. Shame it was boring as fuck.

 

[nkarafo]

Hellblade may have great tech and models but it's the most boring game to look at from the list. It's 90% rock and dirt.

Silent Hill 2 and Indiana Jones at least have a ton of different things to see.

 

[SlimySnake]

Best Graphics: Hellblade 2
Best Graphics in a real game: Wukong
Best Graphics in an open world game: Star Wars Outlaws

Top Ten:
1) Hellblade 2
2) Wukong
3) Silent Hill 2
4) Star Wars outlaws
5) Space Marine 2
6) Dragons Dogma 2
7) Professional Baseball Spirits

 

[nkarafo]

I know The Callisto Protocol is not a 2024 game but i'm playing it now and i feel like it beats every game in this list...

 

[Exentryk]

Indiana Jones looks pretty good too. It could use some work on its foliage though.

 

[analog_future]

I know The Callisto Protocol is not a 2024 game but i'm playing it now and i feel like it beats every game in this list...

it doesn't

 

[Topher]

Hellblade 2. Game was a drag, but by far the best animations I've ever seen. I give that the edge over Indy's detailed environments which really look fantastic. Astro Bot was great looking game as well and just overflowing with charm.

 

[GymWolf]

Best Graphics: Hellblade 2
Best Graphics in a real game: Wukong
Best Graphics in an open world game: Star Wars Outlaws

Top Ten:
1) Hellblade 2
2) Wukong
3) Silent Hill 2
4) Star Wars outlaws
5) Space Marine 2
6) Dragons Dogma 2
7) Professional Baseball Spirits

Dogma 2? Really? You have to inject rtx with a mod to make it look decent...

 

[Trogdor1123]

Space Marine II:
- Actually a game.
- Decently optimised.
- Great art style.

Same here. When there are a millions things on screen it looks amazing. The detail in the universe too is something. Highly recommend it.

 

[Shifty1897]

After watching footage of Hellblade 2, I get it. They somehow crossed the uncanny valley to the point where it's easy to forget this isn't live action footage.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

Gotta be Animal Well. Such pretty colors!

 

[clarky]

Hellblade 2. Shame the game sucked.

Wukong could have took it for me but the slight stutter took the shine off things for me.

 

[Darsxx82]

My first obvious intention was to vote for Hellblade 2, but I've just played a couple of hours of MSFS 2024 and my feeling is that it wouldn't be fair if I didn't give my vote to the ASOBO game.
It is true that the game was not launched in the best of conditions, but when everything works correctly... it is something incredible that is hard to believe.

 

[Rocinante618]

Artstyle/Atmosphere - SH2 with Wukong & Stalker 2 in close second

Pure Visuals - Hellblade 2 and I guess Indiana Jones with max RT

Tech - Flight Simulator & Indiana Jones for the impressive id tech

 

[AJUMP23]

Indy looks really good. And I have played it the most of these so it gets my vote.

 

[DVDRick]

at first Space Marines II, fantastic details and Design, overall excellent

my numero uno is Astro Bot, it's perfection

 

[SSfox]

You should be ban for not putting T8 in the poll

 

[Zuzu]

My top 3 is:

1. Hellblade 2
2. Black Myth Wukong
3. Silent Hill 2

So it's a big win for Unreal Engine 5 this year.

However I haven't played Flight Sim 2024, Outlaws or Indiana Jones.

 

[SlimySnake]

Dogma 2? Really? You have to inject rtx with a mod to make it look decent...

In the city sure. But in the wilderness, the base RTGI solution works just fine, and produces some stunning results I did not see in cross gen games last gen.

 

[GymWolf]

In the city sure. But in the wilderness, the base RTGI solution works just fine, and produces some stunning results I did not see in cross gen games last gen.

Meh, i wasn't impressed once in 40 hours, imo it look sensibly worse than hfw.