And this is the moment where we all come back to our senses and realize that pre-rendered  backgrounds were the pinnacle of games looking great.  They had the right amount of artistic integrity combined with the right amount imagination so as to not become too focused on realism.  They looked so specific and memorable. 

Depends on the game, but I care more about the gameplay and story

Until 9th gen it would be great, after that, I hope they improve as always

i remember this question being asked last gen. look at how that turned out.

Just check a random animation movie and you will conclude it can become way better. If you bought Ratchet and Clank compare the cutscenes with the gameplay, the latter look way better. Even tough Ratchet and Clank looks extremely gorgeous for a game. To me it even is the best looking PS4 game, but I would lie if I said that I don't want to see the next installment to look better wit the same fluid gameplay that is. Same goes for Naughty dog games.

LMU Uncle Alfred said: And this is the moment where we all come back to our senses and realize that pre-rendered  backgrounds were the pinnacle of games looking great.  They had the right amount of artistic integrity combined with the right amount imagination so as to not become too focused on realism.  They looked so specific and memorable.

Isometric 3rd Person + pre-rendered  backgrounds is enough for me.

So many old great RPGs. I dont need free camra movement for RPGs.

I think Pillars of Eternity is a good exsample of what you can do today with pre-rendered backgrounds.

And Im pretty sure there are people out there that could make a much better looking pre-redered background game.

*hell the Isometric 3rd person locked camra allowed for fun game mechanics.

They would hide pathways, tresure chests, and they would work, because the camra wasnt unlocked, but fixed.

Todays gameing with free camra movement, they cant really hide or make you puzzle out hidden pathways the same way as back then.

I remember Nintendo saying graphics reached that level with the GAMECUBE.

Why on Earth would developers need to reach the level of an exclusive developer who spends years crafting one game on one machine? Most of them have to work on multiple games across multiple engines and platforms. Has nothing to do with talent or being close knit.

This.  

Sooo much this.

On screenshots or when Nate walks slowly it looks great.

But when you move a bit faster the 30fps + excessive motion blur totally kills the good looks of the game. Problem is: during normal gameplay you constantly move quickly. So the game is a blurry mess 90% of the playing time.

Sure when you stop moving, the game is great. Great to take screenshots or to sell the game to the public with those screenshots. PR must be happy.

So yes we sorely need 60fps by default on all Single player game on top of the usual MP games.