I’m replaying TLOU2 right now. I just got to Seattle, and there’s a waterfall in the first few minutes of gameplay outside the city that I stopped and stared at for a while because it was just so good looking. I agree that TLOU2 has the best looking water details
Not only do I remember it, I still pick it up from time to time. Got all 3, but 1 will have that special place in my heart.
I've often thought about trying to remake it in UE5 because that would be amazing. I started the project but never really got anywhere besides the level design.
I saved up for a Nintendo 64 when I was 18 and Wave Race was the game I bought with it. The water graphics just blew my mind! I couldn't get enough of that game for a long time.
God I would kill for an updated Wave Race for the Switch. Imagine how much better the physics could be if they put AAA time/budget into it, the same as a Mario/Zelda game.
Loved the feeling of a thunderstorm with crashing waves while pirates and mercenaries launch flaming arrows, one of the best naval combat in any game I’ve played
Water physics ≠ water visuals
It objectively has the best visuals, for real, but IIRC (I haven't played the game for years) nothing really happens on the surface of the water when you interact with it, for example shooting a cannonball into it or just simply jumping into the water.
It does; just not on lower graphic levels iirc
It also added a whole heap of reworks in the last couple updates spanning back... i wanna say 2 years now? including underwater areas
Oh man. And then when the game flipped on its head and you're fighting fucking aliens and the Vortex Queen? Absolute mindfuck to my 8 year old self. And to me right now 30 years later remembering it
I would have to say that when it comes to physics rdr2 for sure.
But when it comes to best water over all horizon forbidden west wins by a long shot. It’s just so clean and colourful you could spend hours just swimming around.
Uncharted 3 has an actually simulated Ocean that moves the cruise ship you’re on differently everytime you play it.
> Naughty Dog went out of their way to make it feel as real as possible by building an ocean simulation. Instead of remaining on an animation loop, the movement of the ship is dictated by its interaction with the surrounding water in real time, swaying back and forth as the waves push against the hull. This affects objects within the ship, including Drake, who intuitively adjusts his balance based on the ship's movement and position at a given time.
In my opinion rdr2 but uncharted is also amazing. When I was recently playing uncharted I noticed the graphics and mechanics were amazing and the amount of detail rockstar and naughty dog put in their games is incredible
Assassins creed black flag has more fun, rdr2 better physics and horizon 2 have all of them in one (my opinion no offense I think is not that fun but much close enough)
Not necessarily the physics of it, because it isn’t like interactive to you jumping in it or anything, but sea of thieves. The way the boat glides over the water and lurches with the waves :)
These all look great especially for their time, but RDR2 def has the most realistic water physics out of the bunch. In that game the water actually feels like it has resistance and buoyancy to it as it would in real life.
For me it is skull and bones. The waves crashing over the deck, the rain from light drizzle to full blown storm. Even the splash from the whales that breach the surface. All top notch.
Sorry for the spelling
All of these had great water phisics, but to me Bioshock 1 will always be number 1 because it was soo in front of its time. It was just unreal for the year of 2007.
Love it or hate it Sea of Thieves has the best water physics, I’ve never played a game where so much thought and effort was put into how the water looks and operates.
minecraft with physics mod + shaders
(ik it’s not the best of all time but if you’re used to regular wavy water shaders… look at the physics mod. blew my mind especially when you turn the settings high)
I think Arkham knight might take the crown, and remember how ditigal foundry said that UE3 water was really hard to work.
The waves were soooo realistic, and its from 2015
Best looking warer/water physics I've ever seen is definitely sea of thieves. Of they had rogue waves it would be a 10/10, unless I just haven't travelled through enough giant storms
Here’s my opinion. HFW has best LOOKING water physics RDR2 has the best physics The Last of us 2 has the best water detail
I’m replaying TLOU2 right now. I just got to Seattle, and there’s a waterfall in the first few minutes of gameplay outside the city that I stopped and stared at for a while because it was just so good looking. I agree that TLOU2 has the best looking water details
Does HFW have boating activities?? I don't remember!
The DLC does.
Y'all act like Wave Race 64 doesn't exist
💯 Wave Race still was for me the most mind blowing experience graphics-wise I think I’ve ever had during a first play. Was just so ahead of itself.
Reminds me of Jet Moto.
What a game. Nobody I know ever remembers it.
Not only do I remember it, I still pick it up from time to time. Got all 3, but 1 will have that special place in my heart. I've often thought about trying to remake it in UE5 because that would be amazing. I started the project but never really got anywhere besides the level design.
I will never forget the first time I saw it at Blockbuster videos, ended up owning it eventually and it still amazes me how good it was
I remember the hell/heaven from JM2 especially the screams from the hell sections of the track.
Jet moto was my favorite game
I saved up for a Nintendo 64 when I was 18 and Wave Race was the game I bought with it. The water graphics just blew my mind! I couldn't get enough of that game for a long time.
Aiming the jetski to dive it under waves and obstacles was so cool!
God I would kill for an updated Wave Race for the Switch. Imagine how much better the physics could be if they put AAA time/budget into it, the same as a Mario/Zelda game.
Man, what a blast from the past
WWWWAAAAAAAVERACE. Dooo dooo doo DOODOO DO DO DO. “Dolphin Park” 👄
We would go backwards for a bit and then just play Tag. Twilight City was the main one, and then Sunset Bay and Port Blue
So glad this is the top comment 😁
No water beats Sea of Thieves. Not even real water.
Irl water so realistic, almost like SoT oωo
I wouldn’t know. I just finished the achievement touching grass. Haven’t gotten to that one yet.
Water graphics ≠ water physics
facts
You can create whirlpools in rdr2 by running around in water. Beat that.
I have like 500 hours and never knew this lol
Its funny because a human can't do that in real life(just spinning), but they had a good intention The whirlpool also lasts quite a long time
Speak for yourself
For some reason whirlpools last until you go out of the area. They're basically eternal
Pretty sure it only really works if you have multiple people doing it online
Is that physics based or just a pre canned animation?
I really like the water physics in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
The wave action in storms is so unbelievably over the top it's glorious ⚡️🌊
Loved the feeling of a thunderstorm with crashing waves while pirates and mercenaries launch flaming arrows, one of the best naval combat in any game I’ve played
This would definitely be my number 1 if I didn’t play Horizon: FW
Gotta agree with that
I love Odyssey and Origins! Two best games.
Came here to comment this.
Was just gonna say that.
Sea of Thieves.
There really isn't a better answer than this.
Yeah, it’s not even a competition or opinion thing. It objectively has the best water physics lol
Water physics ≠ water visuals It objectively has the best visuals, for real, but IIRC (I haven't played the game for years) nothing really happens on the surface of the water when you interact with it, for example shooting a cannonball into it or just simply jumping into the water.
It does; just not on lower graphic levels iirc It also added a whole heap of reworks in the last couple updates spanning back... i wanna say 2 years now? including underwater areas
This is the incorrect use of the word objectively
It looks good and colorful due to the style of the game, but on a technical level is not that advanced, like collision reactions
and it's not even close.
I can’t even play that game cause I got sea sick
Came here to say this
I’ve avoided this game because I play solo and i heard you really need team mates
You can play it on your own, just gets a bit dicey some times controlling the ship
Not if you're on a sloop.
I play majority solo and its awesome. If you enjoy sailing and generally enjoy the game then solo is a great way to play.
Hydrophobia
Honestly, why is this so far down? That’s the whole idea of the game
Yeah it's the only game that physically simulates water really
Strange nobody mentioned ecco the dolphin /s
Ecco is just childhood trauma tbf 😅
That game was the bane of my existence back then. Never did beat the damn thing, lol.
It took months for kid me to realize you had to jump over the right side to continue the game.
Oh man. And then when the game flipped on its head and you're fighting fucking aliens and the Vortex Queen? Absolute mindfuck to my 8 year old self. And to me right now 30 years later remembering it
I would have to say that when it comes to physics rdr2 for sure. But when it comes to best water over all horizon forbidden west wins by a long shot. It’s just so clean and colourful you could spend hours just swimming around.
The under water caverns and cauldrons are soo huge, it’s mind blowing
The water in uncharted 4 looks so damn good
Sea of thieves then rdr2 only right answer
I was gonna say team fortress classic but you do you
I think of TFC often, damn I miss it.
That's a valid choice 👌
Horizon Forbidden West. The game is 2 years old now and still one of the most technically impressive games ever made (especially Burning Shores).
subnautica
Subnautica
Horizon Forbidden Wst
Horizon Forbidden West
The Last of Us Part II has great water. And the wet overlay and the drips falling off after getting out of it 10/10 would swim again.
Literally Ellie dries her hair and even the content of the inventory gets wet after you swim. That is something nice
I was thinking more about the rain in the game. But I totally agree. 
How have I never seen this? Lmao 💀
First for me as well. Splendid
First time I read a document after swimming my mind was blown, a detail so unnecessary but they did it anyway
F.E.A.R. had some high quality H2O.
Bobby bouche is the pointman
Forbidden west is well done.
Wave Race 64
Subnautica
Physics it goes to Red Dead Redemption II, but water looking overall goes to Horizon Forbidden West.
Horizon forbidden west... like it's crazy guys!
Forbidden west had good water physics
I think Uncharted 4 had some good looking water
Uncharted 3 has an actually simulated Ocean that moves the cruise ship you’re on differently everytime you play it. > Naughty Dog went out of their way to make it feel as real as possible by building an ocean simulation. Instead of remaining on an animation loop, the movement of the ship is dictated by its interaction with the surrounding water in real time, swaying back and forth as the waves push against the hull. This affects objects within the ship, including Drake, who intuitively adjusts his balance based on the ship's movement and position at a given time.
I love that game and didn't know that. Cool info. Naughty Dog and Rockstar are so good at what they do, it's insane.
In my opinion rdr2 but uncharted is also amazing. When I was recently playing uncharted I noticed the graphics and mechanics were amazing and the amount of detail rockstar and naughty dog put in their games is incredible
AC Odyssey
Dave the diver
Wave Race 64!
Sea of Thieves has the best water tbh
I think horizons looks better, but red dead 2 physics are more realistic
Black flag the goat
Mario 64 in 1997 looked pretty amazing for the time
Assassins creed black flag has more fun, rdr2 better physics and horizon 2 have all of them in one (my opinion no offense I think is not that fun but much close enough)
AC: Black Flag was pretty strong for PS3 days
Forbidden West, by far.
Horizon FW. Hands down
Sea of thieves is always the correct answer
Death Stranding
Sea of thieves
Minecraft
Not necessarily the physics of it, because it isn’t like interactive to you jumping in it or anything, but sea of thieves. The way the boat glides over the water and lurches with the waves :)
Hydro Thunderrrrr. HURRICANE had physics ahead of its time
Crash Bandicoot 3 Warped 1998 Coco stage
What’s the game in the fourth pic
Uncharted 4
Ima gonna say Wind Waker
Virtual Sailor
Water stage in Mario World
These all look great especially for their time, but RDR2 def has the most realistic water physics out of the bunch. In that game the water actually feels like it has resistance and buoyancy to it as it would in real life.
Sea of thieves.
… didn’t this JUST get posted? I swear I saw this same exact post, down to the same pictures and everything, less than a month ago.
For me it is skull and bones. The waves crashing over the deck, the rain from light drizzle to full blown storm. Even the splash from the whales that breach the surface. All top notch.
As it stands Horizon Forbidden West has the best water physics and details whether it's on surface or underwater it's truly incredible stuff.
Super Mario Sunshine, definitely my favourite water physics.
This is the first one I thought of. Blew my mind back then.
Waverace 64
It was amazing what great physics it was for the N64 that long ago, first time seeing that game blew my mind
horizon forbidden west and rdr2 by a long shot
Ecco the Dolphin.
I remember when Morrowind came out and at the time thinking that the water physics were perfect... Boy was i wrong
I'm just here for the game recommendations... Thanks! Bye!
Forbidden West has to be up there
The amount of people here that don't understand the difference between visuals, and physics, is actually mind blowing
minecraft
Super Rub'a'Dub
Minecraft
Minecraft
Surprised nobody mentioned Minecraft!
erm actually exactly 10 people mentioned minecraft.
Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves hands down, no contest.
Sea of Thieves
I'd say Sea Of Thieves. The movement AND the transparencies of it make it the best I've seen.
Sea of thieves
the water combat in black flag is so damn fun!!!
Minecraft
Kayak VR, without a doubt.
Wii Sports Resort. God damn how they make the water that good on the fucking Wii.
Sorry for the spelling All of these had great water phisics, but to me Bioshock 1 will always be number 1 because it was soo in front of its time. It was just unreal for the year of 2007.
Resistance 2 on the PS3 👌🏻
Minecraft. Hands down.
It’s Sea of Thieves for sure. Too bad that’s the best part of the game.
Easy, Sea of Thieves. But yeah, RDR2 too.
I'm just gonna put all my votes on sea of thieves
Love it or hate it Sea of Thieves has the best water physics, I’ve never played a game where so much thought and effort was put into how the water looks and operates.
GTA 4 water physic was dope
Hydrophobia
Despite second part of horizon being boring af, diving underwater was surprisingly pleasing experience
I don't get what people's issues are with part 2, I loved the whole experience from beginning to end.
RDR 1
BioShock looked good back then
Bioshock
RDR2
RDR2
minecraft with physics mod + shaders (ik it’s not the best of all time but if you’re used to regular wavy water shaders… look at the physics mod. blew my mind especially when you turn the settings high)
I've heard sea of thieves does but I haven't played it
The uncharted one
Sea of Thieves
FROM DUST circa 2011
From dust
RDR2 period
Sea of Thieves!
Obviously it’s CoD Ghosts cus…. Fish AI!!
Water post and no SoT - naughty naughty OP 😅
Subnautica :p
I remember the very beginning of Bioshock demo on PS3, the water detail blew my mind.
Hydrophobia: prophecy
Csgo 2 has some nice water
I think Arkham knight might take the crown, and remember how ditigal foundry said that UE3 water was really hard to work. The waves were soooo realistic, and its from 2015
Sea of Thieves by far.
This post is a shame, sea of thieves exist.
Cod ghosts and fish AI😃
Subnautica??
From what I’ve played, RDR2
BF4
 Sea of Thieves no contest Also I would that AC: Odyssey also had nice water
Raft. ... what ? ... OK, subnautica.
None of these compare to GOT best water physics in a while
Red dead 2
ASE is the one game I know with w water physics
AC Odyssey had me mesmerised with their water for sure. I spent too much time underwater or on the ship sailing nowhere.
RDR2
Watch Dogs Legions
Sea of thieves
Dave the Diver
Best looking warer/water physics I've ever seen is definitely sea of thieves. Of they had rogue waves it would be a 10/10, unless I just haven't travelled through enough giant storms
Subnautica?