2017 was a decent year for graphics technology. While it didn't move the envelope quite as much as the past two years, there were more good-looking games than we've ever seen before, and across more genres.
At this point many would still give the crown of best graphics of all-time to Battlefield 1 or Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, but nonetheless, there were some lookers in 2017. Here are the 10 best looking games we played in 2017.
10. Destiny 2
Platforms: PC, PS4, XONE
Also Read: Destiny 2 Review - A Proper Sequel
Bungie sure knows how to make a sci-fi shooter. This time around it upped the ante with an increased attention to detail, especially when it came to the storytelling and Michael Bay-like explosions.
Unlike most other games on this list, Destiny 2 managed to deliver its visual greatness in a multiplayer habitat. You know, where lots of players are on-screen making things tough on your PC/console. You'd think the Xbox One couldn't handle it, but as usual Bungie optimized the code like its life depended on it. Thanks, Bungie.
9. Resident Evil 7
Platforms: PC, PS4, XONE
Also See: 20 Scary Real Photos
Considering how scary Resident Evil 7 was, it's really the kind of game that you would almost hope wouldn't be visually impressive. You know, so you can sleep at night. But Capcom really wanted to meet the bar that P.T. set a couple years ago, and that it did.
So, we were stuck with a game that was absolutely horrifying with arguably the best graphics of any scary game ever made. It might have come out more than 10 months ago, but we're still feeling the effects.
8. Super Mario Odyssey
Platforms: Switch
Also Read: Super Mario Odyssey Review - Plumbing Is Cooler Than Ever
On a technical level Super Mario Odyssey probably didn't even deserve a top 25 spot. However, the artistic style of the game brought Mario to life in a way that managed to outdo the Galaxy games, and reminded us why Mario is such a cool lad.
It managed to be a consistently great looking game through the entire campaign despite being limited by the Switch's tablet-like hardware. Screenshots of the city level and more made a strong impression on social media, as did its large wardrobe of hilarious costumes.
7. Gran Turismo Sport
Platforms: PS4
Check This Out: Watch How Gran Turismo's Graphics Evolved Over 20 Years
Out of all the games on this list Gran Turismo Sport is the one that has left me speechless the most. I've spent probably over three hours watching race replays, which might make no sense... until you play it. It was like watching real life racing, only you control the camera and what car you're looking at.
Some reviewers equated it to car pr0n. I'm inclined to agree. Its main menu and photo mode were absolutely ridiculous, and put some pressure on Brazzers.
6. Assassin's Creed Origins
Platforms: PC, PS4, XONE
Also See: 10 Games With Graphics So Good They Almost Look Real
Assassin's Creed never seems to have any trouble making it onto lists like these. I suppose that comes with the territory of a 30+ million dollar production.
Even then, Assassin's Creed Origins deserved a round of applause, not just for retaining the visual quality we've come to expect from the series, but being far more polished, and meeting its presentation with a fantastic gameplay experience by allowing you to pet kitty cats. Egypt has always been cool, but there aren't many video games that capitalize on its awesomeness. This one did.
5. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
Platform: PS4
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It'd be unfair to allow Uncharted 4 to double dip, so we're giving its standalone expansion the middle spot in this list. Truthfully, this could give the top two games on this list a run for their money, but it was an expansion to 2016's most beautiful game for crying out loud.
And actually, this expansion was even better looking than the original with larger open-world environments and stunning environments set in India. It isn't often we travel there, and now I wonder why. It's very nice.
4. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Platforms: PC, PS4, XONE
Also See: Game Of The Year: Top 10 Best Games Of 2017
Wolfenstein II was a cocktail of 500mg caffeine, one cup of nitroglycerine, and a full serving of alternative fiction eye candy. Running around destroying Nazis with an armory of weapons has never been so beautiful.
When turned up to max settings on PC this game screamed like Goku during a Kamehameha. It made you wonder how in the world graphics have come so far in the past 20 years, and then made sure you took a screenshot to preserve history. Hopefully you put that screenshot on your backup hard drive so you never lose it.
3. Star Wars: Battlefront II
Platforms: PC, PS4, XONE
Controversy: EA Is Paying An Enormous Price For Trying To Exploit Gamers
Yes, Battlefront II is hated by 80% of gamers. Yes, I made that statistic up (but it's probably accurate). However, it'd be dishonest not to give it a spot on this list. After all, it's a DICE game.
And DICE has done it again. Impeccable visuals that realized the world of Star Wars better than ever before is probably the best way to describe it. Darth Vader has never looked so real, even if you basically had to pay real money to unlock him.
2. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Platforms: PC, PS4
Also Read: 17 Incredible 3D Renderings That Show The Amazing Future Of Video Games
The fact that this game ranks so highly on this list is a real testament to Ninja Theory's hard work. Recognized as an "independent AAA game", its smaller budget put it at a huge disadvantage. Apparently that didn't matter.
As a very story driven game, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice took advantage of its beautiful assets with believable facial animations and lighting effects that often made you think you're watching a movie. With a heavy dose of mythology, its sequences were distinct in the domain of 2017's game releases. What a surprise.
1. Horizon Zero Dawn
Platform: PS4
Must See: Stunning Images From Outer Space
Made by the same studio that gave us Killzone, Horizon Zero Dawn was magical. I never knew how badly I wanted to run around killing robots as a sci-fi Indian girl until I saw this game with my own eyes. Its landscapes were awe inspiring, the kind of thing that made you want to turn on a Planet Earth soundtrack and kick back in your sofa.
What made it stand out so much was its imagination; the dozens of robotic enemies were alien yet familiar. Some resembled electronic giraffes, while others could probably charge your smartphone. The fact that something this gorgeous could run on a normal PS4 is mind blowing. Way to go, Guerrilla Games.
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