The presence of acclaimed exclusives is something every single PlayStation —no matter if they are home consoles or portables— has had in common since the heydays of the PS1. But which among the brand’s current catalog can be considered the best?
For all looking for certain hits, here are the 10 best games that are to this day only officially available on either PlayStation consoles or services.
10. Infamous 2
A direct sequel to the 2009 hit,Infamous 2continues the story of bike messenger turned superhuman Cole MacGrath, as he must prepare for his fateful encounter against the entity only known as The Beast.
A title that screams the early 2010s for all of the right reasons,Infamous 2wears its comic book inspirations proudly. The game also features significant upgrades in visuals when compared to the previous title, all while maintaining both its signature choice-based narrative style and high degree of freedom when in combat or traversing.
9. God of War III (God of War III Remastered)
The most brutal entry in the originalGod of Wartrilogy,God of War 3brings to players exactly what one would expect from it, as Kratos hacks and slashes his way through Olympus in search of the objects of his revenge.
I considerGod of War 3to be a must-pick for those only knowledgeable about the Norse saga, as seeing Kratos completely submersed in his rage helps segment how much the character grew. As an extra, the game features both the definitive version of the Greek saga’s combat and some of the most jaw-dropping boss fights in gaming.
8. Vagrant Story
A PlayStation 1 classic long overdue for at least a remaster,Vagrant Storyfollows Riskbearer Ashley Riot in his quest to find the cult leader Sydney Losstarot. Little does he know that the mission will lead to revelations regarding both the kingdom he swore to protect and himself.
A dungeon crawler at heart,Vagrant Storypairs the known excellence ofFinal Fantasy TacticsandXII‘s writer Yasumi Matsuno with an unforgiving combat system and a deep weapon and equipment crafting mechanic. Keep in mind, however, that mastering the latter will demand a lot of commitment.
7. God of War II (God of War II HD)
IfGod of Warcan be seen as the tale of Kratos’ ascendance,God of War 2tells the tale of his downfall, as the Ghost of Sparta must ally himself with unexpected forces and search for the powers of the mythical Sisters of Fate to get his revenge on Olympus.
Even if its narrative can be seen as bland (a feat shared by most of the main installments in the Greek saga),GoW 2refines the formula introduced by the first game and increases its scope to a larger array of mythos. Just make sure to bring a spare controller, as the game requires a merciless amount of button mashing.
6. Final Fantasy XVI
The latest numbered entry in theFinal Fantasyfranchise,Final Fantasy XVIputs players in the role of Clive Rosfield, the firstborn of the Duke of Rosaria, who embarks on a quest for revenge against the Eikon responsible for the death of his brother.
Developed by the core team responsible for the revitalization and success ofFinal Fantasy XIV,FFXVIbrings to the table a new spin to the franchise through a more mature tone and an action-focused approach to combat. Even if novel in many ways, the title is seen by many as both a celebration of the franchise’s history and a return to form.
5. Shadow of the Colossus (PS4)
A faithful remake of one of the most celebrated and influential games in history,Shadow of the Colossus (PS4)retells the tale of Wander, a boy who travels to the Forbidden Lands in the hopes of bringing a young girl back to life.
Although the original is dear to many given its feel and how its mechanics and concept influenced hundreds of releases, I decided to go with the remake as it succeeds in bringing the experience to a new generation while also keeping its soul intact and respectfully improving many of it’s shortcomings.
4. Demon’s Souls (PS5)
InDemon’s Souls, we take on the role of The Slayer of Demons after they arrive in Boletaria, a once prosperous kingdom that was immersed in an endless fog following its king’s deal with the entity only known as the Old One.
Released as a launch title for the PS5, Bluepoint Games’ remake of FromSoftware’s epic manages to flawlessly translate it to a new graphical engine, which resulted in what I consider to be the best-looking Souls game to date. Although its core gameplay might feel barebones for those used to the enhancements made byElden Ring,Demon’s Soulsis the definitive version of the title that started it all.
3. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
The final chronological chapter in the mainMetal Gear Solidseries,Guns of the Patriots, tells the final chapter of Snake’s saga, which many consider the best game in one of the most acclaimed gaming franchises. The reasons for that? Its solid gameplay, cinematic but just as impactful narrative, and how its graphics still stand tall to this day. The latter is even more impressive if we consider how the game debuted in the early years of the PS3.
Unfortunately, since its departure from the PlayStation Now catalog (now featured as part of the Premium tier of the PS Plus), only those who own a PS3 can play it. To see our impressions of the game on release, don’t forget to check outour Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots review.
2. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
For many —myself included— the favorite for the title of Game of the Year 2024,Final Fantasy VII Rebirthcontinues Cloud’s story and presents across-the-board refinements compared to its predecessor. The latter is seen above all in its facial animations, broader take on combat, and massive open world.
By directly tackling some of the core and more delicate themes of theFF7story while also expanding it through connections to the ever-growing compilation,FF7 Rebirthdoes justice to the source material and pairs it up with tens of hours of new content.
1. Bloodborne
Bloodbornemixes FromSoftware’s high-quality storytelling with a gothic feel and a more dynamic and high-risk approach to combat. That is then paired with a heavy dose of Lovecraftian inspiration, which makes the game feel unlike any of its siblings.
The only bad thing one can think of saying about the game is related to how it is not possible to play it officially at a stable frame rate. That is also the main reason players continue to ask for either a native PS5 port or for an official PC debut.
