Summary
The back catalog ofolder gamesthat is available to gamers, often at vastly reduced prices from their original launch price, can be a rich, mineable resource for great games. However, many older games are let down by poor graphics, especially in games that were released before HD resolution became the norm, and widescreen monitors became popular.
For some older, more popular titles, players have worked together to revamp the graphics, and this often includesremastering game textures to HD formats, and then releasing these new textures as an HD texture pack. A well-done, higher-resolution texture pack can make some older games look brand new.
WithGTA 5being such a prolific game, it is easy to forget that there were severalGrand Theft Autogames before it, althoughGTA 5isthe top-sellinggame in the franchise.GTA 4was released way back in 2008, and for a game of that time, it was really quite impressive graphically. Fast-forward to today, and it looks pretty dated.
However, an HD texture pack is available forGTA 4. This is an impressive accomplishment, as it updates all the building and character textures in the game. The creator has also said that they will move on to work on all the other textures at some stage. This texture pack makesGTA 4look amazing.
Released in 2004, and the first commercial game to use the newSource engine,Half-Like 2still looks pretty good for its age. Then again, this was a game that really pushed the envelope for game graphics when it was launched.
There is an optional HD texture pack available forHalf-Life 2. It upgrades most of the textures to a higher resolution and improves the way that textures are blended. The results are stunning. Gamers who have never playedHalf-Life 2might like to give it a try with this texture pack, for a taste of gaming history.
Crysis HD Textures 2018
Crysis Remastered
The classic first person shooter from Crytek is back with the action-packed gameplay, sandbox world, and thrilling epic battles you loved the first time around – now with remastered graphics optimized for a new generation of hardware.What begins as a simple rescue mission becomes the battleground of a new war as alien invaders swarm over a Lingshan island chain. Armed with a powerful Nanosuit, players can become invisible to stalk enemy patrols, or boost strength to lay waste to vehicles. The Nanosuit’s speed, strength, armor, and cloaking allow creative solutions for every kind of fight, while a huge arsenal of modular weaponry provides unprecedented control over play style. In the ever-changing environment, adapt tactics and gear to dominate your enemies, in an enormous sandbox world.Suit up, adapt, customize, conquer, and explore. Choose your own path through the open world of Crysis, destroying obstacles, driving vehicles, and using the environment itself against your enemies.
The 2007 release ofCrysisintroduced the world to the now well-knownCry Engine. Graphically,Crysiswas on miles ahead of other AAA titles of the time, but what madeCrysisso special was the seamless way in which Cry Engine handled large maps with a long draw distance while still keeping frame rates high.
Of course, Cry Engine has been updated many times, with each release of a new title in the franchise in general. But this doesn’t help the originalCrysisgame at this stage. Luckily, there is a community HD texture pack available for the original game, that makes it look much more up to date. It includes updates to all textures, as well as materials and objects.
Considering the fact thatThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim-or justSkyrimfor short - was released in 2011, and it is still a pretty decent looking game. It is also still widely played over a decade after release, mostly due to the profusion ofdifferent editionsthat have been released.
However, for the very bestSkyrimexperience, players can install the community made HD texture pack. This is a truly incredible achievement, as it makes a game that is over 10 years old look like it was just launched a week ago. This is one of the most impressive HD texture packs players will find for any game.
Mount And Blade HD Textures
Mount & Blade: Warband
In a land torn asunder by incessant warfare, it is time to assemble your own band of hardened warriors and enter the fray. Lead your men into battle, expand your realm, and claim the ultimate prize: the throne of Calradia!Mount & Blade: Warband is a stand alone expansion pack for the game that brought medieval battlefields to life with its realistic mounted combat and detailed fighting system.Graphical overhaul: Support added for HDR, FSAA, depth of field, soft particles, tone mapping, and many other effectsNew models with greater detail and high-quality texturesMultiplayer battles with up to 64 players. Multiplayer modes include Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Conquest, Battle, and SiegeA campaign allowing you to become the ruler of a faction and convince lords to become your vassalsThe ability to upgrade your companions to vassals by granting them landsThe ability to marry a lady of the realm for romance or cold political gain. attempt to win a lady’s heart through poetry or braveryImproved mechanics for soldier morale: Soldiers will break and run away if their morale gets too lowPick any projectile off the battlefield for use as additional munitionsNew motion-captured combat animationsNumerous improvements to the combat system: Your shield will still stop arrows even if you are not actively defendingThe ability to play multiplayer matches on random maps as well as hand-designed onesMultiplayer equipment system: Earn money by fighting opponents or accomplishing goalsThe ability to use most throwing weapons in close combat: Switch to using a javelin as a short spear when the enemy gets closeSpend gold on more powerful equipment, using a carefully balanced system that will make combat more exciting without giving too much of an advantage to the leading team
Mount & Blade: Warbandis the 2010 expansion pack for the original 2008 strategy role-playing game that is loosely based onMedieval Europe. It is notable for its immersive role-playing experience. It was also an early attempt at sandbox style game mechanics. Graphically,Mount & Bladehas not aged well, though it definitely looks its age.
The game is still popular with many gamers, so it is no surprise that a community member has taken it upon themselves to produce a HD texture pack for the game. Although this texture pack doesn’t really bring this older game up to modern graphical standards, it does go a long way towards making it look less aged, as well as making it more immersive to play.
CanOblivionreally be almost 20 years old? It still looks very good for how long ago it was launched. Some players prefer the simpler gameplay ofOblivionover the more complexSkyrim, which came after.Oblivion’sside questsalso tend to be simpler and shorter. There are a few texture packs available forOblivion, but the one chosen for this list seems to be the best of them.
This HD texture pack has updated almost all the graphics in the game. This includes the landscape, rocks, trees, and foliage, as well as all of the models that make up terrain, such as the leaves on trees. And of course, the textures for characters and buildings have also been revamped.
Realistic Textures HD
Minecraft
Minecraft is a game made up of blocks, creatures, and community. you may survive the night or build a work of art – the choice is all yours. But if the thought of exploring a vast new world all on your own feels overwhelming, then fear not!Minecraft has no set goal and can be played however you’d like! This is why it’s sometimes called a “sandbox game” – there are lots of things for you to do, and lots of ways that you can play. If you like being creative, then you can use the blocks to build things from your imagination. If you’re feeling brave, you can explore the world and face daring challenges. Blocks can be broken, crafted, placed to reshape the landscape, or used to build fantastical creations.Creatures can be battled or befriended, depending on how you play. The world of Minecraft allows for epic adventures, quiet meditations, and everything in between. You can even share your creations with other players, or play in community worlds!
Minecraftmay, at first glance, seem like an odd game to receive an HD texture pack. The blocky, voxel based graphics are always going to look retro. But of course, each block inMinecraftis textured, and upgrading these textures can improve the fidelity of the graphics.
This HD texture pack changes quite a lot. It works with theTrails & TalesUpdate, and includes 32x32 pixel HD textures, including some for custom animals and NPCs. It works for anyMinecraftworld in either Survival or Creative mode, too.
Fallout 4was originally launched in 2015. Then two years later, Bethesda released a free HD texture update for the game. While this was well received at first, it soon became apparent that it wasn’t as good as it could have been. Something of a missed opportunity for Bethesda.
TheFallout 4community, not to be put off, has come up with a much better HD texture pack for the game. This has been a huge project, and it replaces tens of thousands of textures all through the game, and it also covers game assets that have been released in DLC. If players loveFallout 4, they have to try this texture pack.
