August 31st 2024.
I have been feeling quite frustrated lately when it comes to the latest PlayStation games. It seems like the charm and fun of the previous generations have been replaced with dark and serious themes. Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the technical advancements and impressive production values of today's video games, but they lack the playfulness and accessibility that made me fall in love with gaming in the first place.
Back in the days of PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, there were games like Max Payne 3 and Spec-Ops: The Line, which surprised and captivated players with their unique storytelling and gameplay. However, nowadays, these types of games are rare, and even the ones that do exist often come with unnecessary modern gaming irritants like long health bars for generic enemies. It makes me wonder if it's even worth upgrading to the latest PlayStation consoles when I could just stick to my PlayStation 3.
I know I may be in the minority here, but I find many of the mainstream games today to be unwelcoming. It seems like we're only given three options: huge open-world games that prioritize graphics over gameplay, challenging "Soulslike" games that test our patience, or live service multiplayer games. And then there are the emotionally-driven games like Ghost of Tsushima, which, despite their beauty and satisfaction, are overly serious. It's a trend that I've noticed with games like The Last of Us Part 2, Days Gone, Detroit: Become Human, the new God of War games, and Horizon Zero Dawn/Forbidden West.
One of the things I miss the most about PlayStation exclusives is the lack of sparkling protagonists and cool, quirky mascots. Where are characters like Nathan Drake, Jak and Daxter, and Sly? It feels like the personality and charm of PlayStation's exclusive library has been sucked out, replaced by serious and brooding characters like Ellie and Aloy.
It's as if the modern PlayStation games strive for realism and emotional depth, but in doing so, they've lost the sense of fun and playfulness that made them stand out in the first place. Sure, there are exceptions like the Spider-Man games, but even then, they're Marvel products, and we expect Spider-Man to be cracking jokes and making witty remarks.
Thankfully, there are still games like Astro Bot on the horizon that seem to prioritize fun and playfulness. I am excited about this plucky platformer and hope that it brings back the vibrancy and joy that I associate with PlayStation games. After all, variety is what PlayStation does best, and I believe that there is still a need for original characters that are relatable and likable, not just for gamers like me but also for families and children who want to have a good time.
I do understand that the focus nowadays is on making popular games that will make money, and that's a safe tactic. However, I can't help but feel like the emphasis on fun has been twisted and mangled in the past couple of generations. PlayStation has grown up alongside gamers from the '90s, and that's evident when we look back at the previous generations. But I believe that the triple-A pool needs to widen, and we need more diverse and expressive games.
I apologize if this rant seems incoherent, but my point is that video games these days are not as expressive or exciting as they used to be. I believe that this is partly due to how much our culture has changed and how capitalism has become overwhelming. But as a gamer, I can't help but long for the days when PlayStation games were full of charm and personality. Maybe it's time for PlayStation to remember its roots and bring back the fun and playfulness that made us fall in love with gaming in the first place.
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