Five of the best looking video games ever

In the history of video-games there have been many titles that were pieces of art. From unique visual styles to high definition graphics, check out my countdown of the 5 greatest that I've played.

[Thrillhouse]

I'd throw Bioshock in there. The art direction in that game has not been surpassed in MY eyes.

[NewNameNow]

I never really got too far into that game, but I'll put it on my list for sure!

[JsonHenry]

Legend of Zelda did look good for the time. The rest of the list I am not impressed with though. But this is an opinion article (news?) so I guess I just have to say I do not fully agree with his assessment.

The one thing that blew my mind was that he put GoW3 on the list but not Uncharted 2.

[NewNameNow]

I haven't played Uncharted 2, it's on my list after Metro 2033 and Uncharted 1. My brother bought both in the series so they'll be ready to play :D
---
As I can't reply to any more comments, just let me say these are some of the best looking games that I personally have played. Just an opinion piece but I'd love to hear what you guys think and maybe I'll find some new games to play. I love a game with good art direction.

[JsonHenry]

What platform are you going to be playing Metro 2033 on? I played it on the PC and it was a noticeable visual improvement over games like Crysis. (tessalation!!) However, on the 360 the game looked less than stellar.

[schlanz]

in case anyone is feeling lazy:

God of War 3
Secret of Mana 3
Geometry Wars 2
Gears of War 2
LoZ: Wind Waker

[Infiny]

No Uncharted 2? BS list |:

[lastdual]

Hehe, knew that was coming.

But honestly, while I love some of the choices (Mana 3 and Wind Waker totally deserve a mention), to bring up modern titles like God of War 3 and Gears 2 while ignoring the likes of Uncharted 2 or Crysis seems off.

This list would be better if the author drew a line between artistic style and graphics (or maybe made 2 lists), rather than just labeling it as "best looking".

[Infiny]

Indeed, that's why it's a little "off" to put GoW 3 and not Uncharted 2.

[Motorola]

He says these are the best looking from WHAT HE PLAYED. He prob didnt play Uncharted 2...

[avengers1978]

NO uncharted 2, makes this list fail.
1. Uncharted 2
2. God of War 3
3. Batman Arkham Asylum
4. Call of Duty Modern Warfare2
5. Gears of War
6. Bioshock 1 & 2(I gotta agree with Thrillhouse)

[Nihilism]

Rofl. The games you mentioned make use of very few colours, I would actually refer to them more in shades....does sepia count as a colour?...nah we'll just call it grey...

[AK46]

except UC2, which has many colors

[Acquiescence]

You can almost breathe the toxic-free air and feel the grass brushing lightly against your skin when playing it.

[Panthers]

Wind Waker was amazing visually. I was seriously impressed with it. It was fun just to throw bombs and watching the water blow up.

[Nihilism]

Wind Waker was amazing, mirrors edge too, aawesome art direction in that game. The best lighting I've seen in any game too.

[Frenza]

Mirrors Edge?

[HeroXIV]

Personally I love the look of Naruto games. They're absolutely gorgeous. And I'm not really a fan of the anime/manga.

[chrisgay]

I think Braid and Bioshock definitely deserve to be on here. Wind Waker and Geometry Wars I agree with totally.

I'm glad he did a list of the best looking rather than "technically best".

Art direction and creativity > polygons and high resolution textures.

[lightningsax]

It's hard to dispute some of these for their artistic value, but there are so many great-looking games out there, and some of these pale in comparison to others based on why he liked these games:

1. God of War III is a great-looking game and a technical powerhouse, sure, but Uncharted 2's environments are often as much of an architectural feat as they are graphically beautiful. I'd put UC2 over GOWIII.

2. Secret of Mana III... no, he got that one right. It's a beautiful game. The only contender I'd have for that spot is Final Fantasy VI, but it's a painterly style that's a bit different than what he's looking for here.

3. Geometry Wars II had a lot of "bright flashing colours," which is his only substantial reasoning for it, but why wouldn't he pick Rez over this? That game wasn't just bright colors, it was an evolving artwork that moves from the abstract to almost biological. Rez should be in this slot.

4. His reasoning for Gears of War II isn't something I can mess with - he liked a certain style it had, and there isn't much that does that style better right now. I'm not as big a fan, but there isn't a contender for that style.

5. LoZ: Wind Waker looked good, but "cel-shaded style," "adorable characters," and "gorgeous environments" should all point first to Okami, and then to Wind Waker. Okami trumps LoZ here, and it pretty much dominates anything on any list when talking about artistic value.

Ones that I'd include over some of these: Panzer Dragoon Orta, Ikaruga, Flower, FFXIII (say what you will about the gameplay, the art direction was phenomenal), and possibly Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike (on animation quality alone).

[Nihilism]

Seeing as everyone is making their own lists...

Wind Waker
Mirrors Edge
Farcry 2
Bioshock
Red Alert 3

I mention all those games based purely on art design...not on OMFG teh graphics!, although they do have good graphics as well...

Crysis has amazing graphics....but crap art design...real life does not make for original art...I like games to be stylized. Which is why to me, Farcry 2 will always look more 'realistic' and in my opinion...better than crysis

[HeroXIV]

I like your taste, but a few things. 1 FC2 is also based on Real Life... And 2. Crysis isn't.

Check related image.

[Nihilism]

Yeah there are the alien elements, but for the most part, the graphics are aimed at photo realism, whereas FC2 seems to be more sytlized, eg. the excessive bloom and the environmental effects

[J BO]

what about OKAMI it is very good looking game

[blazed13]

no love for mario galaxy wtf!!!

[jalen247]

GOW III is the best looking game this gen so far. I am happy to see GOW III on his list.