When we game, we not only want the best gameplay experience possible but also the highest graphical quality. With the release of the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, developers were able to deliver on the promise of a generation of stunning visuals; but not every developer opted to go the route of 4K resolution.
While there is a decent list of 4K native and 4K upscaled games available on the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X, not all of them deliver a true 4K experience. To get the most out of your console and the television or video projector you likely paid a pretty penny for, consider adding the following titles to your library.
Call of Duty: WWII (PS4 / Xbox One)
What better way to experience the Second Great War than through high resolutions and surround sound? The Xbox One X version of this return to Call of Duty’s roots may surpass the PS4 Pro counterpart, but both games wind up looking gorgeous in the upscaled resolution.
Despite the higher resolution, Call of Duty: WWII runs at a near consistent 60 FPS, giving gamers a smooth and seamless look at the war in Europe. Even in online play, the game delivers one of the better looking console experiences of the generation.
Destiny 2 (PS4 / Xbox One)
Almost exactly three months after Destiny 2 originally released, the PS4 and Xbox One received a visual update to run at 4K resolution. Though not native on the PS4, the adaptive 4K still helps the worlds pop, especially the crashing waters of Titan. The Xbox One X version, however, does run at native 4K, delivering Destiny 2 the way Bungie intended it to be played. Both versions still top out at 30, but it doesn’t hinder the experience any. The update also rolled out with the Curse of Osiris expansion, making December a great month for Destiny’s lot of Guardians.
Rise of the Tomb Raider (PS4 / Xbox One)
If there’s one word that can describe Rise of the Tomb Raider, it’s “beautiful.” Add on 4K support and you have a world of exotic lands and texture-rich tombs that really pops. Lara’s latest adventure released in 2015 and was a delight to watch then, but the 4K enhancements on both the PS4 and Xbox One X certainly made it worth playing a second time.
Playing on 4K may reduce framerate to 30 FPS, but getting lost in the visuals makes that a moot point.
Infamous: Second Son (PS4)
When it comes to the visuals of Infamous: Second Son and its DLC First Light, it was more about the vibrant colors of the powers. While textures do get an upgrade with the enhanced PS4 Pro update, it’s the high dynamic range support that magnifies the beauty of Sucker Punch’s third Infamous title.
The neon glow of each of Delsin Rowe’s powers pops even more than they did when the game first came out in 2014. For a game that was two years old when the PS4 Pro released, its visuals do
Horizon: Zero Dawn (PS4)
Horizon: Zero Dawn stole the show when it launched in Q1 of 2017. It was lauded as gorgeous and engaging, partially thanks to its stunning 4K support on the PS4 Pro. At its best representation of itself, Horizon pops with color and an incredible amount of detail in textures.
Traversing the world created by Guerilla Games and hunting robotic beasts is a joy at any resolution, but the rendered checkerboarding amplifies the gameplay. That means details as small as stitching in character clothing are easier to catch while playing.
Nioh (PS4)
When Nioh launched on the PS4, it came with a multitude of visual options from an “Action Mode” that promotes a higher frame rate at the cost of resolution a 4K display option specific to the PS4 Pro that delivers a native 4K resolution at 30 FPS.
With the fast-paced, difficult action of the game, players have to decide what makes the most sense for them – more textures and crisper graphics or a higher framerate. It’s one of the few titles to release on the PS4 Pro with an option for native 4K and really showcases the power of the console.
Assassin’s Creed Origins (Xbox On / PS4)
The distant pyramids of Giza, the waterlogged city of Memphis, the incoming storms that bring walls of sand – Assassin’s Creed Origins is arguably the most attractive entry in the series. Even at 1080p, the level of detail is striking, but seeing it shine on the Xbox One X is a pleasure.
Though the level of detail doesn’t quite match those of a higher-end PC, the Xbox One X is the most attractive console version, delivering a version of Ancient Egypt that is not only a thrill to explore but a joy to look at.
Forza Motorsport 7 (Xbox One)
After watching Forza Motorsport 7 running on the Xbox One X, there’s a good chance you won’t have a need for another racing game. Beyond its fun gameplay, the latest Forza entry is a graphical treat that uses its 4K resolution to bring the world of racing to life.
From the way rainwater pools up and glistens on the track to the surprisingly detailed environments, Forza is one of those titles that was made for 4K gaming.
Halo 5: Guardians (Xbox One)
Though Halo 5 may be an older release on the Xbox One timeline, the 4K patch it received in November 2017 for the Xbox One X reinvigorated 343 Industries’ game. The enhanced version is not only a crisper FPS game, it retains the 60 FPS gameplay without sacrificing visuals.
Halo 5 was a great looking game when it first came out, but the Xbox One X 4K upgrade further smoothed out textures, which helped its vibrant environments shine even more. If you’re going to enjoy any 4K enabled game, why not make it the series that helped skyrocket the Xbox’s popularity?
Middle-earth: Shadow of War (Xbox One)
Sure, the follow-up to Shadow of Mordor released on the PS4 as well, but it’s on the Xbox One X that the game really shines. Where the Pro suffers from low-quality textures, the Xbox One X shines and delivers on a sharp and crystal-clear console iteration.
Slaying orcs has never looked so good as the One X utilizes native 4K for a world not muddied by low resolution. At 30 FPS, the game still winds up being smooth and attractive.
Taylor
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