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[Woopah]

We're not talking only about heavy-hitters. But just, something of actual value.

Only Japan Studio's first year output on the PS1 had more major titles:

Japan Studio - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I specifically stated no 3rd party developed stuff. Because then, comparing them to what Microsoft is pushing would be even worse.

What make Helldiver 2 count, but not Stellar Blade of Rise of Ronin?

First party games being developed by external partners is pretty common. They still count as first party games.

 

[FrankWza]

What make Helldiver 2 count, but not Stellar Blade of Rise of Ronin?

First party games being developed by external partners is pretty common. They still count as first party games.

It has to be something that represents the history and DNA of the company. Like Mario or Astrobot or Call of Duty

 

[Kacho]

As someone that's never liked Sony first party...

I can't tell the difference.

True. I'm in the same boat.

However, I think people expected a repeat of the PS4 generation and it's been nothing like that. They have a good game here or there but the time between them is really long. Every PlayStation Showcase people are like "THIS IS THE ONE" and it turns out to be a big fat nothing lol. Sony's output sorta resembles Xbox last gen IMO. I'm not even a fan and it's depressing to see the industry so impotent.

 

[Aguero9320]

Definitely the live service bet has derailed them a bit, but with games taking 4-6 years now we're still right in the middle of the period for games that would have been just ramping up development when covid hit. I think it's underestimated how long the tail of covid will be for game development.

 

[Ribi]

Astro Bot didn't impress you?

A platformer?

 

[HogIsland]

This is truly the worst Playstation generation by far for a bunch of reasons.

 

[HeWhoWalks]

This is truly the worst Playstation generation by far for a bunch of reasons.

What are they?

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

Definitely the live service bet has derailed them a bit, but with games taking 4-6 years now we're still right in the middle of the period for games that would have been just ramping up development when covid hit. I think it's underestimated how long the tail of covid will be for game development.

Has it though? How many studios were scheduled to release a new game, but were "derailed" by Live Service projects? Maybe Sony Bend and...?

 

[[Sigma]]

In terms of PlayStation 1st party internal studios, it might be. Memorable games I played(Returnal, Astro Bot). Rest ive played have just more so been on the passable side really lacking inspiration. It was a struggle to finish the first play through of God of War Ragnorak and when it came to Horizon Forbidden West, I fucking dropped that game as least 7 or more times before I got enough motivation finish that one play through. Those two games have lost their magic and feel like box checkoffs and bloated messes.

 

[nial]

We're not talking only about heavy-hitters. But just, something of actual value.

Only Japan Studio's first year output on the PS1 had more major titles:

Japan Studio - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I specifically stated no 3rd party developed stuff. Because then, comparing them to what Microsoft is pushing would be even worse.

You "specifically stated no 3rd party developed stuff", while previously including Helldivers 2, and also being oblivious to the fact that those Japan Studio games from the first year were ALL developed by 3rd party studios (with the single exception of Motor Toon Grand Prix).
Rise of the Ronin and Stellar Blade are Sony games, period.

 

[Ar¢tos]

A platformer?

And?
Because you don't like platformers they are no longer considered games?

 

[XXL]

There are tons of great fucking games this generation like GT7 VR....which people just ignore in these lists.

And having to create have an asterisk beside the argument for this shows how truly stupid it is.

Basically every GOTY candidate this year is a PS5 game.

 

[JaksGhost]

Hey guys if we ignore these games it was shitty right? Right?! Go play games and shut the fuck up.

 

[FrankWza]

There are tons of great fucking games this generation like GT7 VR....which people just ignore in these lists.

And having to create have an asterisk beside the argument for this shows how truly stupid it is.

Basically every GOTY candidate this year is a PS5 game.

Just like the remakes but Nintendo gets a pass.

 

[Astray]

Nothing will be as bad as early PS3 gen tbh. I skipped it for the longest time and never felt like I missed out on anything.

 

[nial]

Alsooooo, Sony has four games for 2025 (Convallaria, Lost Soul Aside, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Ghost of Yotei, plus MLB ofc), so I legit don't get why people are so bitter, but I guess that's just your modern Gamer. Go discuss about SBI or whatever, this is getting tiring.

 

[ArtHands]

They’re great if you include their PC releases

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

It's downright pathetic.

Off the top of my head I can only name three new IP's:

Destruction All-Stars
Concord
Returnal

Two are DOA live service duds, the other was essentially a launch title.

Nothing new this year. Nothing new announced for next year. For 2026 you finally have another new IP, FairGame$ LOL.

Luckily for them, MS mismanaged the fuck out of Xbox, and Nintendo is doing their own thing. So Sony can coast off of PS4 owners upgrading, and Fortnite/CoD MTX revenue.

 

[Euler007]

The hardest part of working quietly on your game and announcing it when it's ready is getting blasted by wendy's line cook on video game message boards.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

is the woke + games taking more time + chasing GaaS.

 

[JaksGhost]

It's downright pathetic.

Off the top of my head I can only name three new IP's:

Destruction All-Stars
Concord
Returnal

Two are DOA live service duds, the other was essentially a launch title.

Nothing new this year. Nothing new announced for next year. For 2026 you finally have another new IP, FairGame$ LOL.

Luckily for them, MS mismanaged the fuck out of Xbox, and Nintendo is doing their own thing. So Sony can coast off of PS4 owners upgrading, and Fortnite/CoD MTX revenue.

Now do Nintendo!

 

[SweetTooth]

Just like during the PS4 era, people complained about only AAA games but AA games like WipEout Omega, Everybody's Golf, Until Dawn, etc didn't count because reasons.

Let them complain, we are eating good

 

[Woopah]

It has to be something that represents the history and DNA of the company. Like Mario or Astrobot or Call of Duty

Why?

When the original Pokémon, Kirby, Fire Emblem etc. came out, they did not represent the history of Nintendo. They were still first party games.

Astral Chain, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 and Bayonetta 3 are still first party Nintendo games.

 

[Klayzer]

Nothing will be as bad as early PS3 gen tbh. I skipped it for the longest time and never felt like I missed out on anything.

How dare you! Folklore and Heavenly Sword were trend setters. Just kidding...

 

[ArtHands]

They also made Concord, the most memorable game this year

 

[graywolf323]

Just like during the PS4 era, people complained about only AAA games but AA games like WipEout Omega, Everybody's Golf, Until Dawn, etc didn't count because reasons.

100%, just look at threads on GAF from middle of last gen and you’d find the same freaking complaints, remember how for the longest time it was the IndieStation 4 as an insult?

our society as a whole has become peak “what have you done for me lately” while having incredibly short-term memories & openly dismissing games because it’s not something they’re interested in then acting like there’s nothing being released

 

[Aenima]

It's downright pathetic.

Off the top of my head I can only name three new IP's:

Destruction All-Stars
Concord
Returnal

Two are DOA live service duds, the other was essentially a launch title.

Nothing new this year. Nothing new announced for next year. For 2026 you finally have another new IP, FairGame$ LOL.

Luckily for them, MS mismanaged the fuck out of Xbox, and Nintendo is doing their own thing. So Sony can coast off of PS4 owners upgrading, and Fortnite/CoD MTX revenue.

Most of the big Sony studios are working in new IPs, they just been quiet about it. Nintendo seems pretty fine without new IPs.

 

[Astray]

How dare you! Folklore and Heavenly Sword were trend setters. Just kidding...

Early PS4 was another borefest. The game that got the most time in those early days was AC: Black Flag.

If anything, Early PS5 > Early PS3/4 for me. Not even a contest.

 

[JORMBO]

I loved Sony on the PS4, but on the PS5 they have been a let down. Forbidden West ended up being boring after HZD being one of my favorite games on the PS4. GoW was bloated and the pacing dragged. SM2 is well made, but felt like something I've already played. Astrobot is great. Ratchet is fun, but only lasted around 8 hours. This gen has mostly felt like more of the same, with less games and creativity.

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

'Things that don't fit my narrative aside the situation is dire'

You should send a resume to Kotaku, my dude.

 

[Woopah]

Now do Nintendo!

Most of the big Sony studios are working in new IPs, they just been quiet about it. Nintendo seems pretty fine without new IPs.

Nintendo were pretty good with publishing new IPs in the 2010s, but really dropped off in the 2020s. They need to turn things around.

Of course on the Sony side we also need to include things like Stellar Blade and Rise of the Ronin.

 

[Yoboman]

If you ignore one of the highest scoring games Sony has ever released yes

 

[schaft0620]

Venom
Concord
Helldivers
The Last of Us Online
Until Dawn
FF7R
Astro Bot

That was their plan, not a terrible plan on paper but poorly executed.

 

[SlimySnake]

I loved Sony on the PS4, but on the PS5 they have been a let down. Forbidden West ended up being boring after HZD being one of my favorite games on the PS4. GoW was bloated and the pacing dragged. SM2 is well made, but felt like something I've already played. Astrobot is great. Ratchet is fun, but only lasted around 8 hours. This gen has mostly felt like more of the same, with less games and creativity.

100% this.

Sony last gen was doing things that were new, unique and ambitious. This gen, meh. I liked Returnal but Ratchet felt more of the same. GOW Ragnorak, HFW, GT7, Spiderman 2 and Astrobot are all just more of the same.

As a first party, they themselves set the bar high. not just in terms of graphics, but also pushing the bar and trying out new things.
HZD was unlike anything else out there thanks to its combat and enemy design.
GOW 2018 got a complete makeover.
Spiderman 1 felt like a new IP and in a league of its own compared to previous Spiderman games although the combat was too samey compared to Batman.
GT Sports revolutionized online racing.
Ghost of Tsushima finally gave us the AC Japan game we were waiting for.
TLOU2 had some of the best animations and combat design last gen.

Now, it's just remakes, straight sequels that might as well be DLCs, and safe formulaic titles that are simply refusing to build upon and offer huge uncharted 1 to Uncharted 2 caliber leaps.

And to make matters worse, they are taking twice as long. You take 5 years and a make a safe formulaic sequel? Come on. Insomniac after being bought out by Sony had access to $300 million to completely revamp the basic bland ass combat system. They didnt. With that much money, they could've at least created a brand new city. no, they literally recycled it for the third game in a row. They could've improved the graphics to next gen standards, they didnt. They are the microcosm of everything wrong with modern Sony first party developers. Ghost of Tsushima 2 being a conservative Spiderman 2 esque sequels tells us that it's not just Insomniac.

I still like their games. I just dont think they are doing anything truly great or original. Astrobot was a big disappointment. It's basically identical to the pack-in game and that's good enough for Ubisoft but I expect more from Sony because they themselves set the bar so high last gen.

 

[kevboard]

COMPLETELY off topic, and random.

But I want to say thank you to OP for using the correct word 'worse' and not worst. This shouldn't be worth celebrating, but here we are...

 

[Klayzer]

'Things that don't fit my narrative aside the situation is dire'

You should send a resume to Kotaku, my dude.

Sounds like a Youtuber thumbnail:
"Is Sony dying"?
"Astrobot woke confirmed"
Hey Arthands, I just did your job for you.

 

[HogIsland]

What are they?

- worst generation for 1st party publishing
- lengthy cross-gen period held back next-gen experiences
- poor outreach to indie devs
- new system-level features flopped (activities, accolades)
- visual presentation via fsr/upscaling gets ugly
- everything is fucking expensive while delivering less

 

[Crayon]

Sounds like PS1. That was a great time. If Stellar Blade isn't good because they didn't make it in-house, idk what to tell you.

 

[HeWhoWalks]

- worst generation for 1st party publishing
- lengthy cross-gen period held back next-gen experiences
- poor outreach to indie devs
- new system-level features flopped (activities, accolades)
- visual presentation via fsr/upscaling gets ugly
- everything is fucking expensive while delivering less

1. Based on what?
2. Yes, thanks, in part, to a pandemic.
3. Based on what?
4. Um, sure. What was better in previous gens regarding this?
5. That’s….. an industry issue.
6. Also an industry issue.

 

[NonPhixion]

Ok, and then what happened?

 

[HogIsland]

1. Based on what?
2. Yes, thanks, in part, to a pandemic.
3. Based on what?
4. Um, sure. What was better in previous gen’s regarding this?
5. That’s….. an industry issue.
6. Also an industry issue.

worst generation. which one isn't better?

 

[HeWhoWalks]

worst generation. which one isn't better?

To me, I prefer the PS5 over last gen, preferred the PS1 & 3 over all other Sony gens. All have seen their fair share of greatness. That’s the wonderful thing about opinions.

Outside of that, you gave me little else.

 

[HogIsland]

To me, I prefer the PS5. That’s the great thing about opinions.

Outside of that, you gave me little else.

prefer to which playstation generation?

 

[HeWhoWalks]

prefer to which playstation generation?

R E A D.

 

[bitbydeath]

I specifically stated no 3rd party developed stuff. Because then, comparing them to what Microsoft is pushing would be even worse.

You can remove Helldivers 2 and Horizon Lego as well. Both were made by third party.

Or include Stellar Blade and Rise of Ronin as they were also made by first party in conjunction with third party.

Either way, they’re all in the same boat.

 

[W11d]

100% this.

Sony last gen was doing things that were new, unique and ambitious. This gen, meh. I liked Returnal but Ratchet felt more of the same. GOW Ragnorak, HFW, GT7, Spiderman 2 and Astrobot are all just more of the same.

As a first party, they themselves set the bar high. not just in terms of graphics, but also pushing the bar and trying out new things.
HZD was unlike anything else out there thanks to its combat and enemy design.
GOW 2018 got a complete makeover.
Spiderman 1 felt like a new IP and in a league of its own compared to previous Spiderman games although the combat was too samey compared to Batman.
GT Sports revolutionized online racing.
Ghost of Tsushima finally gave us the AC Japan game we were waiting for.
TLOU2 had some of the best animations and combat design last gen.

Now, it's just remakes, straight sequels that might as well be DLCs, and safe formulaic titles that are simply refusing to build upon and offer huge uncharted 1 to Uncharted 2 caliber leaps.

And to make matters worse, they are taking twice as long. You take 5 years and a make a safe formulaic sequel? Come on. Insomniac after being bought out by Sony had access to $300 million to completely revamp the basic bland ass combat system. They didnt. With that much money, they could've at least created a brand new city. no, they literally recycled it for the third game in a row. They could've improved the graphics to next gen standards, they didnt. They are the microcosm of everything wrong with modern Sony first party developers. Ghost of Tsushima 2 being a conservative Spiderman 2 esque sequels tells us that it's not just Insomniac.

I still like their games. I just dont think they are doing anything truly great or original. Astrobot was a big disappointment. It's basically identical to the pack-in game and that's good enough for Ubisoft but I expect more from Sony because they themselves set the bar so high last gen.

Gow2018, HZD, Spider-Man, Tsushima, Tlou2 all released in the second half of the generation. Tlou2 and Tsushima the same year as PS5 even.

 

[RoboFu]

Yeah astrobot was the only shiny star.

 

[HogIsland]

R E A D.

OK, so you prefer PS5 to PS4. PS4 had Uncharted 4, Last of US 2, Ghost of Tsushima, Bloodborne, Horizon Zero Dawn, and God of War as untouchable 1st party games. It had a lot more than this, but all of these are head and shoulders above everything Sony has done so far on PS5. Presumably, if you like Playstation, you like these games, and I don't see how it can be argued that PS5 has anything to answer with against them. Worst generation.

 

[nikos]

Got rid of my PS5 and am without a current gen Sony console for the first time ever.

The exclusives just aren't there. The few I'm interested in are worth waiting for on PC.

 

[HeWhoWalks]

OK, so you prefer PS5 to PS4. PS4 had Uncharted 4, Last of US 2, Ghost of Tsushima, Bloodborne, Horizon Zero Dawn, and God of War as untouchable 1st party games. It had a lot more than this, but all of these are head and shoulders above everything Sony has done so far on PS5. Presumably, if you like Playstation, you like these games, and I don't see how it can be argued that PS5 has anything to answer with against them. Worst generation.

Again, you have your view, I have mine. I thought you had something objective and you didn't. Convo over.