That feeling when a new generation of games truly arrives is like no other. It’s not just about better frame rates or quicker loading. It’s when you see something on screen that makes you stop and just… stare. That’s the moment we’re in right now, and a lot of the credit goes to Unreal Engine 5.

Unreal Engine 5 isn’t just some bit of boring background tech. Think of it as a new box of tricks for the world’s most creative developers. Inside, there are two magic wands in particular: Nanite, which lets them build worlds out of movie-quality digital objects without your console melting, and Lumen, which creates light that moves, bounces, and reflects just as it does in reality. The result is a wave of games that don't just look better, they feel more solid and believable.

Gone are the days of poor video game graphics that are even eclipsed by slot games on platforms like NetBet. If you’re ready to see what your hardware can really do, these are the games that should be on your list.

Black Myth: Wukong

Few games have dropped jaws quite like Black Myth: Wukong. This is an action RPG steeped in Chinese mythology, putting you in the shoes of a powerful monkey warrior on a journey through a breathtaking, ancient land. From the moment you see it in motion, it’s clear this is something special. The sheer density of the world is staggering; every leaf on the ground, every strand of fur on a monster, feels intentionally placed.

But a pretty game is nothing without the gameplay to back it up. Thankfully, Wukong delivers a ballet of staff-swinging chaos. The combat is demanding and fast, pitting you against screen-filling bosses that will test your skills. It’s here you see the engine shine, with buttery-smooth animations and spectacular magical effects that light up the screen. It’s a proper showcase of artistic vision meeting technical power.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

This one is different. While Wukong is about spectacle, Hellblade II is about a crushing, beautiful sense of reality. The first game was a masterpiece of psychological horror, and this sequel turns the dial on immersion up to eleven. Following Senua’s story into the grim landscapes of 10th-century Iceland, the game is a relentless audiovisual assault.

The developers have used Unreal Engine 5 to create a world and characters that are almost uncomfortably real. The faces… well, they’re so lifelike it’s almost unsettling, conveying Senua’s torment with gut-wrenching subtlety. You’ll feel the sting of the Icelandic wind and the chill of the water. It’s not a game you play for a quick blast of fun; it’s a harrowing, slow-burn journey that will stick with you long after you put the controller down, largely because of how utterly convincing its world is.

Remnant 2

It's a strange beast, this one, in the best possible way. Remnant 2 mashes together third-person shooting with the kind of tough-as-nails combat you’d find in a Soulslike. Its cleverest idea, though, is that the worlds are procedurally generated. In simple terms, the game shuffles the deck every time you play, changing up the levels, the enemies, and even the story events you'll encounter.

This is a smart use of Unreal Engine 5’s power. It allows for this near-infinite variety without ever making the world feel cheap or generic. Each realm you visit has its own distinct, detailed aesthetic, from a gilded alien palace to a world choked by a creepy, hive-mind fog. The gunplay has a fantastic weight to it, and the constant discovery of new gear and secrets makes it incredibly hard to put down.

Lords of the Fallen (2023)

Imagine playing a game in two worlds at the same time. That’s the core hook of the 2023 reboot of Lords of the Fallen. This dark fantasy RPG gives you a lantern that allows you to peer into, and even cross over into, Umbral, the realm of the dead. This isn't just a visual filter; the engine is essentially running two versions of the world at once.

One moment you’re in Axiom, the land of the living, with its towering gothic castles. Next, you’re in the Umbral plane, a parallel world of bone, decay, and whispers, where new paths and horrifying monsters await. It’s a brilliant mechanic that is used for both combat and puzzle-solving. The sheer detail in the architecture and the oppressive atmosphere of the deathly realm make this a massive leap over the original and a fantastic technical achievement.

Tekken 8

Sometimes you just want to see things go boom. Tekken 8 understands this. As the first fighting game built from the ground up in the new engine, it is a loud, aggressive, and absolutely glorious spectacle. The fighters themselves have never looked better, with astonishing detail right down to the sweat on their brows.

The real star, though, is the sheer force of the combat. Every connection feels explosive, thanks to a shower of particle effects and camera work that sells the impact. The game actively encourages you to go on the offensive with its new "Heat" system, ensuring that matches are rarely dull. Add in stages that crumble and break apart as you brawl, and you have a fighting game that is as much fun to watch as it is to play. It’s pure, unadulterated adrenaline.