My top 10 PlayStation video games of the last 30 years

Things aren’t going so great for Sony at the moment, but I didn’t want to be so down for their 30th anniversary. Instead, I wanted to share some of my favourite games and consoles/peripherals over this time.

For this list I haven’t chosen any third party games. So, for instance, games like Elden Ring, the Batman: Arkham games, Grand Theft Auto, and Red Dead Redemption 2 aren’t included.

Instead, I’ve included only Sony exclusives, which aren’t available anywhere else except, in some cases, on PC.

10. Horizon Forbidden West

The Horizon series hasn’t grabbed me as much as other third person Sony games. It doesn’t help that I’m not particularly skilled at stealth. The combat though is decent. I’d pick this game over the original because I found the platforming, although basic, to be a step up over its predecessor; the environments more engaging and also because, frankly, it’s absolutely gorgeous.

9. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

A lot was made of the ability to open portals to open ‘rifts’ between different areas, but in reality this didn’t add much to the gameplay. That being said, I still enjoyed the game. I can’t really remember much about it, if I’m honest, other than getting around the map was pretty fun, I seem to recall a flying dragon and some rocket boots. Also, the variety of weird weapons – such as one that fired a disco ball so enemies were distracted by being made to dance, which I believe was one particular highlight. A game I want to revisit at some point in the near future.

8. Sackboy: A Big Adventure

I feel both Sony and Microsoft are miles behind Nintendo when it comes to both platformers and family friendly games in general. This isn’t the best example of the genre but even so, I still had a good time with the game. The game looks great, with interesting levels that are bright and colourful. The game makes uses of licensed music to great effect and the challenge levels add a new degree of difficulty to the main game.

7. The Last Guardian

Although most probably prefer Shadow Of The Colossus I’ve never been a big fan. Personally, I much prefer The Last Guardian. I can understand why, Trico the giant dog you command doesn’t always respond to button prompts, much like a real dog, but to me it kinds of adds to the charm. I also enjoy the platforming and puzzles. For me though, where the game really shines is when you are scaling great heights. I really feel like they have nailed the sense of how it must feel knowing you could plummet back down to your death at any point.

6. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

The last third of the game loses pace a little but otherwise this game skips from one great action set piece to another, taking place in multiple different locations that all looking stunning. I remember how amazing the game looked when I first played, with Madagascar being the standout. I think this game also has the most engaging story out of the series too.

5. Astro Bot

I was debating where to rank this in the list and truth be told, right now, I’d probably say it could be at least two or three places higher. I can’t think of anything bad to say about it other than perhaps it does recycle certain elements from previous games. Outside of a select few Super Mario games, I’d say it’s the best platform game I’ve played.

The levels are varied, the graphics and artwork is stunning, the power-ups are good fun, and add to the level design – such as my favourite, the one that slows down time. The way the game utilises the PlayStation 5 controller in terms of motion controls and haptic feedback is unrivalled. An amazing game. Only time will tell if it will be considered a classic in years to come, which is why it isn’t higher on the list.

4. God Of War (2018)

Modern games usually seem to take an age to get going. They’ll be a somewhat lengthy and self-indulgent cut scene, followed by some smaller cut scenes and a tutorial, and by the time you get to the core gameplay you’re already two or three hours into the game. God Of War, on the other hand, starts with a bang and the first hour is action packed, with battles against a number of challenging enemies, including taking on a troll and a boss fight with the main antagonist.

God Of War is essentially a beat ‘em-up at heart, but an engaging story, stunning graphics, great combat – with arguably the most satisfying weapon in all of gaming – elevate it to the next level.

3. Marvel’s Spider-Man

Spider-Man probably isn’t as highly regarded as other games on this list. And in some ways, I can see why. There’re games with more engaging storylines or games that are more impressive from a technical perspective. The gameplay itself isn’t particularly original, given it essentially borrows heavily from the Batman: Arkham games. Despite this, I don’t think any other game has quite grabbed my interest as much.

I played this game so much and even when the credits rolled I still continued, until I’d reached that elusive 100% completion rate – something which I very rarely do, especially with open world games. It was my first ever Platinum trophy and to this date remains one of only a handful. Although, I’d argue Miles Morales is better, I can’t deny the pure enjoyment I had with its predecessor.

2. The Last Of Us Part 2

There’s been a certain amount of online discourse over the game and especially over the treatment of Joel. But although he isn’t a playable character (albeit for a brief few minutes) he’s arguably the most important. The decisions he makes towards the end of the first game prove the catalyst for the events of The Last Of Us Part 2. The flashbacks between him and Ellie show their relationship evolve over time, from one between a father and daughter to more strained and fractious. The fact that they were on the verge of mending that relationship shows gives context for Ellie’s actions.

Certain The Last Of Us Part 2 fans or detractors like to paint Joel as either hero or villain. I see him more as neither. Joel is violent and selfish but he’s also caring and nurturing. In short, he’s a flawed person who’s a product of his environment. Much has been made of The Last Of Us Part 2’s themes of violence and revenge, but it also explores the nature of empathy, compassion, redemption, and forgiveness. The Last Of Us Part 2 might not have been the game the fans wanted but I think it’s all the better for it.

1. The Last Of Us

I tried to avoid having more than one game from the same franchise in this list but in the end, I just couldn’t bring myself to not include both The Last Of Us games. Most games can be played regardless of whether you have played any of the previous ones, but I feel like both so intrinsically linked you can’t enjoy one without the other.

A lot has been said about the story of The Last Of Us and with good reason. The Last Of Us and its sequel, for me, are miles ahead of the competition in terms of motion capture, dialogue, and sheer emotion impact of its themes and characters.

However, the gameplay isn’t without merit. Sure, mechanics like item crafting, listen mode, and the mixture of stealth, melee and armed combat aren’t exactly groundbreaking but shiving a clicker always feels satisfying; as does stunning an infected with a brick before taking them down with a baseball bat to the head or taking out a well-armed militia group using well-placed arrow shot and stealth takedowns.

The Last Of Us is a game that utilises many different gameplay elements but does them all with a high level of competence, that other similar games don’t achieve. And all whilst having a high level of polish and production values.

By reader matc7884