Feature: Games of the Generation - Katy's Five Favourites

Welcome to Push Square’s all-encompassing Games of the Generation series. In the lead up to the PlayStation 4’s release later this week, we’ll be rounding up our writers in an effort to look back at some of their favourite PlayStation 3 games. These titles have been hand-selected personally by each individual author. In this case, Assistant Editor Katy Ellis lists her beloved favourites.

While you may know me as the reviewer that always seems to be level grinding through RPG adventures, it may surprise you to learn that this list contains only one RPG – but it's an absolute corker, and one which I had the pleasure of reviewing myself. On this list we also have an open world shooter, a hack 'n' slash, a dubiously defined 'interactive movie', and an action-adventure game. I love each one individually for completely different reasons. So without further ado, here they are.

Sleeping Dogs

There's only one open world action-adventure game that I know of where you can grab a pork bun from a street vendor, bust a drug dealer, gun down a gang member, and stop off for a spot of herbal tea all in a day's work, and that game is Sleeping Dogs. While it has sadly been disregarded as a bit of an underdog in the genre – struggling to stay in the fight against heavyweights such as Grand Theft Auto – this game is uniquely vibrant and exotic, set on the streets of Hong Kong. One of the game's best features is its use of environments during combat. Wei can grab on to enemies and dispatch them in various ways, from lobbing them over railings, to slamming their heads into fans or phone booths. It's grisly, but glorious, making Sleeping Dogs well worth your attention.

Far Cry 3

Shooters aren’t generally my thing. Give me a copy of Call of Duty or Battlefield and I can guarantee that I'll be obliterated in under two seconds. Far Cry 3 is a completely different ball game, however. Stranded on a tropical island that's inhabited by madmen, you’re left with no option but to fully immerse yourself into the wilderness. You’ll become the hunter, ruthlessly tracking down endangered species, killing and skinning them for their pelts – yes you’ll feel bad about it, but it’s your only means to survive. You’ll become the hidden assassin, taking down enemy camps and unleashing tigers on the unsuspecting men below. At points you’ll question your own insanity – but don’t worry, it’s all part of the experience.

Heavy Rain

Heavy Rain is not a game. At least, that’s what some would say. But regardless of how you might define it, Heavy Rain is certainly something all PS3 owners should experience. You play as four different characters – Ethan, Jayden, Madison, and Scott – each working to uncover the true identity of the illusive Origami Killer. It’s a dark, emotional, and slightly twisted tale, which will make you want to go back and play it all over again purely to look for minor details that you may have missed. Quantic Dream’s idea for an interactive movie was highly innovative, and despite its criticisms, it was the first title which made me realise that a game doesn't need complex and fluid combat systems to tell an immersive and engaging story. Thanks to Monsieur Cage, Ethan’s cries of “JAAAAASON” will haunt me forever more.

DmC: Devil May Cry

Whether you’re a fan of Dante’s new look or not, it’s hard to question Ninja Theory’s glorious achievements with DmC: Devil May Cry. The combat is a technical masterpiece; fast, fluid and furious, and at times excruciatingly difficult. Taking down tough bosses and attaining S rank when fighting is extremely rewarding, and achieving a variety of combos is also immensely satisfying. Sometimes, during fights between Hell Knights and Frost Nights, I swear I hold my breath for extraordinary long periods of time out of sheer concentration when switching between my Arbiter and Osiris. Yet, despite the numerous rage quits, and the worn down buttons on my DualShock 3, DmC is one of the most exhilarating gaming experiences I’ve ever had, and is well worth your time and money.

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

Crikey, mun, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch was wonderful, wasn’t it? The epic yet folksy music, gorgeous visuals, dramatic battles, awe-inspiring environments, adorable creatures, soulful characters, cheeky catchphrases, and heart-warming storyline – it had it all. Some of my fondest gaming memories of this generation have been spent playing Ni No Kuni, gliding through the skies on Tengri the dragon’s back, befriending familiars and level grinding Tokos. It's is also one of the only games that has made me cry. And just to put this in perspective, I didn't tear up during Bambi or Titanic. The opening scenes of Ni No Kuni are some of the most powerful and emotional cinematics that I’ve ever had the pleasure to experience. I’ll come clean and say it now – Ni No Kuni is my favourite PlayStation game of this generation.

Are you baffled by Katy's choices, or are you applauding them? Let us know in the comments section below.