3. Quantum Break
Enhancements: 1440p upscaled to 4K
Remedy’s time-bending third-person shooter got a warm reception when it launched in spring 2016, but it stopped just short of system-selling greatness. With its 4K update applied, it feels like an entirely new game, and unlocks the visual potential that the original version could never quite pull off.
The already-impressive environments look consistently more beautiful, while the added detail (and removal of the graininess) brings a much-needed layer of conviction to the motion capture—particularly in the faces, where performances from the likes of Aiden Gillen and Lance Riddick look and feel closer to the intent to bring TV-standard acting to gaming. The smoother frame rate, too, helps make the action element more compelling.
Like a lot of the games listed here, this makes it feel like the finished article and therefore the definitive version.
4. Halo 5: Guardians
Enhancements: 4K, 60fps
For a long time, Halo virtually sold Xbox consoles by itself. These days, it feels like yesterday’s news—that is, until you see the way that it has been brought bang up to date by its 4K update.
The Xbox One X version has benefitted from a major visual and performance upgrade in every sense, with better draw distances, vastly improved texture detail. HDR doesn’t make the cut in this one, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the standout titles to show off.
