#4: 'Crysis 3'
This series spawned the eternal question of “Can it run Crysis?” Most middle- to high-end systems can do it easily today, but at the time of its release, Crytek pushed the standard for visual quality even higher in the final installation of the series. Most of the game takes place in an abandoned New York City, where Mother Nature is slowly reclaiming the area with flora. As you hunt for the dangerous Ceph aliens, you’ll notice the realistic movements of water as you wade through small lakes and rivers. The lighting throughout the open areas is astonishing; you see the city slowly transform into a giant urban greenhouse. This is all possible through the CryEngine, and the series’ visuals make it a staple in PC gaming history.
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#3: 'Grand Theft Auto V'
There’s a huge difference in the Los Santos of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and that of Grand Theft Auto V. In the latter, the environment is more well-defined throughout the entire game world. Dynamic weather, day and night cycles, and the plethora of people on the streets further adds to the immersion. Even when you’re not robbing banks or shooting other players, Grand Theft Auto V is a visual marvel, so be sure to take a relaxing drive around Los Santos at some point.
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#2: 'The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim'
Today's hardware means that the base game can easily run on most systems. However, it’s not a visually appealing experience, and this is where the modding community comes into play. Countless creators are making their own graphical improvements to the world of Skyrim. You can find upgrades on water visual quality, lighting, tree textures, and even character models. These enhancements ensure that your journey through Skyrim is not just full of gameplay content, but also full of magnificent views of nature and man-made structures.
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#1: 'The Witcher III: Wild Hunt'
The overall story and content within The Witcher III: Wild Hunt is impressive, to be sure, but it’s also a game with some amazing visuals. The open world of Velen and Novigrad is full of impressive sights such as bustling cities, vast plains of grass, and lush forests. We’ll even single out the kingdom of Skellige, which has some of the most beautiful scenery in the game due to the area’s close proximity to mountain ranges and forests. If you’re looking to upgrade your system’s performance based on a single game, this would be it.
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Cast Your Vote!
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