On the subject of exclusives, nobody is doing it fairly like PlayStation. For years, the console has had a robust declare because the vacation spot for narrative-driven exclusives, and for good motive. From Bloodborne and Workforce Ico’s tasks to the action-packed Uncharted and the heart-wrenching The Final of Us, PlayStation maintains a formidable assortment of critically-acclaimed titles.
In 2022, PlayStation doubled-down on this fame, with a number of first-party studios releasing exclusives for Sony’s consoles together with long-awaited sequels to celebrated collection like Horizon and God of Conflict. Nonetheless, these blockbuster adventures aren’t the one video games that graced PlayStation this yr. 2022 additionally noticed an emergence of latest titles from smaller studios with larger-than-life concepts. So, from the sunny California coasts of Horizon Forbidden West to the neon-lit underground of Stray, listed here are the 5 finest adventures PS4 and PS5 took us on in 2022.
Oh, and one final notice: Please keep in mind, this listing may include just a few video games accessible to play on PC as properly, which frankly we’re fairly grateful about–no one ought to miss out on video games this good! Nonetheless, in relation to consoles, these titles are locked to PlayStation or, in our opinion, are finest skilled there.
God of Conflict Ragnarök
Kratos awaits Atreus in a cave.
Whereas 2018’s God of Conflict tells the story of a person really turning into a father, God of Conflict Ragnarök explores maybe an much more tough matter: How the father-son dynamic is totally altered as a toddler grows right into a younger grownup. Following the occasions of God of Conflict, Kratos has seemingly totally embraced fatherhood, however with it comes a profound sense of vulnerability–one that Atreus can not help however discover. This results in a collection of communication breakdowns as each males battle to be the opposite’s protector–as they attempt to be impartial forces, every petrified of the opposite’s energy and fragility.
It is a compelling story, fantastically advised while Ragnarök’s brutal Fimbulwinter begins to devour the land these males as soon as known as residence. However whereas the stakes and feelings are excessive, it would not cease God of Conflict Ragnarök from being each bit as pleasant to play as its predecessor. With fluid fight, gorgeous visuals, loads of system enhancements, and an general higher sense of each energy and scale, God of Conflict Ragnarök is a must-play for PlayStation house owners.
In our God of Conflict Ragnarök assessment, we gave the sport 9/10. “Regardless of being a narrative about warring gods and the tip of the world, the soul of the sport is one thing much more sentimental,” Tamoor Hussain wrote. “For each second of brutality, there’s one in all real and relatable emotion. How they land will fluctuate from individual to individual, however there have been a number of that left me with tears welling up. If nothing else, God of Conflict Ragnarök additional cements Sony Santa Monica’s narrative crew as top-of-the-line within the enterprise.”
Horizon Forbidden West
Aloy takes on new mechanical foes in Horizon Forbidden West.
Aloy returns within the comply with as much as 2017’s Horizon Zero Daybreak on this yr’s Horizon Forbidden West. Whereas Zero Daybreak noticed the fierce hunter traverse a Southwest devoid of civilization as we all know it and reclaimed by nature, Forbidden West takes her on a journey to the golden coasts of California. Nonetheless, the setting is not the one factor that is shaken up in Aloy’s sophomore journey. Every little thing in Forbidden West is bigger in scale–the maps, the ability bushes, the weapon decisions, the sense of journey… Oh, and fairly naturally, the enormous robotic dinosaurs and beasts you should strategically hunt and scavenge for elements.
At instances, this upscaling could be a bit overwhelming. Between new weapons, traps, and unprecedented mobility, Aloy requires extra coordination and cautious planning than ever to take down her prey. Nonetheless, this additionally means encounters are finally extra tense and thrilling than ever earlier than. The place Forbidden West really shines, although, is in its story and characters. Whereas Zero Daybreak centered largely on connecting with figures from the previous, Forbidden West is grounded within the current and centered on constructing relationships with a solid of colourful characters, every with their very own motivations and backstories. This degree of element is even prolonged to minor characters who present up in facet quests, and assist make the sport really feel curated and heartfelt.
GameSpot gave the sport 8/10 in our Horizon Forbidden West assessment. “When its many techniques come collectively, it may be an attractive, thrilling, and pleasant open-world expertise,” Phil Hornshaw wrote. “The story that drives you thru the frontier is usually well-told and does properly to heart precise characters fairly than audio logs, and whereas the map is plagued by icons, it is way more usually that they are enjoyable, skillfully crafted diversions than random busywork to fill a guidelines.”
The Final of Us Half I
Ellie from The Final of Us.
To name The Final of Us Half I a mere remaster of its 2013 counterpart could be a disservice. Whereas the sport may see Joel and Ellie expertise the identical harrowing sequence of occasions as The Final of Us–and nonetheless make the identical decisions that may inevitably result in the identical surprising conclusions–never has the fear and heartache been as palpable as it’s in The Final of Us Half I.
The Final of Us Half I’s visible overhaul doesn’t solely exist to make the sport extra palatable in 2022 or ring in a brand new viewers of oldsters who by no means performed the sport however are desirous to after seeing the trailers for its HBO adaptation, although it accomplishes each duties with ease. It additionally helps gamers forge a stronger connection between their world and the world of The Final of Us, a connection that conjures up empathy, in addition to makes Joel and Ellie extra human than ever earlier than. Thanks to higher character animation, each expression is extra intricate and impactful and each look has higher weight. The environments are extra foreboding and lonely, as improved lighting showcases each speck of mud within the air and provides extra terror to the sport’s darkish recesses. Past that, The Final of Us Half 1 additionally tightens the sport’s fight and provides a plethora of choices that make the title extra accessible and enjoyable to play than ever earlier than. Fairly merely, it is the definitive solution to expertise this beloved PlayStation expertise.
GameSpot gave an 8/10 to The Final of Us Half I in our assessment. “All these enhancements taken by themselves could appear minor, however collectively they make one of the vital memorable video games of the PS3 period even higher,” Jake Dekker wrote. “Whereas among the degree design might not have aged all that properly, the vivid solid of characters and memorable story are extra poignant than ever.”
Sifu
The Sifu’s son prepares to battle a person in a nightclub.
Anybody who has practiced martial arts–or has watched their fair proportion of Kung Fu cinema–understands that to grow to be really nice takes unbelievable self-discipline and each devotion and respect for the artwork type and its rules. Sifu hones in on this concept, posing the query of, “Can one individual really grasp Kung Fu of their lifetime?” earlier than permitting gamers to come back to the conclusion on their very own.
Sifu is a relentlessly difficult brawler that sees your character tackle an elite group of fighters after they assassinate their father. Nonetheless, this is not your customary revenge story, as every time your character fails they get older. And whereas their thoughts may develop wiser after these defeats, their physique turns into extra frail. Inevitably, your character can die from outdated age having not accomplished his quest for vengeance. Self-discipline and precision is important to making sure that does not occur, however it’s no straightforward feat, which is exactly what makes Sifu so compelling.
Sifu obtained a 9/10 in our assessment, with Richard Wakeling writing, “Your journey from scholar to grasp is thrilling, primarily as a result of it is ruled by your individual enhancing ability degree fairly than conventional character development. There are memorable moments that stand out all through, such because the boss fights and an pleasing recreation of the enduring hallway scene from Oldboy, however it’s Sifu’s fight that shines by way of most brightly.”
Stray
The titular stray cat.
No matter in case you’re a cat individual, canine lover, snake fanatic, or even perhaps an avid fowl watcher, Stray’s appeal is simple. From its opening moments–when your feline protagonist loses their steadiness and is shipped plummeting away from their companions and down into an underground metropolis occupied by neon-lights and androids–to the sport’s hopeful conclusion, each little bit of Stray is crammed to the brim with emotion and coronary heart. The sport additionally, and maybe surprisingly on account of its protagonist and supporting solid, touches on what it means to be alive and the significance of companionship.
Aside from that, Stray can also be a blast to play. Stuffed with puzzles that require not solely cat-like reflexes however cat-like considering as properly, you may be tasked with strolling throughout keyboards, pushing objects off excessive surfaces, and getting as much as all the standard mischief that makes cats so endearing. Add beautiful visuals, a splash of horror, and easy platforming, and you have one spectacular first sport from the up-and-coming BlueTwelve Studio.
In the end, this sport obtained a 9/10 from GameSpot. In our Stray assessment, Alessandro Barbosa wrote, “Stray’s final energy is how properly its general design embodies the distinctive perspective and capabilities of its protagonist, however it additionally would not depend on this to be the one distinguishing characteristic of the whole journey. A variety of the enjoyment all through Stray’s runtime comes from how properly every state of affairs is designed for the skills of its feline hero.”
