PlayStation 4 had an amazing software line-up last year, with outstanding games such as Star Wars Battlefront, Until Dawn, Bloodborne, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 leading the way. It’s no wonder nearly 36 million gamers have become part of the PlayStation Nation since the PS4 launched just over two years ago.
This year promises to be just as big (if not bigger) with tons of great exclusives, and the hottest third-party titles. Games we’ve been waiting years to get our hands on will finally be arriving, in addition to exciting new franchises unveiled at E3 2015. PS4 owners can look forward to great games all year long, including the following highly anticipated games that should definitely be on your radar:
[Note: The below release dates are subject to change at the sole discretion of the game publisher at any time]
PS4 Exclusives to get excited about
Street Fighter V
Release Date: February 16, 2016
It’s been nearly seven years since Capcom unleashed Street Fighter IV, and now we’re mere weeks away from the series’ triumphant return on PS4. Street Fighter V will be pushing the genre forward with gameplay that is both more accessible for newcomers, and has multiple layers of strategic depth for hardcore fighting fans. Fan favourite characters like Ryu, Chun-Li, M. Bison, Vega, Zangief, and more, are returning, along with all-new combatants including Necalli, Rashid, and Laura Matsuda. Capcom has taken extra care to ensure the best online multiplayer experience yet, with multiple early beta tests for fans who pre-ordered. What’s also exciting is that there will only ever be one version of Street Fighter V, with new characters frequently added that you can purchase with real money or in-game currency. On top of the standard edition, diehard Street Fighter fans can also pick up the Street Fighter V Collector’s Edition, which includes a 10″ Ryu figurine in an action pose and a 48-page hardcover art book.
Ratchet & Clank
Release Date: April 12, 2016
Coinciding with the release of the major motion picture in theatres this April, Ratchet & Clank is a gorgeous reimaging of the PlayStation 2 original from 2002. This enhanced version features an updated arsenal, new planets to explore, modernized controls, and improved gameplay. The presentation has also been vastly improved, with beautiful HD graphics and a newly recorded soundtrack. Ratchet & Clank is one of the all-time greatest PlayStation classics, so I can’t wait to relive this epic adventure on PS4.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Release Date: April 26, 2016
There is perhaps no PlayStation franchise more popular than Naughty Dog’s Uncharted. Fans have been waiting five long years for next entry, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, but the wait is nearly over. Uncharted games have a history of setting new graphics and cinematic benchmarks, and going by the early trailers for this game, A Thief’s End is well-positioned to be the new PS4 gold standard. Breathtaking vistas, intense action sequences, frenetic gunplay combat, and edge-of-your-seat cinematics is only the beginning. Those looking for the ultimate Uncharted 4 experience will want to check out the Special Edition, which come packed with a 48-page hardcover art book by Dark Horse, plus a Naughty Dog and Pirate Sigil sticker sheet.
The Last Guardian
Release Date: TBC 2016
Will The Last Guardian ever see the light of day on a PlayStation platform? That’s a question PlayStation fans have been asking themselves since this game was unveiled seven years ago at E3 2009. Well, if last year’s E3 is any indication, The Last Guardian is still in full development and it’s looking better than ever. The game tells a story of a young boy who develops an unexpected friendship with large dog-bird creature who helps solve complex environmental puzzles. While much of the story and gameplay are still under wraps, we do know this tale will put a spotlight on the developing friendship between the boy and his large animal companion.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Release Date: TBC 2016
One of the most breathtaking games unveiled at year’s E3 was Horizon Zero Dawn from Guerrilla Games, makers of the first-person shooter series Killzone. This game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world ruled over by large mechanical dinosaur creatures, with players taking control of an experienced hunter and archer named Aloy. I found its unique combat gameplay to be genuinely fascinating, which revolves around setting traps, firing off arrows, and unleashing a mixture of explosive and melee attacks. The game also has a massive open-world to explore, ranging from lush forests, to mountains, and ancient ruins. Horizon Zero Dawn is showing immense potential, so I can’t wait to see more later this year.
Great third-party titles
Far Cry Primal
Release Date: February 23, 2016
The Far Cry series is turning the clock back to the Stone Age for its next exciting chapter. Far Cry Primal is set in the year 10,000 BC, a time when massive beasts like woolly mammoths and sabretooth tigers ruled the Earth. This is fully open-world adventure that brings together massive beasts, gorgeous prehistoric environments, and unpredictable savage encounters. You’ll take on the role of Takkar, a seasoned hunter and sole surviving member of his hunting group. It’s an intriguing spin on this well-established franchise, bursting with potential. In addition to the standard edition, you can also pre-order the Far Cry Primal Deluxe Edition that also includes a printed poster map of Oros and the official game soundtrack on CD.
Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst
Release Date: May 24, 2016
Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst is a reboot of the award-winning 2008 original, and gives us a fresh take on Faith Connors’ fight against the evil that rules over the City of Glass. The first-person parkour gameplay has been improved significantly this time around, with faster, more fluid movement as you traverse the open world. Now you’ll be able to run across walls, slide under pipes, and vault between rooftops with more finesse than ever before. The original game one of the all-time greatest on PS3, so it’s amazing to have this reboot come to a new generation of gamers.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Release Date: August 23, 2016
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided takes place in 2029, two years after the events of Human Revolution and the infamous ‘Aug Incident’ in Panchaea that resulted in the death of millions at the hands of those who had installed augmentations. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided continues the story of Adam Jensen, a former biotech company security chief turned super-augmented, anti-terrorist agent playing by his own rules. Jensen has been empowered with all new augmentations, enabling you to possess a greater sense of self-control as you explore all new locations in-game. Like in past Deus Ex games, you’ll have plenty of different skill paths to pursue, including stealth and combat. There will be two editions available when the game releases this August, a regular edition and the Collector’s Edition, which includes a 9″ Adam Jensen figurine in an action pose and a 48-page Titan art book full of images of game environments, characters, and weaponry.
But that’s not all
There is still a lot more to look forward to this year on PS4, so get ready for non-stop excitement. There are superb downloadable titles like The Witness, Unravel and No Man’s Sky, as well as incredible blockbuster titles like Tom Clancy’s The Division, Hitman, Dishonored 2, Dark Souls 3, and many more. With all these great games just on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to be a PlayStation fan.
Do you have other suggestions I haven’t included above? Leave a comment, and let me know!
As you already know @PaulH I’m all about the Xbox One but this year might be the year I come to the dark side, as it were. Some of the exclusives for PS4 this year are really making it hard for me to say no, along with Bloodburne from last year.
One PS4 exlcusive I wanted to mention here is the sequel to 2010 sleeper hit Neir by Square Enix. The first game didn’t get that great of critic reception but I felt it was a great RPG that stood out amoung the countless sequels, especailly from Square’s own franchises that just seem to never end. The story was unique, the gameplay was adequet but what really made this game a worthwhile endevour was the music. While it was mainly accoustic and melancholy it adds another layer to the surreal beauty of the game.
The PS4 exclusive, sequel Neir:Automata is set to release later this year, and will have some changes that may make this game pop up on the radar for many more people. Even though the first game had a poor reception with critics, it resonated deeply with fans and so much so that the main team from the game decided to work on the sequel but also wanted to vastly improve the action game play of the game. Which lead to them contacting Platinum Games (of Bayonetta, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Transformers: Devastation), who are well known for their action oriented games. Also the original composer, Keiichi Okabe, will be returning to yet again lend his musical tallents to the game.
It might not be the most notable action RPG on the market or a series that has been around for decades, however Neir is a series I hope more people can experience in the future as it offers a fresh perspective, a new world, new characters and more to a market that is over saturated with the same characters in the same places doing the same thigns.
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