Until you embrace your own mortality you cannot truly be free
The final entry in the first part of David Farland's epic saga set in the Kingdoms of Rofehavan, Indhopal, and Inkarra. One thing I appreciate from an author is the ability to send the reader on what feels like an extremely long journey in a few hundred pages. It isn't any kind of a slight against other authors. Every story is different and should fit whatever vision inspired it. But I enjoy going to many different places during a reading experience. The more places the better. In Lair of Bones, because we jump between multiple points of view, we truly do cover the entire continent this series is set in. Furthermore, we also go beneath the continent, to the titular Lair of Bones itself. I just get a satisfied feeling when a writer develops a world and lets me explore all parts of it.
As I said in my review for Wizardborn, Book 3 in the Runelords, this story is as epic as you can have in Fantasy. A group of human protagonists, with their own individual stories, fighting against a monstrous army numbering in the millions. Unlike other books there is no one true antagonist, though there is a being called the One True Master funnily enough. I get the sense that David Farland was already planning the second part of this series while writing the first. Therefore, some elements of this novel will clearly not be wrapped up properly and are only present to kind of leave a trail for you to follow into the next section of the series. For example, one of the antagonists who I believe was first mentioned in the second book is fairly prominent in this one. He is with one of the point of view characters, who is his son, for much of the book. Things seem as if they're building to a conflict. But by the story's end he's struck down rather unceremoniously, with the demon (Called a "Glory") that was inhabiting him fleeing into the night. The demon is still loose in the world at the book's end and, along with a few other things, is noted by our primary protagonist (Gaborn) to be something that will need to be watched for. So, this book serves as both a conclusion and a lead in to the nest novel in the series, which as I understand it will be following Gaborn's son (Which makes sense because, Gaborn is near death at the end of this novel).
Character Journeys
There is no surer refuge than a close friend.
I think that anything important I have to say regarding this novel concerns the characters. From Book 1 of the series Farland showed a mastery at focusing on different characters without paying more attention to any one character. He also ensures that the situations each character face have the same kind of tone as you jump from one to the next. So, if Gaborn is facing some type of tough situation at a given time more often than not Borrenson will also be in that kind of situation. But the situations will be different enough that it doesn't become boring. For example, in this novel there is a point where Iome and Borrenson have been captured by an enemy. Iome has to rescue Borrenson by first freeing herself from her bonds, breaking into a castle, killing the people guarding Borrenson, and then the two must flee the country. At the same time Gaborn is attempting to learn the nature of the One True Master, along with how to regain his powers as Earth King. In another section of the book the Earth Warden Averan has been captured by Revears and is attempting to stay alive. Etc. Each character is dealing with a different type of threat, while still being tied into the main conflict.
Farland is actually so good at balancing time spent on different characters and switching from one storyline to the next at just the right moment, that I almost feel bad that I have a (minor) complaint I feel the need to make in my next section.
Pacing
So he ran. Down, down, deeper into the underworld. Carrying the brightness in his heart.
One thing I do have to note ties back to what I said earlier. I think this is the weakest of the 4 novels, because Farland was clearly trying to setup the next part of this series. This has a negative effect on the pacing because some things that you spend a good deal of time with just aren't going to be important in this book. And by the last hundred pages things have to be wrapped up in almost a rapid fire manner. All of the antagonists are dealt with in maybe 30 pages apart from one another. King Anders, who was possessed by the Glory, might as well have been killed by someone else entirely to be honest. Because even having Gaborn meet with him seems almost pointless since, even though Anders has been working at cross purposes to Gaborn throughout each novel, their interaction doesn't have any kind of payoff. I think that another 100 pages in this book was probably needed to provide some breathing room between threats. Or, someone other than Gaborn should've been dealing with different threats. I think the point of having multiple POV protagonists is for them to each be capable of dealing with a certain problem. And for the most part Farland handles this well. But right at the end I think he just slipped up and that the story got away from him a bit.
Alternatively, Farland also could've shortened Gaborn's journey through the underworld. Mind you, I actually think it was excellent as its showing a completely new area none of the previous books could touch on. And there are important character moments for Gaborn here. But if it was shorter it could also serve to deal with the pacing issues, because Gaborn really does spend the majority of this novel on this trip.
Conclusion
He was great in war, but greater in peace
Now despite what I said about Farland kind of mopping up all of the villains in such a short amount of time, I am satisfied with the sendoffs each of our protagonists get. Gaborn comes into his own as Earth King, travelling the land to perform great deeds and ensure his kingdom is prosperous. Now and again he returns to his wife Iome, who tends their children. Borenson retires to become a farmer and there is a nearby body of water for his wife Myrrima (Who became a Water Wizard in the last book) be near. Raj Ahten, the first villain we were ever introduced to, chooses one last time to refuse Gaborn's offer of peace and is torn apart by various Runelords. And Averan realizes that her charge as an Earth Warden is to monitor the Reavers underground. It means she likely won't ever see any of her friends again, but she'll also keep the entire continent safe with her decision. So, a lot of lives were lost, sacrifices or compromises have been made, but all of the protagonists end up with what feels like a deserved ending in my opinion. Again, we know that there are 4 more books after this one and that Gaborn's son and whoever else is introduced will have their own battles to fight. But if none of the characters from this portion of the series are main characters again I think it would be appropriate, because their arcs have reached a satisfying end.

As video games have continued to grow and evolve as both entertainment and art, the games just keep looking better and better. If someone is playing on a high-end PC or the average console, it's hard not to notice when a game stands out a bit more than the rest.
Whether it is the highest fidelity graphics or just a gorgeous art style (or both), games that look good usually also play well. If that much time gets spent in the graphics department they must have something good elsewhere. Here are the games with the best graphics out there.
Updated on May 12, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Two recently-released games deserve to be spotlighted. One is the latest entry in a long-running JRPG franchise, while the other is a new IP from a Korean studio.
Note:
A few criteria/things to keep in mind:
This article focuses on modern releases and a few post-2000s projects rather than classics from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Genesis, and PS1 eras. As important and industry-pushing as the latter were, visually they are too different from modern releases to compare them.
The games are only loosely ranked since graphical styles vary so much from project to project, and personal preference plays a part.
A 2016 game might be ranked higher than a 2024 one because the former was more impressive when it debuted, even if the latter technically looks better.
1)Lords Of The Fallen Unreal Engine 5 Is Here
Epic's Unreal Engine 5 was introduced in 2020, instantly garnering hype for what it could mean for the industry's future. In 2023, a few notable games that utilize the engine were finally released, presenting early examples of its potential. Remnant 2 and Immortals of Aveum are both visually impressive, and the same could be said for ARK: Survival Ascended.
However, at the moment, Lords of the Fallen is probably the most gorgeous UE5 game, although that could change once titles like Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 are released. While not without its issues, the Soulslike game's graphics are certainly not among them. Axiom is a vast and stunning hellscape, one that has quite a bit of variety. The game's lighting and animations are consistently top-notch too.
2)Bright Memory: Infinite A One-Person Team
Games and their visuals cannot be analyzed in a vacuum. Context and expectations shape somebody's reaction to an experience, and that is certainly the case with Bright Memory: Infinite. Developed by a single developer, Zeng Xiancheng, this first-person shooter originally debuted in 2020 as Bright Memory, a concept that was expanded for a full release in July 2022. While the overall game has plenty of issues, its graphics are undeniably impressive, comparing favorably with higher-budget titles.
There are plenty of gorgeous indie titles, but the vast majority succeed because they do not try to emulate AAA projects. They strive to do their own thing. Bright Memory: Infinite does the exact opposite, and the game proves that it can be done well.
3)Hi-Fi Rush Burst Of Colour
Announced and released out of nowhere, Hi-Fi Rush was perhaps 2023's greatest surprise. Tango Gameworks' action game blends hack and slash combat with rhythm-based mechanics, rewarding players for adhering to the beat. Set in a corporate city run by Vandelay Technologies, the title brings to life a vibrant and bustling metropolis filled with unique buildings and NPCs.
As the campaign is linear, Hi-Fi Rush focuses on creating cool environments and backdrops, two things the game absolutely nails. Quite a few stages are predominantly set within samey corridors and indoor areas, but whenever the action heads outside, Hi-Fi Rush really comes alive.
4)Okami HD An Animated Painting
There aren't many games that have been able to graphically stand the test of time as well as Okami has. Originally released in 2006 on consoles like the PlayStation 2 and Wii, Okami was able to take advantage of its timeless style to make the most out of the hardware it was on.
However, playing Okami on those consoles today shows just how much the original systems were holding it back, which is where the HD version comes in. On the PS4 and Switch, Okami's classical Japanese art style looks absolutely stunning in just about every area of the game.
5)Heavenly Sword Motion Capture Showcase
Most of Ninja Theory's bigger games boast stellar visuals and character designs, however, Heavenly Sword gets the nod because it was the studio's first proper graphical showcase. More impressively, the early PS3 game still looks beautiful today, an achievement that should be largely credited to the project's use of motion capture technology.
The cut-scenes steal the show and could easily pass for a mid-budget animated flick, with Andy Serkis' performance as King Bohan ranking among the best in any era of gaming. During gameplay, Heavenly Sword is also a treat for the eyes and senses, particularly in its lavish environments.
6)Killzone: Mercenary Console Quality On A Handheld System
Regardless of their quality, all the Killzone games are graphical showcases. Despite being a launch title, 2013's Shadow Fall is still among the most visually impressive games on the PS4. As stunning as Guerrilla's mainline entries are, Killzone: Mercenary deserves a special mention due to its hardware.
The PS Vita was and still is a reasonably powerful handheld device, one that could replicate home console visuals to a certain extent. No other title highlighted the console's graphical potential better than Killzone: Mercenary, an FPS that would not have looked out of place on the PS3 or even as a budget PS4 project. The fact it is also a decent game does not hurt either.
7)Super Mario Odyssey It Is Not Always About Realism Or Processing Power
While combining "Nintendo Switch game" with "best graphics" might seem weird, it's hard to argue that Super Mario Odyssey doesn't make the most of the console's limited processing power. With a combination of stylized art and impressive HD, Mario explores several gorgeous landscapes that might inspire players to sit back and think about how far things have come.
Nintendo has always used fantastical art styles to produce charming and timeless games that don't break the bank on processing. Mario has never looked this good, and sequences like the New Donk City music festival allow the game to shine.
8)Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League For All Its Faults, The Graphics Are Not One Of Them
All of Rocksteady's games push the envelope in terms of visuals, and 2015's Arkham Knight still boasts the most impressive rendition of Gotham in gaming. Its visuals have aged magnificently, and the gameplay is fantastic, even if the overall project is not quite on the same level as Arkham Asylum or Arkham City. After an 8-year wait, Rocksteady made its comeback with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League; unfortunately, the Arkhamverse spin-off garnered a very mixed reception. Focusing on looter shooter action in an attempt to be a live-service experience, Suicide Squad is a fairly confused project that does not seem to play to Rocksteady's strengths.
While many elements warrant criticism, and it can be tempting to dismiss the entire project, the game is not without positives. If nothing else, the graphics are generally top-notch, particularly when it comes to the cutscenes and character designs. When the action gets going, the screen can get rather muddled, but it is not devoid of visual flare either. For all its faults, Suicide Squad certainly looks like a proper AAA project.
9)Halo: Reach A Series That Always Pushed Console Graphics To Their Limits
In truth, Reach could be regarded as a stand-in for Halo in general as Microsoft's franchise is consistently pushing console visuals to their limits. In terms of art style, Halo 4 certainly has its fans; when it comes to graphical prowess, Halo 5 and Infinite are unsurprisingly a step above their predecessors. However, Halo: Reach perfected the series' iconic aesthetic of Bungie's era, ensuring the latter's time with the license ended on a high note.
Nowadays, Reach looks its best in The Master Chief Collection, which enhances the visuals in a few subtle but notable ways. That said, the Xbox 360 version holds up well after all these years.
10)Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot At Times, Looks (Much) Better Than The Anime
It wasn't until fairly recently that video games hit the graphical fidelity necessary to be able to fully translate animated shows and films into live gameplay, with recent Dragon Ball games being the most shining examples. 2018's Dragon Ball FighterZ was able to take a page out of Guilty Gear's book to make a stunning 2.5D experience, but gorgeous, fully 3D anime games were still a rarity.
Until Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot was released, that is. Taking the Toriyama characters and landscapes that fans know and love, Kakarot turns them into stunning 3D models with some of the most impressive animations and visual effects around.
11)Lego Star Wars: Skywalker Saga Detailed & Beautiful
Lego projects might not be as graphically intensive as games with realistic visuals, but they have a unique and clean aesthetic that generally complements their gameplay and tone. Although the franchise's IP adaptations are consistently pleasing to the eyes, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga exists on a whole other level. Covering all the main episodes in the sci-fi film series, the game beautifully recreates some of the most iconic locations in Star Wars, creating worlds that are expansive and detailed.
Undoubtedly the most ambitious Lego title, The Skywalker Saga is the full package, and Traveller's Tales' hard work is evident throughout the experience. While very much designed with younger players in mind, die-hard fans are likely to have a blast regardless of their age; in fact, people who are just searching for an action-adventure romp should check this release out.
12)Golden Sun A Gorgeous World To Take On The Go
In terms of raw power, the Game Boy Advance has nothing on the Nintendo DS, let alone something like the Switch; however, that does not mean the classic console's library is devoid of gorgeous games. Golden Sun is a turn-based JRPG set in Weyard, a fantasy world that is refreshingly diverse in terms of environments.
Largely experienced from a top-down perspective, Golden Sun looks like most other old-school JRPGs found on the GBA or SNES, just with its graphics maximized to their full potential. Camelot instilled every town and dungeon with color and personality, while battles come to life with a flurry of effects that are dazzling to behold.
13)South Park: The Fractured But Whole Looks Exactly Like The Show
When adapting an established property to a different medium, concessions usually need to be made. However, exceptions do exist, and South Park: The Fractured but Whole managed to perfectly replicate the show's aesthetic. The RPG looks and sounds exactly like Trey Parker and Matt Stone's legendary animated series, permitting fans to immerse themselves in this world like never before.
Even removed from that context, The Fractured but Whole's visuals are detailed, expressive, and clean. Authenticity did not come at the cost of quality.
14)Shadow Of The Colossus (2018) Majesty In Gaming Form
For the most part, this article focuses on modern games rather than titles that were graphical showcases when they debuted. Shadow of the Colossus both follows this rule and is also an exception; while the PS2 version looks dated, the visuals still retain that same sense of wonder and scale that they had when the game originally came out in 2005.
Bluepoint Games' 2018 remake gives Team Ico's classic a modern makeover, and traversing the Forbidden Land in search of majestic colossi remains as haunting of an experience as it was in the PS2 era.
15)Stellar Blade More Than Just Eve
In the lead-up to its release, Stellar Blade's marketing heavily advertised Eve, its AI protagonist, and her wardrobe. Attractive characters being used to sell projects is nothing new, but their heavy promotion usually suggests a lack of trust in the rest of the game's quality.
Surprisingly, Stellar Blade proved to be way more than just its main character. Shift Up created an exciting action game with Soulslike combat (along with hack and slash influence) that also features surprisingly expansive zones that allow for exploration, side quests, and environmental storytelling. Considering it was created by a smallish studio compared to other PS5 first-party titles, Stellar Blade compares favorably to most of Sony's heavyweights, and it is among the best-looking Unreal Engine 4 games of all time. In fact, it could be confused for Unreal Engine 5.
16)Persona 5 Royal Oozes Style
As hundreds of games use an anime aesthetic, they start to blend together if they do not inject enough personality into their presentations. Persona 5 Royal does not have this issue. Everything about the game screams "stylish," and that holds true for the social sim and dungeon crawling sections of the campaign. The latter take place in diverse Palaces that are generally vibrant, lively, and gorgeous.
The visuals also do a lot of heavy lifting during battles, elevating what is a rather unspectacular turn-based combat system. Outside of Palaces, P5R unleashes players on a small but dense variant of Tokyo, one brimming with tiny details that enhance the experience.
Note:
Persona 3 Reload is quite a looker as well, although its single-dungeon setup restricts variety when compared to Persona 5 Royal 's Palaces.
17)The Last Of Us 2 Gritty Realism & Tremendous Performances
Naughty Dog's games are always on the cutting edge graphically. 2016's Uncharted 4: A Thief's End has barely aged a day since its release, and 2013's The Last of Us was a contender for the most visually impressive game of the seventh generation. Therefore, unsurprisingly, the studio's latest offering, The Last of Us 2, is a powerhouse in the graphics department.
This action-adventure game features realistic visuals and grounded performances courtesy of Naughty Dog using performance capture. Whether players are viewing a rare quiet moment or crawling in the mud to avoid a Clicker, The Last of Us 2 looks incredible. The 2024 remaster enhances the base version even further.
18)Gears 5 Weather Effects & Environments
The newly titled Gears 5 takes a series that has always looked good and elevates it to the next level. The game's campaign takes place across a wide variety of environments, from a jungle early on to a snowy tundra and red desert landscape.
The snowy tundra and red desert are also the locations for the game's more open exploration sections, giving a chance to explore and take in all the scenery. Gears 5's cutscenes are also gorgeous and the high fidelity extends into all the game's other modes.
19)Assassin's Creed Odyssey Packed With Stunning Vistas
Assassin's Creed Odyssey earns its subtitle over the 60-plus hours it takes to mainline the story; in the meantime, players get to appreciate and take in the beauty of Ancient Greece. While the environments don't vary a ton from Assassin's Creed Origins, the extra trees and seas make for some spectacular views.
With the viewpoints, Odyssey never hesitates to point out just how magnificent it looks. Most of the main characters and side characters also look great, which is impressive based on the quantity.
20)Hades Personality & Vibrancy
Supergiant Games has put together some of the greatest indie releases of all time, and the studio's crowning achievement is Hades. The roguelike follows Zagreus' repeated attempts to make the journey from the Underworld to Mount Olympus, a task that proves to be anything but simple for Hades' son.
Hades' visuals are vibrant, thematically consistent, and lively. The game's environments and characters are soaked in mythology and personality, while the particle effects are fantastic and impactful. The only negative is that sometimes there is a bit too much happening on screen.
Note:
Hades 2 arguably looks better than its predecessor, but it is still a work in progress at the moment.
21)Cuphead Perfectly Mimics Classic Cartoons
A unique and eye-catching art style is often more important than sheer graphical prowess, and Cuphead might be the best demonstration of this point. Inspired by cartoons of old, Studio MDHR created a game that uses stunning and dynamic hand-drawn animation to bring to life a colorful world and the beings that exist within it.
Even though they do not get much in the way of backstory, Cuphead utilizes its presentation to get across the personalities of each boss. The art style is also consistent throughout the campaign, allowing for a coherent experience despite most of the characters boasting designs that share very little in common.
22)Horizon Forbidden West Scale & Quality
Guerrilla Games somehow managed to outdo Horizon Zero Dawn with its sequel, despite the latter still coming out on the PS4 alongside the console's successor. Horizon Forbidden West finds Aloy exploring a new area of this setting, one specifically inspired by states and cities like California and San Francisco. The result is a gorgeous and vast world packed with lush natural environments that are home to intricate mechanical beasts.
Like most open-world games, Horizon Forbidden West does not always look absolutely fantastic, but its high points are so impressive that they make the more forgettable moments forgivable. While still a beautiful game on the PS4, this 2022 release is, unsurprisingly, at its best on the PS5.
23)Ori And The Will Of The Wisps Great Use Of Color & Light
Moon Studios' Ori games are some of the best modern Metroidvanias, and they knock it out of the park in nearly every area. They tell emotional storylines that succeed in fostering not only a connection between the audience and the silent eponymous character but also the world they live in. Gameplay-wise, both games have precise and challenging platforming, while Will of the Wisps also introduces combat to the mix. Although a touch polarizing, the latter nevertheless adds an extra dimension to the overall package.
Last but not least, Ori and its sequel are both visually enchanting. The games' use of color might be among the best in the entire industry, and each environment is a work of art. In the world of side-scrollers, not many projects compare favorably to Ori and the Will of the Wisps in any department, including graphics.
24)Demon's Souls (2020) A Beautiful Hell
As mesmerizing as Elden Ring's visuals can be at times, the game's open-world design means they are spread a bit thin; conversely, 2020's Demon's Souls remake consists of almost nothing but stunning areas. Rife with deadly creatures, haunting architecture, and intimidating landscapes, Boletaria is a gorgeous nightmare of a kingdom that is equally likely to leave players in awe or fear.
As a launch title for the PS5, Demon's Souls served as something of a tech demo for the hardware, showing what the next-gen console could accomplish. This is a game that could not exist on the PS4, and even more than 18 months into the PS5's life, Demon's Souls still has some of the best graphics on the system.
25)Ghost Of Tsushima Immersive Open-World
Gazing across Ghost of Tsushima's rendition of the Japanese archipelago is quite the sight to behold, as this highly anticipated title has some breathtaking scenery. Tsushima's main graphical focus is on its world, which ends up feeling just as alive as the characters that inhabit it.
The way cherry blossom petals flow in the highly stylized wind, how the sunset illuminates the beautiful countryside, and the many vibrant colors that contrast the violent gameplay make for one beautiful game.
26)Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Pixar Quality
Similar to 2016's Ratchet & Clank, Rift Apart's animation is on a whole other level. The franchise's most recent entries tend to be compared to Pixar's movies, which is about as high of praise as any game can receive. Utilizing the full power of the PS5, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart matches top-tier cutscenes with gameplay sections that are packed with detail, moving parts, and depth.
Insomniac created lavish and dense worlds that all have unique flavors that make them exciting to explore. When the action gets going and Ratchet or Rivet scoop up bolts, Rift Apart is as smooth as butter.
Note:
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is also visually stunning and represents Insomniac at its best. Rift Apart merits the nod due to being among the first PS5 projects to showcase the console's graphical potential, but Spider-Man 2 is as good-looking of an open-world game as they come.
27)Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch Ghibli Quality
Except for Square Enix, Level-5 is arguably the most consistent JRPG developer in terms of visuals. Yo-kai Watch, Dragon Quest 8, and Dark Cloud 2 are all gorgeous, and the latter's art styles are timeless. Level-5's graphical masterpiece is undoubtedly 2013's Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, although the developer got some help as the game's cutscenes were handled by Studio Ghibli.
The anime studio is well-known for its lavish cinematic productions, and Wrath of the White Witch replicates Ghibli's iconic style splendidly. Even if the cutscenes were ignored, Ni no Kuni would still rank among the PS3's most beautiful games.
28)Resident Evil 2 (2019) – Represents All Modern Resident Evil Games A Remake Done Right
Years of remasters and rereleases have cemented the idea that old games can look better than they did, but not as good as modern ones. Capcom rebuilding Resident Evil 2 from the ground up makes it a modern video game, a fantastic one at that. Leon and Claire have never looked this good and neither have the zombies and monsters terrorizing Raccoon City.
The police station and underground lab look nearly life-like and every scare in the game is extra terrifying with how detailed the monsters are. Even Tyrant looks awesome, in his own terrifying way.
Note:
Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil 4 also look fantastic, but RE2 received the nod as it was the first of Capcom's stint of recent remakes. Resident Evil Village is also stunning.
29)Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) The World At The Player's Fingertips
Microsoft Flight Simulator is a jaw-dropping achievement. The flight sim grants players access to the world, allowing them to plan and take trips to Earth's highest mountains, hottest deserts, and greatest metropolises. The game's scope is impressive, and this ambition is more than matched by its technical prowess.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is arguably the most realistic game of all time, with both the planes and locations authentically mirroring their real-life counterparts to the smallest detail.
30)God Of War (2018) & Ragnarok (2022) A New Era, A New Look
Nothing against the previous installments of God of War, which are all technical showcases in their own right, but the soft reboot of the 2018 sequel and its successor are not only different but also more gorgeous. Exploring the Norse lands to soak up this universe's mythology is spectacular for a number of reasons, including the fact that everything looks great.
God of War captures Kratos and Atreus in a way that gives depth to the former not experienced in previous installments. Unsurprisingly, God of War: Ragnarok maintains the high quality set by its predecessor. Graphically, the sequel does not offer a huge leap forward, but that is a testament to God of War's beauty rather than a criticism of Ragnarok​​​​​.
31)The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Pushes The Switch To Its Absolute Limit
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom boast vibrant art styles that bring Hyrule to life like never before. However, if someone were to focus on the minute details, they might notice reused or flat textures along with large stretches of empty real estate containing nothing but maybe two enemies and a couple of apples. Compared to some other open-world projects, Nintendo's releases might not be that impressive; however, considering the Switch's underpowered hardware, both games are technical marvels.
Tears of the Kingdom gets the nod as it has more content than Breath of the Wild thanks to the implementation of Sky Islands and the Depths. Pushing the Switch to its absolute limit, the sequel delivers one of the most complete and expansive open-world adventures of all time.
32)The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt A Dark Fantasy Masterpiece In Nearly Every Way
Known for being one of the greatest games ever made, CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3 is phenomenal for numerous reasons. Not all the monsters or gruff characters are a joy to look at because they aren't meant to be, but the sprawling landscapes are constantly killer.
While the console versions look great (not including the Switch port, which is nonetheless impressive in its own right), The Witcher 3 on PC can hit graphical levels that are almost beyond understanding. The game is worth playing for a ton of reasons besides graphics, but looking good is always a plus. The bathtub scene is worth the price of entry alone.
On the right system, Cyberpunk 2077 is also one of the best-looking games ever .
33)A Plague Tale: Requiem A Proper Current-Gen Experience
As the ninth console generation picks up steam, more games will debut that raise the bar for graphics, at least on Sony and Microsoft's hardware. A Plague Tale: Requiem is one of the first games to truly come across as a current-gen experience, an achievement aided by Asobo Studio's decision to not produce PS4 and Xbox One versions.
Boasting brilliant facial animations and photo-realistic visuals, Requiem is awe-inspiring on a technical level. While 2019's Innocence is also a pretty game, Requiem far exceeds its predecessor in this department, particularly when it comes to the presentation of the rats.
34)Forza Horizon 5 Mexico At The Player's Fingertips
As long as Forza games continue to be made they will continue to be the best-looking games on the market. Forza Horizon 5 isn't just one of the greatest racing games of the last few years, but one of the most gorgeous titles to ever be released for Xbox.
While Forza Horizon 4's British setting resulted in slightly homogenous environments, the sequel's Mexico map is far more diverse, offering 11 biomes that showcase different aspects of the country. While the game looks good on the Xbox One, Forza Horizon 5 is unbelievably gorgeous on PC and the Xbox Series X.
35)Alan Wake 2 Cinematic Quality
Alan Wake 2 was a long time coming, and the sequel managed to live up to some rather lofty expectations while catering to both returning fans and new players. Split across two campaigns, the story follows Saga as she investigates a murder case that leads her to an unsettling American town with a peculiar populace. In the meantime, Alan finds himself trying to escape the Dark Place, a haunting realm that twists reality into something menacing but familiar.
Although complementary, the two storylines still feel different from each other, and that extends to their detailed and realistic locations. Alan Wake 2 is a technical work of art built using Remedy's own Northlight Engine, which is also responsible for the equally impressive Control and Quantum Break.
36)Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Ambitious, Epic, & Gorgeous
Generally, most JRPG franchises tend to trail behind other AAA properties in terms of graphics; however, the one constant exception is Final Fantasy. In most generations, Square Enix produces one or two games that push consoles to their limits – Final Fantasy 6 for the SNES, Final Fantasy 7 and 8 for the PS1, Final Fantasy 12 for the PS2, Final Fantasy 13 for the PS3, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake for the PS4. On the PS5, Final Fantasy 16 and Rebirth are both visually stunning, but the latter gets the nod due to its open-world nature, making for a more impressive final product.
Set after Cloud and company leave Midgar, Rebirth emphasizes this story's world-spanning nature and scale in a way that could not be done with the 1997 original. Even if the open-world filler content might not be to everyone's tastes, the game is consistently gorgeous, and each region of the map has a unique identity that keeps things interesting. The character and enemy models are unsurprisingly flawless, and they are accompanied by high-quality visual effects that are regularly showcased during the fast-paced combat.
37)Half-Life: Alyx The Future Of Gaming?
After more than a decade, Valve finally returned to the Half-Life franchise, albeit with a prequel/sequel rather than a proper third entry. Also, Half-Life: Alyx is a VR game, presumably designed to get people interested in Valve's Index headset. Dropping players in City 17, Alyx not only serves as a showcase of VR technology but is also a proper, substantial addition to the beloved series.
Half-Life: Alyx arguably features the most detailed world in gaming history, and, thanks to virtual reality, one of the most immersive. Although most of the game takes place in underground areas filled with brilliantly designed environments and enemies, Half-Life: Alyx's presentation goes up another level whenever the story heads to the surface.
38)Red Dead Redemption 2 An Era Captured Fully
Red Dead Redemption 2 is arguably the game with the best graphics of all time, although Rockstar's GTA 5 and L.A. Noire would not be bad shouts either. RDR2 is practically a movie due to how detailed and impressive all the NPCs and landscapes look on both consoles and PC.
Not only does every single frame of this adventure look photo-realistic, but RDR2 is also incredibly long and players will never get tired of the scenery. Arthur Morgan looks and feels like a real human being, and the same extends to every other character within the game. RDR2 is nothing short of art.
39)Groundbreaking Games From Yesteryear They Set The Standard
While not quite as regular of a phenomenon nowadays, the '80s, '90s, and early 2000s produced plenty of games that represented the next leap in graphical prowess. Titles like Pong, Asteroids, Super Mario Bros., Super Mario 64, Alone in the Dark, Ocarina of Time, Tomb Raider, Mist, Final Fantasy 7, and Grand Theft Auto 3 were all visual showcases that changed the industry.
Even if some of these projects' graphics have not aged extremely well, that does not diminish their accomplishments or importance. And, plenty of these masterpieces have stood the test of time, especially Nintendo's SNES-era releases.

I swear, this is one of the toughest fights I've had so far in my SL1/BL4 runs.
Such a long, drawn out battle that is so unforgiving. You simply can't make any mistakes in the Demon Prince fight unless you're very lucky and/or brave.
I thought I'd messed it up right near the end, but I went for broke and resisted using Estus. My heart rate had just steadied...
Hope you guys enjoy.
Setup is +10 Raw Dragonslayer's Axe from Sirris questline, with Grass Crest Shield for stamina recovery. Nameless armour. Rings are Prisoner's Chain and Ring of Favour +3. Really important to have a Divine Blessing ready in case things go south in Phase 1. Blooming Purple Moss as well if you need it. Buffed with lightning and green blossom.
Soul of Cinder, Champion Gravetender, Friede/Ariandel, Halflight, and Gael left... Wish me luck!!

Inside the Mind of Trader Stewie

Inside the Mind of Trader Stewie Reviews: Is it worth it?

So, you’ve been eyeing that stock market rollercoaster, but you’re not quite sure how to hop on? Or maybe you’re already in the game, but your portfolio is playing hide and seek with profits? Fear not, fellow investor! Dive deep into the psyche of a seasoned trader with "The Art of Trading - Inside the Mind of Trader Stewie". Strap in, because this isn’t your typical trading manual—it’s a journey into the very essence of trading success!

Buckle Up for a Methodical Ride

Ever wished trading could be as structured as your favorite course? Well, wish no more! "Inside the Mind of Trader Stewie" unfolds like a well-crafted syllabus, guiding you through the highs and lows of trading at your own pace. But wait, there’s more! Paired with over 60 minutes of instructional video and an array of visual aids, this isn’t just a read—it’s an experience!

Conquer Your Inner Trader

Emotions running wild? Feeling like you’re on the edge of a trading cliff? Trader Stewie’s got your back! Dive deep into the psychological trenches and emerge victorious. With time-tested methods and technical chart setups, you’ll soon be taming those inner trading demons like a pro.

From Entry to Exit: Master the Art

Step right up, folks, and witness the unveiling of trading’s best-kept secrets! "Inside the Mind of Trader Stewie" leaves no stone unturned as it delves into proper entry, exit, and risk management techniques. Say goodbye to guessing games and hello to calculated trades!

The Trader’s Bible: 20 Years of Wisdom

Ever wished for a trading bible? Well, here it is, hot off the digital press! With over 225 pages of trading gold, this interactive PDF document is your ticket to the big leagues. And with full support for your trusty devices—be it your computer, tablet, or cell phone—learning has never been more accessible!

The Golden Rules: Your Trading Commandments

Let’s talk rules, shall we? Trader Stewie doesn’t just throw them around; he lives by them. From waiting for the perfect setup to staying humble at all times, these golden nuggets of wisdom are the backbone of trading success.

Verdict: A Must-Have in Your Trading Arsenal

So, what’s the final verdict? "Inside the Mind of Trader Stewie" isn’t just a course; it’s a game-changer. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or a rookie in the making, this educational package has something for everyone. With its blend of psychology, strategies, charting, and execution, it’s time to trade like a pro and think like Trader Stewie himself!

Final Thoughts: Dive In and Transform Your Trading Game

Ready to embark on the ultimate trading adventure? "The Art of Trading - Inside the Mind of Trader Stewie" isn’t just a course; it’s a mindset shift. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in, absorb the wisdom, and watch your trading journey reach new heights!

Just some wildy appreciation and my rev log, just got chainmace today which I couldn't have asked for anything better, it feels like an rsps hitting 85s with this thing!
1k kills were knights on task skilled, the rest were demons and cyclops unskulled off task for ether upkeep
Before I got first craw bow I was using a bowfa with the exact same setup which is like half the dps
Don't be afraid to step out there... it's a ton of fun