What's the most beautiful PC game ever?

[stillwater78]

What's the most visually beautiful game you've ever played?

Optimally, your answer should take into consideration both graphics quality and art design. For example: Battlefield Bad Company 2 has amazingly rendered environments, but are its crumbled buildings and desert fortresses really the most beautiful environments you've ever seen? On the other hand, the claymation graphics in The Neverhood from the 90s were delightfully charming, but they were also horribly pixelated.

[Sgt.Gotee]

Recently I think Zenoclash has been the most visually interesting and pleasing to me.

[Bud042]

I like the look of Borderlands, actually. It's different and well-done.

[MrCrabs]

Props Bioshock in terms of graphics and art especially in fort frolic

[freeloader105]

Crysis. The snow levels almost made me cry...

Honorable mentions:
Bioshock 1
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - bad graphics for 2007, but soooo, sooo atmospheric. That has to count for something
Trine - no side-scrolling platformer has ever looked this good
Dirt 2
World In Conflict
Crayon Physics - for the art, obviously

[Freeman45]

Far cry 2, no doubt about it.

[Draek]

Sins of a Solar Empire. Damn that game is gorgeous.

[DAWeeE1]

BioShock, if you can ignore the mixed textures you'll easily get sucked into the environment.

[Kibblesman]

STALKER Clear Sky

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ the lighting was perfected in that game :D

[spacebug]

The first one that sprung to mind was Myst III, but it's a few years old now.

[cr1515]

yeah the snow stuff in Crysis Warhead was breathtaking.
and Bioshock.

[Kahrandras]

some of the myst titles

homeworld 2

the polynomial

e: minecraft heh heh heh

[hahaokayman]

Probably Modern Warfare 2, best art design.

[Alkpaz2]

Just Cause 2
Crysis
FarCry 2
Morrowind
Oblivion
Gothic 4

[freeloader105]

Probably Modern Warfare 2, best art design.

Best art design and the most non-linear world..

[ddrkreature]

I liked the look in Borderlands and Bioshock. Crysis is some delicious eyecandy. Demon's Souls is cool looking and Dead Space 2 is disgusting and inappropriately gory and I love it.

[Burack]

That would be Syberia for me.
Benoît Sokal's work is amazing.

[Aemony]

Art design: Trine, Zenoclash, Prince of Persia (2008), Mirror's Edge
Graphic quality: Oblivion, Just Cause 2, Crysis, FarCry 2, Crysis: Warhead, Batman: Arkham Asylum
Balanced between the two: Half-Life 2, Team Fortress 2

Worth mentioning:
Bioshock 1&2
Dragon Age: Origins

But my favorite is Trine. Marvelous game, it's just gorgeous eye-candy and I sometimes feel inclined to replay it simply for the aesthetics of the game.

[Jakeman249]

I think Crysis. I liked that a lot, it was a playable benchmark.

If DiRT2 didn't have OBSCENE amounts of HDR and bloom, i might like it a bit more.

[GirlPower23]

Graphic quality: Oblivion, Just Cause 2, Crysis, FarCry 2, Crysis: Warhead, Batman: Arkham Asylum


Oblivion? But no metro 2033?


Art Style: Darksiders, has that vibrant dark gritty feeling, with a touch of comic book. Viewtiful Joe, yet another stunning game, gorgeous and pretty. Trine, absolutely vibrant, the palette is amazing, this game is up there for art style.

Honorable Mention: Borderlands, love the cel-shading, but I also am attracted to vibrant colour palettes so it lost points.


Graphics Quality: Currently Metro 2033, it's the best looking and most demanding game currently. You can throw a Crysis Moded game in there but thats not from just "Stock" package.

Honorable Mentions: Metro 2034, Crysis 2 and RAGE. None of them are here yet but they all can show great potential in Graphics Quality.

[Moe45673]

I`ve gotta agree with Modern Warfare 2. That snowmobile racing part..... breathtaking. The times a game has figuratively swept me off my feet have been far and few. That scene was definitely beautiful.

For the record, I'm not a CoD nut in the slightest. I'd rather play BF1943

[freeloader105]

No doubt, Mirror's Edge & Siberia are absolutely amazing in their art design. I should have remember them..

[GirlPower23]

No doubt, Mirror's Edge & Siberia are absolutely amazing in their art design. I should have remember them..

I wanted to keep my list Short, but certainly Mirrors Edge and Siberia are gorgeous games, as well as games like Dreamfall. Adventure games tend to have that pretty scenario, but they need it the most.

[Dwarfmal]

TF2 is best considering the balance between graphics and art design.

[Condor_96]

Halo: Combat Evolved

Hands down.

[Shen]

Mirror's Edge is almost Pixar film status.

[=UAL=Shock&Awe]

Counter-Strike: Source is both visually appealing and optimized for PC.

[M249LMG]

Clannad.

[Freeman45]

Counter-Strike: Source is both visually appealing and optimized for PC.

Time to upgrade :cool:

[=UAL=Shock&Awe]

Time to upgrade :cool:

Upgrade? I have an i7-930 2.8GHz and an Msi 5770 Hawk. I just prefer to play Counter-Strike: Source because other games are boring because it is not well made, or in Crysis' case, very boring.

P.S. If you really want to know a game that appeals to me, it is called Diablo: The Hell.

[EtovaKala]

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis.

[OJ191]

Art Style: Final Fantasy 13. Love the blend of magic and technology, and well I love everything FF


Honorable Mention: Borderlands, love the cel-shading, but I also am attracted to vibrant colour palettes so it lost points.


Agreed. Although I didn't mind that so much, I just prefer FF13 lol.


Graphics Quality: Currently Metro 2033, it's the best looking and most demanding game currently. You can throw a Crysis Moded game in there but thats not from just "Stock" package.

Also agreed, although there are a few that could be even better coming soon.

EDIT: Yes I realise FF13 isn't on PC.. wish it was though xD

[duncans.pumpkin]

Art Style: Morrowind.

[wazups 2x]

Crysis and Mirrors Edge

[Smertnik]

Psychonauts. Best art style ever.

[IcarusNine]

EDIT: Yes I realise FF13 isn't on PC.. wish it was though xD

It was never released on the PC, but what do you think they developed it on? :p

[IsItOctober?]

Bad Company 2 is outstanding maxed out on the PC. Almost as good as:
Crysis Warhead was also amazing.
Stalker Clear Sky looked great too.
Splinter Cell Conviction was nice.
Starcraft 2's art design is pretty great for a functional, perfectly balanced RTS.
Dead Space looks good.

[Aemony]

Oblivion? But no metro 2033?

I don't nominate games which I have no longer first hand experience from. But yeah, I don't deny that Metro 2033 seems to looks amazing with highest settings in everything.

[GirlPower23]

EDIT: Yes I realise FF13 isn't on PC.. wish it was though xD

Neither was Viewtiful Joe, I like breaking the rules though. You could of said Final Fantasy XIV, which is an ungodly gorgeous game, with extremely bad gameplay mechanics. I had so much hope for it to.

[ledbelly]

It was never released on the PC, but what do you think they developed it on? :p

i'm not sure what that has to do with it. the game doesn't run on PC. :p

[ledbelly]

lol

i too am going to choose a couple of console games.

ni no kuni (PS3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ysGqsLf2oA

el shaddai.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr69x-wxWDA

[TermiteBrain]

Crysis Warhead (The way leaves brush aside you instead of throught you)
Fall Out 3 (luv the rats)

GTA IV (The cars are great)

[2SeeKU]

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis.

YES!

Or Broken Sword II, Prince Of Persia Sands Of Time or The Lost Odyssey.

[Omphofo-Bravo]

Uncharted 2.

Okay, fine. It's not a PC game so it doesn't count but it sure has some amazing looking locales.

[velvetmeds]

STALKER series... Crysis was also beautiful at times, not only "OMg GFx". WoW...sometimes i was amazed what they were able to do with so basic and old graphics. Metro 2033. Braid. Can't think of more right now

[Shifty_Pete]

Minecraft.
















I'm being serious.

[FreemanForPrez]

STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl, but only with the Complete 2009 mod and some help from the Nvidia Control Panel for AA.
Otherwise, Far Cry 2.
From an artistic standpoint though, I'd say Oblivion.

[GirlPower23]

Minecraft.


You make it sound like thats a bad thing. Minecraft has it's artistic value, it's one of the more unique looking games out there. I like it's old school tribute, but I like 3D Dot Heroes x10 more.

3D Dot Heroes is what Minecraft could be if Notch gave a flying flip about the game. Unfortunately it's creator is to busy spending his millions.

[ledbelly]

some more footage of 'ni no kuni'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVj2S-oSLuc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsuyN9EJD2A

they're trying to make it look as much like a studio ghibli movie as possible, so in terms of pure artwork, an awful lot of work is going into it. :)

[PhamousVegas]

If your PC can handle it at full settings, I would go with Crysis.
Though there are other great looking games, such as Far Cry 2 and Oblivion.

[Excygy]

Mirror's Edge. Such an Innovative art Design.

[Shifty_Pete]

You make it sound like thats a bad thing.

What? That's why i put "im being serious" because people might be thinking i was joking.

Minecraft's visuals aren't great, but the mountains and cliffs and lakes make it look amazing.

[BoBo2]

Zeno Clash.

[Omega_K2]

Most beautiful: Anno 1404 (Dawn of Discovery)
Best Looking: Crysis/Metro 2033
Art Style: mh, nothing too outstanding. I like TF2 and Overlord

[hahaokayman]

Although Metro 2033 is "dark" in a sense and it's not as "beautiful" as tropical Crysis, it has some really sick graphics, the level of detail is amazing and the animations look very fluid and realistic.

I have never seen this before but, "can it run metro" :p

[Gone'Postal]

Another world had some very nice graphics back then.

More modern would be

GTA4
Bioshock 1+2
Homeworld 2
Fear 2

[AlphaFox]

Oblivion really had some epic locations and with the right weather and a few mods, the game was stunning.

Eve Online is still pretty high up in my list. That game is just pure art. (Perhaps thats why the Art Directors are mentioned first in the credtis)

[ledbelly]

Another world had some very nice graphics back then.

yeah. hand drawn artwork. it had a nice look and feel to the game.

[schnitzeljaeger]

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis.

+1

Awesome game. When they put this out in HD (ala monkey island) I'm the first to buy it!

[Ganger]

Its a hard one to say, I would go Crysis on MAX detail at the highest Resolution. But Metro 2033 is also very beautiful at MAX Details.

[JinkoMK]

Eufloria. Simple and Elegant.

[0ddity]

Lotta talk about what games have the "best" graphics, but only a few I would consider beautiful.


My nominations:
Okami
Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
Shadows of the Colossus
Morrowind

[Crab]

Myst Uru
Actually, almost all of the Myst series

Just Cause 2 was also very impressive visually.

Minecraft, totally. And without any texture packs either.

Aw, heck, I liked the art style of Revenge of the Titans too.

Even in alpha, Overgrowth looks very nice too.

Team Fortress 2 would be an honorable mention. Realism's outdated anyway :P

[HABRADASHR]

World of warcraft
TES:oblivion
Gothic 3
Crysis
Bioshock
GTA 4
Shadow of the colossus(ps2)
Iko(ps2)

[Crimson Rising]

RAGE (5 char)

[Mr.Rashad]

RPG= Risen
FPS= Crysis
Third person= Just Cause 2

[divine_skills]

Warsow is very stylish with it's cel-shared cartoon graphics.

Crysis overall very beatiful

Just Cause 2 has awesome water effects.

[Omphofo-Bravo]

some more footage of 'ni no kuni'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVj2S-oSLuc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsuyN9EJD2A

they're trying to make it look as much like a studio ghibli movie as possible, so in terms of pure artwork, an awful lot of work is going into it. :)That's pretty awesome actually.

[velvetmeds]

not as good as ICO though :º

[Draek]

some more footage of 'ni no kuni'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVj2S-oSLuc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsuyN9EJD2A

they're trying to make it look as much like a studio ghibli movie as possible, so in terms of pure artwork, an awful lot of work is going into it. :)

Wow, that looks amazing. Pity it's for the PS3 though, and as such doesn't qualify for this thread ;)

[Arrowslinger]

I think theHunter has at this moment the most realistic world landscape, I do enjoy the look of Just Cause 2, DIRT 2 and the last two NFS games.

[FгедкѕнФш]

Crysis Warhead with that mod that makes everything look even BETTER.

[ledbelly]

That's pretty awesome actually.

Wow, that looks amazing. Pity it's for the PS3 though, and as such doesn't qualify for this thread ;)


yeah. i'm just hoping it plays as good as it looks. cel-shading has got to a level now where it really looks like you're in a cartoon. the great thing about it is the technique is less demanding than if you were trying to make a game look realistic, yet the overall quality of the visuals can appear far more impressive. it's left down to how good the artwork is than anything else.

they have certainly succeeded in that department. the world looks wonderfully immersive. it's like you're walking through a big painting.

and i'm not the only one to completely ignore that fact. that it's a PC thread i mean. lol

[AnubisArc999]

Graphics and Art-style: Mirror's Edge

Art-style: Darwinia, Multiwinia, Tank Universal

If I am not mistaken, so far, ITT, Mirror's Edge seems to be the most mentioned game so far.

[velvetmeds]

If I am not mistaken, so far, ITT, Mirror's Edge seems to be the most mentioned game so far.

No idea why though.

[ledbelly]

No idea why though.

lol

i swear you're trolling these forums. :D

the art-style is really good in that game.

[held]

The most beautiful game I ever played was Call of Juarez 1. If you have a pc capable to run it on DirectX10 and totally maxed out, it looks so awesome. Of course Crysis and Bioshock are also beautiful games.

[krameriffic]

No idea why though.

Because clearly a bright red on white aesthetic is some kind of groundbreaking look for a game.

[ledbelly]

Because clearly a bright red on white aesthetic is some kind of groundbreaking look for a game.

lol

it's far more than that. it's quite minimalist in it's art-direction, but that's part of what makes it look so good. you go through buildings at times that feel like they've been designed by a really good interior designer.

even the most mundane things really stand out in that game for some reason. like a piece of scaffolding or some pipes.

[tibetanpunk]

I gotta say, Mass Effect 2 really did it for me in terms of the environments and the design. It was a believable future in many ways.

I loved the nightclub with the screens along the walls projecting flames.
I could see that being used in a really cool bar/club if they didn't actually take that idea from a real location.

You can tell it was a labour of love. I don't think I have had a game where I explored and soaked in the environments as much as with Mass effect 2.

I am playing through Crysis again on 'very high' settings and it isn't a pretty as I remembered it to be when I played it on 'high'...Weird.

[bluz74]

Dragon's Lair. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYuyZNUvfxc)

[Redhandlure]

World in Conflict and back then Delta Force Black Hawk Down !!!!!

[AnubisArc999]

No idea why though.

Logic fail.

Maybe because IT IS.

Dragon's Lair. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYuyZNUvfxc)


One of my favorite games of all time. I spent so many quaters on that blasted game back in the day....

I will only agree with you though on account of Daphne's boobs....

[velvetmeds]

Oh come on. Mirror's Edge is okay, nothing more. If you want a better "post-modern" look then there's killer7, which btw i forgot to list.

edit: inb4itssubjective

[Omphofo-Bravo]

not as good as ICO though :ºCompared to what, a game that looks like a studio gibli animation?

Imo - not a chance in hell. ;)

[velvetmeds]

Compared to what, a game that looks like a bad studio gibli copycat?

Imo - not a chance in hell. ;)

fixed.

[ledbelly]

fixed.

it's not a copycat, no. it is being co-developed by level 5 and studio ghibli.

[Omphofo-Bravo]

fixed.lol riiight. :p

Don't see how it's a copycat if Studio Gibli are doing the game's artwork themselves.

[velvetmeds]

it's not a copycat, no. it is being co-developed by level 5 and studio ghibli.

and it shows

Sorry but that game looks too childish, just like the previous Level 5 games. Studio ghibli does not.

[Omphofo-Bravo]

and it shows

Sorry but that game looks too childish, just like the previous Level 5 games. Studio ghibli does not.Then I'd say it captures the look of their films perfectly.

[velvetmeds]

But that's what i'm saying, their movies don't look childish at all. Most, anyway.

[BS_1]

At launch I would go with Team Fortress 2. The look of the game has been completely ruined in my opinion, so it's a no go on getting the "most beautiful" award.

I like how Dirt 2 looks a lot, especially the levels at night where you get to see how the lighting works. Half-Life 2 looks very nice also, even to this day.

[Omphofo-Bravo]

But that's what i'm saying, their movies don't look childish at all. Most, anyway.I'm not sure I understand what you're on about exacty. They usually go for a warm, carefree or "childish" look in their films.

Kiki's Delivery Service
My Neighbour Totoro
Spirited Away
Porko Rosso
Wisper Of The Heart
Ponyo

These are just a few of their work. Don't know what you mean by "most, anyway"

[ledbelly]

But that's what i'm saying, their movies don't look childish at all. Most, anyway.

i'm not sure what you mean. a lot of their films star children.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiki%27s_Delivery_Service

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirited_Away

I'm not sure I understand what you're on about exacty. They usually go for a warm, carefree or "childish" look in their films.

lol

[Smertnik]

some more footage of 'ni no kuni'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVj2S-oSLuc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsuyN9EJD2A

they're trying to make it look as much like a studio ghibli movie as possible, so in terms of pure artwork, an awful lot of work is going into it. :)
Looks awesome. I love Ghibli's stuff. If I ever get around to buy a PS3 this is going to be one of the games I'll definitely buy.

I'm not sure I understand what you're on about exacty. They usually go for a warm, carefree or "childish" look in their films.
Indeed.

What's so bad about having a "childish" look anyway? If it's not hardcore enough for you, well, to each his own.

[Who_Ate_Mah_Pah]

Half Life 2.

[GirlPower23]

Looks awesome. I love Ghibli's stuff. If I ever get around to buy a PS3 this is going to be one of the games I'll definitely buy.


Ponyoooooooo! I dislike most Studio Ghiblis' stuff.. but Ponyo was just amazing.

[lucid enigma]

'Most beautiful PC game' really depends on its appearance relative to others of its own era.

I remember loving the look of the original Unreal when you first got outside.
Far Cry 1 impressed me more in its day than Far Cry 2 in its tbh.
Crysis definitely looked great at times.
Stalker actually did appeal artistically as it had such a great 'dirty, run down' look throughout which definitely suited the game.
C&C 4 looked just like I used to dream of when playing the earlier C&C and RA games (If it only played like those games did, my dream may have come true!)
Metro2033 looked pretty impressive if you ignore how much it struggles to keep it up at any nice kinda framerate throughout.
BFBC2 looks quite nice too especially as many games tend to have substandard image quality on things that move or break.
I also note some aspects of certain games like the particle effects in FEAR or the general "something I can't quite put my finger on" niceness of Machinarium.
I could go on for ages probably.
I wasn't even aware that I paid that much attention! :D

Having had DX11 HW and OS for a long time now, I'm still waiting to be significantly impressed with the modern tech image quality.

[Glowhyena]

Wolfenstein 3D is the most beautiful in the world ever.

Just kidding... Crysis is. x3

[CannibalBob]

I like the old painted design. You know, Icewind Dale, Baldur's Gate 1/2, Planescape Torment etc. I also thought Braid was really great looking, even for a side-scroller.

The most beautiful PC game for me is...

drumroll...

Minesweeper

[2SeeKU]

Besides Indiana Jones And The Fate Of Atlantis, l like Jet Set Radio Future...

[ShadowMask6]

The original Starcraft just for its simplicity(not counting gameplay), and the graphics imo were good for its time. (And i just love microing those marines around the zealots)

[Kanikuman]

It's FFX for me. The world was so beautiful, and only got better with the accompanying muscial score. The Macalanian forest with all its crystal glory really was a place of beauty. I could be transported there right now...

[methodman123]

I would say Metro 2033, Crysis, and Mirror's edge, something about the bright colors in that game got me :D. Metro 2033 has amazing graphics but it really isn't "beautiful" considering the atmosphere and background of the in-game story

[Bobbysteels]

What's the most visually beautiful game you've ever played?

Optimally, your answer should take into consideration both graphics quality and art design. For example: Battlefield Bad Company 2 has amazingly rendered environments, but are its crumbled buildings and desert fortresses really the most beautiful environments you've ever seen? On the other hand, the claymation graphics in The Neverhood from the 90s were delightfully charming, but they were also horribly pixelated.


Age of Conan
bioshock 1
Crysis
dirt2
napoleon total war
shattered horizon
wings of prey

for overall beauty and graphics quality, id have to say top 3:
-Age of conan, if you can play with high settings and high rendering distances in dx10
-dirt 2 max settings
-crysis high settings or better

[Roflnova]

mirror's edge, hands down

[chaplain_wu]

Beautiful??

Tomb Raider series

or Duke Nukem

[hahaokayman]

I've yet to find a RECORDED WITH FRAPS HD gameplay video of Metro 2033 on its MAX settings, might have to start looking through other video sites :eek:

[Bobbysteels]

Screenshots b/c i cant sleep
these are all in-game screenshots taken by myself, (or replays of my gameplay) and not cutscenes or any junk like that.



aoc
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/1078/poweredpicture229.png (http://img202.imageshack.us/i/poweredpicture229.png/)


bioshock
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/1336/bioshock201010310405007.jpg (http://img269.imageshack.us/i/bioshock201010310405007.jpg/)

crysis
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/9805/crysis20110116023921564.jpg (http://img600.imageshack.us/i/crysis20110116023921564.jpg/)


dirt2
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/416/dirt2game20101112044431.jpg (http://img16.imageshack.us/i/dirt2game20101112044431.jpg/)


ntw
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/5183/napoleon201008161652141.jpg (http://img710.imageshack.us/i/napoleon201008161652141.jpg/)


Shattered horizon
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1931/shatteredhorizon2010110.jpg (http://img80.imageshack.us/i/shatteredhorizon2010110.jpg/)


WoP
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/8431/shot20100503121651.jpg (http://img163.imageshack.us/i/shot20100503121651.jpg/)



had a hard time finding ones that rep'd napoleon well, and there are soo many varying inside and outside environs in Aoc that it was hard to pick that one too

[Bobbysteels]

I've yet to find a RECORDED WITH FRAPS HD gameplay video of Metro 2033 on its MAX settings, might have to start looking through other video sites :eek:

dx11 frapsd all settings max except resolution...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r25nNqRSqAQ

since its yt 1080 wouldnt look any better than 720 anyway

[Omphofo-Bravo]

I've yet to find a RECORDED WITH FRAPS HD gameplay video of Metro 2033 on its MAX settings, might have to start looking through other video sites :eek:I found one in 30 seconds. :confused:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWLthirnJZY
dx11 frapsd all settings max except resolution...
since its yt 1080 wouldnt look any better than 720 anyway
I win in resolution and overall uberness. :p

[Bobbysteels]

I found one in 30 seconds. :confused:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWLthirnJZY

I win in resolution and overall uberness. :p

lol maxishine

[Omphofo-Bravo]

lol maxishineI know right. His rig is ridiculous.

[hahaokayman]

maxishine guy has a video with 6 GTX 580s on his desk :confused:

3 are water cooled evga ones :eek:

[Bobbysteels]

maxishine guy has a video with 6 GTX 580s on his desk :confused:

3 are water cooled evga ones :eek:

yea...

and he still wont send me his 3 old 580s! ><

even tho i commented on his yt! haha

[CTRL ALT DEL !]

Minecraft?

[velvetmeds]

maxishine needs to be shot for using that FOV.

[WildCat_ZA]

The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (http://store.steampowered.com/app/9860/) has the best HDR implementation I've ever seen. It may not be a particularly "beautiful" game because it's mostly set in a cold, futuristic spaceship but the quality and realism of the graphics is insanely good.

[BC2 Cypher]

Dead Space 2,
Crysis (obviously),
Just Cause 2
Bioshock,
Bioshock 2,
Two Worlds 2,
F.E.A.R 2,
Metro 2033,
Mirror's Edge,
Left 4 Dead 2.

I'm not a big fan of the game but I would say Just Cause 2 is the most beautiful pc game.

Crysis 2 looks a lot better with some really nice New York city shots but the games not out yet so it doesn't count.

[=UAL=Shock&Awe]

Diablo is a pretty beautiful game. With hacked limbs, halved bodies, pools of blood, dark atmosphere, and eerie music I think that it is a Mona Lisa in its own right.

[AnubisArc999]

I see Mirror's Edge still being mentioned a lot as deserved.

Also, I see a few people mentioning Shattered Horizon, which might not be as obvious as Mirror's Edge, but it definitely is beautiful looking and comes somewhat close to that ME "looks and feel".

[Flyingcow1103]

Shattered Horizon
Mirror's Edge
Crysis


for me.

[joeylawn]

For me, it's Half-Life 2.

[Urhan]

Eufloria. Simple and Elegant.

Took the words out of my mouth.

In the first place:
EUFLORIA.

Being followed so closely by:
BRAID.
TRINE.
ZEN BOUND 2.
OSMOS.
WINDOSILL.

THE VOID.

Very very special ones:
CRYSIS (+WARHEAD).
METRO 2033.
MIRROR'S EDGE.
STALKER series.
HALF LIFE 2 + EPISODES.
LEFT 4 DEAD 1

The Classic ones (also, the best finales ever -such a coincidence-):
KNIGHTMARE II: MAZE OF GALIOUS. (MSX)
VANDAL HEARTS. (PS1)
FINAL FANTASY VII. (PS1 / PC)

[Omphofo-Bravo]

For me, it's Half-Life 2.
Yeah the first time I played it and saw the Citadel in the distance, I had a nerdgasm.

[Rebecca]

Best art design and the most non-linear world..

wait...

[lasseholmen]

Stalker. Never felt so "forever-alone" as when I entered the sarcophagus.

[Rebecca]

Stalker. Never felt so "forever-alone" as when I entered the sarcophagus.

Forever alone :(

[Bobbysteels]

Left for dead 2?
l4d 1?

hacked up zombie parts and rivers of blood are 'beautiful'?
dont think those qualify, regardless they have great graphics.

[Bobbysteels]

oh and out of all those screenshots posted the only ones that are max settings are dirt2 and wings o prey

[Urhan]

Left for dead 2?
l4d 1?

hacked up zombie parts and rivers of blood are 'beautiful'?
dont think those qualify, regardless they have great graphics.

Of course Left 4 Dead 1.
It has one of the best enviroments and ambience ever made.

It truly deserves a space in the Videogames History.
You just forget all that came behind, although Left 4 Dead 2 Hard Rain is also very very memorable.

[stillwater78]

I gotta say, Mass Effect 2 really did it for me in terms of the environments and the design. It was a believable future in many ways.

I loved the nightclub with the screens along the walls projecting flames.
I could see that being used in a really cool bar/club if they didn't actually take that idea from a real location.

You can tell it was a labour of love. I don't think I have had a game where I explored and soaked in the environments as much as with Mass effect 2.I'm actually kind of shocked that out of 130 responses, you seem to be the only person to have said Mass Effect 2. It would easily be near the top of my list. It doesn't have the best engine in the world, but what they did with it was awesome. The outer space, the radiant bluish lighting, the stylish futuristic architecture, the floating cities, the alien races, the nightclubs, the various planet vistas...it's pure videogame gorgeousness!

It's strange almost no one said ME2, especially as most of the other games on my list are ones that came up repeatedly: Just Cause 2, Crysis, Metro2033, Mirror's Edge, Half Life 2, Batman:AA, Dirt 2, Machinarium, Far Cry 2. I'd also add Burnout Paradise and Pure.

And may God forgive everyone who said Minecraft.

[jikl]

Batman: Arkham Asylum is bloody gorgeous. I mean, the way the Asylum is rendered makes my eyes go wild, not to mention it's freakin Batman. Also, they made Harley extremely hot in this game.

[PowerfulGiraffe]

I love the look of Machinarium and Samorost2 and 1
Breath of Fire IV, Braid, Morrowind, Zeno Clash,
Omikron: the Nomad Soul, and The Manhole Masterpiece Edition.
also Under A Killing Moon and Chip's Challenge.

[PowerfulGiraffe]

But for PlayStation 1 I'd say this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbHO1ZYhtLk

[GirlPower23]

I'm actually kind of shocked that out of 130 responses, you seem to be the only person to have said Mass Effect 2. It would easily be near the top of my list. It doesn't have the best engine in the world, but what they did with it was awesome. The outer space, the radiant bluish lighting, the stylish futuristic architecture, the floating cities, the alien races, the nightclubs, the various planet vistas...it's pure videogame gorgeousness!


It's nothing new though, any game with a Cyberpunk or Futuristic Theme, will have all of the above, save for "Planet Vistas." It's not like ME2 did it first or was the first to get it right.

[PowerfulGiraffe]

I love the look of Machinarium and Samorost2 and 1
Breath of Fire IV, Braid, Morrowind, Zeno Clash,
Omikron: the Nomad Soul, and The Manhole Masterpiece Edition.
also Under A Killing Moon and Chip's Challenge.I really think Machinarium deserves a spot among the best graphics and design, and Samorost (by the same people) is just as artistic just with different mediums, my reasoning for Breath of Fire IV is that it's 3D backgrounds and 2D sprites went together perfectly, and the games mix of cultures and desert setting was really fresh at the time, and still is, the colors and character designs are unmatched as far as RPG's go, it may not be perfect, but definitely the most underrated RPG of all time, even fans of the series fail to see the good in that game being overshadowed by the far more generic BoFIII. and the other games I mentioned practically speak for themselves.

[megamike360]

If we are talking best looking ALL TIME or best looking considering engine and hardware? Engine wise,

Cry of Fear.

I still don't believe it's Goldsrc... How can it be???

[GirlPower23]

but definitely the most underrated RPG of all time, even fans of the series fail to see the good in that game being overshadowed by the far more generic BoFIII. and the other games I mentioned practically speak for themselves.

BoFIV wasn't underrated it was just to different from the first three to be great. The dragons looked ridiculous in the game, the transformations were ruined, the double plot going on between the Antagonist and Protagonist were not that great. It was trying to do to many things different to it's predecessors. Which really burned a lot of fans, I liked it for being a different RPG but it can't hold a candle to it's predecessors, however, it's nothing compared to the abomination that was Dragon Quarter and ruined the franchise to the point of never seeing another BoF Game which makes me sad.

[PowerfulGiraffe]

BoFIV wasn't underrated it was just to different from the first three to be great. The dragons looked ridiculous in the game, the transformations were ruined, the double plot going on between the Antagonist and Protagonist were not that great. It was trying to do to many things different to it's predecessors. Which really burned a lot of fans, I liked it for being a different RPG but it can't hold a candle to it's predecessors, however, it's nothing compared to the abomination that was Dragon Quarter and ruined the franchise to the point of never seeing another BoF Game which makes me sad.I am not an expert RPG player, I know that gameplay mechanics and the Dragon aspects of 3 were probably better, but as an experience, completely throwing the RPG label out the window and playing it as a game completely separate from other games, I found it to be an incredible experience,

I'm not about to say that it's a game anyone in these forums should pick up but it is definitely in my top ten list of best video games, just my opinion, also I ask many RPG fan's about it and there are little who seem to know about it, plus it didn't sell very well, and every fan of the series that I ask seems to say all of them were far better than IV, I think anyone who followed the series from the start will believe that.

It just was too different but for someone who saw it with fresh eyes, it was definitely overlooked, and ask random people if they've played it, it is most definitely underrated to some extent, especially to the extent that I am praising it. look here http://gamingbolt.com/awesome-games-that-time-forgot-breath-of-fire-4 he may be able to explain it far better than I can, but I love the game, I've loved it since it came out,

I found the combat to be endlessly entertaining, it had the best fishing in a game that I've ever played, the character back stories were very interesting and well written and humor was all there, along with some of the most varied gameplay scenarios ever, digging for parts to your vehicle and all the other mini-games made it a very rich and dynamic experience

and just walking around the environments, the look of the rivers, it all appealed to me. The sailing was perfect for me, and while I find most games with maps or over worlds used as a means of getting from one place to another annoying, I found the simple brown map in this game to be one of my most beloved aspects of the game as ridiculous as that sounds, it felt like a story book or like an old folktale, you felt like you were really on an adventure and were covering lots of ground, where as if they allowed you to walk the land freely, it would obviously be rendered too small as they didn't have the hardware to make a huge open world game back then.

[to42366]

Tf2.

Best art style ever.

[PowerfulGiraffe]

Tf2.

Best art style ever.forgot to mention that :)

[Bobbysteels]

Of course Left 4 Dead 1.
It has one of the best enviroments and ambience ever made.

It truly deserves a space in the Videogames History.
You just forget all that came behind, although Left 4 Dead 2 Hard Rain is also very very memorable.

Fail....

op did not say "best environments'" nor "ambience"

he said "the most beautiful pc game" and then specifically said something about games that have dark / apocalyptic games not being beautiful, because, theyre not made to be beautiful places.

i know l4d is a great game, but you fail in this post b/c that clearly wasnt the point and the OP even spelled it out for you, and then i spelled it out for you, and you still bang your face into the wall of density.

fail.

[Sasso]

Fail....

op did not say "best environments'" nor "ambience"

he said "the most beautiful pc game" and then specifically said something about games that have dark / apocalyptic games not being beautiful, because, theyre not made to be beautiful places.

i know l4d is a great game, but you fail in this post b/c that clearly wasnt the point and the OP even spelled it out for you, and then i spelled it out for you, and you still bang your face into the wall of density.

fail.

Fail is what definitely comes to mind when reading this post.

[GirlPower23]

Fail is what definitely comes to mind when reading this post.

I concur, I wanted to touch it.. but decided not to.

[velvetmeds]

Indeed. Followed by a huge facepalm

[megamike360]

So dark games don't count... Cry of Fear is still amazing looking for Goldsrc...

[Achillies]

Cyrsis and Fallout 3. Both are breath-taking.

[stillwater78]

It's nothing new though, any game with a Cyberpunk or Futuristic Theme, will have all of the above, save for "Planet Vistas." It's not like ME2 did it first or was the first to get it right.:confused: What's originality got to do with it? The topic is "most beautiful game" not "most original game". Caravaggio painted some of the most beautiful paintings I've ever seen, but the things he painted - portraits, angels, religious scenes - had all been painted a thousand times before. That didn't stop his works being beautiful.

ME2 wasn't the first, but that's irrelevant. What's relevant is that their art design and production values were of very high quality, and as a result, the game looks superb.

Many people have listed Crysis, Left4Dead2, Dirt 2, Arkham Asylum, Just Cause 2 - but do you think anyone would argue that these games were the "first" to do tropical islands, comic book locales, zombie outbreaks, or mountain ranges?

[slappybag]

poker night

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[jon_infektion]

Crysis, especially for its time

[DarkRanger57]

Half Life 2.
Valve really gave the setting a wonderful design that just looked great with wonderful effects.

[jiminator]

I'd have to say probably far cry 2. the graphics are stunning.

[HellJumper]

Bioshock

Definitely.
I love that game so much I wrote 4 essays about it and it's dystopian agenda.

[µR¼]

In simplicity, since it appeals to me, is Mirror's Edge and what was Team fortress 2.

But the most appealing game visually would be many of the hl2 mod's in moddb

[Apply]

I'm also a fan of Mirror's Edge. I do like the way Mafia 2 looks, the dark reds, blues and yellows make you really feel like you're in the mid 1900s. My favourite art-style is Team Fortress 2. Oblivion is also worth a mention all these years on because when you stand on top of a mountain and see those beautiful cities, lakes, rivers and forests you know you can go there. I like Oblivions use of the colour green as well. I felt Borderlands needed to go a little bit more unrealistic, but the outlines in it were fantastic.

[Bobbysteels]

Fail is what definitely comes to mind when reading this post.

Why


I concur, I wanted to touch it.. but decided not to.

why? or are you just an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥..


Indeed. Followed by a huge facepalm

whys that
b.c what i said is 100% correct nub

[Urhan]

Why




why? or are you just an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥..




whys that
b.c what i said is 100% correct nub

Bobbysteels, I remained quiet because your attitude in the previous post wasn't worth it. (L4D1)

This is the last time I am going to say a word to you, remember that, because I am going to.

Just do NOT talk to me about darkness, apocalypse and 'ambience' nor 'enviroments', or whatever.

Try to put some BEAUTY in the way you address to others, instead of teaching others something you don't know a word.

I have nothing else to say to you.

[Bobbysteels]

Bobbysteels, I remained quiet because your attitude in the previous post wasn't worth it. (L4D1)

This is the last time I am going to say a word to you, remember that, because I am going to.

Just do NOT talk to me about darkness, apocalypse and 'ambience' nor 'enviroments', or whatever.

Try to put some BEAUTY in the way you address to others, instead of teaching others something you don't know a word.

I have nothing else to say to you.

worthless, irrelevant post
darkness, ambience, environments are relevant to the OP post.
From the OP: "Bad Company 2 has amazingly rendered environments, but are its crumbled buildings and desert fortresses really the most beautiful environments you've ever seen?"

LMAO you telling me to put beauty in the way i addrss others on the forums?

how about ♥♥♥♥ off?
XD

[Exha]

Crysis... awesome with a good PC.

[youknow]

Clannad.

Sunohara's face is fugly.

Graphics aside though, it's a beautiful game.

[Urhan]

worthless, irrelevant post
darkness, ambience, environments are relevant to the OP post.
From the OP: "Bad Company 2 has amazingly rendered environments, but are its crumbled buildings and desert fortresses really the most beautiful environments you've ever seen?"

LMAO you telling me to put beauty in the way i addrss others on the forums?

how about ♥♥♥♥ off?
XD

Reported.

[Levi]

Eufloria was pretty. Not sure what else, I don't have much of an eye for that sort of thing.

[anye123]

Shadow of the Colossus. Not a PC game but whatever.

[Bobbysteels]

Reported.

HAHAHAHAH it just keeps getting better with you!! ahm sooo scared whatre they gonna do.. ban me? oh noes.

poke
rib
more more

oh and saying ♥♥♥♥ off is not a reportable offense im pretty sure so haha

[Sasso]

Why

Because you're at an 11 when you should be at a 2.

Stop ridiculing people over absolutely nothing. Focus your energy on more productive areas. Like napples.

[At The Gates]

Minecraft.

[MrKillerNine]

Uncharted 2 :)

[jas11262009]

Quite frankly, I consider most of the games mentioned as low key. Sure, the environment may look incredible but most all games fail in the PC/NPC visuals. I'm so sick of looking at my awful character standing in front of amazing scenery. I can't think of one game that has quality PC/NPC graphics. I'm sure there's one or two out there but my standards are very high. Even Crysis fails in this department. They did a nice job but it still looked robotic and poorly executed. Oh, I also consider fluidity in the PC/NPC's as well. They can look amazing but if they're body and facial movements look bad then it's an instant killer for me.

I'm sure there are going to be many irate and childish attitudes towards this post and to you I say...

It's just an opinion.

[☭Comяade Яed☭]

Starcraft 2, Just Cause 2, Devil May Cry 4, Mass Effect 2, Resident Evil 5, and Serious Sam HD are some games that don't seem to be getting the appreciation they deserve.

[MrKillerNine]

Reported.

who the hell reports people anyways? just let them be.

[Ariolander]

EVE Online.

Space never looked this good.

For an 8 year old game it has aged well.

[trogdor1424]

Minecraft.

This!!!!!

But back on track: Portal

the environment and art design made me feel like I was truly isolated from human society, until I realized I already was. :\

[Cow002]

Recently I think Zenoclash has been the most visually interesting and pleasing to me.

There was something about this leve (http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2009/063/943087_20090305_screen001.jpg)l that made me stop and look around. Most of the game did that though.

[Urhan]

who the hell reports people anyways? just let them be.

It is the first time I report someone.

I don't like to have arguments or flame wars with anyone.

I just wrote here because it seemed to me an awesome thread, and I never expected for one single moment to find someone offending me here.

Of course I don't want him to get banned, but I hope he changes his attitude talking to the others, I am definitely tired of people who don't have respect at all, here or in the AFK world.

What I did not say is that this silly argument makes me want to stop writing in this forums. It is sad to reach this point, and made me decide to report, mostly when he answered quite rude when I was telling him to stop doing it to me and three others at the same time. And I suppose I will stop writing here as well, if it's going to be so disappointing.

And I won't leave the door open, don't worry.

[FyreNL]

Sins of a Solar Empire. Damn that game is gorgeous.

Best thing is, it runs fantastic on low-end pc's and STILL looks good!

[Mordwyrhta]

For me, Dawn of War 2.
The game just conveys pure, utter war so well. The explosions are loud, the debris scatters violently, walls blow apart as tanks plow through.

Just watching the game is amazing.

[lucid enigma]

For me, Dawn of War 2.
The game just conveys pure, utter war so well. The explosions are loud, the debris scatters violently, walls blow apart as tanks plow through.

Just watching the game is amazing.

Good to hear as I just bought it (Well Chaos Rising anyway)
Although it hung the PC on the menu first run which isn't the best of starts!
I recognize the kind of PC death and think maybe I need to disable Catalyst AI?!?

[l4d2hunter]

Team Fortress 2

[Yiffles]

I've always loved Halo's environments, for some reason I think they are more beautiful than the sequels.

Jet Set Radio and Jet Set Radio Future had quite a great style too.

[Trashcantoy]

I found Half-Life 2 to be absolutely gorgeous when it came out.

[MrChris]

Homeworld 2 easily

saying otherwise is a crime :p

[Dmytry]

Quite frankly, I consider most of the games mentioned as low key. Sure, the environment may look incredible but most all games fail in the PC/NPC visuals. I'm so sick of looking at my awful character standing in front of amazing scenery. I can't think of one game that has quality PC/NPC graphics. I'm sure there's one or two out there but my standards are very high. Even Crysis fails in this department. They did a nice job but it still looked robotic and poorly executed. Oh, I also consider fluidity in the PC/NPC's as well. They can look amazing but if they're body and facial movements look bad then it's an instant killer for me.

I'm sure there are going to be many irate and childish attitudes towards this post and to you I say...

It's just an opinion.
well this is largely because we humans are VERY good at telling if something is wrong with the way human looks or moves (plus there's sub-surface scattering through multiple layers of skin with different optical properties). You can have absolutely photo-realistic mountains and clouds in movies (i.e. impossible to tell apart from reality), but you cant have absolutely realistic animated humans yet.

[polecya]

The most beautiful PC game is called the game of "LIFE." It's free and you don't even need a computer!

You go outside and breathe the fresh air and watch the beauty of mother nature hitting your face, or perhaps you can admire the beautiful architecture surround yourself.

[velvetmeds]

I hate LIFE's NPCs, makes me quit game all the time.

[JackSeven]

The most beautiful PC game is called the game of "LIFE."

I never played the PC version, but the real one is a very beautiful game. Lots of really beautiful colors. The houses are really cool looking, and the 3D mountains are cool.
Too bad the spin-wheel broke on our copy. The peg between 7 and 8 broke, and sometimes the wheel gets stuck and won't spin at all.

PC Games... I'll repeat Bioshock.
I haven't seen Deus Ex on the list, so I'll go with that. Might sound like a weird choice, but when I walk through Hell's Kitchen, or Hong Kong, it is hard not to appreciate the visual style. It is beautiful, in my opinion.

I'm a sucker for alien jungle planets. Giants: Citizen Kabuto and Avatar would go in that category.

Last one - Spore. Beautiful.

[Urhan]

The most beautiful PC game is called the game of "LIFE." It's free and you don't even need a computer!

You go outside and breathe the fresh air and watch the beauty of mother nature hitting your face, or perhaps you can admire the beautiful architecture surround yourself.

Nah, AFK World is only a well-made-pixels reality.

[Just kidding, I agree with you. +1]

[GirlPower23]

well this is largely because we humans are VERY good at telling if something is wrong with the way human looks or moves (plus there's sub-surface scattering through multiple layers of skin with different optical properties). You can have absolutely photo-realistic mountains and clouds in movies (i.e. impossible to tell apart from reality), but you cant have absolutely realistic animated humans yet.

You can't have any of that in movies. Maybe Clouds and thats a big IF. It depends if you want those clouds to just float or do something special.