If we're allowed to discuss franchises that are, or at least were, synonymous with PlayStation regardless of who developed them, or where else they appeared, then I humbly submit Tomb Raider for consideration. The sudden embrace of Lara Croft as a 90s pop culture icon helped sell a truckload of original PlayStations, and she was a huge, indisputable part of Sony's stranglehold on the fifth console generation. Not counting PC, she didn't go multi-platform until 2006, and many (myself included) assumed she was a first-party Sony creation. It's why that whole Microsoft deal, buying timed exclusivity for Rise of the Tomb Raider in 2015, stung so much beyond the basic grubbiness of it all.
"We want different things, Crosshair. That doesn't mean that we have to be enemies."
Not counting PC, she didn't go multi-platform until 2006, and many (myself included) assumed she was a first-party Sony creation.
Funnily enough I had (& absolutely loved) the original on Sega Saturn, probably in around 1997 I’d imagine. I think it was post-the success of the first game that Sony then signed an console-exclusivity deal with Eidos for future games. Which sucked as, I was Sega born-and-bred!
@hypnotoad It’s cool, bruh. You’re allowed to be busy sometimes. 😜
So if there are no rules, then I’m going to make a list of some of my favorite franchises that are classically tied to PlayStation or were system sellers, regardless of developers or publisher. @RogerRoger took my original idea of Tomb Raider as one of the top franchises for the platform. Others in my top ten would be Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, Uncharted, Jak & Daxster, Infamous, Little Big Planet, Gran Turismo, God of War, Ratchet & Clank, and …I don’t know what to call the franchise but I think the Team Ico / Fumito Ueda games would be effectively a franchise, even if it’s just the three games. But each of the three have been at the forefront of pushing PS2 and then PS4, and even the PS3 with the remasters and the legendary long development of The Last Guardian across two platforms, taking so long that it seemed to be an omnipresent project until it’s release of PS4.
Edit: ooops… just realized my top 10 became a top 11. Eh, whatever. You get a bonus entry.
@Th3solution yeah I think you must have caught the actual greatest somewhere amongst your top 11 (catchy 😉). Surprised that Uncharted (or The Last of Us for that matter) didn’t figure more prominently in this thread tbh.
@colonelkilgore All of those franchises were reasons to have a PlayStation, for me. Personal system sellers. Uncharted was simply an absolute phenomenon for me. I remember gushing to my friends about how awesome the graphics looked at the time.
In my mind a franchise consists of a minimum of 3 related games. The Last of Us does certainly come close with the Remaster which might be considered a third entry. At least critically it’s probably the more important of the two modern Naughty Dog game series, but culturally Uncharted has sold more systems and reached more players, I think.
One could make an argument that the seminal PlayStation franchises could be divided into a couple different generational time frames. The most modern big games which are new and budding future franchises are likely to be equally as important — Horizon Zero Dawn, Ghost of Tsushima, Marvel’s Spider-Man — but are just getting their feet wet with the first sequels.
Another series came to mind, and although I don’t know if I can stretch and call it a franchise, I think the Quantic Dream / David Cage games are worthy of mention. Their four main games have all been important across PS2, 3, and 4. Thematically, all the games are different with unique settings and independent stories, but they all have that common game style of narrative choice. (Incidentally I do feel the Ueda games as mentioned in my previous post are a little closer fit as a franchise because even though they likewise are each independent games which share a common playstyle and common developer, I think in their case the three games legitimately all are set in the same world. It’s a whole separate discussion in and of itself, but it seems clear that the games are loosely related narratively) The QD games don’t sell a ton, but artistically I think they pushed gaming genres and ideas and have been linked to PlayStation throughout.
It’s notable to mention the few franchises that span the entirety of the PlayStation ecosystem from PS1 through PS5. The ones I can think of are Gran Turismo, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, and Tomb Raider (so long as that new game does get completed and released on this generation, and I can’t imagine it won’t.)
@colonelkilgore Blast, I always forget about that SEGA Saturn version! Thank you for the correction; I think you're right, I think Sony splashed the cash for Tomb Raider II onwards (and retroactively made a meal out of the original game after the Saturn went the way of the dodo).
@Iver Yeah, I've said it before and I'll say it again: Uncharted might be the better rollercoaster ride, but the Tomb Raider reboots are the better games, hands down. I also agree with you that The Lost Legacy was when Naughty Dog found the best balance. It's gonna be interesting, what with all the rumours of a new Uncharted game being made by a different developer. Just like in Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy, I'm expecting to see quite a few influences from Lara's latest.
@Th3solution Great minds an' all that. Sorry for sneaking her in early, but I knew you'd agree!
"We want different things, Crosshair. That doesn't mean that we have to be enemies."
But yeah, the true stealth games seem to be dying off and most things have turned into action with stealth mechanics. It reminds me, we need a new Tenchu game.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
@Iver Another good shout with Syphon Filter there. Lots of happy memories, and I'm slowly working my way back through the whole series. Remember when it became a PSP system-seller?
It periodically gets mentioned as potential reboot fodder. I live in hope. Would love to see it back.
"We want different things, Crosshair. That doesn't mean that we have to be enemies."
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Topic: Greatest Playstation Franchises Of All Time.
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