2) PlayStation 4
393 console exclusives
Sony’s PlayStation 4 has led the way this console generation, dominating the market with astonishing commercial success. Explaining that success in the early years of its life cycle wasn’t altogether easy, though, with both PS4 and Xbox One offered near identical content during. Sure, launch efforts such as Infamous: Second Son and Killzone: Shadow Fall were fine enough, but hardly must-play titles.
Still, the PS4 pressed on, perhaps somewhat buoyed by Microsoft’s wobbly launch reveal of Xbox One. And two years later, the landscape has changed even more in Sony’s favor as the PS4 has kicked into top gear. The console has since benefitted from a torrent of exclusive games, arguably making a more desirable than its rival. Of course, Bloodborne already represented a notable PS4-only title back in 2014, but in 2016, Sony’s first party talent has started to tell.
Uncharted 4 might just be the most cinematic, best acted, and without question the most beautiful console game ever made. Ratchet and Clank also garnered critical praise for its whimsical narrative, Pixar quality graphics, and stellar platform gameplay. And then Last Guardian then finally arrived… need we say more. Around the same time, solid entries such as Alienation combined with PSVR’s launch for a knockout blow that saw PS4 rocket to popularity among gamers.
Now, in 2017, the “For the players” advertisement message only continued to gain momentum, with Nioh, Nier: Automata, Horizon Zero Dawn, Persona 5 highlighting what has been a year to remember for the PS4.
Do things show any sign of slowing? Not in the slightest. 2018 might just be even more jam-packed than this year with games such as God of War, Detroit: Become Human, and Spider Man all slated for release in the first half of next year. The console’s impressive 393 exclusives look set to continuing rising, and steady sales in Japan should also see new additions to its 36 import-only titles too.
