The debate between visuals and gameplay is ongoing, and while many players prefer gameplay and believe it matters more, visuals undoubtedly add to the immersion and wonder of the game’s world. Each year, gaming technology continues to improve, and visuals become increasingly impressive, rivaling those of movies in terms of visual quality, as seen in games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077.
The fantasy genre pushes the boundaries of visuals unlike any other, blending realistic views with creative ideas to create mystical and immersive worlds. This list will rank ten fantasy video games whose visuals are better than any movie. This list will rank the entries based on graphics, animation, stylistic choices, art style, polish, background, setting, fan opinion, and overall quality.
‘Monster Hunter Rise’ (2021)
Monster Hunter is a popular franchise that immerses players in a sprawling world filled with hundreds of unique and dangerous monsters, which they must slay to gain experience and advance the story. Monster Hunter Rise is one of the newer games where players must take on the Wyvern, along with other creatures.
Monster Hunter Wilds may be the newest game with better graphics, but the style and polish of Rise elevate it above its predecessor. The color palette is less drab and more vibrant, and the inclusion of forest and mountainous landscapes makes it more atmospheric, enhancing the entire visual appeal and arguably making it the best-looking and most engaging in the Monster Hunter franchise.
The Elder Scrolls VI will undoubtedly be one of the best-looking fantasy games, if not the best, but fans still have years to wait until it releases. Instead, they can continue playing Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, where players control the Dragonborn, who is destined to defeat the world breaker before it destroys the province.
This may be an unconventional entry as Skyrim is nearly fifteen years old, but its visuals still hold up in many ways. The graphics, animation and characters may be outdated, but the world and immersive elements make up for that. The setting and backgrounds are ultimately some of the most visually striking in all fantasy games, meaning Skyrim’s visuals hold up better than expected, especially at a time when CGI in movies is at an all-time low.
‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ (2023)
A few games on this list won Game of the Year, but none are more influential than Baldur’s Gate 3, which shook the gaming industry due to the respect and love behind it. Based on the Dungeons & Dragons world and gameplay, this original story allows players to customize themselves and their adventure to the fullest.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is mostly known for its gameplay, extensive story, incredible detail, and innovation. However, its visuals are just as good, particularly evident in its cutscenes, which could be straight out of an animated movie and have become one of the most recognized aspects in this already acclaimed masterpiece. The animation is fluid and flawless, creating a visual masterpiece that perfectly complements the fantasy genre.
‘Chono Cross’ (1999)
Not every game on this list needs to be a gorgeous modern 3D masterpiece, as 2D sprites can also be breathtakingly gorgeous. Such is the case with Chrono Cross, a classic fantasy RPG that requires players to uncover the truth behind two parallel worlds, which may lead to an imbalance that destroys both realities.
Made by Square Enix, fans can be sure that Chrono Cross looks amazing, even for a game over twenty years old. While the quality is highly debated, the art style and visuals are top-notch and by far the best aspect of this game. Theunique 2D style creates vibrant towns and settings with a distinct nostalgic flair that adds a breath of fresh air. The “better” aspect here lies in the game’s distinct and wholly unique visual approach, which makes it a standout in a sea of fantasy RPGs.
‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ (2015)
The Witcher is one of Netflix’s best original shows, becoming a popular series that fans of the game are not pleased with, due to the half-hearted adaptation. However, everyone can agree that the definitive experience for this franchise is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which revolutionized the gaming industry with one of the most in-depth and riveting fantasy games, taking home numerous awards.
As a decade-old effort, The Witcher 3 doesn’t have flawless graphics, especially in character models and animations. However, the world and its natural beauty still hold up as one of the best, earning it a spot on this list. The realistic setting sprinkles a healthy dose of mysticism to create a perfect balance of splendor and visual appeal. However, fans can expect The Witcher 4 to significantly improve the visuals.
‘Elden Ring’ (2022)
There are a lot of fantasy games, but Elden Ring is arguably the most popular and relevant, turning the world on its head in 2022 with phenomenal gameplay, story, and immersion. A movie by Alex Garland is already confirmed, confirming the importance of this fantasy franchise. Players control the Tarnished, journeying throughout the land and battling imposing enemies in hopes of becoming the Elden Lord.
Even after three years since its release, no other fantasy game has come close to beating Elden Ring in the graphics department, and many would argue in everything else as well. The realistic models and art style work well together, creating a flawless fantasy visual that is gorgeous, yet terrifying to look at. Elden Ring is a fantasy masterpiece, and its graphics are just another reason why.
‘The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’ (2023)
Nintendo isn’t known for having some of the best graphics, as they mainly focus on gameplay and innovation, but sometimes that spawns visual beauty, as is the case with the Legend of Zelda franchise. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the most recent 3D entry in the franchise, having Link solve the mystery of what happened to Zelda while dealing with Ganondorf’s return.
While Wind Waker is arguably the most stylistic, Tears of the Kingdom blends modern graphics with a mix of “realistic” and stylized art styles. This art style looks like a painting in video game form, creating a stunning atmosphere and an open world that feels like the player is stepping into the real wilderness. Tears of the Kingdom excels with a phenomenal approach to world-building and the best graphics in the franchise, creating a stellar game.
‘Final Fantasy VII: Remake’ (2020)
Final Fantasy is one of the largest video game franchises, with over sixteen games, not including spin-offs, and the most popular entry is undoubtedly Final Fantasy VII. Recently, the franchise has begun remaking this iconic title, starting with Final Fantasy VII Remake in 2020, and a second game in 2024. Cloud joins an eco-terrorist group to stop an evil corporation from draining the planet’s natural resources.
While the second game probably has better graphics and visuals since it came out four years later, the first of the remake trilogy holds a special place as it completely revamped the original. The character models are detailed and well-polished, and the animations are smooth and flawless, making this remake game just as fun to watch as it is to play. Final Fantasy VII Remake is a must-play to re-experience this classic game with modern visuals.
‘God of War Ragnarök’ (2022)
Speaking of legendary PlayStation exclusives, the company revived the God of War franchise in 2018 after a years-long hiatus, winning Game of the Year and reinvigorating interest in the franchise. After the 2018 game, God of War Ragnarök concluded the story with profound meaning and pure entertainment. Kratos and his son, Atreus, must stop the impending Ragnarök that promises to destroy the world.
PlayStation is one of the best companies at delivering realistic visuals, and God of War Ragnarök is no exception, creating a fantastical world that feels incredibly realistic. This approach builds a sense of immersion alongside fantastical wondrousness, from the mythological story, godlike characters, and whimsical setting. While fans want a new God of War game, they know they at least have a flawless visual masterpiece with this game.
‘Horizon Forbidden West’ (2022)
PlayStation is known for its legendary exclusive games, but one of the most underappreciated franchises is Horizon, which consists of Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. However, the latter game obviously has better graphics than the older entry. In a post-apocalyptic world with cybernetic monsters, Aloy must venture to a new domain to investigate a plague that kills everything it touches.
Despite being a magnificent game, Horizon Forbidden West doesn’t receive its due recognition since other titles overshadow it. However, that shouldn’t detract from its remarkable visuals, which feature some of the most realistic graphics alongside a beautiful setting. This game celebrates the natural beauty of the world through vibrant landscapes and imaginative creatures, making it a must-play fantasy experience.
