Since the inception of the PlayStation 3, Sony has strived hard at strengthening their development core which is evident by some exceptionally engaging games. Third-party studios have also added great value to the PlayStation 3 lineup with some magnificent releases heralding the console into a new era of gaming.
So which games take the cream of the crop? Here’s a look at some of the best exclusives for the PlayStation 3 (not listed in any specific order).
1. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots: The Metal Gear franchise has been around for more than 2 decades and we finally see the incarnation of this great series on the PlayStation 3. Guns of the Patriots is a phenomenal game with great cut scenes, amazing graphics and an intriguing plot. It’s one of those rare titles that exceeds all the hype that surrounded it before its launch and probably shatters all expectations. The story revolves around veteran soldier Solid Snake who returns to the battlefield one last time, though in a battered and ageing body to confront enemies in a futuristic setting. The revolutionary gameplay mechanic now allows players to blend within their environment and take down enemies stealthily like never before. Regardless of your style of playing, enemy artificial intelligence and in depth level designs will create hostile elements throughout the game to deliver unparalleled excitement. Armed with great gadgets and weapons, players will find themselves in immersive environments that will only enhance their experience as they play out the final chapter of Solid Snake’s journey. There will be no doubt in your mind after you’ve played this game that this is one title that the PlayStation 3 was made for, and not the other way around.
2. Uncharted 2 Among Thieves: Treasure hunter Nathan Drake swings back into action in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves with panache and flair for a slick action adventure you will savor for hours to come. As enjoyable as the first game was, the sequel simply redefines the series with challenging gameplay and an even more compelling story that’ll keep you hooked right till the credits roll. The opening cinematic will throw you right into the action as Drake is coerced back into the world of thievery and treasure hunting that puts him on a quest to find the legendary Himalayan Valley of Shambala. The game has a story that even Hollywood can envy and the experience is truly magical as you play through the game. The controls are spot on and you’ll feel comfortable right away. You’ll understand characters better if you’ve played the first game but even if you haven’t they’ll grow on you as trusted friends or sworn enemies. The graphics and detailing of the game are extremely sharp and realistic and probably one of the few games that really does justice to the PlayStation 3 hardware. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a polished game that will let you embark on a stunning, gorgeous adventure and provide you with hours and hours of unadulterated entertainment.
3. Valkyria Chronicles: Move aside and make way for one of the freshest gaming experiences you’ll have on the PlayStation 3, Valkyria Chronicles. This strategy-RPG features a unique mix of gameplay genres complemented with beautiful graphics and an epic story that will leave you flabbergasted. The presentation of this game is nothing short of godlike and you’ll easily notice this through stunning art direction and great story telling. The game is presented through chapters with impressive cutscenes that puts you into the action, controller in hand. The gameplay features a mix of third-person shooter, real-time, RPG elements and strategy and with a character class choice of 5 you can be sure to pick up a class most suited to your style of gaming. Battles aren’t just about directing your units through an overhead map because once you’re engaged in battle the camera zooms down to place you right in the middle of the action. Sniping can be great fun in this game as you can line up your shots just the way you want it. Tactical play definitely goes up a few notches because your strategy is purely based on your imagination and acumen. The game is not extremely difficult, but you won’t be able to get through it too easily either. And there are frustrating moments on some missions especially if you’ve made some wrong moves and find yourself backed into a corner. Overall the pros definitely outweigh the cons and if you’re a strategy nut you shouldn’t miss out on this great title.
4. Demon’s Souls: When we first looked at Demon’s Souls it didn’t seem all that great but as you start getting acquainted with this game you’ll be astonished at the level of gratification you can come to expect from this stunning RPG. For those of you who give this a shot, your patience will be rewarded as you’ll come to learn and love this game unlike any other. The game uses sprawling landscapes, out-of-the-world environments, haunting game concepts and mechanics and unconventional uses of the controller that sets you up for one of the toughest gaming experiences you’ve ever faced. The game is extremely difficult but you’ll enjoy every minute of grueling RPG action as you go about slaying beasts and demons in a quest to restore the world to its former glory. Amidst the gloomy atmosphere you’ll encounter various enemies and each confrontation is unique and distinct to avoid the monotonous battle elements that plague most RPGs. There’s a sense of danger around every corner as you make your way through the game which will have you engaged, engrossed and edgy most of the time. The interesting thing about this is that it also grips you like never before as you go about exploring the environment. As with all RPGs your success is relative to your ability to level your characters and you will find yourself grinding a bit in order to achieve some killer stats and equipment. Demon’s Souls also brings about some very unique online features such as cooperative and competitive play. The game might not be for everyone but for those who are willing to give it a try will probably hail it as among the top exclusives for the PlayStation 3.
5. inFamous: Here’s one game that provides you with interesting choices, what do you do when you have super powers? Help poor old civilians caught in the crossfire or unleash the wrath of your darker side? Well, don’t worry no one’s going to judge you if you plan to toast a few of the good guys along the way. inFamous sees you take control of the protagonist Cole McGrath who acquires superpowers during a biological attack and it is up to you to decide how you would use them. The game has great graphics, a great world environment and the sound effects are best experienced through surround sound. With regard to character progression you gain more superpowers as you progress through the game and eventually go on to becoming an unstoppable force as you zap enemies like bugs though they do put up a good fight. Having a moral compass will help you distinguish from the good and the bad and your decisions actually have an impact on how the game will play out. The powers you gain are also subject to the moral path you undertake which can only keep you guessing as to what you’ll acquire. The gameplay and storytelling are definitely one of the most unique for a PlayStation 3 exclusive.
6. Killzone 2: Killzone 2 is one of those games that was brilliantly executed and has come to be hailed as one of the best shooters for the PlayStation 3. It’s not just about the presentation and the looks that set this game apart. Throw in polished gunplay, impressive game physics and sound and you’ve got yourself a must have collectible. The game seems to have been designed to throw players face first into hellfire and hold them down under right until the credits roll. Visually the game has definitely set a benchmark for PlayStation 3 visuals. Add the fact that you’re neck deep in trouble and you’ll find yourself swing into action and take down enemies like it was your day job. The story isn’t that strong but it is a minor hiccup in an otherwise flawless game that puts your arsenal of weapons through a grueling test of marksmanship. Combat is tight and you’ll be engrossed easily and enemy Artificial Intelligence is cunning and skillful which will always keep you focused. Those interested in multiplayer won’t be disappointed as there’s an extensive ranking system that will keep you occupied for hours as you make your way to the top. It also includes some great maps with specific objectives, epic battles or straightforward deathmatches which are best fought electricity gun in hand. Killzone 2 is a welcome change to the PlayStation 3 lineup of games as it gives you everything you’d come to expect from a shooter and even more. While it might not hit all the targets, when it does, this game will blow you away.
7. Wipeout HD: The Wipeout series dates back to 1995 when the first title was launched for the PlayStation and was set up to take on Nintendo’s F-Zero. Though the series has been more prominent on the PSP in the recent years, interest seems to have been reinvigorated in the long-running franchise with the latest release for the PlayStation 3, Wipeout HD. First things first, this game is breathtakingly gorgeous. Everything from the menu titles to the astonishing tracks has immense detail and is extremely well designed. Wipeout HD is a pure racer which is set in the future as you steer hovering ships around tight courses to assert your dominance in the world. The game focuses on one thing and one thing only. Speed! You can reach some stellar speeds as you literally wipeout the competition. As you start playing you will at once become comfortable with the controls and see just how responsive and fluid the gameplay is, not to mention extremely challenging. The game might start of easy in the first few grids but as you progress through it you’ll notice that you can’t really afford to make any mistakes, especially once opponents start making the best use of their weapons. So get ready to race at blinding speeds and experience fast paced racing action like never before. Wipeout HD combines the best elements from the previous Wipeout titles and wraps it up in a visually delightful way to provide PlayStation 3 fans with the latest adrenaline pumping Wipeout title.
8. Resistance 2: It’s always a nightmare trying to follow up a critically acclaimed game with an intriguing sequel but the guys at Insomniac went all out with Resistance 2. Not only is the game an improvement in almost every facet but it also dwarfs the first title with ease. The sequel lets you control Nathan Hale once again and picks up immediately where the original game left off. It’s still the 1950s in a world where WWII was interrupted by an alien invasion. The story isn’t too intriguing and this is probably the only flaw in an otherwise perfect game. The game’s single player campaign would occupy you for a while with different missions spanning an array of backdrops and locations. Enemy artificial intelligence is good and will exercise your trigger finger constantly as you fight various kinds of enemies and bosses throughout the game. The levels are challenging and will give you ample opportunity to test out your arsenal of weapons which can cause a significant amount of damage when used correctly. The co-op campaign lets you choose from one of 3 classes which include Soldier, Special Ops and Medic which work well in tandem to provide vital assistance during combat. You’ll have the opportunity to unlock better gear, weapons and gadgets and special abilities as you gain more and more experience and currency. The competitive player mode allows players to engage in Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Core Control which is essentially the game’s Capture the Flag mode. The maps are well designed and can accommodate up to 60 players though you can choose even a 2 player match if that is what you are looking for. Overall Resistance 2 is an extremely fulfilling game and probably one of the PlayStation 3’s strongest exclusives. The game has done a phenomenal job on improving upon its predecessor and the scale and magnitude by which it has achieved this deserves nothing short of a standing ovation.
9. Heavenly Sword: Released way back in 2007, this title is what probably gave PlayStation 3 owners a reason to finally realize why they had spent an exorbitant amount on the console. The production values of Heavenly Sword are nothing short of astounding and will probably send you in a frenzy one would expect from an action movie blockbuster. Heavenly Sword was one of the earliest titles on the PlayStation 3 to show off the console’s technical prowess and it did a phenomenal job. The game puts you in control of a red haired maiden, Nariko who is tasked with fulfilling the prophecy of the Heavenly Sword, protecting it from a dictator who wants to use it for his own greedy agenda. The game is an all out combat adventure filled with hordes of enemies and mysterious puzzles. As the protagonist you have quite a few tricks and tactics to unleash upon your foes which are mapped to various face and shoulder buttons on the controller, similar to God of War. The combination system is quite intricate and lets you deal out significant damage through stringing various attack moves. You’ll have your hands full with enemies and you’ll quickly learn the art of counter attacks which can be vital to your success in the game. However, the game also throws in a mix of puzzles and extended enemy finishing moves that will leave you satisfied when executed with perfection. A second character is introduced into the game that uses crossbows to shoot enemies and here’s where the game takes it up a notch. You can use your Sixaxis controller to control the arrows after they’ve been shot to guide them straight into oncoming foes. This can be a lot of fun and the motion controls work extremely smoothly within the game. The game looks extremely sharp and visually stunning, while character detailing is brought to life through great animation. The levels are massive and breathtaking and the movement of characters is nearly flawless, especially as Nariko starts busting out combat moves. Heavenly Sword is a great game with unique gameplay mechanics and stellar presentation, if you missed out on this title go and get yourself a copy, you won’t be disappointed.
10. Ratchet & Clank Future Tools of Destruction: With their first appearance on the PlayStation 3, Ratchet and Clank give fans of the series the epitome of platforming excellence with Tools of Destruction. The game perfectly blends in shooting and platforming to create excellent gameplay and raises the bar for games to come. In Tools of Destruction you once again play as Ratchet as he goes about pretty much dismantling every plan of the evil Emperor Percival Tachyon. And what good is a protagonist without his most trusted sidekick? That’s where Clank comes in with his humorous and light hearted nature. While the story doesn’t really stand out as such, the humorous banter that the two characters share is something that the series is known for and will keep fans happy. The game basics remain more or less the same as you run about attacking enemies with a wide range of weapons and find your way through different obstacles. As you progress through the story you will acquire bolts which are essentially your currency to purchase weapons. The many gadgets and weapons you come to acquire during the game will leave you extremely satisfied due to the unique and vicious nature of these weapons. Besides weapons players can also use the Sixaxis controller at certain points in the game to control Ratchet, though the motion is not the best and can be slightly awkward, it is still just a minor flaw. The graphics of the game are unbelievable with splashes of bright colour and very well modeled characters with great level design and a refreshing art style. The game could easily be confused for an animated movie because the graphics are extremely fluid and life like. The environments are detailed and there’s a lot of motion in the background at most times that essentially breathes life into the game. The game is not revolutionary by any means and it does have some minor flaws but Tools of Destruction was one of the few games that was able to successfully tap the true potential of the console. While it definitely raised the bar for the series, it has also raised the bar for all PlayStation 3 games.