Highlights

  • Real-time ray tracing, like Nvidia RTX, guarantees more physically accurate graphics for visually stunning gameplay experiences.
  • Many games, like Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and Wolfenstein: Youngblood, benefit from ray tracing to enhance their visuals.
  • RTX technology is advancing to make most games look photorealistic only seen in a handful of titles, like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077.

It was in 2018 when Nvidia revealed its real-time ray tracing technology for games, titled Nvidia RTX. At the time, many people thought it to be the next best thing for video games, while others felt that it was going to be a side thing, like Nvidia Physx. Fast-forward to 2021, it's been over two years since RTX cards hit the market and many new games have opted for the technology. This is why it's interesting to see how many of these games have used it to goodwill.

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RTX technology is all about real-time lighting, and its interaction with the environment. This doesn't always mean good visuals, but yes, guarantees more physically accurate graphics. As graphics cards become more and more advanced over time, ray tracing technology will reach new heights that will make most games look downright photorealistic, which is groundbreaking for obvious reasons. Players will have their minds blown once ray tracing technology reaches a level where pretty much every game will have it, but for now, only a handful of titles have managed to integrate this technology with great finesse.

Updated on March 12, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Ray tracing is the next big step in graphics, with many people understanding how big of a role lighting plays in breathing new life into any scene. Games that are years old and show their dated nature take on a whole new life with the advent of ray tracing technology, with these advanced light rays making the atmosphere of any video game come to life. There are many video games where people will consider ray tracing to be downright necessary to witness the true vision of the title's visual prowess, making it look breathtaking in every way.

22 Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy

The Diverse Color Palette Looks Even Better With Ray Tracing Enabled

A cutscene featuring characters from Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , PS5 , Switch , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
October 26, 2021
Developer(s)
Eidos Montreal
Genre(s)
Action-Adventure

The release of Marvel's Avengers made many fans fear the worst for the Guardians of the Galaxy game, which is perhaps why so many people weren't looking forward to this release. While this story-driven single-player game was released to poor sales, it didn't take long for public perception to turn after more and more people talked about the amazing nature of this game's narrative.

The combat, despite being the title's weak aspect, still has many things that go for it. However, it's the story and characters that end up being the saving grace of a video game that knows how to bamboozle players and let players enjoy an intergalactic narrative for the ages.

21 Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora

A Gorgeous World That Comes To Life When The Lighting Is Cranked To The Max

avatar frontiers of pandora title update 3
Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora

Platform(s)
PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
December 7, 2023
Developer(s)
Massive Entertainment
Genre(s)
Action-Adventure

It's a shame that Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora didn't live up to its initial hype, feeling more like a reskinned Far Cry game than an original Avatar title. The focus on dated crafting mechanics and the dependence on scanning for efficient exploration took away a lot from Pandora's gorgeous landscapes, which come to life with the use of ray tracing.

The biomes in Pandora are a treat to witness firsthand and one of the strongest aspects of the game. If a huge priority for a player is to witness a wealth of beautiful curated landscapes, then using ray tracing is downright necessary to make Pandora come to life in the best way possible, and to further the joys of James Cameron's Avatar.

20 Alan Wake 2

The Imaginative Art Style Of This Game Benefits From Ray Tracing Turned On

Alan Wake 2 surprised-looking protagonist close-up crop blue tinted background
Alan Wake 2

Platform(s)
PC , PS5 , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X
Released
October 27, 2023
Developer(s)
Remedy Entertainment
Genre(s)
Survival Horror

A game absolutely bursting with style and atmosphere, it's easy to see why Alan Wake 2 is one of the best video games of 2023. Remedy was at its very best when it developed this stellar survival horror game that isn't afraid to take risks. People who love Remedy when they're at their most creative will love just how unique and different Alan Wake 2 is.

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It's easy to see why fans can't wait for Remedy to churn out another game, especially with Alan Wake 2 essentially creating a shared universe for all Remedy games. With the critical success of Alan Wake 2 leaving many people impressed, fans can only hope that more AAA developers take the same risk that Remedy did in the creation of a unique story-driven adventure that is unlike anything players have experienced before.

19 Returnal

A Mind-Bending Roguelike Game That Looks Pretty Amazing To Boot

Selene pointing a gun in Returnal
Returnal

Platform(s)
PS5 , PC
Released
April 30, 2021
Developer(s)
Housemarque
Genre(s)
Third-Person Shooter

Many people are glad to see huge studios like Sony try their hands out on genres that most AAA games don't try to experiment with. Not only is Returnal a pretty excellent roguelike, but the story it tells is a captivating psychological horror drama that will keep players invested from start to end.

Selene is a deceptively complicated character whose backstory is slowly revealed over the course of the game's narrative. Repetition is a common theme prevalent in both the gameplay and narrative of the game, showing just how underrated Housemarque's AAA roguelike game really is.

18 A Plague Tale: Requiem

A Sequel That Ups The Ante In Every Way, Including Its Visuals

amicia-a-plague-tale-requiem
A Plague Tale: Requiem

Platform(s)
PC , Switch , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
October 18, 2022
Developer(s)
Asobo Studio
Genre(s)
Action-Adventure , Stealth

A Plague Tale: Innocence is an indie game that came out of nowhere and wowed people with its emotional story and excellent presentation. The idea of playing as two struggling survivors in a stealth-focused indie title during the Black Plague makes for a great time, and the sight of millions of rats hounding them every step of the way will be burned into the player's mind at the end of this experience.

So, it was only a matter of time before this hit title would receive a sequel that is bigger, better, and bolder in every way. A Plague Tale: Requiem is an excellent sequel that wraps up Amicia and Hugo's tale in a bold manner, making for a spectacular story-driven journey that is rife with amazing visuals. The title supports RTX, becoming even more visually appealing if players turn this option on.

17 Crysis Remastered Trilogy

A Trilogy That Was The Peak Of PC Gaming Before, With The Remaster Adding RTX Support

Crysis Remastered Trilogy cover art
Crysis Remastered

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Switch , Xbox One
Released
July 23, 2020
Developer(s)
Saber Interactive
Genre(s)
FPS , Open-World

There was a time when the phrase "Can it run Crysis?" became synonymous with video game meme culture. Crysis truly was a spectacle when it was launched, with CryEngine flexing its muscles as the next great video game engine in the industry. At the time, only the highest-end PCs could even think about running Crysis at its highest setting, with the game looking gorgeous.

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In many ways, the game itself wasn't a big deal as much as the engine was, but that didn't mean that the title wasn't fun to play through by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, with the advent of the Crysis Remastered Trilogy, players can experience the magic of the first three games with a fresh coat of paint. Fittingly enough, this collection arrives with ray tracing support, carrying forward the proud legacy of these titles still running rather choppily on regular gaming hardware.

16 Dead Space

dead-space-isaac-clarke
Dead Space (2023)

Platform(s)
PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC
Released
January 27, 2023
Developer(s)
EA Motive
Genre(s)
Survival Horror

Many people argued whether Dead Space really needed a remaster, to begin with. The title looks perfectly fine even now and many people argued that any visual improvements would be superficial, at best. However, the release of this 2023 remake ended up silencing any critics by looking gorgeous while also featuring expanded levels and tweaked combat.

To make things look even better, players could turn on ray tracing to make the cramped halls of the USG Ishimura look even more oppressive and bleak. The graphics of this title alone justify its stature as a worthy remake, even if many people won't be enjoying this revamped lighting when Isaac's head is getting ripped off by a necromorph.

15 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Next-Gen Update Adds Ray Tracing To The Game

Gaunter O'Dimm and Geralt in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Switch , PC
Released
May 19, 2015
Developer(s)
CD Projekt Red
Genre(s)
RPG , Action , Adventure

The next-gen update for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt updates the visuals in a way that makes this game look pretty modern. While this update had some rough edges that needed to be ironed out, there's no denying that this visual upgrade is a feast for the eyes. The ray-traced lighting and ambient occlusion genuinely look incredible, and players will be dumbstruck whenever they witness a picturesque sunset in this game. Rescuing Ciri can wait since appreciating this lighting and riding off into the sunset on Roach takes priority.

If anything, The Witcher 3 is a great example of why ray tracing is proving to be such a mind-blowing piece of technology that can elevate any video game to new heights. It's been almost a decade since the game's release, yet it's hard to point out anything dated from a graphical point of view when players turn on ray tracing and have their minds blown by the incredible escalation in quality this game enjoys.

14 Portal

A Free DLC For The Game Lets Players Enjoy This Masterpiece With Ray Tracing

Image from Portal RTX showing a cube on a red button.
Portal
Platform(s)
PC , PS3 , Switch , Xbox 360
Released
October 10, 2007
Developer(s)
Valve
Genre(s)
Puzzle

Portal was a groundbreaking puzzle game that proved once again why Valve is considered to be the master of its craft. Players who want an excuse to check out this game once again can do the same with a free DLC for the game that adds ray tracing.

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Exploring the test chambers of Aperture with this revamped lighting makes for a great time. The title still holds up to this day, and this visual upgrade makes a new playthrough feel fresh and interesting once again. The fact that a game as clean-looking as Portal can somehow look even better with the smart integration of ray tracing is a great endorsement of this technology.

13 Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Documents Miles' First Time Webslinging Without Peter In A Glorious, Beautiful World

Miles Morales web-swinging
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Platform(s)
PS5 , PS4
Released
November 12, 2020
Developer(s)
Insomniac Games
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales serves as a standalone expansion that explores Miles' journey as the new Spider-Man and how he adjusts to these powers. This game serves as the perfect way to fill in the blanks before the advent of Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

It helps that this game looks gorgeous, with ray tracing enhancing the visuals of this title even more. Players who want to swing through New York in style will be able to do the same with ray-traced lighting cranked up to the max in Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

12 Watch Dogs: Legion

A Unique Take On What A Protagonist Can Be In A Video Game, With RTX Technology Enhancing The Visuals

London from Watch Dogs: Legion street view
Watch Dogs Legion

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , Stadia , PC
Released
October 29, 2020
Developer(s)
Ubisoft
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure

Watch Dogs: Legion is a game with a pretty innovative take on DedSec recruitment, but the rest of the title is woefully lacking. It's a shame since this game actually took some innovative steps forward, but this came at the cost of the title regressing in several other departments.

Watch Dogs: Legion also features ray tracing which makes the title look pretty astounding indeed. Players who want to mess about in an open-world game with beautiful visuals should look no further than Watch Dogs: Legion.

11 Shadow Of The Tomb Raider

Lara's Final Chapter In The Rebooted Trilogy That Looks Incredible

Shadow of the Tomb Raider Lara Croft
Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released
September 14, 2018
Developer(s)
Eidos Montreal
Genre(s)
Adventure

Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the final title in the rebooted Tomb Raider trilogy, which was a disappointment for many players. The enhancement of underwater segments coupled with ray tracing technology certainly helps the title look brilliant, but that doesn't make up for its unimaginative gameplay.

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With the studio behind this game being sold off to Embracer Group, fans don't know what the future of the Tomb Raider series is. Thankfully, Shadow of the Tomb Raider looks great enough with ray-traced lighting and can hold over fans until the next game comes out.

10 Far Cry 6

A Somewhat Disappointing Sequel, But Definitely Shines From A Visual Standpoint

first person perspective of the map in far cry 6
Far Cry 6

Platform(s)
PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PC , Stadia
Released
October 6, 2021
Developer(s)
Ubisoft
Genre(s)
Action , FPS

Many people were disappointed with Far Cry 6 upon launch. The game could've been something truly great but was ultimately held back by Ubisoft's cut-and-paste design, rendering it devoid of any creative zeal.

However, the game itself was undeniably very pretty to look at. Switching RTX on turns Far Cry 6 into a beautiful title indeed, with the various reflective surfaces in the game doing a great job of making the title look all the more realistic and engaging.

9 Doom Eternal

The Doom Slayer's Bloody Journey Continues In A Title That Looks Jaw-Droppingly Good

doom-eternal-the-dark-lord
DOOM Eternal

Platform(s)
Xbox One , Stadia , PC , PS4
Released
March 20, 2020
Developer(s)
id Software
Genre(s)
FPS , Action

The reboot of Doom was nothing short of an absolute masterpiece. So, it was only a matter of time before a sequel to the same was also released, and this appeared in the form of Doom Eternal.

This title was essentially the first game but bigger, better, and more engaging. It helped that the graphics of this title were spectacular as well and could look even more unreal with the enhancements brought about by ray tracing.

8 Control

An SCP-Inspired Narrative With Incredible Visuals

Control
Control

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , PS5 , Switch , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One
Released
August 27, 2019
Developer(s)
Remedy Entertainment
Genre(s)
Action

Control is one of the first titles that demonstrated the advantage of RTX to a lot of gamers. But did it do a good job? The answer is a bit subjective. Control is already a stunning game, with its ambient environments and physics-based objects. So does the implementation of RTX make a visual difference in the game?

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It certainly does, although it can be slightly power-intensive. Players with weaker machines should opt for normal settings since the game is beautiful with or without the effects. That being said, the RTX in Control certainly goes a long way in making the visuals of this title stand out all that more.

7 Deathloop

A Time-Loop Adventure With Arkane's Signature Gameplay That Looks Brilliant With Ray Tracing

colt-deathloop-screenshot
Deathloop

Platform(s)
PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
September 14, 2021
Developer(s)
Arkane Studios
Genre(s)
Adventure

Deathloop is one of the better time loop games to have come out in quite some time. It might not be as great as video game critics have stated it to be, but the overarching story and amazing gameplay of Deathloop make it a pretty fun joyride from start to end.

Arkane has clearly put a ton of work into making their visuals stand out more, and this is palpable throughout Deathloop. By enabling RTX, the game looks breathtaking as players dash through levels and take out their targets one and a time.

6 Resident Evil Village

Capcom's Signature Survival Horror Series Is Injected With Gorgeous Ray Traced Visuals

resident evil village lady dimitrescu
Resident Evil Village

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Stadia , PC
Released
May 7, 2021
Developer(s)
Capcom
Genre(s)
Survival (dupe) , Horror

Resident Evil Village is the latest chapter in the series and is a ton of fun to play as well. The campy action-horror of this title might seem silly at times, but this is a big part of what made Resident Evil so popular in the first place.

It helps that the graphics of this game are sublime and contribute a lot to the overall experience. With RTX on, the landscape that Ethan explores becomes nightmarishly beautiful, lulling players into a false sense of security before taking their limbs apart.

5 Wolfenstein: Youngblood

May Not Be The Best Wolfenstein Game, But Certainly Looks Modern And Beautiful

Wolfenstein Youngblood RTX
Wolfenstein: Youngblood

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , Switch , PC , Stadia
Developer(s)
MachineGames , Arkane Studios
Genre(s)
FPS
Released
July 26, 2019

The newest game in the Wolfenstein franchise called Wolfenstein: Youngblood, has received mixed reviews from critics and users. Some have criticized the story campaign while others have complained about its co-op. But even with all its flaws, the game has done one thing right.

The implementation of Nvidia's RTX effects in Wolfenstein: Youngblood is done very well. The reflections and lighting bring out the overall mood of the game. However, missing baked reflections on the glass without RTX could be a part of lazy work or a marketing technique.

4 Metro Exodus & DLCs

The Final Chapter Of The Metro Trilogy That Looks Breathtaking

Metro Exodus - RTX 1
Metro Exodus

Platform(s)
PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PC , Stadia
Released
February 15, 2019
Developer(s)
4A Games
Genre(s)
FPS

Now, this is a game that deserves to be experienced with real-time ray tracing enabled, as it really does impact the look and feel of the game. And the developers have gone to great lengths to make sure of that.

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Metro games have always been a graphical benchmark for PC gamers, and their latest release Metro Exodus stays true to that. The RTX in the game is demanding for sure, but it changes the entire feel of the game. The Metro series has a very dark post-apocalyptic world, which becomes a lot more ambient and life-like with the use of real-time lighting and shadows.

3 Battlefield 5

DICE's Games Always Wow Players With Their Amazing Visuals

Battlefield V - RTX
battlefield 5

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released
November 20, 2018
Developer(s)
DICE
Genre(s)
FPS

Battlefield 5 might not be a fan-favorite game of the series, but it sure does one thing right. The RTX in this game is just gorgeous and to the point. The lighting, reflections, and shadows look much more realistic than before, giving it a distinct visual look compared to the older titles.

So the only question here is if it is worth using in the game's multiplayer mode. Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding "no." These effects are not as taxing as some other games on the list, but they do noticeably affect the performance of the game. This is, of course, a strict no-no when it comes to playing online.