Highlights
- HDR technology enhances the visual experience in video games by creating brighter whites and deeper blacks, resulting in a more realistic image.
- Monitors with HDR support allow PC gamers to enjoy games with HDR enabled, providing an immersive and visually stunning experience.
- Games that fully support HDR, such as Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Sea of Thieves, take advantage of the technology to create breathtaking environments and enhanced lighting effects.
High Dynamic Range, or HDR for short, has become a new high standard for displays. The technology allows for a wider range between the brightest and darkest points on your screen. Essentially, an HDR display creates brighter tones of white and deeper tones of black. When used in video games, the rendering effect creates a more realistic image without impacting the performance of your game. As monitors continue to adopt this technology, more and more PC gamers can enjoy the experience with HDR enabled.
14 Great Indie Games With Impressive Graphics
Indie games are typically made by smaller studios, but that doesn't mean that they lack impressive graphics.There are plenty of great-looking HDR games on PC, but not every release supports the feature. Each game on this list has full HDR support. With Windows 11, you can enable auto-HDR to turn this setting on automatically. Whether you are playing on Ultra settings or Medium settings, HDR is the cherry on top that will make your games even more immersive.
Updated on October 21, 2023 by Gabrielle Castania: As we continue to roll out new features here at TheGamer, we're updating some of our content to include specs and info for these PC games. Now, you'll have even more information on the best HDR games before you even head to Steam for a download.
19 Shadow Of The Tomb Raider
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- Franchise
- Tomb Raider
- Released
- September 14, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Eidos Montreal
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
The third and most recent entry in the new Tomb Raider series, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, proves the visual impact HDR implementation can have. Shadow of the Tomb Raider runs the gamut of environments, from dim caves to brightly lit jungles, and both of these spaces take full advantage of HDR.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider also supports ray-tracing, which improves the game's lighting. Combined with HDR, this ray-tracing support will blow your mind and will make for an unparalleled experience. But be prepared to drop some serious cash to make that happen.
18 Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves is constantly improving, and its audience has grown sustainably. Since its launch, Sea of Thieves added Pirates of the Caribbean content and improvements to the core gameplay structures. These changes make it one of the best online coop games.
One thing that does not get enough credit is how great Sea of Thieves looks, especially at high settings on PC. The art direction relies on a vivid color palette and pops in HDR. It is by far the best way to experience the game and continues to stun when you witness sunset or sunrise while sailing the seven seas.
17 Age of Empires 4
Age of Empires 4
- Franchise
- Age of Empires
- Released
- October 28, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Relic Entertainment , World's Edge
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
Age of Empires 4 made a huge splash in the PC gaming community in 2021. The return of this massive franchise was long-awaited, and the game has never looked better graphically. HDR highlights these improvements and further immerses you into the gameplay.
Age of Empires has a very neutral color palette of dirt, grass, and water, but these tones benefit from the wider color gamut offered in HDR. When you construct a massive empire, your empires' colorful soldiers and buildings will pop on the relatively muted landscape. Age of Empires is back, and this time it's more beautiful than ever before.
16 Battlefield 5
The Battlefield FPS series has always been known for impressive graphical fidelity. Battlefield 5 is no exception, and developer DICE delivers a breathtaking open world defined by stunning visuals. Turning on HDR enhances the brutal realism achieved by spectacular firefights.
Battlefield 1 Vs Battlefield 5: Which Is Better?
Battlefield 1 and 5 but have their respective fans but which of the titles is the better game overall?If you're looking for realism, high-octane action, and team-based objectives, Battlefield 5 is just perfect for you. This entry in the series is a brilliant blend of impressive visuals and addictive gameplay.
15 Star Wars: Battlefront 2
Although it faced extreme controversy upon release, Star Wars: Battlefront 2 has undeniably pushed the limits of graphical capabilities and attention to detail. Set in the Star Wars universe, Battlefront 2 features impeccable recreations of familiar environments, characters, and objects. When playing in HDR, the quality of this attention to detail is enhanced, bringing even more life to the world DICE recreated.
Star Wars: Battlefront 2 has changed drastically since its initial release and maintains a committed following of fans. If you're a Star Wars fan and have an HDR monitor, this should be the first game you boot up.
14 Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil Village
- Franchise
- Resident Evil
- Released
- May 7, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival (dupe) , Horror
Resident Evil Village is an exceptional example of great HDR implementation. The game itself takes place in a dreary and drab European village. This setting demands a substantial range of darker tones to appreciate the aesthetic Capcom created. From misty outdoor scenes to interiors lit by candles and fires, you will want to experience this game in HDR.
Resident Evil Village is set three years after Resident Evil 7 and builds on the franchise's immersive horror storytelling and increases the action. Perhaps one of the most effective uses of HDR technology yet.
13 Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
- Franchise
- Assassin's Creed
- Released
- October 15, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG , Open-World
Ubisoft's foray into ancient Greece in Assassin's Creed Odyssey is replete with visual splendor. The world feels vast and mysterious, incentivizing players to explore every square inch of Greece. Pair that with an intriguing story, and you have a must-play entry in the franchise.
When playing in HDR, the wheat fields of Sparta, the Mediterranean Isles, and the buildings of Athens look visually stunning. Additionally, as the time of day changes, certain areas can look breathtaking, and you will likely want to drop into photo mode to take some amazing screenshots.
12 Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice was a surprise hit back in 2017. The game takes place in Helheim and tasks Senua with retrieving the soul of her dead lover. Along the way, you will face challenging enemies and cope with Senua's deteriorating mental health. As you play and inevitably die, Senua gets increasingly infected by "rot," threatening her very existence.
Hellblade is as challenging as it is beautiful. Traveling through Helheim and the world Ninja Theory meticulously designed is equally beautiful and horrifying. When playing on an HDR display, the level of immersion is outstanding, particularly in sections with dense fog or sunsets.
11 Cyberpunk 2077
The world of Cyberpunk 2077 begs for the HDR treatment. From the neon signs of Night City to vast wastelands, playing with an HDR display is a game-changing experience.
17 Games Set In Dystopian Futures
Dystopias are the opposite of utopias: they are grungy, messy, and dangerous. These games present dark glimpses into possible futures for humanity.Set in a dystopian future, Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world RPG that completely immerses you from start to finish. This is an undeniably beautiful game, and witnessing Night City in HDR is all the reason you need to invest in a new display.
10 Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite
- Franchise
- Halo
- Released
- December 8, 2022
- Developer(s)
- 343 Industries
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
Halo Infinite is the first Halo game to launch on PC. That means it is the first to take advantage of high-quality graphics settings and high FPS. While both PC options are outstanding, pairing them with an HDR monitor or TV is the cherry on top that makes Halo's graphics pop.
From darker interiors with glowing light sources to large outdoor landscapes basking in the sun, there is no situation in which Halo's implementation of HDR does not shine. Halo Infinite marks the next generation of the franchise, and that generation relies on HDR.
9 Death Stranding
When it came out on PlayStation 4, Death Stranding showcased just how beautiful a unique open-world game could be in your living room. Later, when it came to PC, Hideo Kojima could even better realize his vision with the extra horsepower available on some setups, and these improvements pop in HDR.
The world of Death Stranding combines vast rocky environments with futuristic hubs and Beached Things. Death Stranding does not shy away from its cinematic inspirations (or from delivering truly poignant dialogue), and its implementation of HDR helps it achieve that feeling.
8 God of War
God of War (2018)
- Franchise
- God of War
- Released
- April 20, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Genre(s)
- Action , Adventure
When God of War launched on PC, it brought the full suite of graphical customization options, including HDR support. Fans who played God of War on PlayStation already know how great this game looks in HDR. But combining this HDR-heavy art direction with the higher resolution textures and higher frame rates on PC was a game-changer.
The Most Graphically Demanding RPGs
These RPGs may be demanding on your console or PC but the results are well worth it.Few games look better than God of War, and this game is a must-play in the series. If you're looking for a new game to push your HDR monitor to its full potential, look no further than God of War.
7 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
The crème de la crème of HDR gaming on PC is none other than Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. HDR is a rendering technique that lets game developers create a more realistic range of visual tones, and this is essential for Flight Simulator's mission to recreate the entire Earth.
Yes, that is correct; you can fly over your actual house in beautiful HDR. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is a visually spectacular experience, and its mind-blowing visuals are a testament to the new generation of gaming and the potential of HDR itself.
6 Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5
- Franchise
- Forza Horizon
- Released
- November 9, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Playground Games
- Genre(s)
- Racing
Forza Horizon 5 brings the franchise to the stunningly beautiful Mexico. Playground Games meticulously created a jaw-dropping version of Mexico that roars to life in HDR. If you want to test out your brand-new monitor or TV, Forza Horizon 5 is where you want to start.
The realism that this setting adds is unmatched and is one of the best implementations of HDR in a game. It is simply the best use of HDR on PC and one of the best games of 2021. Do yourself a favor and try Forza Horizon 5.
5 Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon: Zero Dawn
- Franchise
- Horizon
- Released
- February 28, 2017
- Developer(s)
- Guerrilla Games
- Genre(s)
- Action , RPG
Next up, we have Horizon Zero Dawn. Like many other games on our list, this game already looks phenomenal. This game was first released in 2017, with the PC version released in August of 2020. In HDR, the world of Horizon Zero Dawn around you will truly come to life.
In addition to being able to toggle HDR rendering on and off, you can also adjust the brightness. This will allow you to create the perfect environment to game in.
4 Elden Ring
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Genre(s)
- RPG , Action , Action RPG , Soulslike
Elden Ring truly needs no introduction. At the 2022 Game Awards, this FromSoftware game won Game of the Year, as well as the award for Best Art Direction. Everything in the game is beautifully picturesque, distracting you from the fact that the world is indeed, very deadly.
With HDR enabled, The Lands Between will nearly jump off your screen. With a higher contract, you will be able to see every detail. Like other games we have included, be sure to experiment with the setting to find the HDR settings that work best for you.
3 Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
guardian
Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy: The Telltale Series
- Released
- April 18, 2017
- Developer(s)
- Telltale Games
- Genre(s)
- Graphic Adventure
Guardians of the Galaxy follows a mismatched group of heroes as they make their way around the galaxy. Although the game shares a title with the MCU movies, the storylines are different, allowing you to have a fresh and new experience with these Marvel characters.
9 Best Raccoons In Video Games
Deceptively cute, raccoons are a popular occurrence in video games. But which are the best of the best?It may feel like Guardians of the Galaxy was seemingly made for HDR. With a higher contrast between light and dark, you will have another completely immersive experience.
2 Monster Hunter World
Monster Hunter World
- Franchise
- Monster Hunter
- Released
- January 26, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Monster Hunter World is not the most recent Monster Hunter game, but it is certainly the most realistic. Releasing in 2018, Monster Hunter World brings us a new art style, straying away from the typically cartoonish appearance of the series.
Adding HDR to Monster Hunter World is the icing on the cake, especially with the Iceborne DLC. Now, rather than just seeing a flat white blanket of snow, you will be able to see minute details that you may have missed. Additionally, with HDR, many effects will give off a neon appearance, making them quite noticeable.
1 Ori And The Will Of The Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Released
- March 11, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Moon Studios
- Genre(s)
- Platformer , Adventure
Ori And The Will Of The Wisps is definitely one of the most colorful games on our list. Without HDR enabled, all the colors stand out, creating a bright setting that takes your breath away though.
With HDR though, the world comes alive, with the brightest colors glowing right off the screen. Ori And The Will Of The Wisps with HDR enabled may even leave you thinking, "I didn't know my screen was capable of doing that". This game in HDR is truly a work of art.