TMcBee’s Top 10 Sony Game Franchises

Playstation All-Star Battle Royale (or PASBR) has finally come out for the Playstation 3 and I’m sure anyone who already bought a copy of the game are having a blast with it. I’ve already got my copy of PASBR last night, though I will not have the time to play the game until near the holiday break. So instead of playing the game now, I’ve decided to list down my Top 10 Sony Game Franchises in honour of the release of Sony’s first fighting brawler starring its iconic mascots. Now before I begin the countdown, here are the rules:

1. It has to be games from franchises I’ve played and am familiar with.

2. The following franchises had to be only exclusive to Sony. Therefore, as much I would like to put game series like Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, Kingdom Hearts and Rayman here, I will not place them on the list since those games have been outside Sony’s hardware(s).

3. The Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon series will not be on the list since they are no longer owned by Sony anymore. Plus I haven’t played that much of it in getting to know those two specific franchises.

And most importantly, this is my opinion list and not yours. So let’s press our X, Circle, Square and Triangle buttons and get ourselves into Sony mode starting with number 10.

10. Buzz!

It was tough to decide what Sony franchise to put in the tenth spot of the list, until I realized a great gaming experience I had a few years back when I played one of the Buzz! games with a couple of friends. Sure, it is a pretty casual series with an announcer that you REALLY want to punch him until he dies, but I’m not going to lie that playing this gameshow genre series with a bunch of people is really fun.

I haven’t tried all the Buzz! games, but the one that got me to like the franchise was Buzz Quiz TV for the Playstation 3. All I know that it contained over 5000 questions to answer, different themed categories to choose from and many heart pumping rounds that keeps players overly hyped from all the excitement to know the answer  (or answers). Buzz! is an entertaining franchise that triumphs other gameshow-like games, but there is no way in that it will be my number one favourite Sony series just because it easily looses it appeal if players play too much of it.

The Buzz Announcer in this image look like Drew Carey.

Glasses, blonde hair, fat chin- Holy Geez! He does look like Drew Carey!

I do enjoy a game that testes my knowledge once in a blue moon and Buzz! really delivers a pack of questions to keep players thinking, even though the series’ cheesy tone and cliched character designs wouldn’t get everybody to play. Despite being only innovating for its questions, Buzz! is a must recommend series to try out with friends or at somebody’s party.

9. Uncharted

Before anyone jumps to conclusions and go flame war on my rear for placing the Uncharted series on the 9th spot, at least give me the decency that I’ve put this Sony franchise in this specific countdown. The Uncharted games does feel like players are experiencing a popcorn action movie (or a Sony version of Indiana Jones) and NaughtyDog has done it well to hype this series up and overall make it entertaining.

I remember getting a copy of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune at Christmas of 2009 and I do admit that the story and exploration really got me to appreciate the series, especially with the history of Sir Francis Drake being part of the series’ protagonist, Nathan Drake. However, the repetition of gameplay really got old and I wasn’t extremely impressed to see a creepy factor shown later in the game. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves on the other hand, made the gameplay varied and fun, but I don’t think the story wasn’t as memorable as Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. I haven’t tried Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, so I can’t really express an opinion on that game.

Uncharted has a lot of funny moments, but the characters do say “oh crap” and “oh s***” quite a lot.

I may have some mix feelings with Uncharted and its shooting gameplay segments, but there’s something about the presentation that makes the series memorable and amusing. The well-written script, nicely developed characters, epic theme music, and unique exploration really demonstrates the quick affection players get whenever they play this adventurous franchise.          

8. LittleBigPlanet

There are gamers that enjoy sharing virtual creations to a worldwide community and LittleBigPlanet (LBP for short) is that great example of a franchise that makes players keep smiling and get their creativity going. This is one of the most unique IPs from the Playstation 3, where building levels out of scrapped items and controlling sack boy doll sprites becomes pretty amusing.

The original LittleBigPlanet was one of the first games that I tried out for the Playstation 3. Overall, I became really impressed with its presentation, visuals and use of customization. Creating your own levels, dressing up your Sackboys (or Sackgirls) and sharing those creations have that welcoming feel whenever I play LittleBigPlanet with friends or family members. Unfortunately I haven’t tried LittleBigPlanet 2 or the portable games so I can’t say too much about them. As creative the LittleBigPlanet series is, I wouldn’t say its the best series from Sony. The floaty jumps, lack of offline variety and long loading game data easily makes me loose my interest with LBP.

Games heavily relying on online communities and multi-playing isn’t my cup of tea in video games, but I do appreciate the hard work and imaginative thinking that Media Molecule has done to develop LittleBigPlanet. It’s an adorable series that presents a charming atmosphere using user-creative content in its gameplay. Like my thoughts with the Buzz! games, LittleBigPlanet is a fun series to play with others, but a lot more imaginative. What Buzz! doesn’t have is a genius witty narrator like Stephen Fry.

Admit it people, Stephen Fry makes LittleBigPlanet awesome!  

7. God of War

I’m sure anyone reading this are possibly shocked that a female countdown artist like myself actually enjoyed playing a violent game like God of War. Even if the series does not please everybody with its gore and suggestive content, but its hack and slash and puzzle solving game play satisfies players to leap to that step in becoming more powerful than the almighty Zeus.

I thought God of War wasn’t going to be my kind of series to try out, until I played the first two games for the Playstation 2. And boy! It sure got me hooked into the experience right away. God of War and God of War 2 are my favourite from this particular Sony franchise in which the first game had a memorable story for the series while its sequel improved in the gameplay department, but not a great ending like the first game. After trying God of War 3 for the Playstation 3, I hate to say that the game left me disappointed and I didn’t care too much about God of War after that. Basically THIS moment ruined the series for me…

VIDEO CONTAINS MATURE CONTENT NOT SUITABLE FOR VIEWERS UNDER 18

It’s not the boobs that offended me, but a sex scene gameplay not being optional got me to care less about God of War. 

Despite my nitpicks towards the series, I will say that God of War is still a good one by Sony. God of War and God of War 2 were great with having a dark tone, a mind blowing presentation and overall gameplay that have over the top gore written all over it. God of War still continues to keep those hyping elements in other instalments for the franchise, but I think the series made it pretty superior in the first two games.

Please don’t give me that sad look just because your series only ranked at #7.

6. InFamous

When newer IPs were coming to the Playstation 3, I’ve felt underwhelmed by the newer series that Sony was bringing out. I even felt that Uncharted and LittleBigPlanet were a mix bag series to dive to right away, until the InFamous series by Sucker Punch came along and electrified my addiction with Playstation games again. No pun intended.

Normally I take a while to play many sand-box games, except for Jak 2 and Jak 3. Picking up the first InFamous and playing it got me to appreciate another sand-box title that gave me the urge to complete it. People have nitpicked about the outdated visuals and blandish characters in the first game, but I thought the oversize world and karma missions is what mattered the most, including some interesting plot twists that I wasn’t expecting to happen in the game. I have played a bit of InFamous 2 and I was impressed, especially Cole’s newer attitude and melee weapon. However, I felt like the frustrating vibe in Infamous 1 came back to the second game.

Cole: “You make this mission sound so easy, though it’s not…” 

 InFamous is the coolest IP that made its first appearance on the Playstation 3. The use of electrical abilities and good and bad mission decisions was a nice breath of fresh air to see in the line of Sony games. Though the series has some frustrating missions and a couple of unlikeable characters that do get out of hand at times, but doesn’t feel like a huge drag with funner missions and surprising plot twists that are witnessed in the games.

5. Rogue Galaxy

I’m sure many of you never heard of Rogue Galaxy unless you are a fan of Japanese RPGs. I don’t blame many people not knowing this exclusive Playstation 2 game since it came out right when the Playstation 3 was relatively new. Some players may say Rogue Galaxy borrows many elements from Star Wars, but the variety and massive gameplay hours is worth the time to those who are patient with Japanese RPGs.

I’ve actually found out about Rogue Galaxy after watching an episode of Reviews on the Run when they reviewed the game. Years later, I’ve purchased a new copy of Rogue Galaxy at a game store and played it right away. I was immediately astonished by the length, combat gameplay, levelling up system and its engaging soundtrack of the series. Plus the game has quite an epic story to boot, though sometimes the voice acting in its anime style makes some of the scenes pretty cheesy. The major complaint I have with the game is that it likes to become hard and gimmicky with its battles and boss fights at times.

Rogue Galaxy gave me the same kind of feeling from other RPG titles I’ve played like Kingdom Hearts and Chrono Trigger, though it isn’t at that same level of admiration as those games. However, it is a massive game with some likeable characters and addicting customize functions. *sighs* If only Sony would let Level 5 studios to release a sequel for this series because I think it really deserves one, especially after seeing the game’s disappointing ending.

Perhaps these first few beginning cutscenes might want you to check out Rogue Galaxy? 

4. Team Ico Games

In the game industry, it is pretty rare to find games that are presented like poetry, art or literature. Both Ico and Shadow of the Colossus (or SotC) developed by Team Ico had perfected their simplistic concepts in becoming engaging experiences to wander though these ambient empty worlds.

Many fans of these games have said that Ico and Shadow of the Colossus are within the same series and I too believe that they are. Ico is a sequel to SotC, where the main hero Ico escapes with a girl name Yorda out of an abandoned castle. SotC  is the prequel of the series, where Wander and his horse Agro have to slaughter sixteen colossi’s in order to resurrect a young lady name Mono. Despite the clunky controls with these two games,  they both provide such strong emotions, amazing soundtracks and interesting twists and surprises that you don’t see often in many video games, especially in Shadow of the Colossus.

VIDEO CONTAINS MASSIVE ENDING SPOILER

 

Seriously? What was your reaction when you saw this ending? 

END OF MASSIVE ENDING SPOILER

 Though I never played the PS2 originals of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, but picking up the PS3 HD collection this year was worth the invest to try these two games out. I love the simple concepts, poetic presentations and natural ambience that Team Ico has done with their games, even if the controls aren’t functioned the best. All that’s left is the release of The Last Guardian and we got ourselves another Sony trilogy.

Be patient my gentle beast. Your game will come out one day…

3. Jak and Daxter

NaughtyDog, creators of Uncharted and the original Crash Bandicoot trilogy, had developed another I.P. for Sony back on the Playstation 2 that some people today tend to forget to mention. The Jak and Daxter series an interesting Sony franchise that likes to jump its platforming style and tone differently in each instalment and makes many players to accept the changes.

I got to know more about the Jak games after watching JaZerGames’ recorded cutscenes of Jak 2, 3 and X on youtube and I immediately bought the original Jak trilogy days later. The first game, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, was a splendid game to play because it felt like going to back to playing collective platformers again from my childhood like Super Mario 64 and Donkey Kong 64. I know some people didn’t like the dark tone and many changes in its sequels, but I didn’t find it a huge problem with the storytelling and different roots the series was going for. Though the challenged difficulty and driving controls is another story.

Daxter:  Easy Jak! Don’t let that annoying Erol race get you all rage up!

There’s always something unique and different with the Jak and Daxter games, especially their universe going from colourfully fun to dark and total badass. Sometimes changes are good, but this series to start its edgy vibe early was acceptable to many, unlike other game franchises that tries to be dark and does it too late. Though the Jak series was the first Sony franchise that I got into, I do admit that the dark adventurous tone can get a little too old. Sometimes I wish the colourful style from the first game can come back again.

2. Sly Cooper

Sucker Punch Studios have always been the game company to bring an unique comic book style to their games. The Sly Cooper series is one 3D platformer franchise from Sony that provides colourful worlds, likeable characters and stealthy gameplay mechanics that anyone of all ages can slide to and enjoy.

I actually got into the Sly Cooper games way late when the Playstation 2 was slowly becoming overlooked by the Playstation 3. I found a copy of Sly Cooper and the Thievious Raccoonus for a cheap price and I really liked it, though I was expecting a bit more due to its short length. Sly 2: Band of Thieves and Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves on the other hand made my expectations high as the series was getting better with Sly 2‘s storytelling and huge level designs and Sly 3‘s replay value and written humour. In all honesty, Sly Cooper can even work successfully as a Saturday morning cartoon.

This bonus movie from Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves shows that Sly Cooper can be entertaining in other animated formats.

 The Sly Cooper games may not be for everyone with having so much voice dialogue in the way of its gameplay, but the variety of many fun missions, cel-shaded appearance and memorable characters makes players dive into the Sly Cooper world. The Sly Cooper trilogy that originally came out for the Playstation 2 has always been known to be the unique 3D platformer from Sony and I seriously cannot wait for what Sanzaru Games has in store once they release Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time in February 2013.

Say what you want about the new changes haters! I’m just happy that a new Sly game is finally coming out for the Playstation 3.    

1. Ratchet and Clank

For those who have checked my previous online content knows that I am a fan of the  Ratchet and Clank series and I’m sure anyone reading this knew that this was going to be number 1. In my opinion, Insomniac Games is that game company that can innovate the Ratchet and Clank games nicely without taking away the series’ humour, tone and gameplay style.

Ratchet and Clank was another Sony series that got my interest years later rather than at its first debut in 2002. After watching a few beginning cutscenes of Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction online in 2007, I immediately bought the Ratchet and Clank trilogy for the Playstation 2, which made me get other R&C games for both the PS2 and PS3 later. Other than the humour being the seller of the franchise, Ratchet and Clank’s whacky weapons, quirky characters, and varied combat and puzzle elements truly makes the player feel entertained and rewarded, especially the quantity of currency bolts you earn in each game.

Your foes will definitely hold some change of bolts in their pockets… if they even have pockets. 

Whether the games sell well or not, there’s always going to be a guilty pleasure vibe whenever I stumble across a Ratchet and Clank game. The quality and quantity in the animation, model work, level layouts and gameplay content of this series always astonishes me and how Insomniac Games do their best to think of some new ideas and more explosions to please players and their fans. I know I am one of those individuals who feels satisfied while playing a Ratchet and Clank game, even if some changes may not be my kind of interest… I’m looking at you Ratchet:Deadlocked.

P.S. You’re still fun though.