9 PlayStation Exclusives That Changed Gaming

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9 PlayStation Exclusives That Changed Gaming

PlayStation has been a titan in gaming since it first burst into the scene. Since then, it has done more than be a foundation for some fun titles: it’s hosted some of the most influential games ever created.

As some of the best PlayStation games, they didn’t just sell well or get reviews, but they influenced how we think about gaming as a storytelling medium and as a form of media.

They had a hand in changing the reputation of video games across the entire entertainment industry, whether through their gameplay, narrative, or visuals. Let’s ***** into this list of nine current and previous PlayStation exclusives that have left an irreplaceable mark on the gaming world.

9) Gran Turismo

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The racing game that defined all other racing games. | Credit: suddnstar

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Kazunori Yamauchi’s Gran Turismo (1997) for the original PlayStation was just a niche dream project that spawned into one of the most successful racing franchises ever. Not only that, but it set the standard for racing games and became a staple name in PlayStation’s legacy.

The game introduced realistic driving mechanics that, for the time, made players feel like they were actually behind the driver’s seat.

It also had very extensive car customization, which wasn’t seen in other racing games released around its time. It was a critical and commercial success, selling nearly 11 million copies.

8) ******’s Souls

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There would be no Soulslike genre without this release. | Credit: JohnGodgamesHD

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The 2009 FromSoftware release on the PlayStation 3 went from a failing and hopeless Hail Mary project to revitalizing the entire company and solidifying one man’s name to forever be part of the most influential figures in game development—Hidetaka Miyazaki.

This title ***** the groundwork for the Soulslike genre, categorized by respawning enemies at rest points, losing your possessions upon ******, and being placed in an environment where every ****** and boss will have you tearing your hair out in seconds.

7) The Last of Us

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It greatly raised the bar for narrative-heavy and action-packed releases. | Credit: Naughty Dog LLC

Naughty Dog’s 2013 third-person post-apocalyptic title took everything the studio learned from its previous releases. It was as much about the characters and their relationships as it was about surviving this challenging world.

The bond between Joel and Ellie was the heart and soul of the game, and the release showed how video games could tackle serious, ****** themes and tell stories with the same emotional weight and nuance as films and TV shows.

It wasn’t the first game to do it, but it was one of the most successful and well-done ones.

6) Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune

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Another game-changing release from Naughty Dog. | Credit:
RabidRetrospectGames

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We’ve spoken about Amy Hennig’s genius and how the Uncharted franchise is synonymous with her. When this game hit the PlayStation 3, it truly felt like playing through an action blockbuster.

The mix of action, adventure, and treasure hunting wasn’t new, but it was done in such an exciting and refreshing way. Nathan Drake became one of the most iconic gaming protagonists, and this game became the start of a franchise that spawned more games and movies.

Hennig’s hand in the development process was a huge part of this, as she worked hard to make sure the game had a captivating narrative that went hand-in-hand with the thrilling adventure and gameplay.

5) Silent Hill

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A franchise that changed the way many studios approached horror games. | Credit:
xTimelessGaming

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It’s hard to pick a particular entry from the franchise when several entries in the franchise were impactful enough to inspire other video games, movies, and TV shows.

The first game, released in 1999 on the PlayStation, has become a cult classic for horror game fans. More than jumpscares and screamers, it relied on more of a psychological and atmospheric approach to inducing ***** in its players through symbolism, disturbing imagery, and complex narratives.

The other games continue in the same fashion, each focusing on different narrative themes. It paved the way for a new kind of horror game, where ***** came from what was unseen and unknown.

4) Ico

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This sleeper hit ***** the foundation for many other titles in multiple facets. | Credit: Shirrako

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Ico is a 2001 release from Team Ico and Japan Studio for the PlayStation 2, telling the tale of a boy with horns who’s been locked away from his village as he’s considered a bad omen.

The game was far from a commercial success, but it has had an undeniable impact on the industry. Games like Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Uncharted 3, and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess were greatly inspired by this title by its way of storytelling, its visuals (it pioneered the bloom lighting technique), and character interactions.

Creators like Hidetaka Miyazaki and Jenova Chen have cited Ico as a major inspiration for their work, while film director Guillermo del Toro has praised it as a masterpiece.

3) Final Fantasy 7

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The timeless RPG has a captivating story that holds up better than some modern games. | Credit: Square Enix

The game, released on the original PlayStation was a massive leap forward in narrative complexity, with characters you genuinely cared about, a world that felt alive, and a story that tackled eco-terrorism and climate change in a compelling package.

This release hit all the right notes, taking players on an incredible, tear-jerking journey. It was one of the first RPGs to break into the mainstream in the West, paving the way for console titles in its genre outside of Japan.

Plus, it was a technical marvel for its time, with stunning pre-rendered backgrounds and some of the most memorable cutscenes in gaming history.

2) P.T (Silent Hills)

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The game had an unimaginable influence on other releases despite being a short teaser. | Credit: Konami

This list technically already mentions Silent Hill, but P.T.’s influence on the video gaming industry deserves an entirely separate listing of its own.

A simple PS4-exclusive teaser for a canceled spin-off, this nerve-wracking and mind-bending two-hour release has become a masterclass in psychological horror.

Despite taking place in a long, single, looping hallway, it evokes an incredible sense of dread and ******* by messing with players’ expectations using subtle audio and visual cues.

The game has inspired countless amount of games in the horror genre since then. While the full game will never come to be, we’re thankful it inspired many other great horror titles.

1) Metal Gear Solid

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The game’s stealth mechanics were unlike ever seen before in its time. | Credit: Konami

When Hideo Kojima dropped this stealth-action bombshell, a lot of studios suddenly began releasing titles where players were sneaking around corners and thinking more about avoiding conflict than diving headfirst into it.

Metal Gear Solid introduced the concept of tactical espionage, forcing players to think about their environment and how to use it to their advantage. The controls and movement still feel fresh and innovative today.

It’s not just in gameplay, though. Much like Uncharted, the title felt like a movie you could play, complete with intricate plotlines, voice acting, and intriguing cutscenes.

Do you agree with this list? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below!

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