Nobody knows the lifespan of a games machine, but what is clear is that at this stage in the PlayStation 3’s life, roughly four years in, we can at least pick out a handful of platform-exclusives that have really made the console sing so far – the games that have really pushed the technology hard but, equally, have provided unique experiences and gone the extra mile for the end user.
With that in mind, then, TheSixthAxis presents a compilation of ten PlayStation 3 exclusives that we think every game should have, starting with Sackboy’s latest adventure…
#10 – LittleBigPlanet 2
That Media Molecule’s platform adventurer should find its way into the top ten PlayStation 3 exclusives won’t come as a surprise to anyone that’s played it, or – indeed, the original LittleBigPlanet. Yes, they share the same core DNA and, yes, the second game’s main Story mode is essentially more of the same, but it’s in the Create mode that the sequel really starts to shine and elevate itself above anything else on the Planet.
Not everyone’s born with a creative streak, of course, and if the thought of spending dozens of hours pouring over microchips and blocks of wood trying to craft something spectacular isn’t your thing then you might well be shaking your head at the game’s inclusion – but you’d be missing the point. Even though we’re pushing Sackboy’s latest into our elusive, exclusive club before the game’s out we’re more than confident that the community around the game will be developing the sort of concepts that we never thought possible.
Indeed, we’ve had LittleBigPlanet 2 for a couple of weeks and already there’s some staggeringly impressive stuff up there that’s already on show, including a stunningly brilliant retro arcade that really does highlight the fact that the engine Media Molecule has developed – the strict set of mechanics and a wildly generous batch of tools – is capable of producing anything. And as such, LittleBigPlanet 2 is easily deserved of its place in our top ten.
#9 – Flower
The best videogames are the ones that connect. A tangible, real connection with the player is a device that most developers either forget or don’t seem to be able to grasp, but it’s one that thatgamecompany, with their second PlayStation 3 game, absolutely understood. As a result, Flower, a simple, singular idiom that transcends genre and pigeonholing, connects from the very second it starts until the heart-pounding conclusion.
Flower doesn’t feature a lengthy introductory coda, or pages of dialog and exposition – instead preferring to tell the tale, an initially whimsical but ultimately devastatingly powerful story about nature and mankind, through the game itself, only taking the player away from the focal point inbetween the downloadable title’s handful of ‘levels’, each respresented by a windowsill-based collection of plant pots.
Controlled entirely with the SixAxis’ tilt control (and any other button to summon the wind) the player assumes the role of a leaf from a flower, darting through the blades of grass and upwards into the air at will. To reveal the course of the game to the ignorant would be an injustice – anyone who owns a PlayStation 3 owes it to themselves to grab the game from the Store and set aside a few hours to soak in and become utterly enthralled by the game’s beauty.
#8 – Uncharted 2
I’m actually part of the small minority that actually prefers the first Uncharted’s single player mode, with its focused, rich jungle setting, over the varied sprawl of the second. That’s just personal preference, though, and it’s one that perhaps has to sit aside when selecting which of the two to for inclusion in this list – because there’s not a PlayStation 3 gamer on the planet who wouldn’t rate Nathan Drake’s adventures as the absolute apex of the genre.
So its with no shock that the much more complete, ambitious sequel takes the spot: Uncharted 2 is a perfect example of how to push the third person genre to its absolute limits with a sense of scale and scope rarely seen in today’s rather more ‘safe’ line-up of games. Visually it’s unmatched on the console, with breathtaking scenery and attention to detail bordering on the obsessive and the production values are second to none.
But it’s the multiplayer that really makes Uncharted 2 shine, with competitive and co-operative options featuring, giving the game a life well beyond that of the original. Both modes are expansive and have seen plenty of community weight proving that developers Naughty Dog know exactly what they’re doing. The only question is whether the third in the series, due this year, will unseat Among Thieves if we ever redo this list.
Origami Killer
great article, and i like the top ten, i also think demons souls should be an essential, but im yet to play flower, mod nation racers and ive never like metal gear solid :P
Grey_Ghost13
God yes Demons Souls is essential playing. If anyone likes RPG or even action games set in a fantasy world they should play Demons Souls!
Origami Killer
edit: i dont have warhawk or god of war either :P
i would have liked to see motorstorm or resistance (the ifrst of course) on there also
ratkiller75
The demon souls difficulty curve is far too steep and so I don’t think that it appeals to a wide enough audience.
Origami Killer
@ratkiller….thats is a very reasonable point, but when you get used to the difficultly it becomes a fantsatic game, and a good plat to brag about ;)
Charmed_Fanatic
I would put R&C at the top, but thats me :P weird how none appeared on there
Erroneus
Agree, it would replace Modnations Racers for me.
TSBonyman
I was just about to say the exact same!
Otherwise a great list and an enjoyable article, particularly the ‘softening’ towards Heavy Rain ;)
AG2297
R&C? As in Ratchet and Clank? Cant stand them! Would be the absolute bottom of my list!
antem92
Great to see Warhawk on this list. So many times has this wonderful game been left out of top game lists. I have spent over 500 hours on it, so to be given this kind of recognition is great. TSA must have brilliant taste ;)
fattyuk
good list but…….
I thought at first this was going to be a 2011 list lol
beeje13
Same, I only have 2 out of the 10 games, but have played around 6
KCalpha
3 out of the 10.. Not bad eh?
Kevling
Great list! Any plans to do something similar for other formats?
fattyuk
Has the xbox got 10 exclusive games?
KCalpha
Certainly not for 2011.
Origami Killer
hahaha, if your counting viva pinyata that is :P
gazzagb
This isn’t N4G btw.
ARUMIR Sympozium
Well…. the pc has more
*runs
Juelz345
Gears of war
Gears of war 2
Halo 3
Halo ODST
Halo Reach
Alan Wake
Fable II
Fable III
Crackdown
Crackdown 2
Forza 3
Mass Effect 1
Shadow Complex
Limbo
Hydro Thunder
All of which are excellent games (except Crackdown 1 & 2..they’re horrible).
KeRaSh
Your post almost looks like the list of cars in GT5. Every car has like 20 different models. 15 games but only 10 different franchises. I’m slightly exaggerating.
fattyuk
Lol so the xbox list has 3 halos? Was talking bout individual games not franchises
aerobes
Trials HD is worth owning a 360 for alone. Simply amazing.
Juelz345
Really is sad when the fanboys come out. O well, this is the internet, right?
Bottom line is, both consoles have some solid exclusives.
In a perfect world, all people would realize this instead of pointlessly trying to put down a product that they don’t own. That and world peace, of course.
Kevling
I wasn’t intending to start a fanboy debate. In response to the snarky 360 comments about 2011, this PS3 list doesn;t contain solely 2011 games does it? It’s simply a list of PS3 exclusives everyone should play.
All I was saying, is, as a non-360 owner, I’d like to see the equivalent 360 version of this article (in a way that TSA does so well) so I can see what I’m missing, and help me decide whether or not a 360 was for me.
DrNate86
I preferred the first Uncharted single player as well! An interesting list, and I am pleased to say apart from GOW I have played them all! Will you be doing an X-Box list as well? It would be interesting to see if there are any differences in game styles.
Origami Killer
+1 on prefering the Uncharted 1 single player, it was so fresh and unique for me, and the first demo of the game just blew me away :P
aerobes
Yep, I’m with you two and nofi on this. Drakes Fortune was one of the best experiences I’ve had on PS3 and I didn’t really get along with Among Thieves. Bizarre.
stueeeee
I did love the ‘lost on a mysterious island’ idea in Uncharted 1, and the fact that it all takes place in the one place keeps me really hooked. Although I do love U2 as well. The same with MGS4, I wish they would have set it within one place again, although it gave it a lot of variety I suppose…
Mike
I’ve got 7 of those titles. Gonna get LBP2 later on.
gazzagb
Not the 10 that I would chose, but that just shows the PS3 has some very strong exclusives.
teflon
Not necessarily a list of the best PS3 exclusives, but I couldn’t agree more with it. These are the 10 that should be in every game library, and really flaunt SCE’s strong first and second party game releases.
The only one I don’t own on that list is Warhawk, though. I feel I came to the PS3 too late for that to grab me. I played launch titles etc. but never took them online, where I always think you need to try and get there in the first month or so to get the best experience.