That is the newest visitor column from Push Sq., the voice of the PlayStation group, providing passionate, in-depth protection and perception into the world of Sony. Its objective is straightforward: to maintain you knowledgeable, engaged, and a part of the dialog surrounding all issues PlayStation.
Sony sparked discontent among the many PlayStation fandom in February this yr when it mentioned throughout an earnings name there’ll be no sequels or updates to “main current franchise titles” on the PS5 earlier than March 2025. With the platform holder holding its content material roadmaps near its chest, the feedback have been largely taken out of context and many assumed this could be a lean yr for the corporate’s new-gen console.
Whereas it’s true this has been a reasonably quiet yr for PS Studios, it’s been something however mild on the video games entrance. On the time of writing, my three Sport of the Yr frontrunners are Astro Bot, Remaining Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Metaphor: ReFantazio and the PS5 is the solely platform the place you may play all three. Different potential contenders for awards embrace Silent Hill 2, Helldivers 2, and Black Delusion: Wukong – all console exclusives.
There appears to be a sentiment on social media {that a} recreation doesn’t rely except it comes from an entirely owned first-party studio, however PlayStation has completed a very good job of working with companions to maintain its portfolio packed this yr.
Stellar Blade is a superb instance. It collaborated with Korean developer Shift As much as assist convey the NIKKE: Goddess of Victory creator’s console debut to market and for my part is one other recreation in competition for an finish of yr gong. Rise of the Ronin, the same partnership with legendary studio Workforce Ninja, might have obtained a cooler crucial reception but it surely’s at the moment ranked seventeenth in IGN’s ongoing Sport of the Yr person ballot, proving it was successful with followers.
The nauseating variety of remakes and remasters might not be to everybody’s style, but it surely’s straightforward to overlook The Final of Us Half 2 Remastered launched this yr and tagged a 90 crucial common on aggregators Metacritic and Open Critic. And whereas many rolled their eyes on the rumours round Horizon Zero Daybreak Remastered, a $10 improve price and re-recorded dialogue and movement seize imply it’ll virtually definitely appeal to constructive critiques as properly.
In fact, not every part PlayStation has touched this yr has turned to gold. Its full misreading of the market with first-person shooter Harmony – a reliable albeit uninspiring affair – will go down in historical past after getting axed after two weeks. And but for all of the discuss of its dwell service initiative stumbling, it launched the fastest-selling recreation in PS Studios historical past with Helldivers 2, an internet co-op smash that, regardless of benefitting from a simultaneous PC launch, has outpaced juggernauts like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and God of Struggle Ragnarok.
It’s been a quietly colossal yr for PS5 then, and also you get the sense one of the best is but to come back. The corporate’s largely saved its blockbusters near its chest however 2025 ought to see the discharge of Ghost of Yotei and Loss of life Stranding 2: On the Seashore, with Marvel’s Wolverine ready within the wings. These are the “main current franchise titles” the Japanese big was referring to in that aforementioned investor name.
Many should argue this has been a lightweight yr for PS5 however the catalogue of content material Sony has amassed paints a really completely different image. Essentially the most thrilling factor is that it’s efficiently stuffed the time whereas its first-party groups proceed to cook dinner. An enormous second-half to the technology now awaits.
Sammy Barker is the Editor of Push Sq.. He’s been dwelling and respiratory the great world of PlayStation for many years now – and has the tattoos to show it. You’ll find him on @_get2sammyb.