Photo mode in video games have become mainstream in the industry, as more games create beauty that deserves to be captured. As a photographer myself, being able to express my artistic mind while gaming is a pleasure I did not realize I needed. Photo mode has become a staple for many games on the market, with it being a main selling point for some. With the newest generation of consoles, photo mode has become a leading feature in games because of the amazing graphics, which has developers asking gamers to take photos with the implementation of the feature. Here are just a few games that have the best photo modes in gaming, and why they work so well in those virtual worlds.
Ghost of Tsushima’s meditation moments show off the art of the game the best.
Ghost of Tsushima – A Mastery in Art
When Ghost of Tsushima’s title first shines on screen after the opening sequence, as Jin Sakai rides through a white flower field, you can tell what you’re about to experience. The art direction of Ghost of Tsushima is one of a kind, and there are moments throughout that game that take your breath away. Without the addition of photo mode, the art would be lost after you turn the game off. However, many artists have taken advantage of what I would say is the best photo mode in gaming.
Ghost of Tsushima’s beauty lies in the simple moments.
The photo mode offers editing, including contrast, brightness, and depth of field. Along with this are weather effects and photo filters, which adds falling leaves, flower petals, and more to the photo for an extra layer to the art. Putting all of these elements together allows the player to bring out their artistic eye and take beautiful images, even if they are not the most creative person. The game itself ushers the magic, the player just has to press pause and angle the camera however they see captures the moment perfectly. Ghost of Tsushima’s photo mode, I believe, is what drove the feature into the gaming industry, and is why many games offer a photo mode. Many games launch without a photo mode, only to be met with many players asking for the feature. One of those games was God of War: Raganarok.
God of War: Ragnarok – A Journey through Magical Realms
God of War: Ragnarok’s launch initially did not possess a photo mode. Even though the game was seen as a contender for game of the year, people were adamant for an update that added the feature. The beauty of the realms was something gamers wanted to capture, and this shows the continued trend of the rising popularity with photo modes in gaming. God of War: Ragnarok is one of the greatest looking games ever created, with Kratos and Atreus looking like real human beings at times. The photo mode that was later added into the game did not compare to Ghost of Tsushima, but the fun additions made up for it. Being able to make Kratos smile for the camera and change other character’s facial expressions allowed gamers to create scenarios that you’d never find in the game.
The combat with Kratos in God of War: Ragnarok makes beautiful art when entering photo mode.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered – Geralt of Rivia Returns
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt first blessed our gaming consoles in 2015, and was an easy game of the year winner. Games today are still attempting to capture the magic of the open world monster hunting gameplay that The Witcher 3 did so perfectly. And in 2022, CD Project Red remastered the game, and we were all once again reminded why Geralt’s journey for Ciri is timeless. The remaster did everything you can ask of a remaster: higher frame rates, better graphics, quality of life changes. Along with these changes came a photo mode, and this photo mode is a contender with Ghost of Tsushima for the best photo mode in gaming.
The refinement of Geralt and the Witcher 3 makes the addition of a photo mode a blessing.
The Witcher 3’s photo mode lets you zoom extremely far out, allowing angles you’d never be able to capture in most other games, allowing one’s creativity to shine. Whether fighting in combat against monsters or enjoying the beautiful cities, The Witcher 3 provides ample opportunities to capture a stunning screenshot. The editing in game, along with being able to enter photo mode by simply pressing two buttons, allows you to capture a moment immediately and edit it to your liking. Many virtual photographers are still taking photos in game, even with new games being released, such as Final Fantasy XVI.
Final Fantasy XVI – Providing Artistry Since 1987
Final Fantasy is one of the original JRPG’s that has stood the test of time and is still providing us with amazing works of art. And Final Fantasy XVI is no exception. Being the 16th entry in the franchise is no easy task, but Final Fantasy XVI reworked the wheel with a combat system very far away from its predecessors. The action oriented combat, very similar to the Devil May Cry series, provides visuals that allow the game’s photo mode to shine.
Every moment during combat can be paused to take a photo, and there is no moment that doesn’t provide amazing visuals.
Final Fantasy VII Remake was the first game in the franchise to adopt a photo mode when it released the next-gen upgrade in Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. But Final Fantasy XVI being the newest addition simply tells gamers that photo mode is here to stay for Final Fantasy and all of its installments to come.
Conclusion
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X provides the best graphics ever for gaming, making photo mode a must-have for almost any game. There are games that might not be as graphically intense as others that have implemented a photo mode because of the rising popularity, such as Sonic Frontiers and Super Mario Odyssey. Photo mode allows gamers to celebrate the worlds they are exploring, capture a moment that really touches them, and share all these screenshots online and with friends to show off. Virtual photography has become increasingly popular as well. Almost anyone can be one because we are all working with the same equipment. No need to find models, journey to places unknown, or purchase expensive equipment and editing software. All of those can be found in your controller. That is why photo mode is here to stay.
Ghost of Tsushima was the first photo mode to capture gamer’s hearts and be a selling point to the game.
