It’s been just over six years since the PlayStation 3 was first released in North America and surely it has come a long way. We still remember many industry analysts writing it off and some even claiming that it won’t even a sell a million. But now we are here, six years later, and the PlayStation 3 has now sold a breathtaking 70 million units worldwide.
In order to celebrate this occasion, GamingBolt presents to you ten PlayStation 3 exclusive games that you need to play.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Game details:
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Kojima Productions
Released date: June 2008
Metal Gear Solid is not for everyone. The series is well known for it’s over the top, convoluted plotlines and political undertones that can make the average gamer go crazy. But still there are millions of Metal Gear Solid fans, literally a legion if I have to give one word to it and there is a good reason for it.
A warrior in his final fight, in his final mission.
Simply put, Metal Gear Solid is responsible for many stealth action games like Splinter Cell and I would even go as far as claiming that this franchise pioneered a new genre in video games: Stealth. According to some fans, the original Metal Gear Solid on the PlayStation One is still the best in the series but if we talk about current PlayStation 3 owners, many of them will agree that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is a classic, immaculately handcrafted, highly personal game, by Hideo Kojima himself. It is a classic example of the ultimate fan service. One moment or a set piece cannot define Guns of the Patriots. The entire game, every nano-second of it, was engaging, resulting in a story of an old man, fighting in his last mission, so that he can save the world just one more time.
The game is packed with exhilarating weapons (Tanegashima, anyone?) and the best armour that any army man will be proud of. Octo-camo is one of the most revolutionary innovations in video games. Obviously it was done before in many other different games, but Hideo Kojima took it to another level. The idea of real time camouflage using the power of the cell processor opened up an all new gateway to stealth mechanics. The inclusion of Drebin Points encouraged players to play the game several times so that they could unlock destructive weapons and camo items that will scare your enemy away.
The microwave scene has been etched in our memories forever.
I am not sure how Kojima tied all the loose ends of the series, but he did it with a phenomenal climactic scene between Ocelot and Snake. Guns of the Patriots is a masterpiece. Yes- it ‘is’, not ‘was’. The logic behind it is pretty simple. Not too many games have achieved the level of emotional involvement with a character. Not too many games gave you so much in return for your money. The upcoming Ground Zeroes will have a hard time topping this feat, no matter how hard Kojima Productions and Platinum Games try.
inFamous 2
Game details:
Publisher: Sony
Developer: Sucker Punch
Released date: June 2011
Although Sony has been promoting new IPs aggressively in recent tears, there was a particular genre they were lacking in. But then came 2009, and Sony along with Sucker Punch introduced a game based on a superhero that will be one of the major PlayStation mascots that people will remember for years to come. So it was that inFamous was released to much acclaim and gave Sucker Punch the recognition they deserved. During that period, inFamous, along with Batman: Arkham Asylum, was the superhero game that any fan of the genre would absolutely love to pick up. A superhero couples with electric powers, one who can summon lightning from the sky and toast his enemies, was a unique concept in video games. Sure, it was done countless times in Hollywood movies but for a video game, it was a first.
One of the highlights of inFamous 2 was Cole’s destructive powers.
In 2009, the PlayStation 3 was just reaching its peak and developers were still digging deep into the system, finding secrets about how they can max out the black beauty’s untouched power. After inFamous turned out to be successful, Sucker Punch immediately started work on the sequel, which was bigger and better than it’s predecessor.
In 2011, inFamous 2 was released. Cole McGrath had a sense of attitude about him now, along with new powers and interesting sidekicks. The world was bigger, giving the player more freedom to decide between good and bad actions. The game was given a better graphical backing with enemies that were daunting, intimidating and backed up with intelligent AI. Overall, Sucker Punch did an amazing job with the game.
Check out some awesome inFamous 2 gameplay footage.
Not many sequels can top their predecessors. inFamous 2 was one such rare case that fought all the odds to become a better game and perhaps one of the best superhero games in the industry. As for our hero, Cole McGrath, we will probably know more about his fate if Sony and Sucker Punch decide to take inFamous to an all new level with a third entry.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Game details:
Publisher: Sony
Developer: Naughty Dog
Released date: October 2009
Combining over the top action, immersive storytelling, gorgeous vistas and an incredible cast of characters, Uncharted 2 is one of those rare gems that come along once in a generation. It was probably PlayStation 3’s first video game that was marketed and developed to the full, taking advantage of the console’s raw power.
Nathan Drake doing what he does best in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune was in no way a bad game, but Uncharted 2 made it look like that exactly. Naughty Dog took every idea that they founded in Drake’s Fortune and improved it to perfection to create the perfect sequel. Gameplay wise, nothing major was changed, besides the introduction of a solid multiplayer package. So what made Among Thieves a highly entertaining package? The answer is its genre defining set pieces. Never has an action adventure game leaped so much into the depths of insanity. Drake was literally all over the place in the game and surprisingly made his escape whilst laughing along the way.
An absolutely crazy opening scene sets up the entire game.
Be it hanging from the bottom of the train that’s about to fall off a cliff or the absolutely mesmerizing level with Tenzin in the dangerous ice caves of Tibet, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves never ceased to wow the player. If you are one of those players that likes to search every corner of the game’s world then you can easily spend 30 plus hours of your life in the game. The multiplayer can easily give you 50 plus hours making the game an overall great package.
Uncharted 2 was a defining moment in video games. I remember how most of the onlookers were comparing it to Tomb Raider when it was first shown at E3 2006. The series sure has come leaps and bound since then.
Killzone 2
Game details:
Publisher: Sony
Developer: Guerrilla Games
Released date: February 2009
Remember the infamous Sony Press Conference at E3 2005? Sony hyped up the PlayStation 3 to no end, showing CG trailers for games like Heavenly Sword, MotorStorm and- who could forget- the unforgettable Killzone 2 trailer. The original Killzone was a critical failure and in no way was it the “Halo killer” it was being touted as.
Enemy AI was one of the highlights of Killzone 2.
During E3 2005, I truly believed that Sony had dug itself in a deep hole from which it will take a hell lot of hard work to come out of. The CG trailer of Killzone 2 ,even though loved by the fans, got a ton of media bashing. Fast forward to E3 2007 and Sony had a lot to prove. Can the PlayStation 3 render such insane visuals in real time? Phil Harrison finally showcased real time footage of Killzone 2, which was pretty close to the rendered target. The game was meant to be a success after that. It was in a league of its own.
The infamous E3 2005 trailer.
Featuring unparalleled graphics, backed up by amazing enemy AI and devastating weapons, Killzone 2 became one of the biggest success stories of 2009. Sony and Guerrilla Games got a lot of well deserved critical appreciation for not only hitting the E3 2005 target render (almost!) but also for Killzone 2’s unique, polished brand of gunplay.
I am not sure what the future holds for the Killzone franchise, but one thing’s for sure- no other game in the series will probably reach the hype that this one did.
LittleBigPlanet
Game details:
Publisher: Sony
Developer: Media Molecule
Released date: October 2008
The Play, Create, Share feature has been used in several games over the years, if not by that specific name or backed by a similar kind of marketing. We had been creating our race tracks and sharing them with people in ExciteBike and maps in Far Cry 2 long before people had even heard of LittleBigPlanet, but it wasn’t until Medial Molecule’s charming platformer was released that people became truly aware of the potential of this approach. With LittleBigPlanet- you can create the best levels ever, those that even outdo the ones the developers create themselves. And the fact that sharing them with the world is such an easy task makes it that much more significantly revolutionary.
Behold, one of the biggest innovations this generation of gaming has seen.
Yes, revolutionary. By the time this generation is long gone and people look back and talk about it, there will be very few games that are given the “revolutionary” tag. And one of them will be LittleBigPlanet. No, it’s not the best platformer ever. It’s not even decent when it comes to just core platforming- the platforming mechanics of LBP are fairly broken. But that doesn’t matter worth a damn In the end. It’s the wonderful social and multiplayer capabilities of LittleBigPlanet and its instant, undeniable charm that makes it the incredible game that it is.
A feast for the eyes. Not crows.
Just 4 years after the original game’s release, Sackboy has become an iconic character for Sony. And while LittleBigPlanet games don’t as well as Mario or play as well as Donkey Kong, they’re certainly as good as their competitors when it comes to replay value and the overall charm and the sheer presence of ingenuity and creativity on the developers’ part.
LittleBigPlanet is a truly wonderful game, and no PS3 owner, new or veteran, should miss it.
Heavy Rain
Game details:
Publisher: Sony
Developer: Quantic Dreams
Released Date: February 2010
Heavy Rain changes the way you look at games. While people criticize games like Call of Duty for being interactive movies with little to do, they praise Heavy Rain for how well it does exactly that. Heavy Rain never promises to deliver heart pounding gameplay or thrilling cover shooting. No, it promises to deliver a moving, memorable story with choices that will make you shudder and drastically affect the outcome of the game- and it delivers spectacularly on that promise.
Investigation was easily one of the best parts of the game.
Right from the moment we begin playing as Ethan Mars, we realize that this is no ordinary game. Even the context sensitive prompts aren’t as irritating as they usually are in other games, and it’s a good thing that’s the case, because it’s an idea the entire game is built upon. And as you slowly play through the game, first living out an ordinary life of an ordinary family man in the first few hours of the game, you begin to realize just how much the game has immersed you, drawn you into the world. This is no ordinary game, people. This is a game that gives importance to mundane activities like shaving or taking your child to shopping, and with such precision and immaculate story-work, it makes you attached to the characters.
And that is when it stars throwing some truly tough choices your way, choices that change the entire game. Characters live or die- not just peripheral characters, but main characters too. Even the protagonist. Set pieces unravel differently, relationships unravel differently, the entire story unravels differently depending on what you do. And while games like Dragon Age and Witcher only boast of such claims and offer very little of the choice-and-consequences, Heavy Rain actually makes you feel like you’re writing the story yourself as you play through the game.
Intense.
It’s a wonderful experience, and I haven’t even talked about how it’s technically proficient, or how it has a stunning soundtrack. It’s a game that will move you. It’s a beautiful game. It’s a game that defines the PlayStation 3.
Demon’s Souls
Game details:
Publisher: Sony (Japan), Atlus (Western markets)
Developer: From Software
Release Date: October 2009
You would have never expected a game like this to end up on the PlayStation 3. Why? Because it’s just so damn different. Its inception was quite interesting too with Sony Worldwide Studios boss rejecting the game earlier since he thought it was shoddy and had no direction. Boy, was he wrong, and he himself admitted later what a wrong decision that was. The game got published by Atlus in the west and the rest is history. The game went on to win numerous GOTY awards and is something that will always be termed as one of the best games ever created.
Pissed your pants, didn’t you? So did we.
The game is known for having a very addictive combat system, where it’s just a joy to kill enemies. The formula is pretty basic with riposte, attack, and block, but those three mechanics are so good to employ that it really glues you to itself. That’s the hallmark of a good game, where the gameplay mechanics are enough for you to simply power through the game. Of course, Demon’s Souls had a punishing old school difficulty, great art design, incredible bosses and solid level design where they are all intertwined with shortcuts added in clever places, not to mention the availability of a great variety of weapons and equipment.
The Adjudicator boss fight.
This isn’t a game for all. This isn’t the set-piece heavy Call of Duty clone that is high on testosterone and adrenaline and explosions at every turn. What made Demon’s Souls different was that it had a soul.
God of War 3
Game details:
Publisher: Sony
Developer: Sony Santa Monica Studios
Release Date: March 2010
God of War 2 blew us away. It blew everyone away. People had thought God of War was the gratuitous, violent, visceral epitome of hack-n-slash games, but when God of War 2 came out, it blew its competition and its own predecessor out of the water. So with the looming release of God of War 3 back in 2010, the question on everyone’s mind was- how do you top God of War 2? How do you top something so perfect?
Kratos and his epic adventure won’t soon be forgotten.
Well, in all fairness, it turned out God of War 3 didn’t topple God of War 2 off its perch. GoW 2 still is, and probably will be for a long time, the best GoW game and one of the best action adventure games of all time. But that does not, in any way possible, undermine what God of War 3 managed to achieve. Sure, it had its flaws, but GoW 3 was also the biggest, the most epic and the most violent game in the series.
From the boss fight against Hades and Hercules to the final moments with Pandora and Zeus, from the chilling vistas of the Underworld to the lush evergreen trees surroung Mt. Olympus, God of War 3 stunned and wowed us at every turn in the long, winding road.
A herculean boss fight.
Not only did the game improve on almost every aspect of the series even more than God of War 2 did- I doubt any action game has combat as visceral and satisfying as God of War 3 does- it also gave some much needed depth to the character of Kratos, who viewed Pandora as a substitute of his long dead daughter Calliope.
God of War 3 certainly isn’t the perfect game GoW 2 fans wanted it to be, but it damn well is one of the best games to have been released this generation, and one of the best PS3 games of all time. Don’t miss out on this one.
Resistance 3
Game details:
Publisher: Sony
Developer: Sony Santa Monica Studios
Release Date: September 2011
The Resistance franchise is, quite frankly, an underwhelming franchise. Resistance: Fall of Man, Resistance 2 and Resistance: Retribution are all great games in their own rights, but the problem with them is that they are all a tad underwhelming- they’re nothing special. Neither of us expected Resistance 3 to be any different when it came out, but what we got was way better than what we expected.
Insomniac captured the isolated feel of a post-apocalypse world perfectly.
Improving upon the disappointing campaign and messed up, all-over-the-place competitive multiplayer of Resistance 2, Resistance 3 delivered a great, emotional game with an excellent story and some truly memorable, personal moments. The campaign was excellent, mixing elements of fierce, thrilling shooters and edge-of-your-seat, heart-in-your-throat survival horror, with ammo scavenging a huge part of the gunplay. Playing the game co-op was as much fun as it was to play it solo. By the time the game ended, we had been treated to 10 well paced hours of excellent story and well written characters, all of which came together to excellently portray the Chimera as ruthless, fearsome monsters in the night.
The excellent opening to Resistance 3.
The multiplayer was also excellent, becoming much more focused than the online component of Resistance 2. All in all, it was a great package, one that was criminally underrated by all, and one that Sony did a great injustice by not advertising. Resistance 3 is an excellent shooter, one that is good enough to rival the likes of Killzone 2 and 3, and one that all PS3 players should definitely play. For the memorable campaign, if not anything else.
Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time
Game details:
Publisher: Sony
Developer: Insomniac
Release Date: November 2009
Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time (or Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time to our European friends) is another one of those PS3 exclusive titles that had the misfortune of not being advertised a lot. It’s been a great problem with Sony, one that we spoke about earlier, and one that has caused so many great PS3 titles to pass by unnoticed, remain underappreciated and not sell nearly as much as they deserved to.
The best game in the series.
A Crack in Time is excellent for a lot of reasons- its precise, incredibly fun brand of platforming, it’s thrilling and enjoyable shooting, its incredibly clever and and innovative time-travelling puzzles, it’s great characterization and the heartfelt development of the relationship between Ratchet and Clank, two characters who have never been apart for as long as they have in this incredible Future trilogy.
Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time is not only the best Ratchet and Clank game anyone has ever played- or will play, by the looks of it, and considering the consistent quality of the series, that’s saying something- it’s also one of the best platformers in a long time, and one of the best platformers of this generation. Considering this generations has seen platformers as excellent as Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 and others such as Rayman Origins, that’s a pretty big deal.
And, of course, the game does have the trademark R&C humour that we have all come to love.
If you own a PS3, and have even the slightest bit of inclination to play a great platformer, or a great shooter, or a great game, period, get A Crack in Time. You won’t regret it.
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