2023 TechRaptor Awards - Best Visual Design

We're starting to hit some serious diminishing returns on visual fidelity and technical innovations. That means conversation has shifted more towards things like aesthetic cohesion and visual storytelling. As you'll see at least with TechRaptor, that's opened up the door for some smaller games with great visual language to shine.

Here are the nominees for TechRaptor's 2023 Best Visual Design Award for outstanding, cohesive aesthetic.

• Alan Wake II
• Cocoon
• Final Fantasy XVI
• Hi-Fi Rush
• World of Horror

Check out here for our other award categories and nominees.

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Third Place - Final Fantasy XVI

Developer: Square Enix | Release Date: June 22nd, 2023

Written by Austin Suther

When it comes to its in-house developed titles, Square Enix doesn’t mess around. The same can be said for Final Fantasy XVI, of course, which sits at the top as the series’ best looking game. 

The semi-open environments within the world of Valisthea are stunning to look at, with lush forests, dusty ruins, and treacherous mountains. Looking at the Mothercrystals in the distance as you explore the world takes your breath away. 

Though, the main draw for many are the incredibly bombastic, over-the-top boss battles you’ll take part in as Clive Rosfield. Eikon battles are cinematic experiences that demand your attention. Final Fantasy XVI’s incredible art direction helps elevate said battles just as much as the game’s combat mechanics. 

Second Place - Alan Wake II

Developer: Remedy Entertainment | Release Date: October 27th, 2023

Written by Andrew Otton

I won’t forget going to E3 and seeing my first demo of Control, which was  first high profile game to really show off ray tracing. The leap forward in visual fidelity was huge and awesome, and Remedy has carried on that tradition with Alan Wake II.

Technically there are so many leaps forward in graphics with Alan Wake II that, just like with Control, all big games going forward are going to benefit from it.

Being a horror game, lighting may be even more important than just about any other genre, which is where they leapt forward the most. Aside from just looking phenomenal, the lighting in particular is an extremely important aspect to the gameplay they maximized to great effect.

While technically impressive, Alan Wake II is incredibly beautiful in the many different emotions it conveys, the atmosphere you almost choke on, and the immersion they just about drown you in.

Winner - Hi-Fi Rush

Developer: Tango Gameworks | Release Date: January 25th, 2023

Written by Robert Scarpinito

Hi-Fi Rush clearly has a primary directive, and every piece of it serves to celebrate music. Chai literally lives to the beat of his own heart, and every visual detail, from the environment to the UI, marches to his tune—literally.

Almost everything in the world operates on a four-on-the-floor beat. Steam hisses to the beat. Trees and bushes bop to the beat. Lights flash to the beat. Even 808, Chai's over-the-shoulder companion, serves as a constant metronome you can follow.

When everything moves in sync, it's easier to lose yourself to the core conceit of Hi-Fi Rush: timing every action to the rhythm. And the game takes it one step further with more obvious UI elements that help you get the timing just right.

Most quick-time events are signaled by two circles; when they meet, you hit the button. It's a giant, visually clear system that gives you something to latch onto, even if you're overwhelmed. You'll also see little versions of that show up, like when Chai does a heavy attack and needs to wait for two beats instead of one.

Bringing all that together is it's unabashedly stylish comic-book aesthetic. Giant hits come with "BAM!" and "POW!" word clouds, and the cel-shaded style makes the whole world look fantastic in motion. It creates this believable environment where anything is malleable enough to move to the music.

Hi-Fi Rush is one of those games where every screenshot looks cool, but it's when it all comes together in motion that its visual design really shines, especially in conjunction with its sound direction. It's not going for the most realistic, cutting-edge graphics. Instead, it shines brighter by absolutely nailing a style and vibe unique to itself.