Games that are visually stunning.

[Ernie1042]

The most obviously one I can think of would be Mass Effect 3.

Not that is has the most beautiful scenery, but that it is incredibly detailed and beautiful for a game that has the same cover-based-shooting mechanics as the typical dull, brown FPS games out now.

You don't need to take the time to stop and look around in ME3, but when you do, you notice things like

Spoiler: The Krogan Temple

Spoiler: Manae

Earth, Rannoch, the Geth Database, the Temple of Athame on Thessia, etc etc. Incredible detail in the home planets of each species in a game where there's enough action that you may never really notice the scenery at all. The fact that it's totally forgotten in the while ending drama is really sad.

 

[The Madman]

No doubt about it, in recent years no game has awed me visually more than The Witcher 2. I love everything about how that game looks from the amazing settings and locations to the detailed character models. It's just a visual feast!

Spoiler: Few more images

There are few games that have left me in such open-mouthed wonder over its visuals, and my computer isn't even playing Witcher 2 near its highest settings.

Other than that... hmm, might get some flack for it but I always loved the art style and visuals in World of Warcraft. I thought the game looked fantastic and I really loved exploring those massive detailed and diverse environments.

 

[bullet_sandw1ch]

Spoiler: Can you guess? :D

Okami is still a beautiful game by today's standards, the Sumi-e art style is just brilliantly implemented.

And then there's Journey...

Spoiler: Drop

Spoiler: Dead

Spoiler: Gorgeous

i only just played journey in HD. i cryed tears of joy. HD tears of joy, in fact.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Spoiler: Can you guess? :D

Okami is still a beautiful game by today's standards, the Sumi-e art style is just brilliantly implemented.

And then there's Journey...

Spoiler: Drop

Spoiler: Dead

Spoiler: Gorgeous

i only just played journey in HD. i cryed tears of joy. HD tears of joy, in fact.

Welcome to the brotherhood, brother

I've never been so impressed by sand before.

 

[sanquin]

Crysis 1 when it came out. My pc had a very hard time running it, but god were the graphics stunning when I put everything on max.

Same with The Witcher 2. The tutorial area's aren't super impressive for me. But after that...just wow. Such a beautiful, lush forest you end up in. And the town too looks very stunning, vibrant and alive.

Mass Effect 3 comes in here for me as well. Though only some small area's that truly stood out.



As for older games: Morrowind. I loved the gritty, yet still strangely colorful look it had.

Minecraft, not that old yet, but definitely old looking. And the maps can be beautiful.

Call of Duty 1. Back then they still had visually stunning design choices in their maps, combined with the sounds of course. Today it's all about heart-pumping action and gritty realism, which makes me a little sad.

Need for speed: Underground. I loved the visuals in that game. It was one of the main reasons I played it. Really got that sense of speed, and the vibrant colors of buildings flashing by...wonderful.

 

[rhyno435]

God of War 3. Kratos himself looks amazing. Possibly one of the most detailed character models ever made. And the sheer scale of it all and how smoothly it flows is just amazing.

 

[CAPTCHA]

A few that spring to mind.

Spoiler: Prince of Persia

Spoiler: Crysis

Spoiler: Shogun

 

[DementedSheep]

First game that comes to mind is Alice: the madness returns. The game itself dragged on a bit in my opinion but it was worth slogging through just for the visuals.

Spoiler: Queensland

Spoiler: House of cards

Spoiler: Vale of tears

Spoiler: Vale of doom

Spoiler: Hysteria

Although I wasn't particularly taken with the dollhouse level.

And also some games that have already been mentioned: The Witcher 2, POP 2008, Mirrors edge (tho some of the character models are awfull), Skyrim and Trine.

 

[The_Blue_Rider]

I remember playing Halo 3 for the first time and just being wowed. I guess possibly because it was my first next gen game.

Other than that, Skyrim is just beautiful

 

[KFalcon]

Final Fantasy 13 and 13-2 hands down best looking games I've ever seen. Jaw-dropped when I first loaded them up with how amazing they look.

Also love the watercolour style of Prince of Persia 2008. Uncharted 2, ME3 and Skyrim also notable for designing some amazing scenes.

 

[distortedreality]

Spoiler

Mirror's Edge ftw.

Would love to see a new game on an updated engine, game is beautiful.

 

[Snafu]

Metro Last Light isnt out yet but its looking great, hopefully they also solve some of the gameplay issues that marred the otherwise excellent first game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2n2G0rtQPs

http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/09/16/metro-last-light-screenshots-go-tunnelling/

 

[BENZOOKA]

Games that I can remember where I've actually stopped to admire the gameplay visuals. In no particular order:

Lotus 2 (Amiga)
Rainbow Islands (Amiga)
Fallout 3
Bastion
Colin McRae Rally
Counter-Strike: Source
Half-Life
Half-Life 2
The Witcher 2
Metro 2033
LIMBO
Rise of Nations
GTA 3 & 4
DiRT 1 through 3
BioShock 2
Deus Ex: HR
Dragon Age: Origins
Operation Flashpoint
NFS 2, 3, Underground, Shift 2...
NHL 12
Eufloria
Borderlands
Morrowind
Oblivion
Skyrim
Portal 1 & 2
Mirror's Edge
UT 2004