Top 10 Mind-Blowing Graphics Mods

Top 10 Mind-Blowing Graphics Mods

Sometimes, it takes an outside touch to bring forth some visual alterations. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Mind-Blowing Graphics Mods.

For this list, we’ll be taking a look at mods that have drastically changed a game’s visuals for the better. From simple alterations in lighting to upgraded textures, to a completely different art-style, these mods have changed how we view these games.

#10: “Continuum Shaders” by Continuum Graphics

“Minecraft” (2011)

Despite the name, this mod does far more than just change the shaders. Meant for the highest of high-end machines, this takes the simplistic aesthetic of “Minecraft” and revamps it with an unprecedented amount of changes. From major dynamic lighting changes, replacing textures, adding physics animations to trees, and real-world reflections to all bodies of water - even puddles, this mod adds a level of awe-inspiring beauty to Minecraft.

#9: “StarCrafts Mod” by CarBot Animations

“StarCraft 2” (2010)

Not all visual mods need to act as enhancements, such is the case with this one. From the creator of the popular animated series “StarCrafts”, this mod immortalizes his cute art-style and animation into “StarCraft 2”. The cartoonish aesthetic is quite the breath of fresh air from your typical visual improvements, providing those seeking a complete change in their strategy game aesthetic something new. Plus come on, now the zerglings finally look as cute as the Zerg mains keep insisting they are.

#8: “Super Turbo Lighting Mod” by Essenthy

“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” (2015)

Only a few years old, and “The Witcher 3” is still on par with today’s standards, but we all know that a game’s visuals can always be pushed farther. According to the mod’s description, its purpose is to, quote, “mimic the original art direction pre-downgrade,” unquote. While it may only seem like a slight change at first, this mod manages to bring out the more vibrant colors of CD Projekt Red’s flagship series, as you glance across the sprawling vistas of the Continent in a… “new light” -see what we did there?

#7: “Sharpshooters Extreme Graphics ENB” by Sharpshooter8

“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (2011)

Love or hate it, “Skyrim” has managed to withstand the test of time, and the inclusion of mods has certainly helped to keep the PC version up to date. While there are hundreds of mods to keep players coming back, with many targeting just specific aesthetics, it's the ENBs that help to truly keep the visuals of “Skyrim” alive. Acting as a means for changing a multitude of visuals in the game, Sharpshooters is no slouch - changing the overall lighting, coloring, vegetation, and textures to create an absolutely gorgeous new Nord homeland.

#6: “Toddyhancer Graphics Mod” by Martin Bergman

“Star Wars: Battlefront” (2015)

Despite the publisher behind it, no one can deny how absolutely gorgeous the EA’s “Star Wars: Battlefront” games look. But of course, modders always manage to impress us by showing how much farther a game can be taken. Acting like an ENB, the mod works through the post-processing to change up the textures, lighting, and filters, creating an even more photorealistic feel than the game already presented. It’s just a shame there isn’t a mod to make the old “Battlefronts” look this good.

#5: “Resident Evil 4 HD Project”

“Resident Evil 4” (2005)

Now before you say anything, yes we know “RE4” had an HD port, however, despite the resolution increase, textures and other aesthetics were still in their GameCube days. “RE4HD Project” seeks to clean up all the textures -adding much more detail and layers to them than prior installments. This includes dirt and proper reflections on all weapons and environments, along with improved overall lighting and shadows in the levels. Cris and Albert, the men behind the project, have clearly demonstrated their passion for this classic game.

#4: “NaturalVision Remastered” by Razed

“Grand Theft Auto V” (2013)

Most visual modders don’t go to such extreme lengths to create a free item for a video game, but this one’s different. With over two years worth of work, “NaturalVision Remastered” is an extreme overhaul of “GTA V” PC visually, with updates to particle effects, lighting, sound, reflections, and so much more. “GTA V” on max settings is already a gorgeous visual to behold, and extremely tough to run without state of the art PCs, but this mod seeks to push the boundaries of both those concepts to lengths previously thought unreachable.

#3: “Cinematic Mod” by FakeFactory

“Half-Life 2” (2004)

As any devoted PC gamer will tell you, “Half-Life 2” still remains one of the greatest games to grace the industry, though it has shown its age -especially in terms of visuals. Unlike “Half-Life 2 Update” which acted more as… well, an “update”, “Cinematic” replaces a lot of in-game models, textures, lighting, shadows, and much much more to give the acclaimed sequel a proper makeover. The darker atmosphere “CM” creates helps to capture the dreary feel “HL2” first instilled in us, and we can certainly appreciate that.

#2: “CryENB” by Fabriciuz

“Grand Theft Auto IV” (2008)

While many players have jumped on board “GTA V”, that doesn’t mean “IV” has been forgotten. Liberty City has never looked this good, thanks to these photorealistic visuals bringing the crime-ridden city to life. With crazy new lighting effects and much greater reflections, the visuals are strikingly realistic. The visuals were so good, the mod managed to go semi-viral, inspiring a challenge to spot if pictures taken were of real life or the “CryENB” mod.

#1: “Morrowind Overhaul: Sounds and Graphics” by Ornitocopter Team

“The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind” (2002)

Despite it being over a decade old, “Morrowind” is still a largely popular game in the “Elder Scrolls” community; however, with just the release of “Oblivion”, “Morrowind” became quickly graphically outdated. Finding the right mods to improve your experience can be tricky, but thankfully, “Overhaul” has you covered. Comprised of various mods as a sort of collection, “Overhaul” takes the best and meshes them together to create a means to revisit the superb entry into “The Elder Scrolls” series. While it may not have the aesthetics of “Skyrim” or “Fallout 4”, the cleaned up textures, colors, and improved lighting will make the dreary old early 2000s era graphics much more welcoming.