Quantity and Quality
Sony has been releasing fewer first-party games than ever during the PS5 era. One of PlayStation’s biggest strengths has always been the variety and quality of its exclusive titles. However, rising development costs and poor budget management have led to a decline in Sony’s output. Nintendo Switch has proven that releasing games across different scales and genres can solve this issue. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of PlayStation IPs that deserve a revival, ranked by importance. Hopefully, Sony will bring these beloved franchises back and reclaim its position as a leader in the world of exclusives.
The Order: 1886
With its stunning visuals, impressive graphics, and a captivating lore-rich universe, The Order: 1886presented a world full of potential. It featured strong cinematic storytelling, effective shooter mechanics, and realistic weapon reactions. However, the game’s overuse of cutscenes, excessive quick-time events, and notably short length prevented it from fully realizing its potential. Despite these shortcomings, the game’s unique place in Sony’s lineup and its underrepresented genre—third-person shooters—make it a franchise worth revisiting, whether through a sequel or a remake.
Gravity Rush
One of the standout titles exclusive to the Vita, Gravity Rush created a unique gameplay experience by incorporating gravity manipulation into both traversal and combat. While the sequel didn’t fully meet the high expectations set by the first game, the original’s innovative mechanics, visually striking world, and intriguing characters and universe left a lasting impact. A third entry, developed with a larger budget, would be a positive move for Sony, bringing both variety to their portfolio and a fresh, exciting experience for players.
DriveClub
While Sony has found success in the simulation racing genre with Gran Turismo, there’s a clear need for an original IP in the arcade-open world racing category. DriveClub made a notable impact on PS4 with its stunning visuals and solid gameplay, gaining a fair amount of popularity. Much like The Order: 1886, DriveClub has huge potential. A sequel could compete with Forza Horizon, featuring an open world with in-game events, more cars, dynamic weather, and greater customization options. This would breathe new life into the arcade racing genre, offering an exciting alternative to Forza Horizon’s dominance.
Jak and Daxter
While Naughty Dog has shifted its focus towards cinematic, narrative-heavy third-person action games, and only releases one game per generation, Jak and Daxter still boasts a strong and loyal fanbase. If Sony decided to greenlight a new installment, it would undoubtedly attract a lot of attention. Even if Naughty Dog isn’t able to allocate resources, Sony could entrust the rights of the IP to another internal studio. Much like Astro Bot, a creative action-platformer developed by a different team, a new Jak and Daxter game from a Sony studio could be a fantastic return for fans. Considering the long development cycles of Sony’s bigger budget titles, a smaller-scale but proven platformer like Jak and Daxter would be a welcome comeback for both old and new fans.
Resistance
Since Sony shifted its focus from Killzone to the Horizon series, one of the most notable gaps in its portfolio has been the lack of a strong FPS franchise. Resistance was a standout series, offering a unique take on the apocalyptic military shooter genre with each installment. With its robust multiplayer potential and unique gameplay, Resistance has always had a distinctive edge. Given the current shortage of FPS games in the market and the fact that the series was overlooked in the 8th generation of consoles, a new Resistance title could easily capture the attention of a large audience and draw significant interest when announced. This makes it a highly promising IP for Sony’s future.
Syphon Filter
Stealth games have become a rare breed in recent years, and with Hitman‘s resurgence, stealth is one of the most underrepresented genres in the modern gaming landscape. Sony, with its large budget and resources, is in an ideal position to bring back Syphon Filter, a beloved franchise dating back to the PS1 era with a dedicated fanbase. While the latest Syphon Filter entries on the PSP were limited by the constraints of 6th-gen hardware, the potential for a modern-day revival is enormous. With recent examples of successful stealth games like Metal Gear Solid V and Hitman, a well-funded and developed Syphon Filter reboot could breathe new life into the genre and be a major win for the gaming world.
Infamous
Sony has become a leading force in superhero-themed games with Imsomniac’s Spider-Man and the upcoming Wolverine. Insomniac is not the only 1st party studio of Sony that can make super hero theme games. Sucker Punch, with Ghost of Tsushima, proved once again that they are a top-tier studio capable of both compelling gameplay and impressive visuals. After the success of Ghost of Tsushima, this could be the perfect time for Infamous to make a comeback. The series, which allows players to shape the protagonist’s story and impact the world, could benefit from a fresh approach, especially with a more realistic and nuanced take on the superhero genre. With Infamous, players could experience a more grounded and mature perspective on heroism, making it a great fit for today’s gaming landscape.
Wild Arms
Sony has many areas to focus on, but perhaps one of the most crucial is dedicating more attention to Japanese game developers and the Japanese game development culture through first-party studios . The PS1 era is arguably one of Sony’s best periods in terms of game quality, and Wild Arms remains a unique and beloved JRPG with a dedicated fanbase. The success of the Nintendo Switch in the JRPG market shows that gaming industry and players wants to see more JRPGs and there is still potential for Sony to tap into this genre and it can happen starting develop new wild arms game . A continuation sixth game or a remake of Wild Arms with improved visuals, refined gameplay mechanics, detailed cinematics, and an expansive world would undoubtedly capture the attention of the fans and new players.
Sly Cooper
Another gem from Sucker Punch, the Sly Cooper series is arguably one of the most requested IPs by PlayStation fans. As Astro Bot has proven to Sony and the entire gaming world, players are more than ready to dive into any well-crafted, passionate game. Taking inspiration from Astro Bot, a new Sly Cooper could feature creative mission designs and elevating the series to a place alongside one of Sony’s greatests IPs. Sly Cooper has the potential to stand proudly even today, maintaining its quality and legacy. While we all love Astro Bot, Sly Cooper deserves a return! Sony, it’s time to bring back one of your most beloved franchises!
Legend of Dragoon
A game crafted with passion, Legend of Dragoon is a series that still has a dedicated fanbase, even after 20 years. With incredible characters, plot twists, and a unique battle system, Legend of Dragoon was undoubtedly one of the best RPGs of the PS1 era. Unlike the open worlds offered by contemporaries like Final Fantasy, Legend of Dragoon provided more compact maps, creating a unique experience. With today’s technology and resources, a sequel could offer an open-world environment, expanded side quests, and a modernized combat system. Revisiting this classic would be an unexpected and delightful surprise for everyone. As Sony continues to rely on third-party RPGs, Legend of Dragoon deserves a revival as one of PlayStation’s iconic IPs, and it’s time for a return to this beloved series.
Bloodborne
Despite Sony’s “it’s about persistance”video, as fans of Bloodborne, we’ve been waiting in eager silence for a decade with no announcements. Yet, the sequel to what is arguably one of the best PlayStation IPs of all time—Miyazaki’s masterpiece—Bloodborne, is highly anticipated not just by Sony fans but by the entire gaming world. Set in the Victorian-inspired streets of Yharnam, where darkness and misfortune reign, Bloodborne delivers the best combat system in the Souls genre, with incredibly creative weapon designs, intense boss fights, and three unexpected endings. There’s no question that Bloodborne remains one of the greatest games of all time. A sequel is undoubtedly the most crucial PlayStation title that needs to happen.
