Arguably (but fairly accepted) the best console of the now previous generation, the PlayStation 4 had a pretty stellar year to mark its send-off down the river Styx. With two massive first-party releases and a wealth of exclusive third-party content, it was certainly a good time to own a PS4 as you wiped a tear from your eye knowing this would be the last time you ever actually played games on it.
This isn’t a time to cry for the past, but rather an occasion to celebrate all those happy memories! The games released exclusively on the PS4 all have one thing in common: they were exceptionally good.
Only one can walk away as the champion though, so before we delve into the thick of things, let us first sing the praises of all those honourable mentions…
Ghost of Tsushima
Dreams
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Persona 5: Royal
Nioh 2
And your winner is… The Last of Us Part II!
While certainly not a flawless experience, The Last of Us Part II is a game that’s important to play. Painful, heartbreaking, and emotionally difficult to stomach at times, no other game has told its tale with such confidence and a keen eye for presentation. Every facet of The Last of Us Part II is immaculately crafted, featuring some of the best animation ever placed in a video game and boasting gorgeous visuals.
The game is crafted to draw you in, suck you inside its depressing world with its incredible visual design. Naughty Dog has become masters of crafting combat zones that feel like authentic locations rather than just a collection of conveniently placed cover items. Which only helps the game’s combat as its flow from exasperated stealth to gut-wrenching action are all peppered by a severe amount of violence.
Naughty Dog’s writing has also never been better, as they’ve once again proved that they’re some of the best in the business. Bar some minor pacing issues in the middle, The Last of Us Part II weaves a narrative that’s difficult to process because most players don’t want to process the reality of the game.
It’s one of those rare occasions where a game has managed to make the player and player character feel united, driven by the same goal. With a supporting cast that’s just as strong, the reoccurring themes of revenge, hatred, and violence work in tandem to produce a work of fiction that’s difficult to play but will embed itself in your brain.
The Last of Us Part II is a special game, one that ought to be played by anyone with an appreciation for the medium.
Last Updated: December 7, 2020
Morne Nell
December 7, 2020 at 12:24
Have to agree, TLOU2 left an everlasting impression on me the first game ever that made me look at things that happen in real live from different perspective. Most humans make assumptions and pick sides way to fast sometimes we need to take time to try and understand the other side.
Ghost was brilliant from and Art perspective, In some ways it was a much shorter open world games compared to games such as AC Valhalla.
To me the difference can be compared to judging movies for the Oscars, The winner is not necessary the most fun game or the game that you love playing over and over, no the winner should be the game that takes chances, change the way you view and see things
Iskape
December 7, 2020 at 11:04
No surprise there, I guess, although I would have preferred Ghost of Tshushima, but hey, so be it.
MechMachine
December 7, 2020 at 11:29
I haven’t finished it. I got fairly far into Abby’s story but I got distracted by other things. Mind you, I haven’t finished Ghost of Tsushima yet either. But they each have their own unique charm, I prefer the latter. I guess the novelty of the Last of Us universe has worn off. Truth be told, the anticipation of Cyberpunk has left a rather empty feeling in the current crop of games.
D4m@E
December 7, 2020 at 12:05
Agree to disagree 😛
BradeLunner
December 7, 2020 at 12:16
FF remake for me
Morne Nell
December 7, 2020 at 12:24
Have to agree, TLOU2 left an everlasting impression on me the first game ever that made me look at things that happen in real live from different perspective. Most humans make assumptions and pick sides way to fast sometimes we need to take time to try and understand the other side.
Ghost was brilliant from and Art perspective, In some ways it was a much shorter open world games compared to games such as AC Valhalla.
To me the difference can be compared to judging movies for the Oscars, The winner is not necessary the most fun game or the game that you love playing over and over, no the winner should be the game that takes chances, change the way you view and see things
Dee ham
December 7, 2020 at 12:44
great to see many differing opinions on this, everyone is being civil and peacefully co-existing. I, like others, would have selected Ghost of Tsushima.
What’s done is done, I guess.
Name
December 13, 2020 at 21:50
The right decision. Naughty Dog are fast becoming absolute masters at narrowing the fine line between video game art and reality, and it is aptly depicted in their unashamedly open depiction of reality in its most brutal and violent form. It takes guts and courage to create games that explore the outer edges of art, asking those difficult questions that really do not elicit any straightforward answers. Long may this trend continue, and Naughty Dog are certainly leading from the front.