Back in the day, games with minimal graphics and no bombastic effects could still captivate players.
Classics like Mario Bros, Contra, Virtual Cop, and Pac-Man had people spending hours upon hours glued to their screens.
But now, technological advancements have drastically improved graphics and gameplay experiences. One of the pioneers driving this evolution is a program called Unreal Engine.
Did you know Unreal Engine was first developed way back in 1998? Despite its age, this game development program has evolved into an industry standard.
Unreal Engine's impact on the game dev industry has led to a wider variety of game types and dynamics. Its accessibility, cutting-edge tech, and commitment to constant innovation have made it a top choice for game development.
In this article, we'll cover
10 of the Most Popular Games Made with Unreal Engine
Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham City is the sequel to Arkham Asylum, continuing the story from the previous game's ending. Rocksteady Studios didn't waste time collaborating with Warner Bros. Interactive to start developing this follow-up.
Like its predecessor, Arkham City pushed video game consoles to their graphics limits using Unreal Engine 3, resulting in an astonishingly immersive explorable world.
Critics and players alike praised it as an innovative masterpiece in the genre, even more impressive than the original, with Game Informer calling it "The Best Licensed Video Game Ever Made."
The main story has Batman imprisoned in Arkham City, a huge super-prison enclosing the decaying slums of fictional Gotham City.
He must unravel the secrets behind the evil scheme designed by the facility's warden, Dr. Hugo Strange.
2. Cyberpunk 2077
Who hasn't heard of this game? When Cyberpunk 2077 hit the scene in 2020, it caused a massive storm in the gaming industry.
With its premise of a futuristic, open-world RPG drenched in dystopian beauty and technological marvels, it captivated players' hearts.
Cyberpunk 2077 showcased Unreal Engine's power through eye-catching visuals, an engaging storyline, and an immersive world-building experience. Despite some flaws, it received praise for its narrative design, setting, and graphics quality.
In Cyberpunk 2077, you play as V, an up-and-coming mercenary outlaw who just landed their first serious contract. In a world of cyber-psychos, tech-savvy netrunners, and corporate life hackers, you're taking your first steps to become an urban legend.
3. Fortnite
Available on almost every gaming platform like Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Mac, PlayStation 5, iOS, Android, Xbox Series X|S, this Epic Games/People Can Fly-developed Battle Royale game is played by just about everyone.
Using Unreal Engine 5.4 and known for its vibrant, cartoony visual style and creative, structure-building gameplay amid the player-hunting madness, Fortnite keeps players addicted.
Fortnite pits you against 99 other players in a battle for survival, with only one left standing at the end.
4. Sea of Thieves
The awe-inspiring open seas and fearsome pirates color the seafaring adventure that is Sea of Thieves! Though it lacked some features at launch, each update has improved it into the best pirate game out there.
Sea of Thieves is also an Unreal Engine masterpiece. One of its most memorable creations is the incredibly realistic AI shark movement and behavior. Don't let the cartoonish visuals fool you - the deep sea terrors are no joke.
5. Borderlands 3
The popular Borderlands action role-playing game series, developed by Gearbox Software, is set in a post-apocalyptic world following a group of Vault Hunters seeking to find the legendary Vaults containing alien technology.
Borderlands 3 utilizes the series' signature full-color, grainy graphics style and continues the story from previous Borderlands games. It even features celebrity voice actors like Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller) and Ice-T.
Unreal Engine's flexibility enabled the developers to create a unique art style and vast open worlds, making Borderlands 3 a fan favorite across the globe.
6. ARK II
ARK II is a survival game set in a world filled with terrifying, dangerous prehistoric creatures. Players gather raw materials, craft essential tools and weapons, build secure shelters, and try to survive for as long as possible.
A unique aspect of ARK II is the ability to tame and ride dinosaurs! Not only that, but your tamed dinos will help defend your base from other creatures or players.
7. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Inspired by Norse mythology and Celtic culture, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice blends puzzles, horror, and combat (parental guidance suggested for the 17+ audience).
Developer, Ninja Theory, created an innovative balance of gameplay, cutscenes, and live action to deliver a game both visually stunning and narratively profound.
Using Unreal Engine as their development tool, Ninja Theory pushed boundaries to craft a new IP featuring jaw-dropping visuals alongside a sophisticated narrative that plunges players into a brutal Viking hellscape as they fight for Senua's deceased lover's soul.
Stripping away traditional elements like skill trees, inventories, and even HUDs, Hellblade's raw approach solely focuses on immersing you in the Viking underworld.
8. Tetris Effect
Here's another classic that's been played across generations getting a fresh Unreal Engine-powered revival in Tetris Effect.
The dev team successfully re-created the quintessential Tetris experience for the modern era, allowing artists to get more creative with vibrant new visuals.
Whatever the format or platform for revisiting a classic, this timeless, addictive game appeals to all generations.
While the core goal of lining up tetrominoes and preventing stacking remains, this enhanced edition adds creative twists to the challenge.
Not only testing your strategy and tactics but also your ability to maintain focus amidst mesmerizing visuals and pulse-pounding audio.
9. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
A rallying call for all Star Wars fans! Through Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the dev team maximized Unreal Engine's capabilities to craft what's considered the franchise's redemption game.
This action-packed adventure showcases how Unreal Engine can immaculately re-create the majesty of the Star Wars universe while delivering a smooth, responsive gameplay experience.
10. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth feels like the most complete package - from stunningly rendered visuals to meticulously crafted sound effects that make the experience utterly immersive. No wonder this franchise has legions of fans worldwide.
By tapping into Unreal Engine's cutting-edge tech, FF7 Rebirth shatters doubts and negative "remake" preconceptions, delivering top-notch results where many had low expectations.
Set in the futuristic city of Midgar, the game lets you play as different characters, each with unique talents for added strategy. The character designs are also spectacular, especially the protagonist Cloud. Fun Fact: Final Fantasy XIV Online sold 2.7 million units, grossing around $40.8 million.
Final Thoughts: Unreal Engine Has Proven to be The Premier Game Development Platform
Unreal Engine has cemented its position as the premier game development platform, as evidenced by its numerous strengths.
Its power lies in its flexibility, enabling developers to create all kinds of games - from AAA titles with jaw-dropping graphics to lightweight mobile games that are easily accessible.
Unreal Engine's ability to create realistic visualizations and stunning visual effects makes it an ideal choice for developers looking to deliver an immersive gaming experience.
The active and extensive Unreal Engine community also provides developers with numerous benefits, ranging from tutorials and guides to access to various plugins and assets that can accelerate the game development process.
Moreover, Unreal Engine offers advanced features that allow developers to build complex and interactive game worlds and create dynamic and engaging gameplay experiences.
With all these advantages, Unreal Engine has become the go-to game development platform for developers of all levels, from beginners to professionals.
It's no wonder that Unreal Engine has been used by many renowned game studios to develop popular games such as Fortnite, PUBG, and Gears of War.
Its success in supporting various game types and studios demonstrates that this platform is indeed the premier choice for game development today.