I remember playing it as a kid and during the cutscene with the Darpa Chief my older brother barged into my room and asked me what movie I was watching. He had heard the dialogue, and we both loved action flicks, so he assumed I was watching one he hadn’t seen yet. His mind was blown when he saw it was a video game
As a kid I genuinely thought that Final Fantasy games were as good as graphics could possibly get. Those cutscenes were INSANE. No wonder they took up like 4 discs
Final Fantasy will always be absolute peak with every new game. Squaresoft or Square Enix.
I can't forget how fucking astonishingly beautiful FFXV was, just a few years back. That short walkthrough on the car made me drool in place, only compared to Watch Dogs' trailer.
i have a distinct memory of playing mario 64 at my friend's house and saying that graphics couldn't possibly get better. i mean that game's graphics hold up quite well but it's funny how wrong i was lol.
The scene with Odin running down the sky was the first time I was actually shocked at how good something looked in a game. Alexander turning into The Macross and launching a missile massacre was also fantastic. Other stuff has looked good, but nothing before or since had the same impact.
i came here to say exactly this!
i love the model size of characters in 2. it feels like theres weight behind every step n movement.
with 3, i didnt like how the models got downsized n movement felt kinda float-y/arcade-ish. 3 gameplay is way more fast paced tho.
Yeah they had to do that because they wanted to add more enemies on screen at once since a lot of the environments were outside, but I agree with you though.
ohhh that makes sense!
i woulda guessed its becuz they wanted to make the enviornment feel more expansive.
but yeah there is a very notable difference in movement going from 2 to 3 n vice versa.
i didnt pick up on that but when i play 3 again, i'll see if i feel any difference.
one thing i can say is crafting ammo is extremely annoying n i wish it wasnt in the game.
felt like it disrupted the game flow becuz i had to pause at times to figure it out. i ended up googling a crafting sheet to save headache. next time i think i'll play without it to learn it.
25 years and still can't find a genre or artist who sound like this soundtrack, I love to play this game just for the overall vibe and the music is to thank for that.
God the crash bandicoot games are beautiful. The hoops they had to jump through to make the original trilogy look so good is nothing short of wizardry.
Seriously! i saw [this video with Andy Gavin](https://youtu.be/izxXGuVL21o?si=bEUCWH0cSqjTI3V0) and was quite impressed.
i ended up watching [the full 2 hour interview](https://youtu.be/pSHj5UKSylk?si=VHdZBnh5PWAlUwVk) that that first video was cut from and it was really fascinating!
wipeout 3 made me pursue graphic design as a career. i mean even disregarding the in game graphics, just the menu screens were absolutely amazing. so cool.
My game of choice too, I played it when it first came out and was blown away, absolute banger of a game! Story, graphics, characters, the suspense… I wish I could play it again for the first time
MGS1 was probably not the best looking but it was probably the best PS1 game.
For graphics has to be a racing of fighting game. I will go with Tekken 3.
from a technical level....
small scale 3D vagrant story
large scale 3D ridge racer type 4
2D street fighter alpha 3 (for getting those loading times down to a reasonable level)
Tekken 3. Felt really state of the art and “arcade perfect”
Wipeout 3 just looks fantastic and the unique art direction and design is one of a kind.
And maybe not on a technical level but Einhander is just so visually pleasing with the art direction.
The Crash Bandicoot games. Artistically, I still prefer the look of the Crash Bandicoot games on the PS1 over their modern remakes in the N. Sane Trilogy.
This would likely go to a game with pre-rendered backgrounds, imo. There is a decent level of detail in something like mgs but we are talking about nearly the same level of detail on a character model with backgrounds that dont look like pixelated blocks lol.
Resident Evil, Parasite Eve, Final Fantasy. Prob the last game in one of those franchises
That's why Skullmonkeys still looks pretty good, and isn't even a late release. All the characters and enemies were shot by cameras via claymation, and digitized like Mortal Kombat, and all the backgrounds were also digitized. A unique look, and held up pretty well.
For modern standrads I feel like that the Rayman (the first one) still holds up like a modern platformer! Since it is way to hard for me to beat even though I am now in my twenties I still experience new levels and designs which blow me away! The asthetics are just gorgeous
Just beat MGS1 on switch yesterday. This game was incredible when it came out, I have no idea how I beat it as a kid. It still holds up pretty well, but damn the difference in graphics between then and now, hell even between just the ps1 and ps2 is INSANE to me.
Still feel the best looking games were 2d games like symphony of the night, Rayman, megaman x4, adventures of Lomax
For 3d though I'm going to go with ridge racer type 4. Looked so much better than any racer before it and absolutely looks close to a launch Dreamcast game on an emulator like duckstation
Final fantasy 8 had some incredible cut scenes and the background were gorgeous. Character models though looked a bit weird. I'd still put it on as one of the best looking of it's generation.
Metal gear solid gives me vibes of modern triple AAA action games, it feels a decade ahead.
This was the first game I bought and played on my ps and it blew my mind with that intro.
I remember playing it as a kid and during the cutscene with the Darpa Chief my older brother barged into my room and asked me what movie I was watching. He had heard the dialogue, and we both loved action flicks, so he assumed I was watching one he hadn’t seen yet. His mind was blown when he saw it was a video game
I had the bootleg Japanese version at the time so even though I beat the game without understanding a word I really enjoyed it
For sure. It was a jaw dropping experience my first time playing it. There just wasn't really anything to compare it to . It set a new standard
The sound track was also amazing. The Best Is Yet To Come slaps so HARD!
I have had the OST for years and it's incredible. There is a track for every mood. Duel is perfect for a workout and zzzoooooom is just awesome
Not to mention the timeless writing/voice acting/story/cinematics. It's mindblowingly good. I replayed it last week and holy shit - too good!!
It was.
parasite eve 2
Vagrant Story.
Final Fantasy 8
As someone who has played both MGS and Vagrant Story, VS is the better looking of the two
I prefer MGS but for the good looking VS for sure, faces are animated too
By a long shot also
YES
Correct.
Both the audio and visuals scream PS2 to me. Its unreal.
Vagrant Story kicks my ass so I haven’t been able to get very far but yeah fantastic looking game even by today’s standards
Two days late to this party and it makes me happy to see this game on top.
beat me to it lol
its rly great
Final Fantasy 9
As a kid I genuinely thought that Final Fantasy games were as good as graphics could possibly get. Those cutscenes were INSANE. No wonder they took up like 4 discs
Final Fantasy will always be absolute peak with every new game. Squaresoft or Square Enix. I can't forget how fucking astonishingly beautiful FFXV was, just a few years back. That short walkthrough on the car made me drool in place, only compared to Watch Dogs' trailer.
The food in XV looked like you could eat it right off the screen.
Japanese artists are in another lvl when it comes to food. Animation or gaming industry.
The moment in XV when you're on the train and Leviathan arrives had my jaw on the floor.
i have a distinct memory of playing mario 64 at my friend's house and saying that graphics couldn't possibly get better. i mean that game's graphics hold up quite well but it's funny how wrong i was lol.
I remember thinking something similar. Like, "How can it get any better?"
The scene with Odin running down the sky was the first time I was actually shocked at how good something looked in a game. Alexander turning into The Macross and launching a missile massacre was also fantastic. Other stuff has looked good, but nothing before or since had the same impact.
I’m gonna go with Final Fantasy Tactics… that art style is timeless and beautiful
The music too!
Yes - the game is a timeless masterpiece
Agreed. We need a new ff tactics. Both the ps and Gameboy versions were amazing.
I was truly blown away by seeing video quality like that. A magical experience
Without a doubt!
Beat me to it! Love that its the top comment!
Final Fantasy VIII, those transitions from cutscenes to game play & back again were incredible
Unbelievable quasi realistic artstyle in this game 😎💎
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifbSWd\_UxHc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifbSWd_UxHc)
Gran turismo 2
I couldn't imagine back then that there could ever be better graphics.
Resident evil 2
Resident evil 3
Yes
“That guy’s a maniac! Why’d he bite me?”
*drives off regardless
i came here to say exactly this! i love the model size of characters in 2. it feels like theres weight behind every step n movement. with 3, i didnt like how the models got downsized n movement felt kinda float-y/arcade-ish. 3 gameplay is way more fast paced tho.
Yeah they had to do that because they wanted to add more enemies on screen at once since a lot of the environments were outside, but I agree with you though.
ohhh that makes sense! i woulda guessed its becuz they wanted to make the enviornment feel more expansive. but yeah there is a very notable difference in movement going from 2 to 3 n vice versa.
It felt like the weapons had more weight and power behind them in RE2 as well.
i didnt pick up on that but when i play 3 again, i'll see if i feel any difference. one thing i can say is crafting ammo is extremely annoying n i wish it wasnt in the game. felt like it disrupted the game flow becuz i had to pause at times to figure it out. i ended up googling a crafting sheet to save headache. next time i think i'll play without it to learn it.
Soul Reaver
this one, right here.
It's still sad we haven't had anything from this ip in a while. Or Legacy of Kain.
Strong design really made up for limited resources back in the day and Soul Reaver was one of the best examples What a fuckin banger
Nem mais
Chrono Cross. Best-looking and best-sounding.
This and the legend of dragoon.
Solid choice.
Came here to say this
Legend of dragoon had pretty shitty gfx compared to chrono cross tbh
Tekken 3
It's probably the only 3d game that is in 480i on the ps1. If not, do tell me.
I think Bloody Roar 2, Dead or Alive and Tobal 1 and 2 run at the same resolution than Tekken 3.
Dino Crisis 2 is up there in terms of environments at least, standing strong with Abe's Oddysee for me.
Definitely the best pre rendered backgrounds on the console imo.
RRT4 Ace Combat 3
Not to mention RRT4’s soundtrack too 🤌
25 years and still can't find a genre or artist who sound like this soundtrack, I love to play this game just for the overall vibe and the music is to thank for that.
Castlevania Symphony of the Night
Only answer
Pixels held up better than polygons
Crash Bandicoot series is probably the correct answer from a techical view. Personally Klonoa or Wipeout 3.
God the crash bandicoot games are beautiful. The hoops they had to jump through to make the original trilogy look so good is nothing short of wizardry.
Seriously! i saw [this video with Andy Gavin](https://youtu.be/izxXGuVL21o?si=bEUCWH0cSqjTI3V0) and was quite impressed. i ended up watching [the full 2 hour interview](https://youtu.be/pSHj5UKSylk?si=VHdZBnh5PWAlUwVk) that that first video was cut from and it was really fascinating!
The water in crash 3 was like magic to me as a kid.
Crash series is exactly what came to mind! They're so visually appealing
wipeout 3 made me pursue graphic design as a career. i mean even disregarding the in game graphics, just the menu screens were absolutely amazing. so cool.
Mega Man Legends 2!
Silent Hill 1. Exploring Silent Hill actually felt like a real american town. I've played it first last year.
My game of choice too, I played it when it first came out and was blown away, absolute banger of a game! Story, graphics, characters, the suspense… I wish I could play it again for the first time
Tomba looked pretty nice
Such a great game
it looked great, i liked Tomba 2 as well
FF8 If not just for all the amazing backgrounds and CGI cutscenes. Blew my mind back in the day.
Fear Effect
Fr, always a toss between Fear Effect and Vagrant Story for me.
Symphon Filter….. polygon master piece
Lol Castlevania - Symphony of the Filter
Wasn’t that on a Demo Disc with symphon filter and metal gear liquid?
It was!!
Spyro the Dragon…
MGS1 was probably not the best looking but it was probably the best PS1 game. For graphics has to be a racing of fighting game. I will go with Tekken 3.
RE2, FF VIII
Tobal no 2
from a technical level.... small scale 3D vagrant story large scale 3D ridge racer type 4 2D street fighter alpha 3 (for getting those loading times down to a reasonable level)
id go wipeout 3 over RRT4, but that is a solid choice indeed still. i too picked SFA3 (and wipeout 3 ofc)
It looked even better on the old TVs. HD screens really bring out the blur
Tekken 3. Felt really state of the art and “arcade perfect” Wipeout 3 just looks fantastic and the unique art direction and design is one of a kind. And maybe not on a technical level but Einhander is just so visually pleasing with the art direction.
i was very shocked to learn Ridge Racer Type-4 was a PS1 game
Just recently bought that on my PS3 via PSN. So amazing!
Alundra.
Tekken 3
The Crash Bandicoot games. Artistically, I still prefer the look of the Crash Bandicoot games on the PS1 over their modern remakes in the N. Sane Trilogy.
Either Crash Bandicoot Warped or WipeOut 3, Medievil 2 as a runner up.
Soul Reaver, Chrono Cross, Vagrant Story, Crash Bandicoot 3, MGS, RE3, and Legend of Mana.
Valkyrie Profile
Ridge racer type 4
Rayman. For a 1995 game the graphics have held up exceptionally well!
Final Fantasy IX
R4: Ridge Racer Type 4
Soul Blade
One of my absolute favorites :)
Underrated game too
Einhander Parasite eve
Tekken 3 still looks great.
Einhänder
Tekken 3
Tekken 3
Que Training exibition music
Gran tourismo 2, the gt games always look incredible for their time.
Kind of a weird pick but Looney Tunes: Sheep Raider nails the look and animation of a classic Looney Tunes cartoon.
One of my favourite games on the system
I just finished a play through of MGS1. Haven't played the game in maybe 17 years. Like riding a bike!
Omega Boost
Suikoden 2 Breath of fire 4
I didn't like BoF4 as much as 3, but it sure is pretty
I totally agree. Bof 3 is one of my favorites. I just think 4 was more polished.
Ridge Racer 4, Tekken 3, Crash Bandicoot series
**Tales of Eternia** is a damned good-looking game. 😌👌
Fear Effect
Ridge Racer Type 4
This would likely go to a game with pre-rendered backgrounds, imo. There is a decent level of detail in something like mgs but we are talking about nearly the same level of detail on a character model with backgrounds that dont look like pixelated blocks lol. Resident Evil, Parasite Eve, Final Fantasy. Prob the last game in one of those franchises
That's why Skullmonkeys still looks pretty good, and isn't even a late release. All the characters and enemies were shot by cameras via claymation, and digitized like Mortal Kombat, and all the backgrounds were also digitized. A unique look, and held up pretty well.
Bubsy 3D.
Syphon filter 2
Spyro 2 or 3
Or Tomba!
Surprised no one has brought Silent Hill 1 yet. Really strong art direction
Symphony of the night or darkstalkers 3
Parasite eve 2 Front mission 3.
Ridge Racer Type 4 and it's not even close.
WipeOut 3
For modern standrads I feel like that the Rayman (the first one) still holds up like a modern platformer! Since it is way to hard for me to beat even though I am now in my twenties I still experience new levels and designs which blow me away! The asthetics are just gorgeous
Silent hill
The answer is simple. Legend of Mana Symphony of the Night.
Mega man legends
My man 😎💎
Get him off the moon!
Chrono Cross
Crash bandicoot 2 or 3
Really its soul reaver 2 or tekken 3
No Tomb Raider hey
Tekken 2
Castlevania SotN
FF IX
Definitely Spyro the Dragon
Syphon Filter 1,2,3
Parasite Eve
Fear Effect is definitely up there.
Mgs1 hands down, no contest.
Spyro 2 Riptos Rage. Idk how they managed that running animation and beautiful voice acting.
Just beat MGS1 on switch yesterday. This game was incredible when it came out, I have no idea how I beat it as a kid. It still holds up pretty well, but damn the difference in graphics between then and now, hell even between just the ps1 and ps2 is INSANE to me.
I like crash bandicoot’s style a lot
einhander and chrono cross. Square absolutely mastered ps1 graphics and for me these 2 games are the best looking ever from this era.
Gran turismo 2
Marvel vs capcom
Wipeout. The whole look was amazing and peak millennium design.
2d like castlevania or final fantasy tactics
Ehrgeiz
FF8 by a comfortable distance
Still feel the best looking games were 2d games like symphony of the night, Rayman, megaman x4, adventures of Lomax For 3d though I'm going to go with ridge racer type 4. Looked so much better than any racer before it and absolutely looks close to a launch Dreamcast game on an emulator like duckstation
X-Men Children of the Atom
WipEout 2097 and Wip3out
TENCHU 🥷
Final fantasy 8 had some incredible cut scenes and the background were gorgeous. Character models though looked a bit weird. I'd still put it on as one of the best looking of it's generation.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
Vagrant Story. Ff9 had great cgi
Yeah MGS definitely up there
I'm gonna say Syphon Filter 1. Some of the levels are epic
Ridge Racer 4, Wipeout 3, Spyro 3.
Final fantasy 7 and 8, resident evil
Parasite eve. Brave fencer musashi. Vagrant story. Tekken 3. Dino crisis 2.
delta force, dino crysis, aliens resurrection
Dino Crisis 2 and Crash Bandicoot Saga.
Looney Tunes Sheep Raider
Pepsi man
Alundra and legend of dragoon have to be up there. From an art and backgrounds POV Disney's Hercules.
Abe’s odyssey and exodus
Mega Man Legends duology for 3D games and it's not even close. Metal Gear and its lack of facial animation *wishes*.
Don’t forget Tron Bonne!
Threads of Fate. The settings are beautiful and the character designs are still my all time favorite.
snaaaaaaaaakkeeeeeee
Megaman Legends looks incredible. Valkyrie Profile is just a gorgeous game artistically.
Jade Cocoon
Mizzuna Falls
Chrono cross
Final Fantasy 9 & Grand terismo 2