Shadow of the Colossus
10 Games That Could Carry the PS4 in 2018
Fumito Ueda’s Shadow of the Colossus is nothing short of a modern day classic. Originally released back in 2005 for the PS2, this year will see the masterpiece make the jump onto next generation hardware via the PS4, complete with stronger lighting effects, a better frame rate, and all the gameplay eccentricities that PlayStation fans have come to love and expect.
For those unfamiliar with this exclusive’s premise or who missed it the first or second time it came out, Shadow of the Colossus recounts the story of a young man who is tasked with taking down giant creatures known as Colossi, who are platforming levels in and of themselves. The game is an atmospheric exploration of solemnity and what it means to be alone, as these are the only enemies you’ll face as you journey across the title’s beautifully rendered expanse.
It seems as though the remake is in good hands with developer Bluepoint Games at the helm. Shadow of the Colossus’ early February release can’t come soon enough to get the exclusivity ball rolling for the PS4.
God of War
10 Games That Could Carry the PS4 in 2018
God of War looks to be a big departure from prior entries in the beloved series, this time around focusing on an aged version of Kratos and his relationship with his son Atreus. Taking place many years after the fall of the Olympian gods, Kratos finds a new, peaceful life in a world ruled by Norse folklore. That is, until the gods of that place learn of the man’s true identity and plot to kill him.
With God of War II director Cory Barlog leading the project and an emphasis placed on close range, over the shoulder gameplay mechanics, Sony’s upcoming exclusive seems as though it’ll reinvigorate a franchise that’s long relied on the same plot of vengeance to justify a means to an end. Time will tell for certain, but God of War is on the right track to breathe some fresh air into PlayStation’s long line of mascots and franchises. In this respect, in may very well serve to carry the PS4 well into 2019 and beyond.
Marvel’s Spider-Man
10 Games That Could Carry the PS4 in 2018
Marvel may be the king when it comes to superhero movies on the big screen, but the same can’t be said for the comic book giant’s presence in the video game industry. Long time rival DC, in fact, seems to have trounced its competitor when it comes to the world of gaming media, as this generation alone saw the release of the third entry in the impressive Batman Arkham series and a second entry to critically acclaimed fighter Injustice. That all may change when Spider-Man debuts this year, however.
Set in an open world version of New York City, Spider-Man seems as if it’ll nail all the essentials of being a web-head. Complete with spectacular stunts, high-flying antics, and a combat system that looks intuitive and robust, the fact that the game is being developed exclusively for PS4 by Spyro, Ratchet and Clank, and Sunset Overdrive creator Insomniac only makes the wait that much harder. Seeing as how there are no shortage of Spider-Man fans out there, all the game needs to do is live up to all the potential its built for itself. No pressure!
Detroit: Become Human
10 Games That Could Carry the PS4 in 2018
Detroit: Become Human is an exclusive that looks to not only carry the PS4 in 2018, but also carry the reputation that director David Cage and developer Quantic Dream have built for themselves ever since the release of Heavy Rain on PS3. Taking two years for the man to write, Detroit looks to propel narrative-driven gameplay further in ways that seemingly only Cage and his team know how to bring to fruition.
Set in a futuristic version of Detroit, the game follows the journey of three androids, each of whom are discovering who they are as androids. The player has the ability to choose which main characters live and die and proceed according to the consequences of their actions. PlayStation fans that like titles that place emphasis on characters and their choices are in for a treat with Detroit: Become Human. Fans who have yet to discover the complexity that a game like Detroit has to offer should expect a pleasant surprise from what more traditional PS4 games provide.
Kingdom Hearts III
10 Games That Could Carry the PS4 in 2018
Kingdom Hearts III seeks to finally bring about an end to the Dark Seeker saga that first begun when the original Kingdom Hearts released on PS2 in 2002. Thirteen years after its last numbered entry, this title seems as though it may just live up to the hype its built for itself over the course of nearly a decade and a half, as it’s the first game in the series to feature a Pixar-themed world and looks to introduce a wide range of gameplay mechanics previously unseen in prior titles, like guns and a fourth and fifth party member.
Though Kingdom Hearts III is releasing for both PS4 and its competitor, Xbox One, there’s no denying the PlayStation fan following that the series has garnered itself by releasing exclusively on the PS2 era of console hardware and re-releasing as Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX on PS4. To top it all off, the prologue to the game, titled 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, is also a PS4 exclusive, making the system the most practical place to play the latest entry in the beloved series when it comes out this year, at least in the eyes of a diehard Kingdom Hearts fan.
Red Dead Redemption 2
10 Games That Could Carry the PS4 in 2018
Given the success of the original Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto V, it seems as though Rockstar doesn’t have much to worry about whenever Red Dead Redemption 2 launches this year. Seeing as how the game is exclusive to consoles for now, it wouldn’t be hard to believe that both Sony and Microsoft are eager for the game’s release, too, alongside plenty of fans who are eager to witness just how the developer will up its game in 2018.
When it comes to specifically choosing a console to play on, PS4 owners have a slight advantage when it comes to buying the game on their respective system compared to Xbox One owners. Though the nature of the deal has yet to fully come to light, PS4 users will be granted “first access to earn select online content” in a respect similar to Sony’s deal with Activision and the Destiny franchise. If you were a fan of Red Dead Redemption’s online component in the past and are a fan of GTA Online, chances are that you’ll want to get your hands on a PS4 copy of Red Dead Redemption 2 as soon as it releases.
Ni No Kuni 2
10 Games That Could Carry the PS4 in 2018
Developer Level-5 and anime studio Studio Ghibli released Ni No Kuni exclusively for the PS3 back in 2013. Following the story of a young boy named Oliver who journeys to a colorful world in search for his mother, the game received positive acclaim from critics and fans alike due to its evocative narrative, addictive gameplay, and charming art style. Don’t let the aesthetics fool you, as hidden behind the friendliness lies a series unafraid to delve into mature territory with its themes, including dealing with lost loved ones and grief.
Sony announced that the game would be getting a sequel exclusive to the PS4 back in 2015, bolstering the system’s reputation as a home for unique JRPGs and further cementing its position as a console home to a large variety of genres. Though Ni No Kuni 2 was delayed from last year, both anime fans and PS4 fans in search of a great RPG should be pleased to know that the title will come out soon on March 23.
Anthem
10 Games That Could Carry the PS4 in 2018
Should you be on the lookout for a great online PS4 shooter to immerse yourself in with a couple of buddies this year, EA’s Anthem may be right up your alley. Though not due out until Fall, Anthem strives to sink players into vast open worlds where friends can explore, acquire new gear, and fight fearsome alien beasts together with the help of exosuits called Javelins.
Given developer BioWare Edmonton’s reputation and body of work, especially on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Anthem seems as though it has the potential to live up to the multiplayer fun it put on full display when it was revealed at last year’s E3. Fans have a right to be concerned considering the recent launch of Star Wars Battlefront II, though EA and BioWare have time to act according to all the insight provided by the community.
Time will tell whether or not both publisher and developer will make things right, though there’s no denying that Anthem has a lot of potential. Should everything go without a PR hiccup, the title could make waves across PS4 and Xbox One and validate each system’s online subscription models into 2019 and beyond.
Far Cry 5
10 Games That Could Carry the PS4 in 2018
Far Cry 5 looks to take the highlights of previous games in the franchise and wrap them all up in one convenient package. Indeed, fan favorite features like Far Cry 4’s cooperative play and Far Cry Primal’s animal companionship make a return in this newest numbered entry in the series. This means that in addition to taking down your enemies with an array of weapons and vehicles, you’ll be able to kill them with some of your favorite pets, too.
Though rural America wouldn’t be the first place fans of the series may think of when considering places the Far Cry series could go next, Montana’s Hope County looks to freshen up the experience a great deal. Some things won’t stray much from tradition, as Far Cry 5’s antagonist Joseph Seed looks to be just as fanatical and crazy as Vaas and Pagan Min, so you’ll probably in for quite the joy ride, to say the very least.
The game may not have much in the way of exclusive content for PS4 users, but that shouldn’t detract from all the fun to be had if Far Cry 3 and 4 serve as any indication.
Days Gone
10 Games That Could Carry the PS4 in 2018
Though Days Gone looks to be just another zombie game at a glance, this PS4 exclusive has already shown that it’s much more than a direct reaction to Xbox One’s limited exclusivity deal with Capcom on Dead Rising 4. The player character can control hordes of zombies to do his bidding, for instance, by breaking down an enemy wall from across a river and unleashing scores of mutants on a base camp. Days Gone operates on a dynamic mission system, too, one that ensures you a different outcome should you choose to go in guns blazing or sneaking through the bushes.
Though we’ve only been served a handful of glances of the game in action, Days Gone could prove to detractors that it’s much more than just guts and gore, and that what lies underneath is an intricate title completely shaped by the one’s own gameplay preference. Days Gone could very much follow in the footsteps of Horizon: Zero Dawn as another great new IP from publisher Sony, carrying its success to even more content and possibly even a sequel.
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