Best Games for HDR: Top Titles That Showcase Stunning High Dynamic Range

The first time I saw HDR in action, it was during a sunset in Forza Horizon 4, one of the best games for HDR. The sun dipped under the horizon, the sky burst into a hundred shades of orange and pink, and my TV almost looked like it had upgraded itself overnight. That was when I realized HDR wasn’t just a checkbox in the settings menu; it was a whole new way of seeing games.

a wallpaper of Forza Horizon 4 — HDR is a display technology that expands the range between the darkest blacks and brightest whites

Enhances in-game visuals with richer lighting and deeper shadows.

Why the Best Games for HDR Can Feel Like a New Reality

HDR (High Dynamic Range) is basically a magic trick for your eyes, giving you brighter sunlit highlights, inkier shadows, and colors that feel alive without looking cartoonishly fake. If you’re wondering, “Do I need a special monitor or TV for this?”, the short answer is yes; your display needs HDR capability (HDR10 at minimum). And does it make a big difference compared to standard graphics? In well-optimized games, it’s night and day (literally): moonlit scenes look naturally dim yet detailed, while sunlight won’t just be “white”; it will glow.

How We Chose These Games

Not all HDR is equal. Some games slap it in for marketing, others treat it like the final brushstroke on a painting. I went for titles that not only look gorgeous but also use HDR intentionally; combining art direction, lighting, and performance to make full use of that extra dynamic range. And to answer the common question, “Are these just the best-looking games overall?”; nope. This list focuses on the best games for HDR based on their implementation itself, whether the game’s world is neon-lit sci-fi or photorealistic wilderness.

10 – Resident Evil 4 Remake

a wallpaper of Resident Evil 4 Remake — In RE4Remake, HDR boosts atmosphere by making dark, tense areas moodier

It enhances realism in lighting, fire, and environmental effects, making the horror and action feel more immersive.

Release: 2023 | Developer/Publisher: Capcom | HDR Format: HDR10 | Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
HDR Highlights: Flickering torchlight, damp stone textures, deep gloom with piercing highlights

Does HDR make horror games scarier? Absolutely; the Remake’s candlelit hallways feel heavier, the shadows cling tighter to the corners, and sudden bursts of light (like a muzzle flash in your face) are far more startling. If you’ve ever squinted in a dark game and wished you could “just see a little more,” HDR delivers balanced brightness without killing the atmosphere.

9 – Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

a wallpaper of Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey. — HDR enriches Greece’s landscapes with brighter sunlight, deeper shadows, and more vibrant seas and skies

It adds realism to torchlight, sunsets, and armor shine, making the world feel more cinematic and alive.

Release: 2018 | Developer/Publisher: Ubisoft | HDR Format: HDR10 | Platforms: PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series X/S, PC
HDR Highlights: Mediterranean blues, golden sunsets, ancient marble glow

Do open-world games benefit more from HDR? Odyssey proves they do. Sailing toward a sunlit island at dawn, with orange light bouncing off your ship’s sails, looks cleaner and deeper than standard color can manage. Worried HDR might make things too saturated? Here, it feels balanced; vibrant but not overcooked.

8 – God of War Ragnarök

a picture of Kratos in God of War: Ragnarok — In GoD: Ragnarok, HDR amplifies the Norse realms with dazzling light effects

It makes icy landscapes, fiery realms, and magical attacks visually stunning.

Release: 2022 | Developer/Publisher: Santa Monica Studio / Sony | HDR Format: HDR10 | Platforms: PS5, PS4
HDR Highlights: Icy realms, molten lava flows, metallic armor sheen

Is HDR more noticeable in bright or dark areas? Best games for HDR, like Ragnarök, show it’s both: snowy plains sparkle under sharp daylight, and deep cavern shadows reveal subtle rock textures you’d miss otherwise. It looks richer on PS5 thanks to higher resolution lighting data, but the HDR upgrade is still worth it on PS4.

7 – Horizon Forbidden West

a picture of Aloy in Horizon: Forbidden West — In Forbidden West, HDR brings lush landscapes and robotic creatures to life with intense colors

It enhances sunsets, water reflections, and metallic surfaces, making every scene feel richer and more immersive.

Release: 2022 | Developer/Publisher: Guerrilla Games / Sony | HDR Format: HDR10 | Platforms: PS4, PS5
HDR Highlights: Dense jungles, desert sunsets, glowing weak points on machines

Does HDR help in games that are already colorful? Yes, in Horizon, plant greens, skin tones, and sky gradients all gain subtle realism instead of cartoon flashiness. Fast-motion scenes, like battles with charging robots, keep their vibrancy sharp without smearing the colors.

6 – Microsoft Flight Simulator

an image of Microsoft Flight Simulator — In this title, HDR stretches luminance from sun-scorched clouds and shimmering water to deep storm shadows

Cockpits gain brighter instrument highlights and clearer shadow detail.

Release: 2020 | Developer/Publisher: Asobo Studio / Xbox Game Studios | HDR Format: HDR10, Dolby Vision | Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S
HDR Highlights: Layered clouds, cockpit shadows, city lights from the sky

HDR isn’t only for fantasy worlds. Flight Simulator uses it to make real-world lighting; from midday glare on the ocean to night-time runway lighting, feel authentic. On ultrawide monitors, the HDR glow from sunsets or lightning storms stretches across your peripheral vision for maximum immersion.

5 – Cyberpunk 2077 (Post-Update HDR)

a wallpaper of Cyberpunk 2077 — In Cyberpunk 2077, HDR makes neon and holograms blaze while rainy alleys stay deep and detailed

Chrome, puddles, and volumetric lights pop, with textures intact in both brights and shadows.

Release: 2020 (major HDR improvements in 1.5+ updates) | Developer/Publisher: CD Projekt Red | HDR Format: HDR10 | Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
HDR Highlights: Neon-lit streets, wet pavement reflections, sharp contrast in alleys

Is HDR just visuals, or does it affect performance? With the best games for HDR, it’s purely visual, but in Cyberpunk’s case, the boost in mood is worth it; HDR makes the rain-slick neon pop and the city shadows feel suffocating. Post-patch tweaks mean brightness, contrast, and black levels are far better than launch day.

4 – Death Stranding: Director’s Cut

a wallpaper of Death Stranding: Director’s Cut — In Death Stranding, HDR deepens grey skies and nights while timefall and headlamps stay crisp

Wet terrain, BT tar, and chiral crystals pop; fog and volumetric light look cleaner.

Release: 2021 (Director’s Cut) | Developer/Publisher: Kojima Productions / Sony | HDR Format: HDR10 | Platforms: PS5, PC
HDR Highlights: Misty mountain landscapes, subtle light shifts, metallic cargo carriers

Does HDR help with atmosphere-heavy games? In Death Stranding, yes; cliffs loom darker, fog has texture, and sunlight through clouds feels like an event. It’s cinematic by nature, and HDR sells that visual storytelling in every frame.

3 – Red Dead Redemption 2

an image of Arthur from Red Dead Redemption 2 — In RDR2, HDR makes sunsets, campfires, and storms glow while plains and towns keep rich shadow detail

Snow, saloons, and skin tones look truer, with textures holding up in both highlights and dark scenes.

Release: 2018 | Developer/Publisher: Rockstar Games | HDR Format: HDR10 | Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (works on newer consoles via backward compatibility)
HDR Highlights: Campfire glow, early morning mist, layered light through trees

Ever wondered if HDR’s worth it for slower-paced games? RDR2 makes a strong case. Even in quality mode, light interplay between your lantern and a moonlit forest turns a routine ride into a painterly experience.

2 – The Last of Us Part I (Remake)

a wallpaper of The Last of Us Part I — In TLoU Part 1, HDR deepens dark interiors and nights while flashlights and muzzle flashes pop without crushed blacks

Skin tones, fire, and rainy streets look truer, and bright daylight and snow keep fine texture and highlight detail.

Release: 2022 | Developer/Publisher: Naughty Dog / Sony | HDR Format: HDR10 | Platforms: PS5, PC
HDR Highlights: Dimly lit interiors, warm lamp light, explosive fire effects

Do games with lots of shadows benefit most from HDR? Absolutely, some of the best games for HDR use darkness to retain depth without smearing into a flat black. Small details like paper scraps and textured concrete basking in limited light create a richer post-apocalyptic mood.

1 – Forza Horizon 5

a screenshot of Forza Horizon 5 — HDR makes Mexico’s sun, skies, and storms blaze while roads and canyons keep rich shadow detail

Paint, chrome, and wet asphalt gleam; sunsets, fireworks, and night races pop without clipping.

Release: 2021 | Developer/Publisher: Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios | HDR Format: HDR10, Dolby Vision | Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One (limited HDR)
HDR Highlights: Gleaming car paint, real-time weather light shifts, neon festival glow

Are racing games the ultimate HDR showcase? Forza Horizon 5 makes a convincing argument. Driving through a thunderstorm into sudden sunlight is breathtaking; puddles shimmer, metallic finishes burst with realism, and HDR’s extended contrast keeps it from looking washed out at high speeds.

Honorable Mentions

Returnal; deep-space darkness alive with particle sparks.
Spider-Man 2; HDR plus ray tracing makes NYC’s reflections stunning.
Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut; cinematic sword fights in golden fields.

Tips for Getting the Best HDR Experience

If HDR ever looks washed out, it’s not the tech; it’s the settings. Always calibrate both your console/PC and your display. Some games need in-menu HDR adjustment for peak brightness and shadow detail. Should you tweak HDR per game? I often do; what works for God of War might look off in Flight Simulator.

a wallpaper of Ghost of Tsushima — HDR expands brightness and color range, revealing highlight sparkle and shadow detail SDR hides.

Worlds feel more lifelike and readable. Lighting, materials, and atmospheres gain depth and immersion.

In the End: When HDR Becomes Part of the Story

The right HDR implementation doesn’t just make a game prettier; it deepens your connection to the world. From the firelit tension of Resident Evil 4 Remake to the joy of cresting a sunbeam-drenched hill in Forza Horizon 5, the best games for HDR show how this technology can make moments stick in your memory long after the credits roll. Try mixing genres; you might find HDR transforms each one in a completely different way. If you want, I can also build a guide for “Best HDR Settings for Popular Games” so players can maximize what these titles can actually deliver.

FAQs

1. Do some HDR games look worse on budget TVs?

Yes. Budget HDR displays often can’t reach true brightness or contrast levels, which flattens the intended look.

2. Is HDR better on OLED or LED screens?

OLED excels at deep blacks, while high-end LEDs can push higher brightness; HDR benefits from both in different ways.

3. Can HDR work with high refresh rate gaming monitors?

It can, but not all HDR monitors support full brightness at maximum refresh rates, so check specs before buying.

4. Does HDR affect screenshot quality?

Screenshots are often saved in SDR unless your platform supports HDR capture and your viewer can display it, so the difference may not show in shared images.