Summary
For almost as long as they have existed,first-person shootershave been a reliable benchmark with which to measure graphical fidelity by. In their time, games likeDoom,Quake,UnrealandHalf-Lifeeach heralded new heights and new innovations in the depictions of their respective worlds, be they claustrophobic ruined labs or vast alien landscapes.
This pattern continues to the current day, and with each passing year a swath of new games are released with ever more appealing visuals. Pure intensive graphical power isn’t the end all be all either - artistic style plays just as important a role in crafting a feast for the eyes. Here are some that particularly stand out.
Updated on July 30, 2025:We’ve added a video version of this wonderful article for you to peruse at your leisure, should you want to watch a bit more about the games we mentioned here!
6Doom Eternal
id Software, 2020
Doom Eternal, released in 2020 byid Software, was an evolution in style from its predecessor, simply titled Doom (2016). Whereas Doom (2016) took place across the relatively dour and muted UNSC labs of the red planet Mars, Doom Eternal really cranks up the visual intensity to the maximum degree.
Enemies are more colorful, weapons are more bombastic, and environments pop far more with an extremely varied array of locals ranging from ancient otherworldly ruins to experimental arctic facilities. While it may be older than some of the other games on this list, it still looks good to this day.
5Resident Evil 4 (2024)
Capcom, 2023
Resident Evil 4 (2024)continues the trend ofCapcomremaking their famouszombie seriesto great effect. Regarded as one of the most influential games of all time, the graphics and art style of theoriginal gamework hand in hand to create an instantly recognizable and iconic atmosphere, be it in the crumbling ruins of a castle filled to the brim with cultists or the outlying hamlets and farms that make up the forlorn Spanish countryside. In this regard, the remake is no different.
If that wasn’t enough, Resident Evil 4 can also be enjoyed in first person with the use of amod, akin to 2017’sResident Evil 7: Biohazard, the first numbered game in the series to be released with a first person perspective. Playing the of Resident Evil 4 in this manner is a perfect way to re-experience the game in a fresh new way, similar to howResident Evil 8can be played officially in third person.
4Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
Fatshark, 2022
Fresh off the heels ofWarhammer: Vermintide 2, Fatshark went on to releaseWarhammer 40,000: Darktide, swapping out the fantasy battlefields of the Old World for the dark future of the 40th millennium. In doing this they’ve brought their satisfying and meaty first person combat to a new level with the inclusion of all manner of lasguns, boltguns, and, of course, their trademark melee combat.
Warhammer 40k is characterized by sweeping gothic cityscapes, and Darktide, fittingly, takes place in one of 40k’s gargantuan hive cities. Face down endless hordes of enemies in the twisted bowels of a structure that is equal parts industrial hellscape and twisted cathedral. The future of 40k may be a dire one, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the view.
3Metro Exodus
4A Games, 2019
Metro Exoduscontinues the claustrophobicMetro seriesof games, developed by 4A Games, taking the perspective above ground in a way never before encountered in the series before. This change in scenery brings with it a new scope and scale, as the ruined landscape that makes up the world above the tunnels is depicted in thorough detail.
These environments extend far beyond the ice-encrusted cities of the original game, featuring decaying swamps and windswept deserts. Parallels can be drawn with the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, of which the upcoming release ofHeart of Chornobylcan continue to fill the need for those seeking even more of that post-apocalypse flavor.
2Cyberpunk 2077
CD Projekt Red, 2020
Cyberpunk 2077, the latest game fromCD Projekt Red, had an undeniably rocky launch. Since the original release in 2020, however, the game has been steadily improved upon and, with the release of the expansion packPhantom Libertyin 2023, has settled into a comfortable reception.
Night City is depicted in great detail, serving as a pretty backdrop for the harsh realities of a world run by corporations with little regard for humanity. Ray tracing only improves the effect, impressively enhancing both lighting and reflections.
1Crysis Remastered
Crytek, 2021
For years, 2007’sCrysiswas the game to beat in terms of pure graphical fidelity. This became something of a mantra, and in 2021 the game was remastered, returning the king to the throne.
Crytekmade a name for themselves based on this technical aptitude, with games like Hunt: Showdown sharing that proclivity for eye-catchingly realistic visuals that continue to push the envelope. Crysis, in this sense, is known more for its graphics than for any other aspect of its gameplay, leaving a legacy of realism that lasts to this day.
