Developed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine is one of the industry’s most powerful and versatile game engines. It is known for its stunning graphics, advanced features, and flexibility and has become a top choice for game developers worldwide. Its capabilities extend beyond gaming, influencing industries like film, architecture, and virtual reality.
The engine’s continuous evolution and support from a vibrant community have solidified its position as a leader in game development technology. Let’s learn more about it and check out the list of 10 popular Unreal Engine games.
Unreal Engine is a software framework for developing games and interactive experiences. Created by Epic Games, it includes a suite of integrated tools for designing, building, and deploying real-time 3D projects. This engine allows developers to create detailed graphics, complex animations, and immersive environments, making it a cornerstone in the gaming and entertainment industries.
Here’s why Unreal has been used to create many popular Unreal Engine games:
Unreal Engine’s advanced rendering capabilities enable dynamic lighting, high-quality textures, and complex shaders. It also supports sophisticated visual effects like particle systems, dynamic weather, and realistic water simulations, creating immersive game environments.
The Blueprint visual scripting system allows designers to create complex game mechanics without extensive programming knowledge. This makes game development more accessible and enables quick prototyping and iteration.
Unreal Engine supports cross-platform development, allowing games to be played on PCs, consoles, mobile devices, and VR headsets. Its scalability enables the creation of the best Unreal Engine games by both indie and AAA developers.
Unreal Engine streamlines the development process by including tools for animation, physics, AI, and audio. Its extensive marketplace offers ready-made assets, saving time and effort for designers.
The engine provides optimization tools like level streaming and LOD systems to ensure games run smoothly on various hardware configurations. Real-time editing capabilities allow designers to see changes immediately, enhancing workflow efficiency.
Unreal Engine has a large, active community of developers and designers who share knowledge, tutorials, and resources. Epic Games offers extensive documentation and support, making it easier for designers to learn and troubleshoot issues.
The engine includes robust networking features that simplify the development of multiplayer games and online games, providing tools for creating networked gameplay and managing online interactions.
Unreal is at the forefront of virtual reality and augmented reality development, offering tools and features for creating immersive VR experiences.
Unreal Engine has powered some of the most visually stunning and immersive games ever created. Here is a list of the top few:
Developer: Epic Games
Genre: Battle Royale, Action RPG
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, GeForce Now, Amazon Luna
Art: 3D
In Fortnite, players are dropped from a flying bus onto an island, where they collect weapons to become stronger. As the playable area shrinks over time, players must confront each other until only one remains.
As one of the highest-grossing popular Unreal Engine games, Fortnite earns billions annually through cosmetic purchases and battle passes. Its cartoonish game art and non-graphic violence makes it accessible to a wide demographic, including children.
Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Genre: Action-Adventure
Platforms: Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Wii U
Art: 3D
Batman: Arkham City is based on the DC Comics character Batman and is the sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum. The game has received critical acclaim and is considered one of the best Unreal games.
In Arkham City, players take on the role of Batman, who is imprisoned in the newly constructed Arkham City. As Batman, players explore the city, uncovering secrets and completing missions to address the issues. The game features a range of weapons and abilities from the Batman franchise, including stealth, combat, and detective skills.
Developer: Studio Wildcard
Genre: Action-Adventure, Shooting, Fighting
Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Android, iOS, GeForce Now
Art: 3D
Best games on Unreal Engine often showcase stunning visuals and immersive gameplay, and Ark: Survival Evolved is no exception. This open-world survival game transports players to a prehistoric world teeming with dinosaurs. Players must scavenge resources, craft tools, and build shelters to survive in this harsh environment.
One of Ark’s standout features is the ability to tame and ride dinosaurs, creating a unique and thrilling gameplay experience. From gentle giants to ferocious predators, players can build their own dinosaur army to dominate the island. The game also offers competitive PvP modes, allowing players to test their survival skills against others.
Developer: Ninja Theory
Genre: Action-Adventure, Puzzle
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, GeForce Now
Art: 3D
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is one of the most acclaimed popular Unreal Engine games, renowned for its groundbreaking portrayal of mental illness. The game delves into the mind of Senua, a Pict warrior on a haunting journey through Norse mythology. With a powerful narrative, stunning visuals, and immersive audio design, Hellblade offers a unique and thought-provoking experience.
Developer: Star Vault
Genre: Action-Adventure
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Art: 2D, 3D
Mortal Online 2 is one of the best Unreal Engine games, offering a pioneering MMORPG experience. This sandbox game grants players unmatched freedom to forge their own paths in a persistent world.
From crafting and trading to epic battles and political intrigue, players are immersed in a truly player-driven adventure. With a strong emphasis on realism and player agency, Mortal Online 2 caters to those seeking a hardcore online world.
Developer: Gearbox Software
Genre: FPS, Action RPG, Adventure
Platforms: Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Art: 3D
Borderlands 3 is a well-known entry among popular Unreal Engine games, distinguished by its unique visuals. The game features numerous planets to explore, including Pandora, and rewards players with loot that enhances their strength.
It offers a wide variety of guns and characters, each with distinct traits and abilities. Known for its humor and co-op features, Borderlands 3 stands out as one of the best Unreal Engine games in the industry.
Developer: Rare
Genre: Action-Adventure, Fighting, Shooting
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, GeForce Now
Art: 3D
Sea of Thieves is a pirate-themed game and one of the popular Unreal Engine games. Players take on the role of pirates, exploring seas for loot and treasures.
Initially criticized for being bare bones, Sea of Thieves has been updated with numerous features. Players can complete missions, battle sea creatures like the Megalodon and Kraken, and explore islands with quests and hidden treasures.
The game also allows underwater exploration. It is praised for its flexible gameplay and cosmetic-based monetization system, allowing players to buy skins and costumes with in-game currency. Its cartoonish art style adds to its broad visual appeal, making it one of the most popular Unreal Engine games.
Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Genre: Action-Adventure, Puzzle, RPG
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Art: 3D
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is one of the best Star Wars games that stood out as a popular Unreal Engine game with a combination of Action, RPG, and puzzle-solving elements. It is set between episodes III and IV of the movie franchise, offering an exciting narrative that aligns well with the Star Wars universe. Players explore various planets, rewarding and enhancing the gameplay experience.
Developer: Good-Feel
Genre: Shooter, Platformer
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Art: 2D, 3D
Yoshi’s Crafted World is a charming platformer showcasing the versatility of popular Unreal Engine games. This Nintendo Switch exclusive features a unique art style that transforms levels into playful cardboard creations. With over 40 main levels and challenging post-game content, players can enjoy a delightful platforming experience.
Developer: Square Enix
Genre: Adventure, RPG
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, iOS, Android, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Art: 2D, 3D
Final Fantasy VII Remake is a complete overhaul of the original 1997 Final Fantasy VII. It modernizes the classic with a unique aesthetic and incorporates elements of contemporary RPGs.
The game’s standout feature is its combat, accessible to players without prior exposure to the Final Fantasy series. Set in the futuristic city of Midgard, the game allows you to play with various characters, each with unique abilities, adding strategic depth to the gameplay. The character design, including that of the main character, Cloud, is also exceptional, contributing to the game’s appeal as one of the popular Unreal Engine games.
At Juego Studios, we excel in Unreal Engine game development, transforming your ideas into captivating, high-quality games. Our expertise lies in multiple genres, technologies, and multiplatform development. Having worked with more than 500 gaming apps, we can be your trusted partner for Unreal games.
Unreal Engine’s versatility is evident in its ability to power a wide range of games across various genres and platforms. From action-packed adventures to immersive pirate explorations, the engine supports diverse gaming experiences. Its robust capabilities ensure that developers can create visually stunning and technically impressive games that captivate players worldwide. This adaptability makes it a go-to choice for creating some of the industry’s most popular Unreal Engine games today.
Absolutely. Unreal Engine’s flexibility caters to developers of all sizes. Its Blueprint visual scripting system is ideal for indie developers, while its C++ capabilities support the demands of AAA projects. This versatility has resulted in some of the best Unreal games by both indie and AAA titles.
Some popular Unreal Engine games by indie developers are Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and Borderlands 3.
Unreal’s advanced tools, stunning visuals, and robust community support have made it a top choice for developers. Its ability to enable crafting highly detailed, immersive worlds has led to the creation of many popular Unreal Engine games.