The first and last Xbox games of 2024 have been crowned as the best-looking titles of the year by Digital Foundry experts, led by Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and Star Wars Outlaws.
While graphics aren’t everything, they play a vital role in the gaming industry. Many projects harken back to classic visual styles from decades ago, yet still manage to captivate players. However, with advancements in technology like realistic lighting, dynamic reflections, and photogrammetry, the bar for visual excellence has risen significantly. Digital Foundry’s list of 2024’s best graphics celebrates titles that excel in combining visual fidelity with immersive gameplay, with Xbox Game Studios securing the top two spots.
The Best Graphics of 2024
At the top of the list is Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the latest entry from MachineGames after a five-year hiatus. The game utilizes the id Tech 7 engine, shared with the DOOM series, to deliver an unmatched blend of visual fidelity and intricate environments. The late addition of Path Tracing further enhanced lighting effects while maintaining impressive optimization, achieving a smooth 60 FPS even on consoles, securing its spot as the year’s best-looking game.
Second place goes to Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. Ninja Theory’s interactive masterpiece leverages Unreal Engine 5 and photogrammetry to create a visually stunning world. Its lifelike lighting and facial animations offer a level of cinematic realism that makes it one of the most immersive visual experiences of the decade.
Rounding out the top three is Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws. Despite criticism for performance issues in its open-world design, the game was praised by Digital Foundry for its exceptional graphics, particularly in its detailed locations and realistic interiors that bring the Star Wars universe to life.
Complete List:
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- Star Wars Outlaws
- Black Myth: Wukong
- Penny’s Big Breakaway
- Astro Bot
- Silent Hill 2
- Dragon Age: The Veilguard
- Riven
- Dragon’s Dogma 2
Other notable releases like STALKER 2, Persona 3 Reload, and Metaphor: ReFantazio earned honorable mentions. While visually impressive, technical shortcomings pushed them lower on the list. For example, STALKER 2’s Unreal Engine 5-powered open world faced performance issues on both PC and consoles. And what about you? What are your top picks for the best-looking games of the year?
Source: 3djuegos
