From killer first-party exclusives to the vast array of quality multi-platform titles, there are loads of great games for Sony's Blu-ray gaming machine.
As such, we here at GameRevolution figured there's no better time to look back at some of the best games on each of the major platforms, and we're starting with the PS3. Sure, there are still plenty of great games still on the horizon for Sony's console, but you know what? We don't care! We love games and we love lists, so deal with it.
Note: This list reflects the opinions of the GR staff at large. So if you're looking to pick a fight, you better be ready to take on all of us. But be warned, Mr. Severino is one tough dude.
25. Yakuza 4
If you're looking for a game that not only tells a great story, but also captures the dark and intriguing world of the Japanese Mafia, Yakuza 4 is the game for you. While the series itself hasn't evolved drastically over the years, the game's real strength lies in its intriguing characters and detailed setting that truly feels like Japan. Oh yeah, and did I mention that there are loads of mini-games. Those alone will keep you busy for hours on end.
Firaxis achieved the near-impossible with XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Trying to revive a PC classic from so many years ago faithfully while making it still feel fresh in 2012 was a major task for the team to take on, but they pulled it off surprisingly well. Perma-death is back and just as brutal as ever. But what is perhaps the most amazing achievement is how well the game plays on consoles. I could almost say it's the best strategy game on the PS3, but alas, this list is far from over.
23. Nier
While a number of role-playing games to come out of Square Enix this generation have been far from impressive, Nier manages to buck the trend thanks to its captivating story and incredible characters. Sure, the gameplay may be a bit shallow and frustrating at times, but the game's tear-jerking narrative makes all the effort totally worth it. If you're looking for an experience that will stick with you long after the credits role, I implore you to give Nier a look.
22. Resistance 3
Forget the Killzone games. Resistance 3 takes the cake as the best PS3-exclusive shooter. Insomniac Games learned some valuable lessons from Resistance 2, and it really shows in the third installment. It's got an incredible arsenal of weapons that each serve a specific purpose and function. The story is much more focused (and ultimately better) this time around, serving as the de facto single-player FPS experience on the PlayStation 3. Let's also not forget how totally awesome the box art is.
21. Mass Effect 3
While BioWare's trilogy capper will forever be marred by its controversial ending, there's no denying the fact that this is one heck of an amazing role-playing experience. Seeing how all of your choices affect not only the the slew of characters you come in contact with, but also crucial plot points that change the flow of the game, is downright astounding. BioWare was given the impossible task of creating a satisfying conclusion that had to live up to the lofty expectations of so many gamers, and in many respects, they succeeded with Mass Effect 3.
While Fallout 3 was groundbreaking in part for its ability to take a classic PC franchise and successfully turn it into a modern first-person RPG, Obsidian Entertainment took it one step further with New Vegas. If you overlook the bugs that plague nearly every Bethesda-published open-world game, what you'll find is a truly compelling role-playing experience that has an incredible world, story, and characters. Fallout 4 truly can't come soon enough.
19. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Say what you want about AC2 or even the third installment for that matter, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is easily the best game in the series. This middle chapter in the Ezio trilogy told the best story, had some incredible gameplay and introduced multiplayer to the franchise. Seriously, there's nothing quite like Assassin Creed's multiplayer, and it's all thanks to Brotherhood. Whoever thought quiet, methodical online gameplay could be so much fun?
18. Mortal Kombat
Last year, NetherRealm Studios showed the industry how to do a reboot right with Mortal Kombat. They didn't add some goofy subtitle. They didn't add twenty new gimmicks. They simply went back to what makes the series great and cranked it up to eleven. It's got all the characters you've come to know and love. It's got stunning visuals. And most importantly, it's got blood, blood and more blood. If you enjoyed the original titles during the days of the SNES and Genesis, you'll find yourself right at home.
17. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Sure, the PlayStation 3 version may be a buggy mess and it may not currently have any DLC support, but Skyrim is just so good, it had to be included on this list. After all, the game has got to be incredible if our own Anthony Severino manages to find time amongst his busy schedule to play it to near completion. If you have even the slightest affinity toward fantasy role-playing games, you'd be a fool for passing on this game. Seriously, it has dragons. DRAGONS!
16. Battlefield 3
If you're looking for a military shooter for the PS3, look no further, for DICE's Battlefield 3 is the best the platform has to offer. From its massive scale online battles to its gorgeous visuals thanks to the power of Frostbite 2, you'll forget all about Call of Duty. With an emphasis on team-based gameplay, it goes much deeper than the straight-up run-and-gun gameplay seen in Activision's popular shooter.
15. LittleBigPlanet
"Play. Create. Share." That has been the mantra of the LittleBigPlanet franchise ever since Media Molecule revealed its creation-heavy platformer several years ago. While Sackboy will never achieve the same level of recognizability as Mario, the cute little creature has gone on to be one of the PlayStation 3's most valuable mascots. Sure, the platforming mechanics are a bit on the floaty side, but what LittleBigPlanet brought to the industry from a creative standpoint was nothing short of revolutionary. What other platformer boasts an active community that's constantly creating new content? Yeah, I thought so.
14. inFamous 2
The guys at Sucker Punch proved to the world that they have what it takes to make an incredible open-world platformer with the first inFamous, and then improved upon it considerably with the sequel. With smooth and fluid gameplay, a sweeping open world, and a compelling story filled with a cast of memorable characters, inFamous 2 is easily the best open-world platforming action game you'll play on not just Sony's console, but any other platform currently on the market.
13. Vanquish
When gamers think of PlatinumGames, Bayonetta likely comes to mind, but it's their other high-speed action game that has managed to claim a top spot on our PS3 list. That's right, we're talking about Vanquish, a super-fast action game that has some of the best third-person shooting you'll find on the PlayStation 3. If the upcoming release of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance has you salivating in anticipation, give this game a try. I promise you that it will provide the very fix you're looking for.
If you're growing sick of all the redundancy that plagues this industry, you'll undoubtedly find Valkyria Chronicles to be a breath of fresh air. This turn-based strategy game boasts some beautiful animé-inspired art that has no equal. It's a successful blend of third-person shooting, role-playing, and tactical action that yields a product that is like nothing else you've ever played. If that weren't enough, Valkyria Chronicles tells an engaging story with memorable characters that you won't likely soon forget. This title is the very definition of an underrated gem.
11. Demon's Souls
Gluttons for punishment swear by FromSoftware's super-challenging action game. Those who look back longingly at the early days of gaming when video games were actually hard will find much to love about Demon's Souls. If dying over and over and over again sounds like a good time to you, then this game will be right up your alley. If not, give it a try anyway, you might just find out that a heavy dose of grueling challenge is just what your thumbs needed.
10. Portal 2
I hardly consider myself a fan of puzzle games, but Valve's Portal 2 managed to win me over like few games have. Not only are the puzzles downright brilliant, the game bleeds charm thanks to its excellent writing. The original Portal felt a lot like a tech demo, but the sequel takes that foundation and transforms it into one of the most engaging and memorable experiences you'll have on the PlayStation 3. And don't even get me started on the co-op…
I can count on one hand the number of superhero games that are worth your time, and Batman: Arkham City is number one on that list. Rocksteady took the excellent combat established in Arkham Asylum and built and incredible open world around it. If you're a fan of Batman, the sheer number of iconic characters and villains is reason enough to give this game a look. Plus, soaring over the city never gets old.
8. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
While not quite as revolutionary as Uncharted 2, the third installment in Naughty Dog's popular treasure-hunting franchise was an incredible thrill ride from start to finish. Visually, Drake's Deception is easily one of the most gorgeous games on the PlayStation 3. With a cast of incredible characters—that Catherine Marlowe still haunts me to this day—and an array of gorgeous set pieces, there's so much to love about Drake's latest sand-filled journey. Speaking of which…
7. Journey
Those who claim that video games aren't art clearly haven't played thatgamecompany's PlayStation Network title Journey. As technology has progressed over the years, games have gotten over-explanatory and unnecessarily complicated. However, Journey goes against the grain, providing an experience that requires the player to explore and discover things on their own. It's the very definition of elegant simplicity in game form. The very fact that a two-hour downloadable title can leave such a lasting impact is a testament to the artistic skills of Jenova Chen and the rest of his team at TGC.
6. BioShock
Irrational Games' BioShock tells the story of a stranded individual trapped within a freakishly twisted underwater city. It's completely horrifying, yet eerily intriguing at the same time. The level of detail around every corner is downright astonishing and speaks volumes about the team's developing prowess. The various Big Daddies that stomp through the halls and the creepily adorable Little Sisters that hang by their side perfectly meld within the universe and add a nice wrinkle to the gameplay. If that weren't enough, the astounding plot twist that precedes the game's conclusion is one of the most memorable moments in gaming.
Say what you want about Kratos as a character, the overabundance of QTEs, and the game's rather button-mashy combat, God of War III is easily one of the best games you can play on the PS3. If you have even a passing interest in Greek mythology, you'll eat up all of the incredible boss fights that take massive scale to a whole new level. If you've got some inner rage you'd like to take out on a host of Greek gods, God of War III will feed that burning fire within.
4. Heavy Rain
David Cage is a visionary. I love games because of the potential that they hold in offering interactive storytelling experiences. Quantic Dream is all about creating games that fit into that mold. Heavy Rain is their most recent effort, and while it is by no means a perfect game, what it manages to achieve is absolutely incredible. This is currently the best the industry has to offer in terms of interactive drama, and if the hype for Beyond: Two Souls is any indication, I'm not the only one who feels this way.
You may have realized that Grand Theft Auto IV is noticeably absent. That is almost certainly because everyone on the GR staff was just so wowed by Red Dead Redemption that Rockstar's other open-world hit got pushed to the wayside. Who would have thought that a sandbox western could possibly be so amazing? As with any Rockstar game, there are plenty of memorable characters to be found in Redemption. Plus, the world is great and there's just so much to do. And then there's that ending. Oh man, that ending.
The second entry in Naughty Dog's PS3 platforming trilogy is undoubtedly the studio's crowning achievement. Not only does it out do its predecessor in nearly every aspect, it's so good that even the third installment can't match it. The cinematic approach to gameplay and storytelling was unprecedented at the time and has since been emulated by a number of other studios developing games in the same genre. If you own a PlayStation 3 and for some reason don't have Uncharted 2, what is wrong with you? Go buy it right now!
1. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
The launch of a new Metal Gear title has become a major event ever since Metal Gear Solid blew everyone away on the original PlayStation. Over the years, the franchise as only begun to rise in popularity, virtually eclipsing Final Fantasy as the best Japanese-developed series available on the platform. As such, the launch of Metal Gear Solid 4 was monumental. It had gamers rushing out to buy a PS3 just so they could play Hideo Kojima's latest creation. Most importantly, however, Guns of the Patriots served as an epic conclusion to the story of the legendary Solid (Old) Snake.
What do you think of our picks? Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments below.
