Video Game Awards 2017: Best Visuals

My 2017 Video Game Awards (celebrating the best in gaming of 2016) carry on! Visuals are most likely the first thing you notice about a video game, and are certainly the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about how far video games have come over the years. In 2016, video games reached new visual heights, but only one game could stand tall above the rest.

Winner: Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

When discussing great video game visuals, there are two different ways to look at things: those that are more realistic, and those that have inspired art directions. While usually I’m more partial to the latter category, as it’s definitely the more timeless of the two, this year I have to give it to a more ‘realistic’ title, because Uncharted 4 simply looks that good.

Not only do the people look realistic in Uncharted 4, but they move realistically, and their facial expressions are believable as well, two areas which even the most shiny games usually stumble.

But then we have the environments. Good heavens, is the scenery of Uncharted 4 gorgeous! The stunning water effects, the beautiful landscapes of Madagascar, and the dark and dreary pirate coves. Uncharted 4 is one of the rare games where I sometimes just stand still to take in all the visual beauty.

Uncharted 4 isn’t merely the most “realistic” looking game I’ve ever played, it’s also one of the most beautiful.

Runner-up: Paper Mario: Color Splash

Author: themancalledscott

Born of cold and winter air and mountain rain combining, the man called Scott is an ancient sorcerer from a long-forgotten realm. He’s more machine now than man, twisted and evil. Or, you know, he could just be some guy who loves video games, animations and cinema who just wanted to write about such things. View all posts by themancalledscott