Investing in a quality gaming PC has its benefits, but only with the right games. Some games have improved textures with a high-end computer, but it's hard to spot the difference with others. Investing in a top-end gaming PC will cost over one-thousand dollars, but it might be worth it for the most immersive experience.
With high-end gaming PCs, terms like ray-tracing, frame rate, textures, anti-aliasing, 4K, and more are considered. Whether you play them offline or online, these games present improved visual fidelity over video game consoles and lesser PCs. Do you have an overpowered PC? The following games are bound to put your gaming rig to the test.
10 Hitman 3
The latest Hitman to come from publisher and developer IO Interactive is leagues ahead of its predecessors. Part of the game's appeal is its PC optimization. This game serves as a benchmark for next-gen consoles, but it also shows what an overpowered PC game can output. Hitman 3 uses variable-rate shading. Compared to other games, it doesn't output the best graphics. However, in the Hitman franchise, Hitman 3 is a significant bump up in visual design.
9 Red Dead Redemption 2
While many open-world games are sacrificing detail for scale, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the best of both worlds. The game lets you customize features like texture quality, tessellation quality, full resolution screen space ambient occlusion, and a host of other features. Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC is a customizable experience suitable for any gaming rig. It also serves as a benchmark for visual fidelity in video games, allowing players to ramp up the graphics.
8 Metro Exodus
Where many games have faltered, Metro Exodus was impressive from a technical perspective long before its release. The game's announcement at E3 2017 assured fans that the series was headed in the right direction. Although the game has loading issues on platforms like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, an overpowered gaming PC can make it look truly phenomenal. It can run at 60 frames per second at 4K, but it looks impressive even at lower settings.
7 Cyberpunk 2077
CD Projekt's Cyberpunk 2077 was poised to become the most impressive game of the decade. Although the game struggles on platforms like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, a sophisticated gaming PC can output quality visuals.
For those who don't want to drop a thousand dollars on a graphics card, playing Cyberpunk 2077 on ultra settings is unachievable. Obtaining 60 frames per second is out of reach for most people, which is why they should aim for 40 or 50 frames per second. It is a technical achievement in visual design and gameplay, so upcoming patches could make Cyberpunk 2077 the groundbreaking game followers anticipated.
6 Horizon Zero Dawn
Now that Horizon Zero Dawn is a PC game, players can toggle the game's graphics settings. Players can purchase Horizon Zero Dawn™ Complete Edition on the Steam Store to get the base game and its DLC. This is a game that features an atmospheric open-world. Those with a powerful gaming PC can get the most out of Horizon Zero Dawn by enhancing the graphics on the game's highest settings. Will the sequel Horizon Forbidden West be on PC? All signs point to yes.
5 Control Ultimate Edition
Remedy Entertainment's Control was a sleeper hit that flew under the radar. Now that the game has re-released as Control Ultimate Edition, it is earning the praise it deserves. The game's stunning visuals blend with an immersive gameplay experience that is fun to its very core. Those looking for a game to test their PC's power should look at Control Ultimate Edition. The game can output 4K graphics at targeted 60 frames per second with ray tracing enabled.
4 Doom Eternal
Doom Eternal has caught the attention of retro first-person shooter gamers and those looking for a meaningful challenge. Doom Eternal is not only one of the most challenging first-person shooters to date, but it also offers great customizable settings related to graphics. The minimum PC requirements are above average, but those with a high-powered PC can run the game in 1440p without issue. It's highly recommended to have 8GB or 6GB of RAM instead of 4GB or 3GB.
3 Resident Evil 3 Remake
Resident Evil 3's world is much smaller than other previously mentioned games. As a game that takes approximately six hours to beat, according to howlongtobeat.com, Resident Evil 3 has a tremendous amount of detail. Almost every nook and cranny was carefully designed to provide player immersion like few other titles. Resident Evil 3's developers have discarded the typical low to ultra settings on PC, bringing performance, balanced, and graphics priority settings.
2 Microsoft Flight Simulator
As a game that earned universal acclaim, Microsoft Flight Simulator is considered a must-play. Take to the skies as you pilot the most detailed rendering of the globe. Dynamic weather can make flying an arduous experience. From an exploration standpoint, Microsft Flight Simulator is a masterclass.
According to xbox.com, players can "travel the world in amazing detail with over 37 thousand airports, 2 million cities, 1.5 billion buildings, real mountains, roads, trees, rivers, animals, traffic, and more." Try the game on the Ultra setting. It's one of the few games where Ultra makes a difference.
1 Death Stranding
Years from now, people will look back and say that Death Stranding was ahead of its time. The game's usage of motion-capture was unlike any other game. The result is a game that has flawless character models and detailed environments. From a gameplay standpoint, some might find the game's deliveries repetitive. However, those looking to test their PC's performance should consider playing one of the PC's most demanding games.