Sony first-party video games weren’t so prominent in 2015. We had Bloodborne, The Order: 1886 and Until Dawn. 2016 is looking like a more exciting year for first-party exclusives. If none of the games get delayed until 2017, 2016 could be the PS4’s best year yet.
5) PlayStation VR
I know this is not really a video game, but the PlayStation VR is something new. VR has been in the spotlight in recent years, but will finally be at the hands of customers in 2016. Much like motion control gaming became a hit when the Wii came out in 2006, VR could set a new gaming standard in 2016.
Tons and tons of games have been revealed for the PlayStation VR already. What’s great about it is that games from many genres have been included. The new Ace Combat game uses it, as well as a fighting game like Tekken 7. Driveclub will utilize it with a spin-off of Until Dawn on the way too.
If PlayStation VR becomes a hit, it might change the way we see gaming in the future. The same can be said about the Oculus Rift too. The only barrier both devices might face is the price. We’ll worry about that later.
4) Uncharted: A Thief’s End
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End will mark the final entry in the popular Uncharted series. Naughty Dog has been working on the franchise for over eight years now and wants the finale to end in a bang. The studio is renowned for pushing the limits of console technology and this newest game is looking like it could one of the best looking PS4 games to date.
Naughty Dog has delayed the game two times now, and this should be seen as a good thing. This means the studio doesn’t want to rush the game onto shelves as they want gamers to have a perfect experience. Naughty Dog has said in the past that they want the series to end on a high note. Let’s just say they want it to be the opposite of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
3) Gran Turismo Sport
Gran Turismo Sport marks the first time the iconic series will land on the PS4. When Gran Turismo 6 released on PS3, some people were confused why it came out a month after the release of the PS4 console. Because of the buzz of the new consoles, Gran Turismo 6 didn’t get as much sales as its predecessors.
It doesn’t sound like Gran Turismo Sport will be a fully fledged sequel, but it will be cool to see the series on the new console. The graphics are sure to be amazing and the only racing PS4 exclusive racing game out there now is Driveclub. Gran Turismo has always been a system seller so this new iteration is sure to bring back fans and maybe entice new gamers to try it out.
2) The Last Guardian
Ico and Shadows of the Colossus are two of the most beloved PS2 games of all time. Both games are unique not only in graphics, but in gameplay too. You wouldn’t think that the games are made by the same designer (Fumito Ueda). The Last Guardian was supposed to be a PS3 exclusive, but was never heard of again until 2015 at E3.
Thankfully, Ueda and Sony brought The Last Guardian back from the dead and the game is looking great. With many shooting games out in the market, this game might be a breath of fresh air when it comes out in 2016. There’s a reason Sony isn’t showing too much footage of the game as they don’t want people to get spoiled.
The only thing I’m scared about about is that there might be a chance this PS4 exclusive gets delayed until 2017. Hopefully the 2016 release sticks, but many games have been delayed in the past.
1) Horizon: Zero Dawn
Guerrilla Games impressed everyone when it showed gameplay footage from Horizon: Zero Dawn. It wasn’t just a small CGI teaser or anything like that – what we saw was actual gameplay running off of a PS4. What’s even more impressive is that the studio is taking a chance to make a new IP in a different genre.
Guerilla Games could have easily played it safe and made a Killzone sequel. Instead, we get what could be the best looking video game of 2016. The huge open-world environment looks gorgeous and the chance to fight off huge robotic dinosaurs has never really been done before in a video game.
This is why Horizon: Zero Dawn takes the number one spot. It’s not a sequel nor is it a remake either. The other thing that stands out is that it’s an action RPG too.
