11 Games Where You Can Take Awesome Photographs
Are you a budding photographer looking to capture incredible sights within the virtual world?
Look no further than these incredible video games that allow you to take photographs of everything from gorgeous realistic vistas to stylized, offbeat individuals.
And no, I'm not just talking about screenshots. In these games, you're the one holding the camera.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has some of the most stunning vistas in gaming, thanks to its unique cel-shaded art style. Fortunately, Link's trusty Sheikah slate gives you the ability to take great photographs of the landscape, characters, and even the wildlife you encounter on your journey. You can even pose Link how you like, and given that the world freezes when you're using the camera, you can get some crazy shots!
2. Phasmophobia's Essential Camera
Phasmophobia is a horror game that puts players in the shoes of paranormal investigators. One of the key tools you have to explore the haunted locations is the camera. With this, you can capture evidence of supernatural activity, such as ghostly apparitions or strange phenomena.
This means that in Phasmophobia, you're not only taking photos, but it's a fundamental part of the game's horror. While the photos you capture aren't all saved, if you're just looking for the feeling of capturing the paranormal on camera—look no further!
3. Dead Rising's Comedic Camera
Dead Rising has a unique feature that allows players to take photographs of the zombie hordes and the carnage they leave behind. But in classic Dead Rising fashion, this becomes a comedic outlet, as you can capture screenshots of the ridiculous and amusing situations the game thrives on. It's a great way to break up the tension of the game and provide some light-hearted moments.
4. Firewatch's Camera Diary
Firewatch puts you in the shoes of a fire lookout in the Wyoming wilderness, and it allows you to take photographs of the spectacular landscape around you. Thanks to the game's camera feature, like a diary, you can save these photographs and look back on them later in the game. They even feature late in the game to give you a warm look back on your time with the experience. This feature adds an extra layer of exploration and discovery, as you can keep track of your journey and the memories you make along the way.
5. Spiderman 3's Photography Feature
The third installment of the recent Spiderman game series introduced a great photography feature. These photographs can be used to track enemies and allies, as well as provide a great way to capture the stunning visuals of the game world. You can even take screenshots of special moments, such as when Spiderman catches villains in mid-air or swings through the city. This adds a great deal of depth to the game, allowing players to explore the virtual world in new and exciting ways.
6. Umurangi Generation
Umurangi Generation is a little different from most other games on this list—in the fact that it isn't giving you access to lifelike stills. Instead, taking photographs in this highly stylized game deliver a dose of character, providing you with an alternative way to explore the vibrant cityscapes away from the game's combat. With its unique visual style, you can take stunning photographs of the graffiti-covered walls, the neon-lit streets, and the characters you meet.
7. Demon's Souls (PS5) lets you capture the Dark Souls World
The world of Dark Souls in Demon's Souls PS5 is ripe for photography. With its brooding atmosphere and hauntingly beautiful environments, you can take some truly stunning photographs. From the snow-capped mountains of Boletaria to the murky depths of the Shrine of Storms, you can explore and capture the unique beauty of this world.
Plus, the power of the PS5 allows you to take photos in 4K resolution, giving you plenty of detail to bring out the richness of the game's environments. Whether you're looking for a spectacular landscape or a snapshot of the characters you meet, the Dark Souls world of Demon's Souls PS5 offers plenty of opportunities for budding photographers.
Speaking of the Soul's franchise, if you're deep into Elden Ring but are understandably finding it a challenge consider getting your hands on some Elden Ring Items or a high-level Elden Ring Account to give you a boost!
8. Ghosts of Tsushima's Gorgeous Vistas
The Japanese island in Ghosts of Tsushima is a breathtakingly beautiful setting, and the game's camera feature lets you capture all the stunning visuals it has to offer. You can take photographs of the island's rolling hills, rugged coastlines, and lush forests, as well as the characters you meet throughout the game.
The game's incredibly detailed visual style can take some truly incredible photographs. Whether it's a snapshot of a peaceful beach or a shot of a samurai warrior in mid-battle, you can capture all the beauty of the game world. And trust me; there's a lot of it.
9. Pokémon Snap
Pokémon Snap lets you take photographs of the Pokémon world, just like you've always dreamed of. You can explore the various environments and capture the unique creatures you encounter along the way. From the luscious jungles of the Orange Islands to the icy caverns of Snowflake Mountain, you can take photos of some truly incredible sights. Plus, you can even take snapshots of the Pokémon in action, giving you the perfect opportunity to capture the light-hearted beauty of Pokémon.
10. NUTS and Wildlife Surveillance
In NUTS, players are tasked with spying on some pesky squirrels. Meaning that, of course, you can take photographs of them. The cameras are able to capture the detailed beauty of the animals, as well as their interactions with the environment—not to mention that they're an essential part of the game's progression.
This is great news for wildlife enthusiasts, as it quite literally tasks you with monitoring the behavior of these animals in their natural habitat.
11. Tales from Off-Peak City's Uncanny Camera
Tales from Off-Peak City has an interesting camera feature that allows you to take photographs of the game's quirky environments. You can capture the oddball architecture or the weird inhabitants of the city. I don't want to spoil the strangeness of this experience—so I'll just say that with the camera, you can explore this offbeat world and capture its unique beauty.
Time to Grab a (Virtual) Camera
If you're playing with friends, you can even turn this into a fun competition by challenging each other to capture the most creative shots. In addition, some games have built-in features to organize photo contests or generate teams for collaborative photography projects, adding another layer of excitement to your virtual photography adventures.
These are just a few of the great video games out there where you can take photographs. Whether you're looking for a stunning landscape or a snapshot of the characters you meet, these games offer plenty of opportunities for budding photographers.
Fortunately for us—if you've made it this far into the article, I'll take it that you love taking nice in-game photos, just like me—photography features have become commonplace in many AAA titles. Meaning that we can expect to be taking many more exciting photos far into the future.