It’s 2020, and video game graphics keep getting better and better. For PC gamers, that means keeping up with an ever-improving standard for machines, especially when it comes to high frame rates in 4K and the ever sought after ray tracing. So we’ve compiled a list of games that not only look great on consoles or low-spec PCs, but completely dazzle when cranked up to ultra settings.
Note, the ranking here was chosen not on a games review score, but instead the sheer amount of raw graphics card power required to really allow these games to shine at max settings. To that end, here are the Top 10 games that make the most of your high-end gaming PC.
To see our list, you can either scroll down the page like normal or click through the slideshow below, paired with really pretty screenshots!
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10. Battlefield 5
Recommended Hardware: DirectX 11.1 Compatible GPU, 8GB AMD Radeon RX 580 / 6GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Known for its huge open, er, battlefields, Battlefield V still manages to dazzle visually, which are two aspects that combine to truly test your PC’s limits. Large open spaces with a high level of detail, combined with destructible buildings and high player counts will really test your rig. Having so many players in a space at once, all doing different things requires a lot of power, but the payoff is well worth it when it all comes together.
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9. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Recommended Hardware: AMD Radeon R9 290 or Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 (4GB VRAM or more with Shader Model 5.0) or better
Assassin’s Creed always gives us big, beautiful worlds, which makes for some hefty system requirements. Odyssey not only gives us stunning Greek landscapes to play around in, but a gorgeous rendition of the Mediterranean Sea to sail as well. From the shimmering bronze and marble statues of the acropolis to the wilds of Macedonia and volcanic beaches of Anaphi, Odyssey running on max settings is one of the most beautiful games available on PC – though it’s optimized really well for lower-end rigs, too!
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8. Wolfenstein: Youngblood
Recommended Hardware: Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB (Current available GPU RTX2060) or AMD equivalent
While the leap from Wolfenstein 2: New Colossus to Youngblood didn’t change much in the way of graphics, the recent ray tracing patch applied to Youngblood puts it just a step ahead of its predecessor. Whether it’s the crystal clear reflections glistening off your gun as you take down nazis, or the sparkling puddles found throughout the war-torn streets, Youngblood never stops dazzling. Pair that with truly breathtaking explosions and glowing fires, and – with a card beefy enough – Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a sight to behold.
7. Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Recommended hardware – Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB or AMD Radeon RX 480, 8GB
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the most beautiful entry in the series yet, and its shadowy locales really make the most of a high-end rig – we mean that literally, by the way: look at these lighting effects! Yes, the recent addition of ray tracing support takes an already beautiful game and makes it even better – just watch out for leopards.
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6. Forza Horizon 4
Recommended hardware – Nvidia GTX 970 OR Nvidia GTX 1060 3GB OR AMD R9 290x OR AMD RX 470
Racing games don’t get more beautiful than Forza, and the latest entry in the Horizon series takes those cars into a gorgeous open-world take on Great Britain. Between the hundreds of expertly-rendered cars and the seasonal changes that overtake the world, Forza Horizon 4 will put your graphics card to the test – in the best way possible.
5. Resident Evil 3
Recommended hardware – Nvidia GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 480
Once considered the cutting edge of gaming visuals, Resident Evil 3 is once again leading the way with a beautiful remake that pushes machines to their limit. The spooky streets of Raccoon City have come a long way since 1999, and are now fully realized in HD and 4K. Zombies and other monstrosities are depicted with excruciating detail, making them both incredibly scary but also seriously worth ogling every detail. Resident Evil has come a long way over the decades, and Resident Evil 3 is the stunning – and horrifying – proof.
4. Doom Eternal
Recommended hardware – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 8GB, RTX 2060 6GB or AMD Radeon RX Vega56 8GB
Doom Eternal is finally here, and you’re going to want to check that your graphics card is up to date in order to get the best view of Hell possible. The techno-hellish surroundings are beautifully realized, and the fast and furious action as you kill creatively-designed demonic monstrosities not only looks great in 4K – and can even hit an astonishing thousand frames per second on top-of-the-line supercomputers – but it’s been optimized to run well on older hardware, too.
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3. Control
Recommended hardware – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, AMD Radeon RX 580 or better (RTX 2060 for Ray-Tracing)
Control is a visual mind-bender, and while its trippy transforming hallways look great on any platform, it looks especially awesome on a powerful PC – especially with the recent upgrade for ray tracing support. It’s one of the best showcases for how good ray tracing can look, whether in its jaw-dropping setpieces or when you’re just exploring the midcentury-modern halls of The Oldest House.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
Recommended hardware – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB, AMD Radeon RX 480 4GB
What may well be one of the most beautiful games of the generation on any platform, Red Dead Redemption 2 features a gorgeous, wide-open Western countryside that truly looks its best on PC. With true 4K/60 capabilities, new ultra-HD textures and plenty of other updated visuals, you’ll need a serious build to take full advantage of the PC port, but we’re sure you’ll find it well worth the effort, pard’ner.
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1. Metro Exodus
Recommended hardware – GeForce GTX 1070, GeForce RTX 2060 / AMD RX VEGA 56
The gritty, grimy Metro series isthe most system-intensive entry in the series yet, and with good reason. With a variety of locales, from wintry urban landscapes to verdant forests and dank underground tunnels, its bleak post-apocalyptic take on Russia and eastern Europe has never looked better.. Metro Exodus also now supports ray tracing, which makes the game even more beautiful – especially in the flickering lamplights of the underground sections. It may be the most harrowing chapter of Artyom’s journey yet – but it’s also by far the prettiest.
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Interested in more Top 10’s? Check out The Best RPGs of the Last 15 Years or The Best Resident Evil Bosses of All Time!