Subliminal is a horror game set to be released in the near future (currently scheduled for March 2026). Although the exact release date has been increasingly pushed back, huge amounts of hype have been generated through the demo version of the game, which showcased the incredibly impressive photo-realistic graphics.
Played by many popular YouTubers, the playthrough of the Subminal demo gained millions of viewers. It is inspired by the concept of the ‘backrooms’, an internet folklore about travelling through vast, empty rooms or ‘liminal spaces’ to build suspense and terror.
The visuals of the game make it look like you’re walking through these spaces in real life, which emphasizes the progression of realistic visuals in horror games to create a terrifying, immersive atmosphere. So, where else have these modern, realistic elements been adopted in horror games, and why are they increasingly important for players?
What Games Have Adopted These Modern Graphics?
Video game graphics have progressed dramatically in recent years, which has led to more lifelike visuals in gaming. This is perfect for horror games as it can create a very dark, psychological experience.
Many games have adopted this, including Alan Wake 2, which has industry-leading, realistic graphics that are powered by Remedy’s Northlight engine. It manages to create a spooky atmosphere with lighting and dynamics.
The technology uses mesh shaders for highly detailed geometry. The performance offers consoles a 30fps “Quality” mode and a 60fps “Performance” mode to give players even better high-quality visuals, where you can see accurate facial details and accurate skin shading.
Other games that have adopted these visuals to create a terrifying, immersive atmosphere include Resident Evil Village & RE4/RE2 Remakes, which are powered by Capcom’s RE Engine, delivering photorealistic visuals, superior lighting, and an expansive environment compared to its predecessors.
There is also ‘Still Wakes the Deep’, the ‘Beast Inside’ and ‘Phasmophobia’, which similarly incorporate these modern visuals. This has also occurred in multiple other video games more generally.
Why Are Immersive Visuals So Important in Video Games
Outside of horror games, visuals and modern technology are becoming increasingly important in video games to increase interactivity, immersion and the overall user experience.
AI enhancements have led to virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR), which has been really beneficial for open-world games. Players can now travel for hours in open stretches of the game’s world and interact with characters using the chat function.
Even in iGaming, there are many slot games uk platforms showcase that feature intricate character designs and immersive environments, as well as many with horror themes. This technological leap has fundamentally advanced how players interact with these types of games.
Many modern technological developments have led to better game quality, such as DLSS, NVIDIA Deep Learning Super Sampling, which is an AI-powered image upscaling technology that can increase gaming performance.
This can create terrifying psychological environments and atmospheres for horror fans, but also, more generally, it can lead to a better visual experience for games that have a larger scale and are set in expansive settings, such as other planets or ancient civilizations.
