Since I discoveredindie games,big blockbusters have ceased to be my main attraction, but that doesn’t mean I don’t keep an eye on them from time to time.
In the end, they usually come from large developers who not only have the financing but also the experience,which means a higher ceiling because the scope is considerably greater.
The result is a series of elevated video games that,when they manage to match talent with the necessary resources,are among the best of all time, capable of selling entire consoles or, as in this case, subscription services.
Specifically, if you’ve purchased a membership to Sony’s video game service or want to and don’t know what to play, let me help you with this list often blockbuster games that justify a PS Plus subscription on their own.
10Crysis Remastered
Reviving a Forgotten Gem
Crysis Remastered
I’m fully awareCrysis Remasteredisn’t the most acclaimed adaptation we could imagine, much less considering the titan it brought back to life.
However,Crysisis among the greatest turning points in video games during the first decade of the century, so it’s genuinelyan experience that has a profound impact when putinto proper context.
Crytekwas among the biggest developers at its peak, and having the opportunity to relive it throughone of the best FPSs in historyis a recommendation I will always consider valid.
Since contextualizing the game would also imply contextualizing its development price, which languishes compared to others on this list,Crysisremains one of the most expensive video games of its time, so there’s no better moment to give it a try if you haven’t already.
9Days Gone
Fun in Hordes
Although I miss the days when Bend Studio was dedicated to theSyphon Filterseries, I can’t help but think thatDays Goneflew under many people’s radar.
Yes, it’s a somewhat generic title that follows market trends, but it’s alsoa refined product that fully exploits the horde concept that works so well in virtually every genre.
The way it combines the stealth elements the studio knows so well with melee combat, gunplay, and the sections where you ride your motorcycle works quite well, guaranteeing dozens of hours of content despite fading in the later stages.
That said, I recommend tuning out the story, because it’s complete nonsense. It has good moments, and Deacon is a likable protagonist, butDays Goneis about mowing down zombies,not witnessing an intriguing narrative.
Besides, I sincerely hope the team gets the chance to develop a sequel, because the potential to improve an already great game is immeasurable, especially sinceits foundation is solid and entertaining despite not yet being at its best.
8Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
The Last Great Assassin’s Game
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
I think it’s not at all unpopular to sayAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagwas the last entry to be relatively unanimously considered excellent, and I don’t think it should be a surprise to anyone.
Of course, we should be surprised by the fact that it’s been over 10 years since an installment generated consensus in the community about its quality, butnot so much by the fact that Edward Kenway’s adventure is treasured as an exceptional gem.
The leap it represents compared to its predecessor is completely abysmal, with exceptional size, wonderful marine mechanics, a sensational setting, and a terrible story no one pays attention to because everything else is perfect.
Going from swimming in explorable seas, to fighting in ship battles, to stealthily entering a Caribbean fortress, to drinking beer with other pirates is a glorious sequence that, to this day,the series hasn’t managed to improve.
If you’ve found more entertainment in later games, it’s perfectly fine, butI’m pretty sureAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagis the last,truly great Assassin’s game.
7God of War
A Triumphant Return
God of War
I’m not a huge fan of whatSanta Monica Studiodid withGod of War’s gameplay compared to the Greek trilogy, but I value its courage far more than I hate its mechanics.
It wasn’t untilGod of War: Ragnarökthat the developer was able to fully exploit the potential of the new formula, butthe 2018 game is a superb exercise in bravery and creativity that deserves all the applause in the world just for trying.
It also gave Kratos incredibly more depth, now establishing him as one of the best characters in history, not just for his iconic character but also for his humanity, with many layers and a magnificent redemption arc.
Considering its majestic setting, the series' finest narrative, its memorable antagonist, and its impressive soundtrack,God of Waris more than its gameplay, marking the first time mechanics aren’t the main focus.
I’ll never stop saying the combat, puzzles, bosses, interface, and level and mission design left me cold, which is quite a lot, butI also won’t stop saying it’s a game worth trying in any case.
6DOOM Eternal
An Unforgettable FPS
DOOM Eternal
Ever since I played it, I can’t help but think ofDOOM Eternalas a serious contender for the best shooter of all time, because whatid Softwaredid with the reboot’s sequel is truly phenomenal.
The 2016 game was already a practically flawless FPS, butits successor elevated its most positive qualities to create a perfect experience from start to finish.
Except for the collectibles and the HUB, which I find slows the campaign’s pace, it’s an eternally adrenaline-fueled title whereconstantly being on the brink of death gives more dopamine than concerns.
Each combat is a consciously curated piece regarding enemy positioning and variety, level design, and weapon availability,offering a gameplay synergy that seems crafted by the gods themselves.
Add to thatone of the best and most thrilling soundtracks of all time, and to speak ofDOOM Eternalas something less than the genre’s most distinguished representative feels like a complete understatement.
5Ghost of Tsushima
The Beauty of Redemption
Ghost of Tsushima
Fextralife Wiki
There are certain games whose AAA status is evident, and while I normally say that as a negative,Ghost of Tsushimais the complete opposite.
Despite being a concatenation of ideas we’ve seen inopen worldsfor years,Sucker Punchwas able to crafta beautiful adventure with an immersive setting and a truly immersive story.
It’s still a matter of going from point A to point B, improving skills, and completing secondary objectives, thoughthe loop is tremendously satisfying, both thanks to the audiovisual aspects and the well-designed and spectacularly presented gameplay.
With just the introductory sequence,Ghost of Tsushimadeclares its intention to offer an unforgettable experience,and I truly believe it achieves it. I could even argue it’s the developer’s best game, and coming from the creators ofInfamousandSly Cooper, I think that’s saying something.
4The Last of Us Part 1
The Best Way to Experience the PS3 Classic
The Last of Us Part I
I will maintain until the end of my days thatThe Last of Us Part 1is among the most unnecessary remakes in the history of video games, just as I must admitit’s the best way to play the PlayStation 3 classic.
Despite my belief that it wasn’t appropriate to rebuild the original title, which has aged well even by today’s standards, it’s undeniable that it delivers an even more impressive experience,especially due to the notable difference in graphics and technological advancements.
The Last of Usis among the games that helped shape the image of the interactive medium as a serious industry that offered more than mere entertainment,which is an invaluable contribution to an art form devoid of social legitimacy.
I don’t think it’sNaughty Dog’s best game or the best exclusive, butThe Last of Us Part Iis the most effective version of such a momentous and remarkable title, so it’s one of the essential PlayStation Plus titles.
3Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
The King of Action and Adventure
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Do you know which is Naughty Dog’s best game? Indeed,Nathan Drake’s latest adventure is the one that brings together the best capabilities of the renowned developer, giving us anUncharted 4: A Thief’s Endthat is simply outstanding.
Not only is it a 2016 title whose graphics, cinematics, gameplay sequences, and setting easily feel next-gen, but it also brings together everything that characterizes the IP and elevates it to a level of perfection and sobriety almost indistinguishable from the rest of the series.
I’m contractually obligated (with myself) to say I’m not a fan of the original trilogy, butUncharted 4: A Thief’s Endis a breathtaking journey that never stops pushing you into unlikely and epic circumstances, full of emotion and feeling.
Truth be told, the game is so good and has held up so well over the past decade that I wouldn’t be surprised if the studio waits until VR is the new standard to make a sequel, becauseI don’t see how it could be improved.
Uncharted 4screams “blockbuster” all over the place, and likeGhost of Tsushima, it does so in the best way possible:leveraging its genre’s legacy to refine it as much as possible and deliver an experience that’s as fun as it is satisfying.
2Death Stranding
Hideo Kojima at His Best
Death Stranding
Much to the chagrin of my editors, I’ve felt compelled to includeDeath Strandingin most of the pieces I’ve written lately, because that’s how goodHideo Kojima’s gameis.
When it comes to open worlds, story, characters,soundtrack, progression, message, and overall quality, it’s hard not to include Sam Bridges' adventure in the mix, as it excels on so many fronts.
Along withThe Last of Us 2, this is the title that pushed the PlayStation 4’s technical capabilities to the limit, withstellar performances,precise motion capture,and graphical quality that blurred the line between digital and real.
However,Death Stranding’s AAA nature shouldn’t fool anyone,as it feels more like an indie game than a blockbuster. The fact alone that it’s a game about making deliveries and urinating on spirits should give you an idea of how experimental it is.
Of course, this experimental approach is thought through to the last second, which is whyDeath Strandingis asstrangeas it is wonderful. It’s among the most soulful, high-value productions in the history of video games,a rare phenomenon these days.
1Bloodborne
The Best Exclusive of All Time
Bloodborne
In this life, the only thing I’m as sure of as vanilla ice cream being better than its chocolate counterpart is thatBloodborneis thebest exclusiveever created, on and off PlayStation.
I can’t think of any other work capable of selling an entire console like FromSoftware’s magnum opus, for which, ten years later, the whole community is still begging for a port to other platforms or at least a proper remaster.
Regardless,Bloodborneis an atmospheric creation that encapsulates the best of Lovecraft’s literature with the best of Hidetaka Miyazaki’s philosophy, creating an ARPG as adrenaline-pumping as it is terrifying.
For a game that effortlessly competes for thebest soundtrackand best setting of all time, coupled with visceral and addictive gameplay that feels amazing, paying for a PlayStation Plus subscription to play it falls short.
Bloodborneis actually the kind of title you have to buy,because it’s a historical piece that will transcend everything else. However, using the service to try it out isn’t a bad idea, though I’m sure you’ll end up purchasing it anyway.
