That first level when you make it out of the ship and you look up in the sky, the birds flying in the sky and the sun, fish in the water. All standard game tinsel now but amazing back then.

I've seen some fantasticly rendered fire in movies too, which looks so realistic. It's only a matter of time before it's possible to make completely believable fire in a game.

The spinning, growing particle trick can make some amazing effects, but every game uses this trick now and gamers' eyes are getting use to it.

I've just had a look at the planet unreal site, it's got some screen shots. It looks so dated now. I remember thinking it was the mutts nuts at the time.