Best Game Graphics?

Now, now... this is not a teh grafix thread unless you make it that way. I want to legitimately know what kind of taste fellow SWer's have when it comes to graphics in games. This can range from atmosphere, realism, cartoonish, unique, whatever. I'm hoping to see some diverse thoughts on the matter. :)

I'll start with something:

Windwaker

Okami

Best Cel-shading

Probably these two for me since the styles are really good.

Probably these two for me since the styles are really good.

GD1551

Gross compression.

Probably these two for me since the styles are really good.

GD1551

KILLZONE: SHADOW FALL

[spoiler]    [/spoiler]

Realistic: Crysis 3

Artistic: Trine 2

[QUOTE="GD1551"]

Probably these two for me since the styles are really good.

RyanShazam

Demons Soul and Lords of Shadow.

[QUOTE="GD1551"]

Probably these two for me since the styles are really good.

RyanShazam

Yeah, gotta wonder myself. :)

I think the bottom one is Castlevania?

Edit: Oh okay, thanks. :)

[QUOTE="RyanShazam"]

[QUOTE="GD1551"]

Probably these two for me since the styles are really good.

GD1551

Demons Soul and Lords of Shadow.

[spoiler]

[/spoiler]  

Best artstyle :P

[spoiler]

[/spoiler]

Best artstyle :P

tagyhag

Im playing through Halo 4 for the first time and I have to say that I was expecting another over hyped Halo graphics installment and more than a few times I've been blown away...

Assassins Creed landscapes will ALWAYS impress me and quite frankly have become the epitome of why I love games as an adult... I am IN this historical locales... moving around and existing in those impressive places....

Mass Effect Atmosphere... If I had to put one cherry on top of my favorite cake this generation, I would say that the living univers of Mass Effect handed me the most comfortable immersion in any game I played... I absolutely fuking love the way it feels to be on the citidel and walk into purgatory... Its art design, crisp graphics and clever lighting all wrapped together better than scallops wrapped in bacon.

Doubt these will be popular choice, but I couldnt give a shiit... These games use graphics to serve the game world and I dig it.

Wow whats that game?

AznbkdX

The Bridge

Mass Effect Atmosphere... If I had to put one cherry on top of my favorite cake this generation, I would say that the living univers of Mass Effect handed me the most comfortable immersion in any game I played... I absolutely fuking love the way it feels to be on the citidel and walk into purgatory... Its art design, crisp graphics and clever lighting all wrapped together better than scallops wrapped in bacon.

TheEroica

Mass Effect 3 is just hideous.  2D backgrounds, horrible textures on everything, badly filtered shadows, LOD...

You can see sprites in that screenshot, the people in the background...

Im playing through Halo 4 for the first time and I have to say that I was expecting another over hyped Halo graphics installment and more than a few times I've been blown away...

Assassins Creed landscapes will ALWAYS impress me and quite frankly have become the epitome of why I love games as an adult... I am IN this historical locales... moving around and existing in those impressive places....

Mass Effect Atmosphere... If I had to put one cherry on top of my favorite cake this generation, I would say that the living univers of Mass Effect handed me the most comfortable immersion in any game I played... I absolutely fuking love the way it feels to be on the citidel and walk into purgatory... Its art design, crisp graphics and clever lighting all wrapped together better than scallops wrapped in bacon.

Doubt these will be popular choice, but I couldnt give a shiit... These games use graphics to serve the game world and I dig it.

TheEroica

Popular isn't the name of the game here, so its all good. :P

Most of my favorite games have a rather different artstyle so I was just wanting to see how many others don't just look at polys and such for their main thoughts on graphics. Not that its a bad thing of course. :)

[QUOTE="TheEroica"]

Mass Effect Atmosphere... If I had to put one cherry on top of my favorite cake this generation, I would say that the living univers of Mass Effect handed me the most comfortable immersion in any game I played... I absolutely fuking love the way it feels to be on the citidel and walk into purgatory... Its art design, crisp graphics and clever lighting all wrapped together better than scallops wrapped in bacon.

Riadon2

Mass Effect 3 is just hideous. 2D backgrounds, horrible textures on everything, badly filtered shadows, LOD...

You can see sprites in that screenshot, the people in the background...

Well you could put it to a technical stance, but I don't think thats what he was really implying. So what is your favorite game when it comes to graphics or technicality?

[QUOTE="Riadon2"]

[QUOTE="TheEroica"]

Mass Effect Atmosphere... If I had to put one cherry on top of my favorite cake this generation, I would say that the living univers of Mass Effect handed me the most comfortable immersion in any game I played... I absolutely fuking love the way it feels to be on the citidel and walk into purgatory... Its art design, crisp graphics and clever lighting all wrapped together better than scallops wrapped in bacon.

AznbkdX

Mass Effect 3 is just hideous. 2D backgrounds, horrible textures on everything, badly filtered shadows, LOD...

You can see sprites in that screenshot, the people in the background...

Well you could put it to a technical stance, but I don't think thats what he was really implying. So what is your favorite game when it comes to graphics or technicality?

Technically, Crysis 3 is undeniably the best current game.  It is also the prettiest (IMO), but games like Metro 2033, S.T.A.L.K.E.R, and some parts of The Witcher 2 have it beat in atmosphere.  I also like the look of Alan Wake, it makes good use of volumetric effects and lighting. 

I've heard good things about Trine 2, but haven't played it.

Eternal Sonata/Trusty Bell was just beautiful to me. Totally dig the art style :D

As far as technical graphics goes, it's easily Crysis 3. The game surpasses anything out there technically. It's also beautiful artisically imo, some scenes look almost like concept art

[QUOTE="Riadon2"]

[QUOTE="TheEroica"]

Mass Effect Atmosphere... If I had to put one cherry on top of my favorite cake this generation, I would say that the living univers of Mass Effect handed me the most comfortable immersion in any game I played... I absolutely fuking love the way it feels to be on the citidel and walk into purgatory... Its art design, crisp graphics and clever lighting all wrapped together better than scallops wrapped in bacon.

AznbkdX

Mass Effect 3 is just hideous. 2D backgrounds, horrible textures on everything, badly filtered shadows, LOD...

You can see sprites in that screenshot, the people in the background...

Well you could put it to a technical stance, but I don't think thats what he was really implying. So what is your favorite game when it comes to graphics or technicality?

[QUOTE="AznbkdX"]

[QUOTE="Riadon2"]

Mass Effect 3 is just hideous. 2D backgrounds, horrible textures on everything, badly filtered shadows, LOD...

You can see sprites in that screenshot, the people in the background...

Riadon2

Well you could put it to a technical stance, but I don't think thats what he was really implying. So what is your favorite game when it comes to graphics or technicality?

Technically, Crysis 3 is undeniably the best current game. It is also the prettiest (IMO), but games like Metro 2033, S.T.A.L.K.E.R, and some parts of The Witcher 2 have it beat in atmosphere. I also like the look of Alan Wake, it makes good use of volumetric effects and lighting.

I've heard good things about Trine 2, but haven't played it.

I wanted to go grab Crysis 3, but I think I'll be frugal and wait for a steam sale.

Trine 2 though is awesome. You should definitely pick it up! It has some interesting platforming and puzzles, plus has some great art.

As long as it looks good I'm down for it. For a preference? I don't really know....I just like colorful graphics and worlds.

My favourite games are HL2, FEAR and Crysis regarding technical graphics.

As long as it looks good I'm down for it. For a preference? I don't really know....I just like colorful graphics and worlds.

Goyoshi12

Man, you got to say it or preferably show it!

Being that vague isn't good enough. ;)

Hell it don't even have to be your favorite. Just whatever comes to mind would be good too. Probably should have not made the title what it is haha.

[QUOTE="Goyoshi12"]

As long as it looks good I'm down for it. For a preference? I don't really know....I just like colorful graphics and worlds.

AznbkdX

Man, you got to say it or preferably show it!

Being that vague isn't good enough. ;)

I have some screens but...the game who's graphics I rather like are Oblivion's and...well....Oblivion's graphics are not very good now a days (so say some gamers) and I'm playing the game unmoded so it would really look like an eye sore to a lot of people. I like it though, but, still.

One of my favorite platformers of all time

Here's some more great 2D art

[QUOTE="AznbkdX"]

[QUOTE="Goyoshi12"]

As long as it looks good I'm down for it. For a preference? I don't really know....I just like colorful graphics and worlds.

Goyoshi12

Man, you got to say it or preferably show it!

Being that vague isn't good enough. ;)

I have some screens but...the game who's graphics I rather like are Oblivion's and...well....Oblivion's graphics are not very good now a days (so say some gamers) and I'm playing the game unmoded so it would really look like an eye sore to a lot of people. I like it though, but, still.

Eh fine, whatever floats your boat. :)

I think it has some great atmosphere at points. Some will think its outdated but you can tell that this thread isn't exactly about the realism that most ppl refer to all that much.

One of my favorite platformers of all time

Here's some more great 2D art

Blabadon

Never played Loco Roco. Looks simple and charming though, but I presume its deeper than it looks overall.

Rayman however... it looks fantastic. Couldn't pick a favorite portion as it all oozed charm.

I can tell you on consoles Crysis 3 looks worse than Crysis 2.

On a technical level who really knows? I have always been told racers are the best game to show a systems power off and Forza 4 and Forza Horizon are the best along with Dirt 3. GT 5 has nice looking cars and thats about it.
Max Payne 3 looks really really good.
Rage looks really good as well
Uncharted 2 and 3 look good (A tad jaggy) but it is scripted as hell. God of War 3 looks good when it tries. Way to many bland indoor enviroments.
The Gears games (2 and 3 anyways) look great all around but IMO not as good as the games I have listed so far.
Halo 4 and Killzone 3 look amazing but they both look good for different reasons. I like the look of Halo 4 more but Killzone 3 has a lot more going on in the campaign.

Other than Mirror's Edge, Withcher 2, Mass Effect 3, and Metro 2033, nothing else really stands out.

If I was gonna pick a top 3 it would be Forza 4, Killzone 3, and Max Payne with Halo 4 barely losing out.. But with all the games I listed it is really comparing apples to apples at this point. 

>Never played Loco Roco. Looks simple and charming though, but I presume its deeper than it looks overall.AznbkdX

I can tell you on consoles Crysis 3 looks worse than Crysis 2.

On a technical level who really knows? I have always been told racers are the best game to show a systems power off and Forza 4 and Forza Horizon are the best along with Dirt 3. GT 5 has nice looking cars and thats about it.
Max Payne 3 looks really really good.
Rage looks really good as well
Uncharted 2 and 3 look good (A tad jaggy) but it is scripted as hell. God of War 3 looks good when it tries. Way to many bland indoor enviroments.
The Gears games (2 and 3 anyways) look great all around but IMO not as good as the games I have listed so far.
Halo 4 and Killzone 3 look amazing but they both look good for different reasons. I like the look of Halo 4 more but Killzone 3 has a lot more going on in the campaign.

Other than Mirror's Edge, Withcher 2, Mass Effect 3, and Metro 2033, nothing else really stands out.

If I was gonna pick a top 3 it would be Forza 4, Killzone 3, and Max Payne with Halo 4 barely losing out.. But with all the games I listed it is really comparing apples to apples at this point.

timbers_WSU

Yeah its tough to really sort them out especially with more realism involved. Technically its hard to determine as you pointed out that some are linear, some are huge world, and so on.

Me personally think that out of your list Mirror's Edge was the most interesting looking. Although it didn't have necessarily as much environmental differences, what they did with all the white and city scapes still was pretty smooth. Technically though it really is a tough call, but I'll just go for Uncharted 3. :P

[QUOTE="AznbkdX"]>Never played Loco Roco. Looks simple and charming though, but I presume its deeper than it looks overall.Blabadon

Sounds awesome, and very different. Also had a feeling it was very replayable.

Got to admit its been a very long while since I saw anything that beat out Rayman and such for the 2D platformer crown, but you really never know. :)

for each gen

8 bit era-super mario 3 or rad racer

16 bit era-stunt race fx/starfox

n64- goldeneye turok banjo or perfect dark

ps1- hexen - its the closest to a n64 port of all games that are multiplat that i ve played  though the ps1 version is a bit darker

saturn -daytona usa cce

dreamcast-metropolis street racing or 102 dalmations 

ps2-driv3r no contest

gamecube re4

xbox-forza or timesplitters future perfect -this actually looked that good accross all 3 platforms so maybe for ps2 there is a contest

gb-smb 

gba -driver 2 advance

game gear- street of rage 

psp -driver 76

ds-goldeneye 007 

xbox360  - perfect dark zero -funny how its best looking game was a disapointment though-  and came early in its life 

wii-skyward sward or smg2 or goldeneye007

ps3-gt5 or yakuza 4

3ds-of what i own resident evil revelations or asphalt mariokart comes close behind asphalt

vita-asphalt once again 

wiiu -thuse far 007 legends or nsmb u 

Wind Waker

Journey

Halo 4

Crysis 3

Ni No Kuni

UC2

ME2

Skyrim (PC)

BF3 (PC)

The Sims 3 has always impressed me by making me stand back and look at a town and go "I built that...and the people in that...all of that...down to the individual floorboards and the kleenex box on a nightstand."

And secondly, even though it's less of a game and more of a tool, I have to give props to Space Engine.  The entire universe with no loading screens.

I don't necessarily go for the photorealistic look. However, I do like my graphics to have clarity. Metal textures should look like metal, concrete textures should look like concrete, wood textures should look like wood, and so on. It's a turnoff to me when I can barely tell metal from wood. Plus, I can see in vivid color. Therefore, my games should not have that monochrome look because of a poor color palette.  

Eh I guess I'll add some more favorites. Screenie time!

LIMBO

SMG 2

TF2

Crysis 3

I don't necessarily go for the photorealistic look. However, I do like my graphics to have clarity. Metal textures should look like metal, concrete textures should look like concrete, wood textures should look like wood, and so on. It's a turnoff to me when I can barely tell metal from wood. Plus, I can see in vivid color. Therefore, my games should not have that monochrome look because of a poor color palette.

jun_aka_pekto

So what game would that be? I'm guessing you really don't like LIMBO, the game I just showed, all that much then. :P

[QUOTE="jun_aka_pekto"]

I don't necessarily go for the photorealistic look. However, I do like my graphics to have clarity. Metal textures should look like metal, concrete textures should look like concrete, wood textures should look like wood, and so on. It's a turnoff to me when I can barely tell metal from wood. Plus, I can see in vivid color. Therefore, my games should not have that monochrome look because of a poor color palette.

AznbkdX

So what game would that be? I'm guessing you really don't like LIMBO, the game I just showed, all that much then. :P

Well, Some games I also cut some slack like those that are deliberately trying to look cartoony. For those kind of games, I like the clean look.

But, the majority of the games I play tend to have that 3D look. Samples:

Much better in motion, google it on youtube or something

The last one not because of its graphical style but the creative flare through which it's portrayed.

Graphics king (most detail): Crysis 3

Most Realistic: Half Life 2

Best Artistic: Trine 2

Realistic: Crysis 3

Artistic: Trine 2

BPoole96

Oh. I forgot some other games with looks I like: