PS3 Must-haves?

[Wavelength]

So after two years of deliberating between the systems, I finally took the plunge and bought a PS3. I bought Buzz Quiz World (which is making me VERY happy), Disgaea, Madden 08 ($3.00 - gotta love the economics of these things), and Oblivion. I'm planning to get Civ Rev and Rock Band soon, and Star Ocean when it comes out.

So, what are some other games that are absolute must-haves? I'm not talking about games you personally like or have a passion for, but games that have undeniable appeal to nearly everyone who touches them, or games that are one of the best their genre has ever seen? I'm not interested in God of War, any FPS, or anything with "Star Wars" in the title.

Can't wait to see what I've been missing. Thanks!

If you feel like friending me or playing something, my username is Tropicnights.

[John Mora]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

I don't think you're going to find much that matches your criteria!

But I enjoy Valkyria Chronicles a lot.

[Magus]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

inFamous
Valkyria Chronicles
Demon's Souls
Metal Gear Solid 4

Those are the PS3-exclusive games I have that I enjoy.

Though you might wanna just go for Uncharted 2.

[John Mora]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

Also I would avoid Star Ocean if I were you.

[DarkwingChuck]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

No, if you were him you'd be planning on getting it. I think you mean he'd avoid it if he were you.

[Perversion]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

*trots out the same list yet again*


Demon's Souls is a must have. No question. Yes, this is my personal GOTY for 2009 (tied with the PSN game Flower, actually), but do five minutes of poking around online, and you'll see that the consensus is the same...if you own a PS3 and have any interest in RPGs, you NEED to own this game.

I'll concur with Mora...Valkyria is also a must-own, and it's only $20 now.

As for other "must owns," I'd say Uncharted 2, LittleBigPlanet and Blaz Blue (if you have any interest in fighting games) all fit that bill.

Other good games, but not necessarily "must owns" would include Dragon Age: Origins, Burnout Paradise (if you like racing games), and I personally am a fan of Sacred 2 if you are looking for a good Diablo-esque multiplayer grindfest with fairly deep character customization.


I also really think that because you are online with the PS3, you should get like a $50 Playstation Network card, because there are a LOT of must-have games on the PSN. And with a $50 card (less than full retail for a new PS3 game), you'd probably end up with 5-7 games instead of 1.

Flower-basically, a poem in video game form. It's soothing, relaxing, and depending on your disposition, is able to move you to tears. Also, if you have an HDTV, this is one of the best-looking games out there (retail or downloadable), and a showcase for a 1080p TV and/or a surround sound setup. And as mentioned above, this is tied with Demon's Souls as my personal GOTY. Again, poke around online, and the consensus is similar. I wouldn't say this is the best of its genre, because it creates an entirely new one. If you have any interest in the "game as art" debate, this is its poster child. Without words or dialogue, this manages to be one of the deepest, most thought-provoking games I've ever played.

Everyday Shooter-if you have to own one dual joystick shooter (and in the current console generation, that's almost a mandatory requirement), this is the one to get. It's laid out like a music album, with each level as a different song, and with different visuals, different chaining system, etc. Basically, each time you play, you are doing your own "remix" of the song, as every action in the game has a corresponding sound or piece of music to accompany it. One guy designed the game by himself, created the music, visuals, etc. Not only is this the best dual joystick shooter out there, but you just have to admire the work that went into this. Plus, on a 1080p TV, it's just gorgeous.

flOw-by the same people that made Flower. It's another "chill" game (they call it "Zen" gaming). It's a great way to unwind, but if you have to choose between this and Flower, get Flower.

PixelJunk Shooter, Eden and Monsters-all of these are great. Shooter is sorta like old-school Defender, but with great environmental/physics effects. Eden is a stunning-looking surreal "platformer." I really do not think of it as a platformer, but that's about the broadest category you could put it in. And Monsters is one of, if not the best tower defense games on the PSN (and there are a lot of them). All of the PixelJunk games have a very unique art style, and good soundtracks to boot.

Savage Moon-a more traditional tower defense game, with creepy crawly aliens. If you cannot get past the cartoony look and sunny disposition of PixelJunk Monsters, this would be the next-best choice. Really good-looking considering it's a downloadable game.

Critter Crunch-I just got this recently, but I'd consider it a must-have. It's a puzzle game (think Tetris), but is one of the most gorgeous I've ever played. It's funny, witty, and feels like you're playing a cartoon.

Lumines Supernova-if you do not have the PSP or PS2 versions, get this. It's another puzzle game, and probably the most celebrated this gen. I have both PSP versions, and the 360 version, and I think this PS3 version is the best of the bunch. It's another game that melds soundtrack with visuals.

Shatter-it's an old-school Breakout homage, but it shakes up the formula quite a bit by using a suck/blow (heh) mechanic to manipulate the ball. Also included are boss battles and a really good soundtrack.

And finally, if you want a good online multiplayer team-based game (not an FPS, though), Fat Princess is a good one to get. It's basically cartoon visuals with blood, different character classes that are switchable at any time, and a gameplay bent that mimics capture the flag, but instead of a flag, you have to rescue a kidnapped princess, while the other team feeds her cake so she gets fatter and harder to rescue.



I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Heavy Rain is also going to end up as a must-have, but it's not even out yet, so we'll see.
That and The Last Guardian when it's finally released. It's by the same team that made Ico and Shadow of the Colossus.




As for Star Ocean, I'd agree with Mora. Check out the February game releases thread also currently on the first page for more info on why it should be avoided.

[marcus]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

I've enjoyed every single PixelJunk game with Shooter being the crowning achievement so far. Anyways, I'm going to ask you the same question I ask in every other "recommend me..." topic.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE? You can't say you want something with undeniable appeal because obviously you're not one of the millions of people who find GoW and FPS games appealing.

[Valkysas]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

I've enjoyed every single PixelJunk game

Then you havent played Pixeljunk Racers. that's complete garbage.

[Perversion]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

Yeah...that's the only one I don't have, because I've heard it is average at best. Although, there is/was a package deal with the first three PJ games (excluding the newest one, Shooter), so if Wave plans on getting Monsters and Eden, it possibly might be worthwhile to get all three depending on package pricing.


Also, Wave...just sent a friend invite.

[marcus]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

Then you havent played Pixeljunk Racers. that's complete garbage.

I didn't even know there was a racers. I literally thought it started at "monsters." Good thing now that I'm watching youtube videos of it.

Speaking of racers, Calling All Cars is a surprisingly fun game. I wasn't expecting to like it at all. I haven't played Fat Princess since the last update but I enjoyed that as well during the time I played it. Braid is on the PS3 now and Castle Crashers is heading there eventually.

Edit: I wonder what the new PixelJunk game will be. PixelJunk RPG?

[Perversion]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

I literally thought it started at "monsters."

Yeah, that's why Monsters is labeled as 1-2. Shooter is 1-4.


Also, little-known fact: The people behind Q Games/PixelJunk created the PS3's XMB and the visualizers for the music. Even though there are only 3 (well, two, because I don't count the PS3 "wave" thing as a visualizer proper), graphically, these blow away any on the 360. They are refined and elegant, and astoundingly good-looking. The ones on the 360 look like typical, "Wow, dude...trippy" visualizers.

We just need more than 2.

[orius]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

White Knight Chronicles is coming out this week, right? That sounds like it's going to be good.

[Duel]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

The Last Guy

[Zeroth]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

A fantastic game with a great plot, cast of characters, graphics and sound. Truely a PS3 elite.

Valkyria Cronicles

A fun tactical RPG set in a third-person view. You will do youself a big disservice if you do not buy this game.

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Absolutely the best Batman game ever. There is finally a game does the Caped Crusader justice. Had Uncharted 2: Among Thieve not came out in 2009, this might have been GOTY.

[Sivart the Sloth Trencher]

Re: PS3 Must-haves?

No, MWF2 would have been GOTY.