The Best PlayStation Games That Were Launched In The 2010s

The 2010s brought some of the best video games of all time. Arguably, a big chunk of these titles were released on the PlayStation consoles of that period. The 2010s saw both the last games of the PlayStation 3 while also the launch and cycle of the PlayStation 4. The latter allowed for more demanding games due to the advanced graphics and technical components of PS4.

However, PlayStation exclusives during this decade weren’t great solely because of their graphics, gameplay, and mechanics. This list will prove to you that those elements are important, but developing a compelling storyline and characters were the fundamental aspects of PlayStation’s success.

10

Infamous: Second Son

One of the first exclusives on PlayStation 4 was Infamous: Second Son. Set seven years after the events of Infamous 2, the game introduces Delsin Rowe as a new playable character who comes in contact with Conduit, which grants him superhuman powers and the ability to absorb skills from other Conduits.

Harnessing smoke, video, neon, and concrete grants Rowe a set of various powers that he uses in his fight against the Department of Unified Protection (DUP). During his battle, Infamous’ fan-favorite feature to decide your character’s morality comes into play, as Rowe can become a glorified hero or an infamous tyrant.

9

Death Stranding

Contrary to the previous entry, Death Stranding was one of the last PS4 exclusives and games released in the previous decade. Created by the famous Hideo Kojima, Death Stranding took a different approach to video game narrative. Playing the role of a courier named Sam Porter Bridges (played by Norman Reedus), you are tasked with reconnecting the stranded cities in the United States after the boundaries between the living and the dead have collapsed.

Using deliveries and the social strand system, Kojima emphasized the importance of human relationships in the fractured world while exploring the subject of loneliness and the impact of technology.

8

Journey

Told entirely without dialogue or text, Journey focuses on visual storytelling, as you assume the role of a robed pilgrim who traverses various regions’ sceneries and learns about the rise and fall of an ancient civilization.

Only 18 people participated in Journey’s development, with only seven people at the beginning of the development.

Another vital part of the game is the soundtrack, created by Austin Wintory. It reacts dynamically to players’ actions in a way that immerses you in Journey’s world. Also, it was the first video game score to receive a Grammy Award nomination.

7

Persona 5

Set in modern-day Tokyo, Persona 5 follows a high school student who leads a parallel life among his peers and others in the Metaverse. Here he transverses dungeons and palaces with the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, a group of students that fight corrupted adults.

Characterized by vibrant comic book-like art, red-and-black color schemes, and fluid animations, Persona 5 delivers a beautiful experience for players. The combination of gameplay and graphics was rewarded with multiple nominations and awards.

6

Marvel’s Spider-Man

Featuring an original story in the franchise and the best open-world rendition of New York City, Marvel’s Spider-Man is one of the best video game releases in the superhero genre. The PS4 allowed for a fluid web-slinging among the skyscrapers of the city, while combat closely resembles that of another superhero title, Batman: Arkham series, where fluidity and combos are most important.

The story starts as any classic Spidey tale, with Peter Parker as an experienced Spider-Man who balances his private and superhero lives while fighting various villains across NYC. His relationship with his lab director, Dr.Octavious, is particularly straining due to the doctor’s obsession with one of his researches.

5

Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn delivers a fresh take on the open-world formula, exploring a combination of prehistoric and future settings in a way that hasn’t been done before. Aloy, a young huntress and archer ostracized from her tribe, explores the ruins of human civilization, which leads her to uncover the events that preceded the near-extinction of the human race.

The main author of the game also lends his voice to the villain Hades.

Beautiful graphics, combined with open-world exploration and unique skill and crafting mechanics, make for a memorable adventure fighting machines and knowing more about Aloy’s tribe.

4

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

In 2016, PS4 received what still seems to be the final release in the Uncharted series – A Thief’s End. Following his retirement from treasure hunting, Nathan Drake is spurred into action by his long-lost brother Sam Drake in a story that explores a unique brother bond, highlighted by the importance of family and sacrifice.

How Uncharted 4 mixes exploration, different ways to approach combat, puzzle solving, and mysteries to create the ultimate treasure-hunting journey is remarkable. The overall quality of Nathan’s final adventure scored some GOTY awards.

3

Bloodborne

The successor to the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne explores the gothic horror setting in the cursed city of Yharnam. A protagonist named Hunter seeks the remedy for his ailment; however, his quest proves challenging as he encounters various monsters and inhabitants consumed by bloodborne plague.

Bloodborne is a gorgeous mix of Gothic and Lovecraftian design. The towering spires of Yharnam, moonlit skies, and grotesque enemy designs create an atmosphere of fright and beauty. The demanding gameplay mechanics, which offer little room for error, offered a challenge for both new and experienced players in the series. Various bosses, such as Father Gascoigne, Vicar Amelia, and the Orphan of Kos, test your skills in battle.

2

God Of War (2018)

God of War distanced itself from its classic hack-and-slash roots, delivering one of the best transformations in the series as Kratos now fights with another perspective. Focusing on his relationship with his son Atreus, our protagonist tries to teach him patience, mindfulness, and other virtues that he often struggled with in the past.

The game developers considered Egyptian mythology as an alternate setting. However, they opted for Nordic, as it aligned with Kratos’s character.

The masterful storytelling is often accentuated by wonderful graphics and character animations that tested the technical capacities of PlayStation 4. Another aspect that proved innovative at the time was Arteus’s role as an active companion during fights and puzzle-solving.

1

The Last Of Us

Initially released for PlayStation 3, The Last of Us proved that immersive storytelling and character development can often transpire multiple generations, as this installment saw its remake for PS4 and eventual PC release. Although graphics and gameplay were groundbreaking for PS3, the true genius of The Last of Us comes from its exploration of human relationships, as Joel and Ellie go across the United States of America in search of the plague’s cure.

The morally complex choices, narrative, and ultimate ending of the first part of the game series left a true mark on the gaming audience that remains strong a decade later. HBO’s series adaptation and multiple awards testify to Naughty Dog’s masterful storytelling.