The presence of acclaimed exclusives is something every single PlayStation —no matter if they are home consoles or portables— has had in common since the heydays of the PS1. But which among the brand’s current catalog can be considered the best?
For all looking for certain hits, here are the 10 best games that are to this day only officially available on either PlayStation consoles or services.
10. Infamous 2
- Release Date: June 7, 2011
- Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
- Where to play: PlayStation 3. Can also be streamed on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via the PlayStation Plus
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A direct sequel to the 2009 hit, Infamous 2 continues the story of bike messenger turned superhuman Cole MacGrath, as he must prepare for his fateful encounter against the entity only known as The Beast.
A title that screams the early 2010s for all of the right reasons, Infamous 2 wears its comic book inspirations proudly. The game also features significant upgrades in visuals when compared to the previous title, all while maintaining both its signature choice-based narrative style and high degree of freedom when in combat or traversing.
9. God of War III (God of War III Remastered)
- Release Date: July 17, 2015 (Remastered) / Originally released on PS3 on March 16, 2010
- Developer: Santa Monica Studio
- Where to play: PS3 (Original) / PS4 and PS5. Also available for streaming on PC via the PlayStation Plus App (Remastered)
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The most brutal entry in the original God of War trilogy, God of War 3 brings to players exactly what one would expect from it, as Kratos hacks and slashes his way through Olympus in search of the objects of his revenge.
I consider God of War 3 to be a must-pick for those only knowledgeable about the Norse saga, as seeing Kratos completely submersed in his rage helps segment how much the character grew. As an extra, the game features both the definitive version of the Greek saga’s combat and some of the most jaw-dropping boss fights in gaming.
8. Vagrant Story
- Release Date: February 10, 2000 (PS1)
- Developer: Square Enix (Square)
- Where to play: PS1, PlayStation 2, PS3, and PlayStation Vita.
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A PlayStation 1 classic long overdue for at least a remaster, Vagrant Story follows Riskbearer Ashley Riot in his quest to find the cult leader Sydney Losstarot. Little does he know that the mission will lead to revelations regarding both the kingdom he swore to protect and himself.
A dungeon crawler at heart, Vagrant Story pairs the known excellence of Final Fantasy Tactics and XII‘s writer Yasumi Matsuno with an unforgiving combat system and a deep weapon and equipment crafting mechanic. Keep in mind, however, that mastering the latter will demand a lot of commitment.
7. God of War II (God of War II HD)
- Release Date: March 13, 2007 (PS2) / November 17, 2009 (PS3 via the God of War Collection)
- Developer: Santa Monica Studio
- Where to play: PS2, PS3, and PS4/PS5 (via the PlayStation Plus Premium Classics Catalog). Also available for streaming on PC via the PlayStation Plus App
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If God of War can be seen as the tale of Kratos’ ascendance, God of War 2 tells the tale of his downfall, as the Ghost of Sparta must ally himself with unexpected forces and search for the powers of the mythical Sisters of Fate to get his revenge on Olympus.
Even if its narrative can be seen as bland (a feat shared by most of the main installments in the Greek saga), GoW 2 refines the formula introduced by the first game and increases its scope to a larger array of mythos. Just make sure to bring a spare controller, as the game requires a merciless amount of button mashing.
6. Final Fantasy XVI
- Release Date: June 22, 2023
- Developer: Square Enix
- Where to play: PS5
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The latest numbered entry in the Final Fantasy franchise, Final Fantasy XVI puts players in the role of Clive Rosfield, the firstborn of the Duke of Rosaria, who embarks on a quest for revenge against the Eikon responsible for the death of his brother.
Developed by the core team responsible for the revitalization and success of Final Fantasy XIV, FFXVI brings to the table a new spin to the franchise through a more mature tone and an action-focused approach to combat. Even if novel in many ways, the title is seen by many as both a celebration of the franchise’s history and a return to form.
5. Shadow of the Colossus (PS4)
- Release Date: February 6, 2018
- Developer: Bluepoint Games
- Where to play: PS4 and PS5. Also available for streaming on PC via the PlayStation Plus App
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A faithful remake of one of the most celebrated and influential games in history, Shadow of the Colossus (PS4) retells the tale of Wander, a boy who travels to the Forbidden Lands in the hopes of bringing a young girl back to life.
Although the original is dear to many given its feel and how its mechanics and concept influenced hundreds of releases, I decided to go with the remake as it succeeds in bringing the experience to a new generation while also keeping its soul intact and respectfully improving many of it’s shortcomings.
4. Demon’s Souls (PS5)
- Release Date: November 12, 2020
- Developer: Bluepoint Games
- Where to play: PS5. Also available for streaming on PC via the PlayStation Plus App
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In Demon’s Souls, we take on the role of The Slayer of Demons after they arrive in Boletaria, a once prosperous kingdom that was immersed in an endless fog following its king’s deal with the entity only known as the Old One.
Released as a launch title for the PS5, Bluepoint Games’ remake of FromSoftware’s epic manages to flawlessly translate it to a new graphical engine, which resulted in what I consider to be the best-looking Souls game to date. Although its core gameplay might feel barebones for those used to the enhancements made by Elden Ring, Demon’s Souls is the definitive version of the title that started it all.
3. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
- Release Date: June 12, 2008
- Developer: Kojima Productions
- Where to play: PlayStation 3
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The final chronological chapter in the Metal Gear Solid series, Guns of the Patriots, tells the final chapter of Snake’s saga, which many consider the best game in one of the most acclaimed gaming franchises. The reasons for that? Its solid gameplay, cinematic but just as impactful narrative, and how its graphics still stand tall to this day. The latter is even more impressive if we consider how the game debuted in the early years of the PS3.
Unfortunately, since its departure from the PlayStation Now catalog (now featured as part of the Premium tier of the PS Plus), only those who own a PS3 can play it. To see our impressions of the game on release, don’t forget to check out our Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots review.
2. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
- Release Date: February 29, 2024
- Developer: Square Enix
- Where to play: PS5
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For many —myself included— the favorite for the title of Game of the Year 2024, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continues Cloud’s story and presents across-the-board refinements compared to its predecessor. The latter is seen above all in its facial animations, broader take on combat, and massive open world.
By directly tackling some of the core and more delicate themes of the FF7 story while also expanding it through connections to the ever-growing compilation, FF7 Rebirth does justice to the source material and pairs it up with tens of hours of new content.
1. Bloodborne
- Release Date: March 24, 2014
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Where to play: PS4 and PS5. Also available for streaming on PC via the PlayStation Plus App
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Bloodborne mixes FromSoftware’s high-quality storytelling with a gothic feel and a more dynamic and high-risk approach to combat. That is then paired with a heavy dose of Lovecraftian inspiration, which makes the game feel unlike any of its siblings.
The only bad thing one can think of saying about the game is related to how it is not possible to play it officially at a stable frame rate. That is also the main reason players continue to ask for either a native PS5 port or for an official PC debut.
