These are the two best looking games released this year yet they go dramatically different routes with resources and where the work put into detail has went. Which do you think and feel is better?

While there is a layer of artistic shean over DS2s very realistic graphics it mainly hits for realism. It is an extremely good looking game. 

Ghost of Yotei hits for artstyle, it lacks much evolution over it's predecessor, there are small gains in fidelity but it really leans into simulation of stuff happening on the screen, art over realism, lighting and dynamic day/night cycle which is left uncontrolled. It has a major glossy shean laid over the graphics, reminding you it's a video game quite often but then looking like a Fresco or watercolour painting when the light hits just right. 

Pretty instantly for me, it's Ghost of Yotei. I was wow'd with DS2 and often stopped to gawk at scenery and take pictures put Ghost has me enjoying the scenery every inch I travel. I have audibly gasped. DS2 felt like a generational leap over PS4 but Ghost has that Elden Ring X factor, it's style elevates it well over raw graphics, even so much it is a detriment to playing the game. It doesn't help DS2 that it has so much HUD and mqn built ruins which are difficult for any game to render and look artful.

For just looking at a pleasing image it's Yotei hands down. If we're talking technical prowess that's a tougher question when DS2 runs almost twice as well.

Ghost is more aesthetic, Death is a bigger technical feat imo

Yeah, this is obvious but which is preferable? Completely subjective of course.

Yes. This is very much the case but which do you prefer?

Oh excuse me, I worded the title very poorly.

Ghosts of Yotei is a standout.

I prefer Elden Ring and Resident Evil 8 Graphics. :P

I have never seen such beauty in a game before, never have I been so awed by this beauty that it comes at the detriment of progressing the game. Even GoT, I was able to travel to objectives without getting distracted. As someone mentioned Elden Ring just above, I too love that game for it's painterly effect and it's up there with my most beautiful games but Yotei is that effect all the time, non stop, whatever lighting and it's even more dynamic with varied weather and effects. The whole game has this perfect shean over it, I thought the days of being wow'd by graphics are over but these two games, DS2 and Ghost give promise but Ghost esspecially.