If you’re like me, you purchased a current generation console anticipating that you would experience games that are unlike anything the world has ever seen before. While there have been some beautiful and fantastic games in 2014, for many it was largely an underwhelming year. Thankfully, 2015 won’t have that problem.
There are many games poised for release in 2015 that have already demonstrated that they will have beautiful graphics, graphics that will help validate our purchases of the Xbox One and PS4. Looking through all of the releases for the next year, there were eight that caught our eye. These are the games that will push the boundaries of what the PS4 and Xbox One are capable of.
Also See: Top 10 Console Games with the Best Graphics in 2014
In the gallery below we look at what we expect to be the eight most beautiful games of 2015.
8 Games That Will Push Next-Gen Graphics in 2015
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Final Fantasy XV
See For Yourself: FFXIV TGS 2014 Trailer
Final Fantasy has lost a lot of its flavor over the past decade, but one thing's for certain: it still pushes RPG graphics to their limit.
Final Fantasy XV's TGS 2014 gameplay trailer showed that the game will not only be stunningly beautiful, but will have huge open-world environment to explore with its own day/night cycle. Instead of riding around on a chocobo, you'll have your own car. It will also have a healthy mixture of FMV and real-time event cutscenes that go well beyond what Square Enix has ever done before.
Unfortunately, there is a chance that Final Fantasy XV will slip into 2016, but let's hope that doesn't happen.
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No Man's Sky
See For Yourself: No Man's Sky Trailer
No Man's Sky deviates from the other games on this list by opting for stylized graphics over realism. So, it might not have as striking of an initial impression. What earns it a spot on this list is the surprising fact that it's an indie game being developed by fewer than 10 people. It might have a small team, but its ambition is staggering. No Man's Sky will have a procedurally generated world that is unpredictable, beautiful, and a joy to be in.
There's no doubt that No Man's Sky will change the way gamers think of indie titles.
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Project CARS
See For Yourself: Project Cars Trailer
Realistic visuals are an incredibly important element for simulation racers, and Project CARS is aiming to take the crown of best-looking racing simulator in the industry.
Screenshots and video feed that have been released so far have made for astonishing comparisons to real-life. The game's lighting and attention to detail are something you wouldn't necessarily expect from a crowd-funded game.
Project Morpheus will also be supported on the PS4 version, meaning its immersive experience will be taken to virtual reality.
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Quantum Break
See For Yourself: Quantum Break 8-Minute Demo
Quantum Break's premise is one based around time manipulation. Early on in the journey the protagonist will acquire the power to control the flow of space and time. A recent demo has shown that this tandems remarkably well with the game's phenomenal special effects. You'll be able to pause time and see dazzling spectacles of muzzle flashes from firearms, sparks from metal objects undergoing friction, and blinding light from grenade explosions. Having the ability to slow down the pace of the game and enjoy the visuals is something that gives it a leg up on the competition.
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The Order: 1886
See For Yourself: The Order: 1886 Demo
As with Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, The Order: 1886 has the luxury of being optimized for one powerful console. It shows.
The Order: 1886 is a game that places a lot of emphasis on its presentation. Its character models are among the best ever seen. It also has a very unique style to it that makes it stand out among the sea of AAA titles in 2015. As such, it has been a jaw-dropper at every event it has attended.
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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
See For Yourself: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Trailer
As with Final Fantasy XV, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an open-world RPG. Its a massive game, but also a highly detailed one. You'll be able to voyage across large bodies of water, and ride your horse through dense rain. Once you step onto the ground and engage enemies, you'll be impressed by the special effects, both obvious and subtle. CD Project Red knows how to make a visually impressive RPG.
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Tom Clancy's The Division
See For Yourself: Tom Clancy's The Divison Trailer
As with a couple other games on this list, Tom Clancy's The Division has foregone last-gen releases to focus on tapping into the power of the PS4 and Xbox One.
Tom Clancy's The Division runs on the Snowdrop engine, one that impressed gamers with a trailer back at GDC 2014. This engine supports dynamic global illumination, procedural destruction, and detail that no Ubisoft game before it has ever seen. Its console versions are sure to push the boundaries of what consoles are capable of.
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Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
See For Yourself: Uncharted 4 Gameplay Demo
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End's gameplay was just debuted at PlayStation Experience. While the impressions were mixed among gamers, what's for certain is that Naughty Dog is utilizing the PlayStation 4 to create a much more vast environment than Uncharted has ever seen before.
Uncharted is a franchise known for pushing the boundaries for graphics, but in the past it's had very focused and linear design. Uncharted 4 will present open spaces that provide opportunity for player choice in addition to giving the impression that Nathan Drake is no longer confined to corridor-like environments. And, as usual, its character models will be amazing. So much in-fact that the game will use the exact same models and lighting in cinematics as in gameplay.
