From unveiling the coveted PS5 Pro Console to the riveting teaser ofGhost of Yotei at the Fall State of Play, PlayStation experienced some highs and lows this year, especially whenconsidering the Concord catastrophe.
Thankfully, that’s not what we’re here for, because today the main focus will be on the variousPlayStation-exclusive titlesthat made a mark on audiences this year—even the ones that got a simultaneous PC release.
While most of these titles are exclusive as of right now, if they hit your local Steam shelves later at any point, they’re still a worthy pickup to experience the best that the brand had to offer in 2024.
While most of these games are also available on PC, we’ve also included some console exclusives that, currently, can only be experienced on the PS5.
10The Last Of Us Part 2 Remastered
A Fresh Coat Of Paint For A Renowned Title
The Last Of Us Part II Remastered
The intertwining storylines of Ellie and Abby inThe Last of Us Part 2,with their respectively engaging gameplay styles, was a complete package to give you the best that Naughty Dog had to offer as a sequel.Even cementing itself as a new pinnacle for the industry.
However, the remaster release back at the start of 2024 left some mixed reactions, but be that as it may, the new content additions included new Lost Levels and awhole rogue-like “No Return” modewith different playable characters.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered doesn’t warrant a high spot on this list, but it’s still a solid title to check out if you haven’t already got that $10 upgrade off the PSN Store.
9Rise Of The Ronin
An Unpolished Gem That Deserves Some Love
Rise of the Ronin
An underrated 2024 release that didn’t receive a lot of attention due to the criticism of its graphical fidelity. Rise of the Ronin still managed to surpass the sales of theNioh seriesand was a successful project forTeam Ninja.
Despite hindrances like a bland open-world design, you’ll find its fluid combat system and decent story featuring top-of-the-line Japanese voice actors is enough to keep you hooked.
If you’re on the fence, there’s even a free demo of the game’s first chapter available on the PSN Store, and you’re able to even take that progress into the full game if this rough gem from Team Ninja intrigues you enough.
10 Underrated PS3 Exclusive Titles You Need To Play
The Xbox 360 was a worthy compeititor, but these exclusives were the difference for many back then.
8Stellar Blade
The Dawn Of EVE With A Stellar Dream
Stellar Blade
Stellar Bladewas Shift Up’s first AAA game, strongly emphasizing action combat and post-dystopian storytelling. It’s a game that keeps giving to this day with free updates and even a recentNier: Automata collaboration DLCwith new outfits.
As a PlayStation 5 exclusive title, it quickly rose to become a popular-selling game across the world. Eve’s various dazzling outfits are enough to captivate players, and the highly engaging combat system, for me, is almost akin to the sublime combat mechanics featured inMetal Gear Rising.
Personally, the story isn’t anything extraordinary, but aside from that, it’s still an extremely enjoyable game with a rich set of boss fights, a linear open-world hub structure, and, most of all, one of the most memorable soundtracks in recent memory.
7Pacific Drive
Station Wagon Vs. The World
Pacific Drive
There wasn’t any shortagethis year of amazing indie games,and one such title that amazed audiences was Pacific Drive, which, at its core, is one of the most unique games of this year with how it presents the gameplay mechanics.
It’s a survival game that pits you and your highly customizable wagon car against the environmental horrors and hazards that await you in the Olympic Expulsion Zone. It almost feels like a roguelike game, as each of your runs will feel different and gradually challenging over time.
The best part? Your whip, of course. This station wagon can bepersonalized in such a way at the Auto Shopfrom different armor platings, reinforcing or upgrading certain parts, and calibrating the vehicular style. There’s just a ton of options at your disposal.
This whole ordeal in your garage is such an addictive loop that incentivizes you to get the resources required for them out in the hazardous wilds, and with such an ominous and creepy narrative that gets fleshed out over time, it’s a must-play if you own a PS5 or PC.
Gloriously Psychedelic & Neon
You rarely come across a Metroidvania title that is quite this innovative, but thankfully,Ultrosrevels in being a weird duck amongst the pack, and it’s from the same publishers as Pacific Drive and Kepler Interactive.
It features an awe-inspiring art direction and sound design that is enough to catch your immediate attention right from the opening hours.
While the presentation is simply breathtaking, the combat is mostly serviceable enough, with your standard dodge roll hack-and-slash with boss fights adding a fair bit of difficulty to the mix.
Withfundamentals from similar Metroidvania titles, Ultros rewards you for exploration, giving you more abilities and mechanics that heighten the experience as you slowly unravel the dark mystery of ‘ULTROS’ in the twisted world of The Sarcophagus.
And if you truly want the full package here, make sure to do consecutive runs as each introduces new layers to the ambiguous narrative and adds additional gameplay elements from new areas to unlock and more abilities to master.
5Black Myth: Wukong
A Legendary Tale Of The Destined One
Black Myth: Wukong
A game that took the world by storm this year wasBlack Myth: Wukong, which follows the ‘Journey to the West’ Chinese story.
The Souls-like genre has seen a plethora of innovative additions, but how this game leaned more towards the action side of the coin is unbelievably ambitious in that regard.
Linear yet complex levels, filled with tons of unique enemies, loot, and constant boss fights, you’ve got a thrilling adventure filled with awe as you battle to the end with your trusty staff to secure the Destined One’s legacy.
UsingUnreal Engine 5’sbreathtaking technology for its breathtaking art direction and extremely fluidhack-and-slash combat, all while remaining loyal to the source material, makes Black Myth: Wukong one of the most prominent titles this year to play on your PS5.
4Helldivers 2
How ‘Bout A Nice Cup Of LIBER-TEA?
Helldivers 2
Dropping from your Super Destroyer with your squadmates inHelldivers 2as you endlessly gun down and nuke hordes of alien insects, mechanical automatons, and psychic beings across planets is a feeling that I rarely come across in my life of playingmultiplayer video games.
Unfortunately, the game got delisted on Steam from several countries due to the PSN account requirement. Still, on the bright side,Arrowheadhas effortlessly provided countless updates and balancing patches to please its loyal community.
It also won the Best Multiplayer and Best Ongoing Game categories atThe Game Awards 2024.
Furthermore, with the recently released free expansion, Omens of Tyranny, churning out a new enemy faction, and more unlockable weapons and armor, this is a game that’s definitely worth playing on your PS5 solo or with friends because of the sheer joy you can experience together.
8 Best DLCs of 2024
DLCs so good they might have won Game of the Year.
3Silent Hill 2
In My Restless Dreams, I See That Town
Silent Hill 2
With how much anticipation players had prior to its launch,Silent Hill 2 Remakedelivered above and beyond that hype, becoming one of thebest survival-horror gamesthat paid incredible respect to the original across almost every aspect.
The atmospheric sound design is enough to send chills down your spine, and it works brilliantly to showcase James Sunderland’s multilayered character as you slowly make your way through the hellish and melancholic town of Silent Hills.
With such a fascinating cast of characters and a narrative that can devolve into multiple endings, it is equally contrasted with a gameplay cycle that tests your mental fortitude with a vast array of puzzles and nightmarish creatures to escape from.
It truly makes me appreciate theBloober Team’scare in ensuring they deliver an unforgettable experience for hardcore fans and newcomers.
2Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
No Promises Await At Journey’s End
With such an amazing year for JRPGs where games likeMetaphor: Refantaziowere my favorites,Square Enixstill managed to propel my feelings into a rollercoaster of emotions with my first playthrough ofFF7 Rebirthon the PlayStation 5.
Aside from the sour aftertaste of that convoluted ending, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth impressed me in all departments, from an aspiring open-world formula to one of myfavorite combat systemsin recent memory with the modern iteration of the Active Time Battle.
The overarching storytelling is brilliantly contrasted with moments of respite, featuring countless mini-games, side quests leading to boss battles or new sub-world activities, and even wholesome moments where you just bond with yourparty members like Aerith or Barret.
And even though you have the PC port coming later next month, I would gladly recommend this game to any person or friend on the PS5, since it’s an essential game at this point with how rich every single element is and how the characters become glued to your emotions at the end of this ride.
1Astro Bot
Deserving Of Every Single Award & Accolade
As a kid who adored his glorious childhood days of thePS2and thePSP, I often found myself reminiscing over the countless platformer andmovie-tie-in gamesthat absolutely reeked creativity and charm. And you know what game celebrated that and the whole industry as a whole this year?Astro Bot.
It’s aplatformer adventure gameby Asobi Studios that features several—and I mean SEVERAL—cameos from various video games of the past couple of decades, fromResident Evilto my underappreciated masterpieces likeShadow of the ColossusandGravity Rush. I’d even go as far as to say Astro Bot is a love letter to them.
Cameos aside, the levels are uniquely crafted with such whimsical wonder. You can’t help but smile in pure joy throughout each of the galaxies and their worlds as you save Astro’s companions and put his mothership back. It’s a marvelous sight to behold, and for me and my friends, it truly is a celebration of gaming.
As long as you look past the unnecessary forced criticism, it’s the best PlayStation exclusive game to play right now and an underdog like it winning Game of the Year at TGA 2024 against behemoths like FF7 Rebirth and Black Myth: Wukong made it hit even better to close out the show.
Best Xbox Exclusives of 2024
There weren’t many, but these Xbox exclusives impressed in 2024.
