3. Horizon Zero Dawn – PS4 – February 28, 2017
*** Read COGconnected’s review here ***
Known best for its Killzone roots, Guerilla Games pivoted and instead developed Horizon Zero Dawn. As an open-world, action-RPG, Horizon Zero Dawn quickly established itself as one of PlayStation’s top franchises, and protagonist Aloy became one of its faces. With some highly refined gameplay, intriguing story, and tons of content (not to mention a high quality story expansion), Horizon Zero Dawn is easily one of the best PlayStation and the PS4 has to offer. In our review, we noted that “Horizon Zero Dawn is Guerrilla Games’ crowning achievement in video game development.”
2. God of War – PS4 – April 20, 2018
*** Read COGconnected’s review here ***
If you think of God of War, you might think of the PS2 title filled with fast-paced hack-and-slash. God of War for the PS4 however, is the franchise restructured in a way that works both on a gameplay and narrative level. Players once again take on the role of Kratos, now at an older age and alongside his child Atreus. If a player has not played the preceding games, the narrative still makes sense and even plays to the “new Kratos”. Besides that, slower-paced methodical gameplay, a strong narrative, a well-paced story, and refined franchise elements elevates God of War into the upper pantheon of the PlayStation exclusives. In our review, we let readers know to “put your fears to rest – yes, Kratos is getting older, but even after all this time, he’s better than ever.”
1. The Last of Us – PS3 – June 14, 2013
*** Read COGconnected’s review here ***
Double dipping on both the PS3 and PS4, The Last of Us deserves to be played by as many PlayStation gamers as possible. Naughty Dog, also known for the Uncharted series (along with other classic series), crafts a believable, brutal post-apocalyptic setting that features strong characters, bonds, and an unbelievably touching narrative. In addition to the strong characters and narrative, The Last of Us has tight gameplay that forces players to be cautious while playing. As perhaps the ultimate combination of narrative and gameplay, The Last of Us tops our list of best PlayStation exclusive in the 2010s. Simply put, in our review we state that “it is a game you won’t forget and one that ultimately raises the bar for the genre.”