"RTX Off / RTX On" became a meme for a reason. Raytracing is a powerful capability, but it has seen its share of criticism. The feature was touted by Nvidia when it was first introduced in 2018, and while it's confirmed to be a part of the next generation of consoles, you can already enjoy what this technology has to offer on PC.

While some have railed against RTX, calling it expensive and overrated, the fact of the matter is that raytracing and features like DLSS allow developers and artists to create even more beautiful games. With many games now beginning to take advantage of RTX graphics capabilities, we have revised our list to include 5 more titles that have followed suit. Are you ready for RTX, yet?

Updated March 18, 2024 By Matthew Mckeown: One of the best things about modern gaming is that the tech is coming along in leaps and bounds in just a few short years. With the current console and PC specs, the ability to make our games more gorgeous than the developers intended with RTX options has never been easier or more available.

Even some studios now push their games out with RTX settings or patch them in later because there is such a widespread appeal for it now. There are a lot of AAA games on our list, but there’s also some indie surprises and a few old classics getting an HD makeover that might just surprise you. So to keep you in the know with the latest graphic developments, here’s an updated look at the best RTX games out now.

Horizon: Forbidden West

A successful sequel to the original, we’re back in the shoes of Aloy on a new part of the continent, this time what was once LA tackling the problems faced by the tribes living with the local machinery. There are more ways to get around, bigger bots to break apart or tame, and some helpful hyper-advanced tech to collect on the way.

The well-crafted story provides a great backing to the setting as you walk or soar around the landscape. There are hours to spend exploring every nook and cranny, plus the base game is absolutely gorgeous. But good news for those looking to push their machines to the max as Horizon: Zero Dawn is now RTX compatible.

Dragon's Dogma 2

A successful follow-up to the original cult classic, Dragons Dogma 2 has us once again playing as the Arisen. A lone hero that’s been marked by a Dragon that they must one day defeat. But the lands are filled with gigantic monsters, there’s a war on, and you’ll need all the help you can get.

Recruitable Pawns are back again and there’s an absurdly large amount of customization options on offer for both you and your sellable slave. There are new unique classes to choose from and a few that have taken the old ones and given them a new spin. Plus, each role can be enhanced further with mastery which is a great incentive to mix and match your party.

You don’t need to have played the original. You can jump straight into Dragon's Dogma 2 blind as it’s not a direct sequel.

Tekken 8

Dorya! The King of Iron Fist Tournament is back once again, or at least it tries to be between all the world-ending events, the return of evil gods, and an earth-shattering showdown between Jin and Kazuya. But Tekken is on our screens and looking better than ever with a cast of classic and new characters.

Every country has sent its own fighter to a brawl that will decide it all, and outside of the bonkers storyline there’s what everyone’s interested in, the multiplayer. The customization levels are outrageously intricate and for those with the right setup, you can also enhance Kazuya's glistening pectorals as Tekken 8 is RTX compatible.

The story campaign is highly recommended as it’s both bizarre, brilliant, and it finally has Jin addressing the fact that he caused the deaths of millions of people once.

Half-Life 2

One on the list a lot of people would never suspect, the iconic Valve classic that is part of gaming history is getting an absolutely massive makeover. In a similar style to the Black Mesa project, there’s now a dedicated crew of absolute legends giving Half-Life 2 the modern-day remix.

Step back into the shoes of silent scientist extraordinaire, Gordon Freeman. Whom after sleeping for a number of years in another dimension returns to find Earth under new ownership. The Combine has conquered the world and it’s up to Gordon to mount a defense. Now you can enjoy that story once again with a nice RTX gloss over everything.

For first-timers eager to see where the story goes after Half-Life 2, welcome to what the rest of us have been feeling for the last 20 years.

Overwatch 2

Despite a less-than-stellar start, a few missteps, and the throttling of its player base, Overwatch 2 still proves to be popular. The multiplayer has still got that fun hook and the roster of characters, despite being much harder to get your hands on, is constantly expanding. Plus there’s regular seasonal events and a mountain's worth of unique skins for each Hero and Villain.

Now Overwatch 2 may not be the most graphically demanding game, but if you want to pump up those features a little. Or make those shinies sparkle with some buttery smooth textures then feel happy in the knowledge that Overwatch 2 now joins the RTX list. Now you can pop an Ultimate and blind yourself with all those fantastically enhanced colors.

Alan Wake 2

A super sequel to the original Remedy horror classic, Alan Wake 2 is a big-budget return to the plight of everyone's favorite writer turned Warrior of Light, Alan Wake. Following up on the events of the first game and American Nightmare, Alan Wake 2 runs two separate character-led stories through a mind-bending adventure into another dimension.

Everything that made the first game great has returned and been expanded on, plus the places the game goes are completely unpredictable and so out there that you’ll have a hard time guessing what’s going to happen next. Plus, with RTX capabilities enabled the darkness and lighting mechanics really get to shine. Overall it’s highly recommended to check this one out.

It’s worth playing through the first Alan Wake, American Nightmare, and Control as there are going to be references from all three as Remedy has confirmed Alan Wake 2 is in the Control universe.

Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora

Return to the lush and wild world of James Cameron’s Pandora, only this time you can explore it at your own pace. You play as a Na’vi who was abducted by the RDA at a young age and now 15 years later you’re free and have to find your place in this strange yet familiar world.

Customize your giant blue cat person however you like and connect with other tribes as you try to take down the RDA. There’s a lot of versatility to character customization, massive areas to explore, and dangerous alien wildlife to hunt. Plus, if your rig can run RTX options without breaking a sweat then you’re going to enjoy all the benefits as the bright colors of this bizarre and gorgeous untouched landscape.

Frontiers of Pandora is its own stand-alone story, so don’t worry if you haven’t seen the latest Avatar movie.

Deceive Inc.

Prove you’ve got what it takes to be the world's best undercover agent in Decieve Inc. from Sweet Bandits Studios. A chaotic and creative multiplayer game that promises a lot of mayhem, your goal is to eliminate other spies without being discovered yourself, but that’s not as easy as it sounds.

Each spy has their own particular skills and talents, but it’s how you use those abilities, weapons, and classic spy gadgets that makes the difference. Blend in and take out your opponents before they can achieve their particular subterfuge goals, or just become an anarchic wild card for other players to deal with. It’s also RTX capable and though it doesn’t make a massive difference, it still tightens it all up and gives the game's slick spy style some extra polish.

This is the kind of game that pays to be paranoid. Don’t trust anything and always watch your back.

The Outlast Trials

A multiplayer follow-up to a cult favorite horror series, The Outlast Trials from Red Barrels surprised everyone by being a prequel that focused more on the multiplayer horror elements in a series that’s been solely single-player. Don’t let its Early Access badge fool you though, it’s already proved to be a great horror game to play with friends.

Set before you are a series of Trials and in each zone is a resident psychopath that constantly stalks the area and will try to murder you in the most brutal way possible. Each Trial requires something different to complete and it can take a lot of trial and error with the right team to make it through. Though it looks great without it, the RTX capabilities of The Outlast Trials only further enhance and help immerse you further into the hellish experiments.

Communication is key in the Trials, if your team isn’t talking it’s going to be a rough time.

Desynced

A simple-looking sci-fi strategy game that hides an incredible amount of depth, Deysnced from Stage Games is an Early Access game that’s perfect for people who enjoy a long-haul project. Stranded on the surface of an alien planet with only highly customizable drones at your disposal, it’s up to your robotic workforce to save yourself and thrive in this strange new world.

There’s a high degree of customization for the drones and even the buildings themselves as they feature a modular design that allows for interchangeable parts and additions. The Drones themselves can also be individually programmed using logic gates to perform specific actions and tasks, so there’s a lot of guts in this game that you can chew into. It’s also the less demanding of the RTX-capable games as it’s mostly lighting, environmental, and model enhancements that appear for throwing all the big RTX switches on. If you like a strategy game with tons of depth, check out Desynced.

You don’t need to interact with the programming side of it as the game can be as simple or complex as you like.

Diablo IV

The latest in the ever-successful Diablo series from Blizzard, Diablo IV brought new features, new foes, and a world that was now online and full of other players. The overarching story that connects it all follows Lillith, a Demoness from Hell who's set on bringing her legions to the human world and generally upsetting the status quo.

There are plenty of classic classes to choose from and it doesn't take long for the loot to start pouring out of your pockets. There are the usual high-class cutscenes to enjoy at certain story beats, and though the game is not without its issues, when it all comes together it can be pretty great. With Blizzard likely to support the game for the foreseeable future, there's plenty of great stuff yet to come for Diablo IV.

Marvels Midnight Suns

A Marvel meets XCOM mashup that sets its sights on the supernatural side of things. Focusing on the Midnight Suns, a group of heroes that specialize in taking down things that go bump in the night. In this case, it’s the Mother of all Demons, who herself plans on summoning even bigger and worse monsters.

The story follows The Hunter, a mysterious and legendary slayer of demons that awakens and teams up with a cast of iconic Marvel heroes as they try to take down this dark monster and her army of demonic spawn. There’s plenty of customization options for your team and there’s a hub where you can spend time socializing with the heroes during the downtime between missions.

Make sure to talk to your teammates between missions as there are special bonuses to improving their Social Links.

Witchfire

From the creators of Painkiller and Bulletstorm comes another odd first-person shooter. Witchfire puts you in the role of a Witchhunter, a sinner turned immortal witch-slayer called Preyers. These individuals are armed with extremely powerful spells and even stronger weapons.

They’re the Vatican's best weapon against the witches of the Black Sea and it’s up to you to destroy the latest hag that’s trying to lead them to victory. You’ll face a huge monster army, recover mysterious artifacts, and wield unique combinations of weaponry and magic as you blast apart ghouls in this gorgeous and grim game. Though it’s still Early Access, it’s got a lot of groundswell behind it and the developers are eager to see this one through.

Returnal

A fast-paced roguelike set in a dark sci-fi universe, our protagonist Selene Vassos is stuck in a time loop that keeps her trapped on a hostile alien world. With just a blaster and some jump jets, it's up to Selene to use her skills to escape the planet and get home.

Gameplay has quite the learning curve, and it doesn't take long for the screen to get covered in a bullet-hell nightmare. There are several unique areas to plow through, massive bosses to fight, and co-op multiplayer, Returnal offers quite the challenge both solo and with friends. With powerful gear and skills to unlock that can often drastically aid future runs, there's a lot of cathartic carnage and colorful neon particle effects to enjoy in Returnal.

Returnal in co-op is highly recommended as there are some particularly tough fights that an extra gun can be very helpful with.

Dakar Desert Rally

Based on the largest race in the world, Dakar Desert Rally features over 30 dune and sand-covered stages for you to blast around with your friends or solo against others online. There’s a wide variety of vehicles to cross this barren landscape in, from trucks, quads, motorbikes, SSVS, and a range of exclusively licensed rally cars.

Or if the competitive side is not your jam, you can also just drive around exploring the absolutely gigantic map that the devs drop you into. The world itself features four seasons, a day-night cycle, and mixed weather patterns including vision-anihilating sand storms that look all the more intimidating with the RTX options cranked to the max. If you’re looking for a ridiculously good-looking offroading game, then check out Dakar Desert Rally.

Elden Ring

Another in a long line of home run hits by the FromSoftware team, Elden Ring took everything that made the previous Souls game tick and packaged it into a perfect combination of open-world gameplay and challenging combat. It was a quick riser to the top of many Game of the Year lists and for good reason.

For those with the rigs to run it, the vistas and battlegrounds can look downright jaw-dropping. Classic Fromsoft jank aside, the amount of detail, especially with the big shaders engaged, makes ideal screensaver images or at least desktop backgrounds. With a hotly anticipated DLC in the works, Elden Ring is a highly recommended 'must-play' addition to this list.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

An iconic classic that's been re-released plenty of times over the years, everyone's favorite bishy haired bad-boy is once again back—stomping out an underground parasite cult and saving the President of the United States' daughter before it's too late. This time in 4K and with RTX.

Now when you hit the big button all those individual hairs on Leon's head take front and center, perfect if you're using his "Romantic" outfit. Shadows loom larger, ghouls look more garish and the hidden parts of the Spanish countryside become ever so more creepy. With RTX options engaged Resident Evil Four looks possibly the best it's ever been or will be. Whether you're a returning fan or new to the scene, Resident Evil Four with RTX engaged is worth the time.

Make sure to check out Ada's Campaign as it fills in a lot of gaps from the original DLC and reworks an infamous boss fight.

Company Of Heroes 3

Warfare on a grander scale than its predecessors, Company Of Heroes Three may sit on a slightly mixed reception, you can at least admit that it looks incredible. There's a painstaking amount of detail in everything from the individual unit models to the various environments you'll be battling in across Europe.

With or without RTX capabilities, the carnage can look particularly cinematic as the destructible cover explodes apart from mortar or machine gun fire. Featuring a dynamic campaign map that you can blow through with a buddy, and a new theatre of war in the Mediterranean, World War 2 has never looked so visceral and violent. Sticking on the fancy shaders makes it much more immersive and you can make some great battle scenes with the right camera angle and lucky moment.

Observer

A cyberpunk horror from Bloober Team who brought us the likes of The Medium and Layers of Fear, Observer puts you in the role of a Neural Police Officer. Using hyper-advanced technology you're able to hack into the minds of the mentally ill and the insane as you try to unearth a mystery at the bottom of it all.

Featuring a dark dystopian atmosphere, spine-tingling scares a compelling story, and acting by the legendary Rutger Hauer, Observer has a lot going for it right out of the gate. Its rain-soaked streets are incredibly well-rendered and you can get lost for hours just admiring the architecture and various mindscapes you find yourself wandering around. If you're looking for something unique, short, and pretty out there, then Observer should be at the top of your list.

Loopmancer

A stylish 3D platformer dripping in Cyberpunk aesthetics, Loopmancer from eBrain Studio is a gorgeous little indie that looks oh so better if you've got RTX settings running. The game follows a detective who's had a fresh return from the grave after being killed whilst investigating the disappearance of a famous journalist.

From there they set out for revenge and to finish their mission across seven unique stages through fast-paced action scenes and climactic boss fights. There are 100 weapons and prosthetics to unlock and the flow of combat is always kept fresh and interesting. It's a slick little slasher that's got a great art style when it gets going.