The seventh generation of video game consoles set the stage for a decade-old franchise to reach new heights with brave entries.
This generation led to larger visual updates than previous consoles unless they were played on the Wii, but allowed developers to fire more games within a shorter time frame.
The PlayStation 3 era marked an important milestone and became the home of hundreds of titles that lay the foundation for today’s common names.
We remember those times fondly, but many of those games show their age in terms of gameplay and visuals. That’s natural considering that 19 years have passed since the console debuted.
However, some PlayStation 3 games have really endured time tests and are aging very well. Whether it’s great gameplay or timeless storytelling, some of the best PS3 games are aging like fine wines.
10
Over there: Two souls
Timeless performance
Scattered with stars from Quantic Dream: Two Souls is a tale masterpiece that, alongside heavy rain, helps redefine genre boundaries.
It blended cinematic storytelling and interactive gameplay to make it an essential game for those who view themselves as story-driven game enthusiasts.
Critics were divided into its minimalist gameplay, which rubs action-centric players in the wrong way, but does not deny their ambitions. Beyond: Two Souls pushed the boundaries and paved the way for a game like Detroit.
If you somehow missed this, but enjoy emotional storytelling in the game, you’ve made it a truly timeless PlayStation 3 GEM with Two Souls’ amazing story and intriguing dual protagon mechanic.
9
Sleeping dog
Timeless, brutal melee combat
There are very few open world games, just like sleeping dogs, on PlayStation 3, and perhaps even later platforms.
Square Enix’s open world crime drama provided a brutal and extremely satisfying close-up combat that is still surprisingly sustained today. Ten years after its debut, it still offers some of the most sophisticated hand-to-hand combat on record to boot.
Sleeping Dogs complemented the ranged combat mechanics, worked very well, and ensured that it didn’t feel like a cheap gimmick, and that random skirmishes felt like a high stakes, cinematic Kung-Fu action flick.
Despite the mediocre driving mechanics, the charming masked cop storyline in Sleeping Dogs is memorable, and landing a heavy slomac kick is worth the admission fee, even if it’s not for you.
8
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Suitable for Gotham in PS3 games
Batman: Arkham Asylum not only sets new standards for superhero games, but also laid the foundation for one of the most fun and popular combat systems we’ve seen in the game landscape.
The combat dynamics of the game are intuitive and extremely satisfying, allowing you to enjoy any encounter.
Arkham Asylum features a great storytelling ratio that makes more than just a con man, along with a bulletproof combat system, offering a rare 3D Metroidvania format to this day.
Rocksteady’s latest outing, Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, Sully, was tough to see the good names of the developers who brought perhaps the best superhero game ever made. But even if they did their best, we can still look back at what came before.
7
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Intensive experience with a bloated franchise
There is no denying that Assassin’s Creed is one of the series that has always shown signs of franchise fatigue. The latest entry, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, has drawn out an impressive number of commercial numbers that have probably made the developer happy, but the series’ veterans wonder if the magic is still out there.
So I remember Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, which is why it stands out as a high point in the series, and is considered one of the best entries in the entire franchise.
It didn’t redefine the franchise, but it built on the core elements seen in the second era of Assassin’s Creed Games and actually nailed the naval combat system. Ubisoft then developed (unfortunately) tetrahedral bones to develop the skull and bones.
While sailing through the cabin across the Caribbean, it was an incredible experience with Black Flag, but the game perfectly balances the storyline and open world design in a series that is often criticised for being bloated.
That’s why I feel it’s more focused than the other entries in the series, and for me it’s the best AC product of the seventh generation.
6
The edge of the mirror
Timeless visuals
It’s amazing how well Dice’s Mirror’s Edge has endured over the past 16 years since its launch.
Despite the somewhat simplified combat dynamics, Mirror’s Edge beautifully captured the vibrant metropolitan atmosphere, complementing it with an incredible level of design that truly captured the excitement of the jump across the roof.
It is also a stunning achievement with realistic visuals that we still have today. Unlike its counterparts, who have aged by relying on a distinct visual arts style, Miller’s edges were able to stand the test of time, focusing on vibrant realism in the portrayal of metropolitan cities.
It was so well done to focus on specific colours on different levels that even the dullest metropolitan rooftops looked clear and interesting. And mixing it with intuitive Parcour gameplay reveals why Miller’s Edge plays better than many games, including sequels, and looks better.
5
Grand Theft Auto IV
True Classic
While its successor, GTA V, launched a new era of gaming and became an important landmark, I think GTA IV is the most grounded and emotionally resonating entry in the franchise.
Its incredible protagonist and absurd criticism of the American dreams was so well presented that fans who are anticipating GTA VI still want similar tones and themes in the story.
Especially when comparing it to the shallow, chaotic trio of GTA V, Nico Berrick’s story unlike the complete satire of GTA V, bringing the most timeless moments as he overcomes the disillusionment of American dreams.
There’s plenty to praise about the GTA IV story, but I’d argue that it nailed the Rockstar mission design in a few ways, as it provided a filtered, immersive journey through Liberty City. It felt like the whole crime drama was more cohesive, as it was more than a series of errands marked with letters and orange dots on the map.
I believe that is also what people expect rock stars to leave. Even in the acclaimed Red Dead Redemption 2, the gameplay design is built around the idea that missions are always separate from sandboxes. The GTA IV helped to withstand time testing as it discovered sweet spots between mission design and open world.
Bold spinoffs in incredible combat
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is one of the very rare spinoffs that have been able to break away from the parent series while still remaining true to its central tenets. This has even made Revengeance an entry point for many into the Metal Gear Solid series.
Although there is no complicated narrative and political discourse presented through overly long cutscenes, Revengeance had a wonderful unique selling point like designs on the peak, and a combat system that could cut enemies with satisfying accuracy and solid accuracy.
Like many of the other longtime fans of Metal Gear Solid and Kideo Kojima’s other works, Revengeance has a truly special place in my mind, with its precise and almost addictive combat style. It gracefully transcends many console generations, and it becomes clear why Platinum Games are still kicking today.
In my personal note, I replay it on a steam deck, which makes it play amazingly in the handheld.
3
God III
Confused excellence is still offered
More than 15 years after its release, God of War 3 is still at mythical height. This provided one of the most amazing glasses ever made for the console, marking an unforgettable conclusion on Kratos’ journey.
As one of the PlayStation’s flagship franchises, Santa Monica has made the most of its hardware and created a great gameplay formula that made God’s God 3 a timeless classic today.
It provided all the proven elements, including brutal finishers, liquid combos, and puzzles integrated into visceral combat sequences, but was also able to rise more than its predecessor.
Knowing that many of the franchises who made the generic name could not reach new heights in later games (see you, Killzone), God God 3 skillfully marked the end of the trilogy by increasing the scale of grandeur, providing more hacks and slashes, and screaming more Kratos.
As a longtime fan of the classic hack and slash formula that defined action in PS2 and early PS3 games, I can say that even the Gods of War tend to be repeated a bit after killing a certain number of zombie soldiers.
That being said, even in moments that get a little boring, God of War 3 still offers the ultimate PS3-era hack and slash experience. Mix it with the epic tale of Vengeance and it’s clear why this is one of the best PlayStation 3 games ever made.
2
Our Last
Timeless storytelling
Twelve years after their debut, The Last of Us storyline and thrilling gameplay are available at every point throughout the runtime.
I’ve received many remasters in the past, but the original PlayStation 3 game is still kicking. Speaking as someone who played it on release day and revisited it throughout all the remasters, it’s amazing how well Naughty Dog’s original Magnum Opus holds emotional depth and refined gameplay.
Even after playing the remaster, the old portrayals of Joel and Ellie, along with animations in their faces, do not feel like the game has returned in 2013.
But what makes our last timeless classic, along with its high production value, is the perfect blend of gameplay and storytelling. Thirteen years later, it’s great to play as Joel to defeat infected people, or listen to quiet, evasive dialogue while Ellie tries to help you behind.
It is these little moments that the game builds emotional weight. And adding some of the best inspirations drawn from the survival horror genre reveals why our ending is still ongoing.
The whole package
More than 13 years after its debut, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots remains a unique cult classic with detailed gameplay mechanics and unparalleled storytelling.
As someone who has followed Kojima’s career since the Metal Gear Solid 2 on the PlayStation 2, it is clear that Kojima has pushed the PlayStation 3 to its limits with a patriot gun. It’s a massive orchestra with philosophical ratios, unparalleled stealth action and overwhelming numbers of cutscenes.
It feels like the whole package, but Kojima later admitted that he felt constrained by hardware restrictions under development. Still, with its cinematic presentation and a stunning blend of stealth and action, Metal Gear Solid 4 holds a special place in the hearts of longtime fans of the series.
While long cutscenes and complex narratives make up a significant part of the experience, the fourth mainline entry in the Metal Gear Solid series is a timeless classic that remains today.
