#GameVisualEffects #MindBlowing
Have you ever played a game where a visual effect completely blew your mind? 🤯 Maybe it was a moment that made you stop and think, “Dang, this is the future.” Visual effects in games have come a long way since the early days of pixelated graphics and limited animations. With advancements in technology, game developers have been able to create stunning visuals that immerse players in their virtual worlds like never before.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and remember the first time a visual effect in a game truly impressed us. For me, it was when I first played Morrowind and experienced the water effects in the game. Walking through water and seeing the realistic parting effect as my character moved through it was mind-blowing. It was a moment that made me realize just how far game graphics had come and how immersive gaming could be.
In this article, we will explore some of the most impressive visual effects in games that have left players awestruck. We’ll discuss the technology behind these effects, the impact they have on gameplay, and how they have changed the way we experience gaming. So buckle up and get ready to be amazed by the wonders of game visuals!
## The Evolution of Game Visual Effects
Visual effects in games have evolved significantly over the years, thanks to advancements in technology and the creativity of game developers. Here’s a look at how game visuals have evolved from simple sprites to realistic 3D graphics:
### 1. Early Days of Gaming
– In the early days of gaming, visual effects were simple and pixelated.
– Games like Pong and Space Invaders used basic graphics to create gameplay.
### 2. The Rise of 3D Graphics
– With the introduction of 3D graphics, games became more immersive and realistic.
– Titles like Doom and Quake pushed the boundaries of what was possible in terms of visual effects.
### 3. Realism and Detail
– Modern games now feature stunning graphics with realistic lighting, textures, and animations.
– Games like The Last of Us and Red Dead Redemption 2 showcase the power of modern visual effects.
## Memorable Game Visual Effects
Let’s now delve into some of the most memorable visual effects in games that have left players in awe:
### 1. Water Effects in Morrowind
One of the most iconic visual effects in Morrowind is the water. Walking through water and seeing the realistic parting effect as your character moves through it is truly mesmerizing.
### 2. Dynamic Weather in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The dynamic weather system in Breath of the Wild adds a new level of immersion to the game. Watching storms roll in and seeing the world change around you is a visual feast for the eyes.
### 3. Ray Tracing in Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077’s use of ray tracing technology creates stunning reflections and lighting effects that bring Night City to life. The attention to detail in the game’s visuals is truly next-level.
### 4. Particle Effects in Overwatch
Overwatch’s vibrant and colorful visuals are brought to life with dynamic particle effects. From explosions to special abilities, the game’s particle effects add an extra layer of excitement to gameplay.
## Impact of Visual Effects on Gameplay
Visual effects not only make games look better but also play a crucial role in enhancing the overall gaming experience. Here’s how visual effects impact gameplay:
– Immersion: Realistic visuals immerse players in the game world and make the experience more engaging.
– Atmosphere: Visual effects set the tone and atmosphere of the game, creating a unique and memorable experience.
– Feedback: Visual cues and effects provide feedback to players, helping them understand the game mechanics and make informed decisions.
## The Future of Game Visual Effects
As technology continues to advance, the future of game visual effects looks brighter than ever. From photorealistic graphics to immersive virtual reality experiences, the possibilities are endless. Game developers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in terms of visual effects, creating jaw-dropping visuals that captivate players.
So the next time you play a game and find yourself in awe of a breathtaking visual effect, take a moment to appreciate the hard work and innovation that went into creating it. Game visuals have come a long way since the early days of gaming, and the future looks even more exciting. Who knows what mind-blowing visual effects await us in the games of tomorrow? 🚀
In conclusion, the first time a visual effect in a game blew our minds is a moment we’ll never forget. Whether it’s the realistic water effects in Morrowind or the dynamic weather system in Breath of the Wild, these visual marvels have changed the way we experience gaming. So let’s continue to marvel at the power of game visuals and look forward to the amazing innovations that lie ahead.
Crysis, when you come out of the jungle overlooking the bay
The World of Warcraft character opening screen where you fly over the lands to your starting point. It looked so good that I thought it was a cut screen, but it was actually live in the game. It blew me away.
The original LOTR: battle for middle earth. The fact that large units could, with one wide strike, send multiple units flying blew my mind. It was fitting for a LOTR game for sure but I had never seen it in an RTS.
LOL, I’m an “old” gamer and embarrassed to admit the degree to which both myself and my girlfriend freaked when they animated Lara Crofts ponytail in Tomb Raider 2.
Metal Gear Solid on ps1 when you talk with Kenneth Baker and get that cutscene about nukes. Prior to this I had only played on Sega and experiencing actual real world footage and this kind of deep storytelling in a game blew my mind the first time I saw it. It wasn’t the first to do it but for me seeing a visual effect like this was something I didn’t know was possible in games.
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Just walking around in Doom 1993.
The first time you break the glass in your apartment in Prey 2017.
Nothing has ever topped that moment for me.
Bioshock. The Big Daddies scared the crap out of me.
Water in Morrowind
It has to be Super Mario 64 for me. A 3D platformer that good when there was nothing really like it… it felt like a giant leap in what video games could be. I can still tap into that feeling I had if I really try.
Seeing the gameplay for Red Faction Guerrilla and then actually playing it and being able to destroy buildings, terrain, everything you see was awesome. I don’t really think another game came close to that level of destruction since. Maybe Battlefield, but even then it was only buildings usually.
The first F.E.A.R.
Graphically it was nice but not spectacular. The environments were office walls and half finished construction which wasn’t crazy impressive until the first gunfight. Buckets start flying in reaction to your bullets, and you can jump kick a ghost soldier in the chest which would cause him to fly back into a table which knock everything off. It was incredible and I recall feeling like the future for games and what they can do was bright.
I don’t know if this was the first for me, but it stands out the most.
The opening cinematic of Final Fantasy VIII completely blew my mind when I first saw it.
Max payne bullet time
Halo: Combat Evolved, the first time I looked up to the sky and saw the ring was fully visible. Blew my 11 year old mind.
first F-Zero on SNES with its ‘Mode 7’ graphics tech
i started gaming on my older brothers NES really young. F-Zero was a launch title so seeing that first track zoom in for the first time ever is a pretty vivid memory.
Sonic CD running up the palm tree panic wall.
Star Fox Snes. My first 3d experience in gaming. Plenty of 2D snes games had awesome visuals, but Star Fox was my first glimpse into what games were going to be.
Mode 7 on the SNES more so on Secret of Mana made flying through the game world a whole new experience.
Well, I haven’t been downvoted enough lately – so let’s remedy that
Dragon Age Inquisition
Ah
I see I’ve already lost half of you xD
I was in my ***very*** early twenties – and I bought this game on a whim a year after it came out (I had played the original DAO ***way*** back in the day and bounced right the fuck off DA2) and while I was running around in the first wide-open mission area (the Hinterlands) and I crested a hill just as the sun was coming over the horizon and my mouth literally dropped open
It was just ***so indescribably beautiful*** – the color pallet – the lightning – that I just *couldn’t* believe that gaming would ever look better than that xD
The 3d of the OG Doom
I think some of the Rare games on SNES, like Donkey Kong County and the port of Killer Instinct really looked amazing for what was possible on the console.
Walking through the “Pink forest” in Ghost of Tsushima. I have a gamming PC now and I cannot wait to buy it on Steam. When I played GOT it was on my PS4…..
Mario 64.
Grew up on Nintendo, and I always loved the series. When you first pop out of the pipe and you can look 360 degrees? I probably ran around the outside of the castle for a good 30 minutes before attempting to start the game. I couldn’t believe you could zoom in and out, first person, directly behind, it was astounding.
The portals in Portal, what a mind blower that one was!
“Shadow of the Colossus” when you first see a Colossus.
The water in Wave Race 64
Super Mario World.
Going from NES to SNES, with vastly improved colours, layered background movement, and character animations was absolutely HUGE at the time.
The water in the original Far Cry was mind-blowing in its time.
Battlefield Bad Company 2 destruction
Coming out of the vault in Fallout 3
The waves at the beginning of the ff8 intro
Physics in Half Life 2
Warning: Long post ahead. You’ve been warned.
Gaming is still relatively new as a medium. We “just” left the “explosive” growth phase where things changed dramatically every few years.
As such, good ones any 35+ life long gamers like me have… a bunch of these. Because we’ve been here since the medium’s infancy.
Some examples off the top of my head, in no particular order:
* First 3D games *in general* – holy shit!! 3D?!? We CAN do it!
* Every couple of years technology would leap, and graphics would get “crazy” in comparison.
* Final Fantasy VII – If you didn’t live through it at the time you won’t get it. Game changer. Those cinematics and fighting sequence graphics were *mind blowing* at the time. Like, actually, “Can it actually get better than this??” moment.
* Final Fantasy VIII – If FFVII was a “Can it even get better?” moment, FFVIII’s intro was a “It definitely can’t get better now!” moment. That intro might as well be photo realistic at that point.
* GTA III’s huge, fully 3D, open world was actually mind blowing at the time. Now we’re used to enormous, photorealistic, open worlds. At the time this was a first… Ever. Nothing of that magnitude had ever been done (in a commercial videogame at least).
* Crysis. Crysis was basically the “end” of the technology boom. The last big “leap” in graphic power. Graphic power has gotten better since, but always in much more subtle and incremental ways. Crysis still holds up today. It was the last time sheer graphical power blew minds. But it did blow minds back then.
* PS4 Spiderman. The web swinging and general movement ability is probably still one of the most fun things in any game. Might be the only game with a large map and a quick travel system I almost never use.
* WH40k Spacemarine and 2017 Doom. After years of cover based modern military shooters the intro sequences to both of these were clear “we’re back baby….look at we can do!”
There have definitely been many more, but these are the ones that immediately pop into my head.
For me exiting vault 101 in fallout 3 blew me away. I was only like 12-13? at the time. I hadn’t ever played any game similar to it. Still love it today.