Video game graphics that blew us away

We all like a good looking game, sometimes to the point we become obsessed with aesthetics above all else.

Whether you think the story or gameplay is more important than the visuals, you can’t deny these titles the credit they deserve for cranking up the polygon count.

These are the games that made us sit in back in awe when we first saw them.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – 2001

Graphics (IGN) – 9.8/10

“Tell me you’ve found something better-looking on the market and you’re a damned liar,” said IGN when they reviewed the game. MGS2 on the PlayStation 2 was arguably the best looking game available on a console when it launched. The opening scene on the tanker with sheets of rain pelting down on an always resolute Snake were breathtaking.

The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind – 2002

Graphics (IGN) – 9.5/10

“A fantastic 3D world, huge and beautifully designed, with a great deal of detail. Animations are excellent,” said IGN. When it was released, Morrowind was praised for its breath-taking visuals, amazing objects, and character animations by most who played it, and the game scored strongly across the board.

Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune – 2007

Graphics (IGN) – 9/10

“There’s no doubt the game looks great and that the use of in-game assets for the movies is seamless,” said IGN. When Uncharted Drake’s Fortune was released back in 2007 it was a showcase of the capabilities of the PS3. The game really harnessed the yet to be fully untapped potential of the next-gen system of its day, and most who played it had nothing but praise for how it looked.

Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation – 1999

Graphics (IGN) – 8/10

“Lara looks better than ever and so do the 3D environments,” said IGN. Tomb Raider kept many gamers’ eyes glued to the screen, and it wasn’t just to stare at Lara’s digital rack. The Tomb Raider franchise has usually impressed with its visuals, and The Last Revelation was no different.

Final Fantasy 8 – 1999

Graphics (IGN) – 10/10

“This is as good as it gets,” said IGN. Final Fantasy 8 took Square Enix’s RPG franchise to beautiful new heights when it released FF8. The gameplay visuals were miles ahead of FF7, and the cut scenes pushed the PlayStation 1’s graphics chip to the limits. The game wasn’t spread over four discs for fun, it was packing that much detail.