The Xbox 360 has been around for a long time, which means it has a large library of visually looking games. Here are our recommendations for the ten most visually looking titles available on the system. The order of the list is unimportant; they all look amazing.
1. Gears of War 3
Gears of War raised the bar for Xbox 360 visuals in 2006, but Gears of War 3 polished and enhanced it later. The third instalment of the popular action genre looks really stunning, with some of the best lighting, particle effects, and explosions in the series. Even today, it looks beautiful.
2. Alan Wake
Alan Wake is still one of the best horror games on the Xbox 360, and it looks great even now. The lighting effects are excellent, which is not surprising given that light is your most powerful weapon in the game. Of course, everything else looks amazing as well.
3. DiRT 3
The DiRT rally racing series has always looked amazing, but DiRT 3 on Xbox 360 was the pinnacle. The most attractive car models. The best illumination. The best weather, dust, and smoke effects. DiRT 3 looks simply stunning.
4. Fight Night Champion
We favour the gameplay in Fight Night Round 3, but Fight Night Champion is the clear winner in terms of looks (and it does play pretty well, too). The character models are fantastic, and the animation is flawless, but subtleties like cuts and bruises that reflect damage during the fight are absolutely amazing. Not only that, but the crowd looks fantastic in this game!
5. Viva Pinata
At first sight, Viva Pinata is sweet and cuddly, but don’t dismiss it as a children’s game. The fuzzy tiny piatas are quite cute, and the gardens they live in are lush and looking. The animation is really excellent, and simply sitting back and watching your piatas run around in your yard is one of the basic pleasures of video games that is all too often missed.
6. Crysis 3
Crysis 3 is the best-looking game in the series. It’s really magnificent all over, with incredible lighting, special effects, and environmental detail.
7. Forza Motorsport 4
DiRT 3 and Forza 4 are neck and neck, but Forza has the best overall racing game aesthetics on Xbox 360. This game uses a new lighting system that makes it appear really realistic. Turn 10 knows exactly what they’re doing.
8. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
The Xbox One edition of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare received all of the press, but the 360 version is also excellent. It is without a doubt the best-looking CoD game on the older platform, with amazing special effects and ambient features.
9. Dead or Alive 5: Last Round
One of the several versions of Dead or Alive 5 has to be the best-looking fighting game on the Xbox 360. Whatever you think of the female fighters’ jiggling assets, the game looks incredible, with outstanding character models, realistic skin texturing, and amazing environmental features. Fighters pick up dirt and perspiration while fighting, and water alters their appearance. The game is really breathtaking.
10. Halo 4
Halo was always a visually appealing franchise, but it was never on the cutting edge of graphics until Halo 4. This game is insanely beautiful. The initial level will wow you, and it will remain stunning throughout the adventure. Some people dislike the series’ gameplay direction in this instalment, but you have to admire the aesthetics.