I might be in the minority here, but I couldn't help but think Half-Life 2 still looks really good for a game released in 2004. Obviously "RTX on" is nicer to look at, but all the small details like the magnifying glass that actually magnifies made me appreciate the old assets/graphics so much, what a milestone it was.
The art direction is impeccable and it still shines for it.
Two thirds of graphics is art direction, the other third is tech.
Source: a rule I just made up
And those 2/3s shine through, the last big engine update for HL2 was in 2007. It still looks great.
I might be in the minority here, but I couldn't help but think Half-Life 2 still looks really good for a game released in 2004. Obviously "RTX on" is nicer to look at, but all the small details like the magnifying glass that actually magnifies made me appreciate the old assets/graphics so much, what a milestone it was.
The art direction is impeccable and it still shines for it.
Two thirds of graphics is art direction, the other third is tech. Source: a rule I just made up
And those 2/3s shine through, the last big engine update for HL2 was in 2007. It still looks great.