Top 5: PS3 Exclusives

5. Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time
Insomniac Games | October 27, 2009

If Pixar made videogames, they would create products like Ratchet & Clank. The series stars a cast of anthropomorphic critters, sentient robots and the galaxy’s best (worst?) superhero. These are fantastical characters set in a futuristic society where science is basically magic. Underneath the kid friendly exterior are themes of loss, regret and betrayal. A Crack in Time finishes the Future Trilogy. Player’s don’t need to be familiar with all the previous entries to jump into this release. Gameplay mixes platforming exploration, environmental puzzles and gun combat. The arsenal available to Ratchet is varied and satisfying to use. Players start off with a simple level 1 Combustor and earn various weapons; such as the now classic, Mr. Zorkon or R.Y.N.O. A Crack in Time is able to pull of humorous moments through the game and tell a story juggling multiple characters. A Crack in Time is a great entry to conclude the series or a jumping on point for newcomers.

4. Infamous 2
Sucker Punch Productions | June 7, 2011

The choice between Infamous and the sequel was a close call. The original contains the better story, but the sequel’s gameplay is more enjoyable. Set in a fictional version of New Orleans, Cole McGrath is a lightning wielding conduit, out to change the world. Infamous 2 utilizes a morality system to alter the powers, appearance and path available to Cole. If you are a hero, your powers will improve healing, stunning and capturing enemies. Villains will gain the ability to send lightning rockets, life sucking and a paler complexion. Along for the ride is Cole’s best friend Zeke. The story can be over the top but the quieter moments of friendship between these guys are the game’s best scenes. Infamous 2 combines parkour abilities and superhero powers, within a large city containing a plethora of side missions and abilities to upgrade. This entry is new player friendly and will introduce the first round of enemies and powers, then slowly iterate upon them throughout the game. Infamous 2 is the best original superhero videogame (until Infamous: Second Son came out).

3. Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Level-5 | January 22, 2013

Studio Ghibli, the beloved Japanese studio behind Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and probably any other full-length anime movie you enjoyed, teams up with Level-5, creators of The White Knight Chronicles and Dark Cloud to deliver the best JRPG on the PS3. Players control Oliver as he enters a parallel world terrorized by a dark wizard. Through his unique magics and ability to find the true heart of those around him, Oliver is capable of changing the world. There is a robust combat system in place; Oliver and his party control familiars who can switch on the fly during battle. Each familiar has their own stats, but shares a health bar with their owner. Players must run around the battlefield, switch players, alternate familiars and control all out attacks in order to secure victory. Besides the main story, Oliver discovers a variety of sidequests, hidden treasures, unique familiars and recipes to augment the team’s options in battle. Lessons learned in the magical world will assist Oliver in his hometown of Motorville, and vice versa. The game contains the charm and sensibility of a Studio Ghibli production and layered gameplay Level-5 is known for. Ni No Kuni is a deep RPG that will take 40 – 60 hours to complete and twice that many to uncover each amazing secret within the world.

2. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Naughty Dog | October 13, 2009

Every Uncharted game deserves your attention, but the primer entry is Among Thieves. Uncharted 2 is the perfect example of videogames expanding scope in storytelling, cinematics and blockbuster moments. Nathan Drake is the world’s most well liked mass murder (…think of all the pirates he kills). His occupation is treasure hunter, which doesn’t always mean that he is on the right side of the law, or associates with good people. The voice acting is top notch, the graphics are gorgeous and the soundtrack fits the mood perfectly. Players control Drake as he swims through ruins, climbs jungles, silently takes out foes or engages in extremely outnumbered battles. Among Thieves contains a wide spread of difficulties, Casual for people who want to just see the story unfold or Crushing for fans who are up for a challenge (or want to throw a controller). There are tiny details within the world that make everything come together, Drake will reach for walls, treasure will glint in the background and enemies banter while on patrol. Uncharted is able to capture the excitement, exploration and adventure of an Indiana Jones story with polished gameplay.

1. The Last of Us
Naughty Dog | June 14, 2013

The most compelling story, engaging gameplay and secret ridden game available on the PS3 is The Last of Us. Joel is doing anything he can to survive in a post-apocalyptic future where society has crumbled. He is an old man, who lost everything and is just going through the motions of life. Ellie joins him in the adventure, as a snarky teenager who has only known the fear of the clickers. TLoU sets a desperate tone from the beginning, interlays moments of hope but snaps players back into a harsh world. Throughout the journey, characters will fall and not always come back up. Joel and Ellie are placed in situations that aren’t for the faint of heart and encounter survivors who are more dangerous than the infected. Environments are gorgeously rendered; the details of a desolate city are seen in the distance, individual leaves are displayed on bushes, the best visuals of water, besides visiting the beach, occur and there is a graphically impressive snow storm. In combat, Joel is capable of defeating foes through stealth combat or running in full force. Stealth is always the superior tactic (and only option in Survivor difficulty) and turns battles into a puzzle. By exploring the landscape, players will discover relics which tell their own mini-story and side-adventures throughout the game. TLoU is not only the most impressive feat of gaming available on the PS3, it is the best game this generation and possibly the greatest game of all time.

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