Summary
The ninth generation of home consoles is now up and running, and those who have been lucky enough to get their hands on an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 have been treated to the gaming industry’s latest advancements in technology.
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Although there has been some disappointment over the lack of new releases thus far, the Series X has lived up to its marketing of being the world’s most powerful console, with the current array of Series X-optimized titles providing some of the best visuals available in gaming today. For anyone wanting to test the Series X’s capabilities, here are some of thebest-looking games on Xbox Series X.
Updated by Jack Pursey on September 27th, 2023:The gaming industry is constantly surprising players with its consistent leaps in technological advancements. Every year that passes, games are improving both visually and audibly, to the point where some games now feel like big-budget blockbusters. Although visual, sound, and art design aren’t everything when it comes to a video game, it’s hard not to be in awe of games that showcase the Xbox Series X’s potential. This list has been updated to include some more information about the best-looking games on Xbox Series X to help players choose which game to play next.
Elden Ringwas released in February 2022 and dominated news and discussion in the gaming industry for most of the year. FromSoftware’s action RPG immediately drew players in with its captivating open world that amazed players with its size and scope, along with the huge array of bosses, dungeons, andhidden areas.
Elden Ring’s graphics may not be on the same level as a game likeForza Horizon 5from a technical standpoint, but it’s more than deserving of a spot on this list for its stellar art direction.
Microsoft Flight Simulatorwas first released on PC in 2020 before arriving on Xbox Series X/S the following year. The game was a big hit with critics,earning a 90 Metascore on Xbox Series X/S. The game is a wonderfully well-designed simulator for those interested in flying, though the game’s main appeal for many people is that it lets players fly around the entire world, withthe world’s most iconic landmarkslike Mount Everest, Big Ben, and The Great Pyramid of Giza all available for players to fly past.
Despite the game’s unbelievable scope, much of the world looks truly incredible from the skies, with notable landmarks and cities looking especially great thanks to the extra attention and care that was clearly taken with them.
Believe it or not, it has been nearly ten years sinceGrand Theft Auto 5first hit stores. The game was originally released on seventh-generation consoles, though it has since come to both eighth-generation and now ninth-generation consoles with its release on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 in March 2022.
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Although many people are frustrated that Rockstar Games continues to focus onGTA 5rather than release a new game in the series, it’s hard to deny that the Xbox Series X/S version of the game looks unbelievably good and is one of the most immersive games of all time.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivorwas developed by Respawn Entertainment and is the sequel to the well-receivedStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Like its predecessor, the game puts players in the shoes of Cal Kestis and again lets players embark on a memorable single-player adventure that features many breathtaking sci-fi locations that are practically beggingStar Warsfans to explore them.
Unfortunately, the game’s high potential hasn’t been reached as of yet due to numerous technical issues, particularly on PC. These issues are being worked on, though it’s a shame that they weren’t fixed before launch, as the game looks sensational when all is working as it should.
Throughout the last decade, Ubisoft has managed to create a distinctive, so-called “Ubisoft-style” of open-world games. TheirAssassin’s CreedandFar Cryfranchises are at the forefront of this, with both series honing in on what has worked for them and their competitors in the past and streamlining it to offer safe, solid games that players know what to expect from before the game has even finished installing.
Far Cry 6continues this trend, picking up where the previousFar Crygames left off with a sprinkling of new features and mechanics for good measure. It’s not just the gameplay and world design that picked up where the previous games left off, as the game’s beautiful visuals came as no surprise, following the series' impressive track record in that regard.
The post-apocalyptic genremay not seem an obvious home to one of the Series X’s most visually stunning games, thoughMetro Exodusmanages to find beauty in its horror. The game’s post-apocalyptic landscape is battered, lifeless, and eerily vacant, yet it’s one of the mostbreathtaking open worldscurrently available in gaming.
Metro Exodus' visuals aren’t its only impressive feature, as the game manages to combine the first-person shooter, stealth, and horror genres into a well-balanced and enjoyable blend that feels unique.
Generally speaking, platformers don’t tend to be considered among the best-looking games of their respective release years. The games often provide visuals that are bright, colorful, and have a wholesome vibe to them, but they don’t tend to be vast or detailed enough to make them comparable to the environments in open-world adventures.
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However,Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Timefeatures an incredible range of art designs across its multiple levels that make the platformer’s visuals competitive with games from any genre. Whether it be in N. Sanity Island, The Sn@xx Dimension, or Tranquillity Falls, each area looks unique, meticulously crafted, and memorable.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Timeisn’t the only platformer on this list, as Moon Studios' critically acclaimed MetroidvaniaOri and the Will of the Wispsalso features an incredible range of visuals. The game’s forest is filled with nature-inspired beauty that enhances thefantasy narrativeand makes traversing the world and exploring new areas an enthralling experience.
Ori and the Will of the Wispsmay look like a heart-warming adventure, though its cute characters will embark on a journey that will almost certainly bring a tear to the eye.
Considering how synonymous theHalofranchise is with Xbox, it should come as no surprise that Xbox Game Studios gaveThe Master Chief Collectiona budget big to make the set of classic games look superior to even some of gaming’s most recent releases.
The collection’s cutscenes are its most impressive visual feature, with games likeHalo 2seeing its cutscenes completely reworked to look almost unrecognizable from their originals. To show off the flashy new looks, the game features a mechanic that lets players switch between the old and new versions of a game with a touch of a button, showcasing how much improvement has been made.
Codemasters’Dirt 5was released in November 2020 and received a warm reception from critics, exemplified by its81 Metascore on Xbox Series X. The game features the excellent driving mechanics that one would expect from a Codemasters game, though its incredible visuals and car models blew away even some of the most optimistic fans.
Racing fans are interested to see how Codemasters' next few years are going to play out followingthe company’s acquisition from industry giant Electronic Arts.
