Visually amazing games...for their time

[Neverhoodian]

As improvements in technology allow game developers to continue pushing the boundaries of graphical fidelity, I thought it would be neat to stop and remember games that were hailed for their visuals at the time, but aren't that impressive if you applied modern standards. I'll start off with one:

MYST

This was the game that spurred many people to run out and buy a computer that had a CD-ROM back in 1993. To this very day MYST is still regarded as one of the best adventure/puzzle games of all time (myself included). However, if you stop and really evaluate the visuals by modern standards it comes across as rather crude. The entire game world consists of still images of pre-rendered environments. From a technical standpoint, it's little more than a glorified Powerpoint presentation.

What are some games you've played that were visually astounding back in the day, but people wouldn't bat an eye at today?

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Pokemon Crystal having moving animations for Pokemon at the start of a battle blew my mind as a kid. A bit silly to think about it now.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

For me the ultimate amazing graphics for it's time was FFX.


The cutscenes were so beyond amazing lol.

 

[Stammer]

Armored Core 2

So sexy at the time. Even today they're not too bad, but they've definitely aged.

 

[ThatDaveDude1]

I'm tempted to say Shenmue, but with a VGA Box and some proper cables it still manages to look pretty damn good, even rivaling some decent PS2 Graphics.

Case in Point. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joZ0cCaFmM0]


Still though, It hardly matches up with modern "ultra real" standards so I suppose it counts

 

[Nooners]

I'm going to nominate Sonic Adventure 1. To be fair, it was also my first home system after the Sega Genesis, so huge leap...and that level where the orca whale tears up the piers behind you is still freaking cool.

 

[Casimir_Effect]

Giants: Citizen Kabuto

Spoiler

and Sacrifice (this game has too many great shots)

Spoiler

Both released in 2000

 

[Xannieros]

Legend of Dragoon (PSX) Cinimatics
Perfect Dark (N64)
Were amazing at the time.

 

[Rayne870]

I remember Silent Hill totally blowing me away when it was released. So I guess that. I still think Unreal Tournament 2004 looks pretty good with everything cranked up. When the DC was still alive I thought Skies of Arcadia was just the most awesome thing I had ever seen though that was probably due to all the flashing lights and the awesome ship battles.

Edit: Soul Calibur seems to have aged very well too.

 

[Lewieroo0]

Skies Of Arcadia sure was good for it's time on the dreamcast, and it sure was a treat to get it on the gamecube ^_^

 

[Dizzle26]

I loved how Halo looked when I first saw it. The environments were just amazing.

 

[inFAMOUSCowZ]

I found Halo to simply be gorgeous when it first came out, now well at least the game is still fun to play, and they make re-make it.

 

[cgentero]

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/2006/02/games-that-pushed-limits-part-1.html

here's a good list that goes all the way from atari to the dreamcast

 

[RadicalDreamer90]

Final Fantasy 8 and X were mind numbing coming into games. (7 to I suppose). Elder scrolls 4 somewhat caught me off guard with it's visuals, but I got over that pretty quick so maybe I shouldn't consider it. I'll second Legend of Dragoon, but I guess it's difficult wowing me with graphics, when I see it all the time. Unless the next cut scene reaches out and slaps me in the tit, I'm sure the visuals will still be second to narrative for me.

 

[Ldude893]

Never played it before, but I heard that back then Far Cry's graphics were stunning and advanced at the time.

 

[Vault101]

Id say Deus ex, theres somthign about those basic polygon graphics that induce the uncanny valley for me (and Im usually very tolerent to that kind of thing)

also the donkey kong country series looked amazing back then, and it a way it still holds up because of the awsome art style

I think banjo kazooies graphics were some of the best that the N64 could offer and I still think the artstyle looks cool

 

[Vault101]

As improvements in technology allow game developers to continue pushing the boundaries of graphical fidelity, I thought it would be neat to stop and remember games that were hailed for their visuals at the time, but aren't that impressive if you applied modern standards. I'll start off with one:

MYST

This was the game that spurred many people to run out and buy a computer that had a CD-ROM back in 1993. To this very day MYST is still regarded as one of the best adventure/puzzle games of all time (myself included). However, if you stop and really evaluate the visuals by modern standards it comes across as rather crude. The entire game world consists of still images of pre-rendered environments. From a technical standpoint, it's little more than a glorified Powerpoint presentation.

What are some games you've played that were visually astounding back in the day, but people wouldn't bat an eye at today?

THATS 1993?....whoa

I supose because as you said your not actually moving around in that space...but still its sort fo enough to give the illusion that you are,

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Killzone 3 is drop-dead beautiful right now...

But in a few years...we're in for some fugly.

Because in the world of 3D, only art direction ages well.

Sprites are forever, magically.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

Armored Core 2

So sexy at the time. Even today they're not too bad, but they've definitely aged.

i dont think that counts, because its a cinematic. if that was the case then advent children for me

 

[Cronq]

Crysis and Crysis Warhead on PC. To this day nothing has been able to match the level of detail in those games.