PlayStation 3: Home Of The Groundbreaking Exclusive?
It's always difficult to talk about overall quality when comparing games across all genres and platforms. Therefore, perhaps it's best to assess the innovation and groundbreaking design and creativity; when we do this, we come to the logical conclusion that when it comes to platform exclusives, the PlayStation 3 leads the pack.
We're currently basing this on three exclusive titles: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, LittleBigPlanet, and Killzone 2. Arguments can be me made for or against each one of these, and we certainly appreciate that; in fact, many will argue that Guerilla didn't actually do anything "new" with KZ2. We will disagree, but we won't discount the other side of the debate, because both sides can make valid points. However, when looking at the PlayStation 3 exclusives currently available, it appears they are the titles that are making the strides that seem to be "next-gen." That term is something everyone in the industry has over-used in the past few years, but it may be quite accurate to say that such a term applies more to Sony's platform exclusives than to anything else. The strides designers, story tellers, and engineers have taken with the likes of MGS4, LBP and KZ2 are most impressive, and in our view, currently unparalleled.
Obviously, we've got a long way to go in this generation. And one could easily make a case for Gears of War, which may have revolutionized the third-person shooter. However, GeoW kicked off right around the time the PS3 limped into the generation and many like to say the "combat" didn't begin until that time, when all three consoles were finally on the market together. Counting the last two full years, it seems abundantly clear that PS3 exclusives have pushed the envelope more often. Furthermore, looking down the road, we imagine the likes of God of War III, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and Gran Turismo 5 may only reinforce the point, although Naughty Dog's sequel may only be bigger and better than the original; it may not be "groundbreaking." GoWIII and GT5 on the other hand...? Yeah, our expectations are super high. Based on what we have and what we will have, the truly groundbreaking games are on the PS3, and we still have a ways to go.
We're not saying the 360 or PC (or even the Wii) won't ever produce groundbreaking titles; this is more of a current situation analysis. Also, please bear in mind that this isn't an overall quality assessment, either; we're merely focusing on one facet of the titles in question.
3/15/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (52 posts)
Banky A
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:34:26 AM
Orvisman
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 10:15:28 AM
Arvis
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 2:30:50 PM
D_RoyJenkins
Sunday, March 15, 2009 @ 11:12:08 PM
Reply
chicko1983
Sunday, March 15, 2009 @ 11:30:23 PM
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NoSmokingBandit
Sunday, March 15, 2009 @ 11:31:03 PM
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LittleBigPlanet is a game that some people cant understand for some reason. It takes us back to the roots of platform gaming like simple levels with tons of secrets, a loveable character, and oodles of charm while giving all the benefits of next-gen like amazing textures, a beautiful art style, and great online play. Its a perfect balance of everything, yet it remains deceptively simple and fun. Its the perfect game to have amid the onslaught of COD, KZ2, Resistance...
It is not possible to beat the creativeness of sony's exclusives. It just cant be done.
Qubex
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:35:16 AM
Banky A
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:39:25 AM
migabyte
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 8:28:01 AM
NoSmokingBandit
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 10:25:11 AM
Sure, its cartoonish, but nobody can say R&C:Future isnt beautiful. R&C is never hard, its not a challenge to beat it, but its FUN. Remember FUN? So many games focus on things that arent fun just so they can impress a target audience. Fancy visuals, art styles, sound, and physics engines dont mean a damn if the game isnt fun in the end.
/mini-rant
@Banky
I meant "simple" as in its nothing that completley blows your mind when you see it, but it just shows how great Geurilla is. From what i gather (im no programmer), good shadows are hard to pull off to begin with and making the AI interact with it is a whole different story.
Last edited by NoSmokingBandit on 3/16/2009 10:27:14 AM
Robertson99
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 10:28:06 AM
KevinCairo
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:12:02 AM
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(The "is" should be "are")
Aaaanyway, I think Uncharted 2 will be pretty ground breaking based on how smart the game seems from what Naughty Dog has to say about it. I mean come on; they're rendering like EVERYTHING in the environment!
Last edited by KevinCairo on 3/16/2009 12:12:24 AM
ImTheMan
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:22:23 AM
People make mistakes. As you can see, you made more obvious ones than he did. Even worse, you made one of those mistakes on purpose. So don't try to correct someone then purposely misspell a word yourself. Just lay off.
Last edited by ImTheMan on 3/16/2009 12:22:56 AM
Qubex
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:37:45 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:59:10 AM
tlpn99
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 2:49:55 PM
Nerull
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:26:23 AM
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Qubex
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:42:08 AM
It is interesting to discuss these elements... how exclusives change your buying behavour; how exclusives measure up technically agains multi-plats and/or other platforms... how exclusives influence your buying pattern and how the future line-up of exclusives may either keep you on the same platform or force you to change.
It is very interesting to track the changes along the way, so I for one like to discuss these points numerous times during the year... I think this article was worth the read anyway!
Q!
"i am home"
Last edited by Qubex on 3/16/2009 12:43:27 AM
Banky A
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:43:16 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:58:14 AM
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 3/16/2009 12:59:46 AM
Qubex
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 2:59:24 AM
Q!
"i am home"
Daedusian
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:57:26 PM
IhateFanboys24
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 1:10:15 AM
Reply
JasperLoons
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 2:21:54 AM
Qubex
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 8:09:45 AM
bamf
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 9:15:20 AM
I agree with you there. I just don't see the point in motion control. My mate is a long life Nintendo fan and has only just got himself a Wii. We played Maro Kart Wii and there was nothing new about that game over the last one. The controller doesn't add to the gameplay as you get the same output on your screen as you would with a traditional style joypad. Motion control really doesn't change the experience.
Daedusian
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 1:24:24 PM
While it may be a good concept, I don't think Nintendo has fully utilized it's capabilities and won't in the future either. This is just due to the fact that they are making tons and tons of money for not bringing anything new to the table (I've been watching too much Apprentice, haha) and that they can pretty much just lay back and relax.
It's been said before, Nintendo can just keep dishing out their shovelware and people will still flock in joy over them.
Last edited by Daedusian on 3/16/2009 1:25:10 PM
Random_Steve
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 3:39:44 AM
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Ultimadream
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 4:09:20 AM
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Random_Steve
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 2:07:46 PM
zerostar39
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 9:58:56 AM
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Kowhoho
Friday, March 20, 2009 @ 9:54:13 PM
Diggity Dan
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 10:32:18 AM
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LBP and motorstorm 2 are 2 of the most underrated games. Not enough people even know about them...
raztad
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 10:35:07 AM
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Nowadays very simple economic reasons make exclusive third party development non-attractive, to say the least, but thanks to Sony strategy we still have the same first party blockbuster franchises (MGS4 is third party tough) and then a lot more, that is more than enough to make me a happy PS3 owner.
I need to return to KZ2, it got a very unexpected twist, things are looking grim for ISA. I am really happy, KZ2 is totally worth my hard earned 60$. Good Job GG. I hope KZ2 sells a lot.
Last edited by raztad on 3/16/2009 10:37:26 AM
maxpontiac
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 10:54:25 AM
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How?
Sony's first exclusive AAA title in Killzone 2 was countered by Microsoft with a Halo game.
I honestly believe that we'll see a "family" of Halo games (being how MS could make a Halo chess game and sell a million copies).
Naga
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 11:58:07 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:20:27 PM
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Daedusian
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 1:09:00 PM
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The 360 is getting Alan Wake sometime soon (maybe next year, idk) which I'm looking forward to. And then there's Halo3Recon, which is, undoubtedly, the juice that keeps the energizer bunny running.
However, I am expecting something huge for M$ at E3 this year, since they LOVE to keep things on the down-low unlike Sony, which could be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. Personally I hate it.
mastiffchild
Monday, March 23, 2009 @ 11:33:37 AM
Both HD consoles have great looking games in the works that, in the vein of AW for 360(which I also have no idea when to expect it-wasn't it first announced as a 360 launch title years ago?)and Wardevil for PS3 never seem to get any nearer release! Huxley(360)is another that springs to mind as sounding great but disappearing and with few MS exclusives announced so far this year could we see some of the more "elusive" rirles appear from both sides?
Certainly, we would be silly to think that MS won't have some things to tell and show us at GDC and E3. That said there's even more bubbling under for Sony(how many journalists have you read that say they know of a title but can't tell about it yet with regards to Sony games?)with their many studios so it's a good year to be a gamer.
On topic, if I'd have seen Linger In Shadows somewhere else first I wouldn't ever have imagined it as a console download and Sony do deserve respect for the brave line they take with PSN and by and large I feel there's more to Sony games than just pleasing the audience. They understand that you innovate to go forwards in this game(as do Ninty with Motion Plus we may see much more from the Wii)and I feel with less experience MS have yet to learn this.
Lets just hope the big, quality and innovative games keep coming. Competition drives it quickly you know.
Last edited by mastiffchild on 3/23/2009 11:34:49 AM
smileys_007
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 5:32:25 PM
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Kowhoho
Friday, March 20, 2009 @ 9:51:32 PM
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ImTheMan
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Sunday, March 15, 2009 @ 10:56:41 PM
But I would say Mass Effect was a groundbreaking game. I love the RPG space thing. Not a MGS4 or KZ2, but still a great game in my eyes.
Last edited by ImTheMan on 3/15/2009 10:59:26 PM