One of the best parts of going to PAX is seeing how games are progressing visually. Even though many of the titles shown are still in the pre-alpha coding phase, their graphics can be eye-popping. Here’s a list of the top 5 games whose visual aesthetics dropped our jaws to the floor.

#5 – Portal 2

Some of the longest lines at PAX this year were for the the Portal 2 co-op demo and it was easy to see why. In addition to some truly brilliant and innovative gameplay, Valve’s newest addition showcased some of best-looking visual appeal in the house. Everything from the deteriorating corridors to the character models showed an immense amount of detail, even on the smallest level.
I immediately notices the glare coming off the portal gun, as well as the wear and tear that made it seem almost real. All of this was accomplished while bumping up the amount of on-screen action as the environment morphed and changed.

#4 – Mortal Kombat

Midway brought one of its flagship franchises back in a big way this year. The gameplay was visceral, the controls tight, and the visuals were enough to floor you. As expected in fighting game, the character models were polished to a gleaming shine and the animations were almost perfect (there were a few awkward transitions between several fighting moves). Where the game truly shined was in how power moves and the infamous Fatalities were executed (no pun intended). A power bar builds up as you fight and, once full, allows you to unleash killer “x-ray” moves. Scorpion crushes bone and caves his opponent’s chest and Sub-Zero freezes and shatters his enemies liver while you watch every gory detail. Those with a weak stomach need not apply.

#3 – Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit

Good graphics in racing games are a must, an Need for Speed: HP does not disappoint. Each car that I drove screamed with that sexy motor vibe that carophiles crave, but the tracks were the true heroes in the graphical department. The roads glistened with freshly fallen rain as a thunderstorm lit up the sky in real-time. The desert level felt dry and desolate with sand blowing across the highway and the sun beating down as I blew by a police roadblock. Need for Speed promises to deliver high-speed thrills…and to look
really good doing it.

#2 – Killzone 3

I don’t think there was any doubt that Killzone 3 was going to look good. What surprised me was how much better it looked.  Guerrilla Games has really outdone themselves when it comes to stepping up their visuals, in addition to expanding both the size of the environments and the amount of on-screen action while keeping a steady frame-rate.  Throw in the fact that this is pre-alpha code and I would hedge a heavy bet that this game ends up having the best graphics of 2011.

#1 – Dead Space 2

Dead Space 2 edges out Killzone 3 for the top spot for the simple reason that Visceral Games has managed to improve both the graphical fidelity of their franchise as well as the art direction.  Killzone 3 merely improved the quality of the art taken from Killzone 2, while Dead Space 2 has introduced an amazing number of new elements.  For starters, the lighting in this game in unbelievable!  I watched one of my fellow Weekly Blend contributors play the title and I was held captive to suspense as shadows played tricks with my mind.  Enemy character models are plentiful and well-detailed.  The environments blend sci-fi and medieval to create an intense creep factor.  I have never before seen disgusting look so beautiful.

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