The 25 most realistic video games of the past decade

In this post-apocalyptic masterpiece, you will embark on an emotional and harrowing journey. The Last of Us Part II features a fascinating story and a richly detailed world brought to life by stunning visuals, meticulously designed environments, and lifelike character animations. Every aspect of this game has been designed to immerse you in its harsh, unforgiving world.

Red Dead Redemption 2 will transport you to the wild, wild west. The environments, characters, and wildlife in this open-world epic are incredibly detailed. Experience Arthur Morgan's struggles as you navigate a rich and expansive world where every decision counts and the line between right and wrong is hazy.

Enter the neon-lit world of Night City, a sprawling metropolis full of mystery and danger. Cyberpunk 2077 features stunning visuals, dynamic weather systems, and a complex branching narrative that changes depending on your choices. This dystopian adventure is made truly immersive by the game's deeply customizable characters and realistic NPC interactions.

Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima's enigmatic opus, transports you to a desolate future where humanity clings to survival. In this thought-provoking experience, traverse stunning landscapes, battle supernatural foes, and forge connections. The game's photorealistic graphics and meticulous attention to detail create an unparalleled sense of presence and realism.

Take to the skies and experience the wonder of flight in Microsoft Flight Simulator. This groundbreaking simulation features a recreation of the entire Earth, complete with accurate topography, weather, and air traffic. The game's unparalleled realism and attention to detail make it the ultimate aviation experience for casual players and seasoned pilots.

Forza Horizon 5 is a racing game with stunning visuals, realistic physics, and a plethora of intricately detailed cars. This open-world racer, set in a meticulous microcosm of Mexico, is the pinnacle of immersive gameplay, allowing you to feel every bump, twist, and turn of the road.

In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, you take on the role of Eivor, a fearless Viking warrior. This expansive open-world game depicts the Viking era in a stunning and (somewhat) historically accurate manner. Every aspect of the game world has been meticulously crafted, from the snowy peaks of Norway to the lush landscapes of England.

Venture into the depths of Norse mythology and explore the fractured psyche of a Celtic warrior in Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice. The game's hauntingly realistic visuals, exceptional audio design, and nuanced character animations create an immersive experience that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster.

With Battlefield V, you can experience the intensity of World War II like never before. This first-person shooter features stunning visuals, authentic sound design, and meticulous recreation of WWII-era weaponry and vehicles. The dynamic weather system and destructible environments in the game add a new level of immersion to the visceral combat experience.

Delve into the mysterious world of Control, a third-person action-adventure game set in a mysterious government building called the Federal Bureau of Control. The game's impressive physics-based destruction, realistic lighting, and mind-bending visual effects create a surreal yet immersive experience. Unravel the secrets of this supernatural thriller as you navigate its ever-shifting, otherworldly environments.

Ghost of Tsushima offers a magnificent setting for a samurai adventure. This open-world game boasts breathtaking vistas, complex weather systems, and an exquisitely recreated picture of feudal Japan. The game's slick fighting systems and lifelike character animations make every confrontation feel visceral and authentic.

Journey through a post-apocalyptic world where nature has reclaimed the ruins of a forgotten civilization in Horizon Forbidden West. This action RPG features a lush, open-world environment filled with robotic wildlife and ancient secrets. The game's realistic lighting, detailed character models, and immersive sound design make it a truly unforgettable experience.

The horrors of Raccoon City are revisited in the critically acclaimed Resident Evil 2 Remake. This survival horror game has been updated with new graphics, lighting, and character models that bring the iconic title to life like never before. For horror fans, the game's tense atmosphere and claustrophobic environments make it a must-play.

Enter the brutal world of Gears 5, the latest installment in the popular third-person shooter franchise. The game boasts breathtaking visuals, realistic character models, and stunning environmental detail, making the battlefields of Sera feel all the more visceral. Engage in intense, cover-based combat as you fight to save humanity from a new and deadly threat.

Metro Exodus, a first-person shooter that combines survival horror and stealth gameplay, takes you through Russia's post-apocalyptic wasteland. The game's detailed environments, dynamic weather, and realistic day-night cycles create an immersive world full of danger and intrigue. As you fight for survival, scavenge for resources, battle mutated creatures, and navigate the hazardous terrain.

Gran Turismo 7, a driving simulation with a stunning array of intricately detailed cars and tracks, lets you experience the thrill of high-speed racing. The game's realistic physics and stunning visuals create an immersive racing experience that will test even the most experienced drivers.

Step back in time and experience the harsh realities of life in the Holy Roman Empire with Kingdom Come: Deliverance. This open-world RPG features a sprawling, historically accurate game world filled with authentic architecture, clothing, and weaponry. Engage in realistic, skill-based combat and navigate the complex social dynamics of medieval society as you strive to avenge your family.

Immerse yourself in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's vast and immersive world. This critically acclaimed RPG has a richly detailed world full of complex characters, engaging quests, and breathtaking scenery. In addition, the game's impressive graphics, dynamic weather systems, and lifelike animations set it apart from the competition.

Navigate a near-future world where androids and humans coexist in Detroit: Become Human. This interactive narrative-driven game features realistic graphics, emotional storytelling, and a branching narrative that adapts to your choices. The game's lifelike character models and detailed environments create a truly immersive experience.

In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, you can experience the ferocity of modern combat. This first-person shooter has realistic graphics, authentic sound design, and an engrossing campaign that transports you to the front lines of a global conflict. The visceral gunplay and high-stakes multiplayer modes of the game make it a must-play.

Discover the vastness of space in Star Citizen, a groundbreaking space simulation that aims to deliver a truly immersive experience. With its stunning graphics, advanced physics, and realistic spacecraft design, the game offers unparalleled freedom and depth as you explore its expansive universe. Engage in space combat, trading, and exploration as you make your mark on the cosmos.

Far Cry 5, a first-person shooter set in the fictional Hope County, Montana, transports you to the heart of rural America. The expansive open-world environment, realistic wildlife, and lush landscapes of the game create an immersive setting for intense action and exploration. Combat a fanatical doomsday cult and bring peace back to the troubled community.

Experience the adrenaline-pumping world of GT racing in Assetto Corsa Competizione. This driving simulation features ultra-realistic car models, advanced physics, and a range of iconic tracks that will put your driving skills to the test. The game's stunning visuals and immersive audio design create a racing experience that's as close to the real thing as it gets.

A Plague Tale: Innocence immerses you in a dark and atmospheric world plagued by disease and despair. This action-adventure game has realistic graphics, detailed environments, and an engrossing story that follows the journey of two siblings in a brutal medieval world. The intense atmosphere and stealth-based gameplay of the game make it a haunting experience.

Embark on an epic space odyssey in Elite Dangerous, a massively multiplayer space simulation that offers a breathtakingly realistic vision of our galaxy. The game delivers unparalleled scale and immersion with its detailed star systems, realistic spacecraft, and advanced physics. Forge your path through the cosmos as a trader, pirate, or explorer in this expansive and unforgiving universe.