The 10 best HUDs in gaming
- November 26, 2007 15:50 PM PST
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Heads-Up Displays, or HUDs, are a critical part of any game. Unfortunately, not all developers give their HUD design the priority they should.
Many games either clutter the screen with unwanted information or have a such a clumsy layout it's hard to see even basic information...say, how much health you have left.
Despite the overwhelming amount of faulty HUDs, some games have perfected this crucial aspect. Whether showing weakened health through a character's on screen animation, displaying available ammo on the weapon itself, or revealing available items by placing them visibly on the characters body, some inventive developers are working to change the way we interact with games. Here are the 10 best HUDs in all of gaming...and three of the worst.
10 Perfect HUDs
Table of Contents
Page 1.) 2 games that make the leap
Page 2.) 3 Shooters with perfect HUDs
Page 3.) 3 action games with perfect HUDs
Page 4.) 2 games that paved the way for HUDs
Some games wait to show vital information until it's absolutely necessary. God of War, for instance, holds back info on health and other stats until the player is engaged in battle which streamlines the game's look and provides for a more cinematic-looking game.
Instead of relying on a display counting ammo levels, the upcoming Dark Sector provides the player with other visual cues. Depending on the level of ammo left, the weapon will glow different colors. This tactic frees up screen space without sacrificing critical information.
