2021 Was a Great Year for PlayStation Exclusives

In 2021, a number of hit PlayStation exclusives were released by different studios, and there was enough of a variety to please almost all gamers.

[z2g]

Rift Apart and Deathloop were great - finished both. Returnal I really liked, but wouldn't say I loved. Not really into the super hero stuff or demon souls stuff so didn't get into any of that.

[VersusDMC]

FF7R intergrade and GOT Island of Iki DLC were excellent. Kena and FIST were also great. Returnal is my GOTY.

Guilty Gear Strive, FFXIV Endwalker and a bunch of Switch/PS4 only releases as well were released this year.

There was something for everyone.

[FATAL1TY]

Ratchet Clank Rift Apart (True Next Gen)
Returnal (Next Gen & New IP)
Ghost of Tsushima PS5 (better than halo)
Deathloop (PS5 timed exclusive)

Another huge win for Sony

[Sitdown]

@fatality
Insecure much? Why was there a need to bring up Halo? Which I'm pretty sure you haven't really played, and if so, not fully. The games are so different, that it's asinine to compare. The fact that you had to highlight PS5, just adds to how unnecessary it was. Appreciate the games without having to downplay something else.

[FATAL1TY]

@Sitdown
Cross gen vs cross gen... Very solid comparison..
Yeah Ghost of Tsushima looks better than halo. (Graphics, vegetation, overall quality)
Im not impressed..

[RpgSama]

"Every Year Is a Great Year for PlayStation Exclusives"

There, fixed.

[Zhipp]

I came here to say this. Seriously, when was the last time they didn't have a great year? 2019? Even then, they had the quantity, the quality was just not quite there.

[Flewid638]

Im a huge PS fan but that's far from true.

[pietro1212]

fatality

Are you really that insecure over video games? The fanboy stuff is lame and stupid

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

Good, not great.

I would only consider it “great” when taking into account how early we are in the ps5 lifecycle.

I wonder if 2022 will be “great”. I think we need something besides Horizon 2, GoW 2, and a racing game to break that threshold (I couldn’t care less about GT7. It’s a tech demo for me.).

2 solid exclusives within a yeah certainly appeases me, but it doesn’t impress me.

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

To be fair, the PS5’s first year had more notable AAA exclusives than the Xbone had in its entire lifetime.

But I’m not gonna praise Sony for outperforming Xbox’s game output until the Zenimax output starts building momentum. I look forward to that day, because I’m sure Sony will somehow manage to match their content (competition is good).

[Gaming4Life1981]

"To be fair, the PS5’s first year had more notable AAA exclusives than the Xbone had in its entire lifetime."

Are you serious? Lol your smoking some good stuff with that comment. Here are some games for you:
Sea of thieves
Gears 5
Killer instinct
Sunset overdrive
Ori
Cuphead
Halo 5
Titanfall
Quantum break
State of decay 2
Forza horizon
Forza motorsport
Halo MCC
Halo wars 2
Ashen
Inside
Below
I can keep going but you get the point.

[thesoftware730]

What a dumb comment

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

“Sea of thieves
Gears 5
Killer instinct
Sunset overdrive
Ori
Cuphead
Halo 5
Titanfall
Quantum break
State of decay 2
Forza horizon
Forza motorsport
Halo MCC
Halo wars 2
Ashen
Inside
Below”

Which one of these games is supposed to be a boundary-pushing, system-selling exclusive on the scale of Halo Infinite, Spider-Man, or Last of Us?

I loved Sunset Overdrive, but Spider-Man is objectively better. Titanfall could be argued, but M$ bought that after it was made, they didn’t produce it at all. And the sequel basically died on release.

If you want to compare that list to even just Horizon, GoW, GoT, Spider-Man, and LoU2, then you just don’t know how good those 5 games are.

It’s that simple: Sony and M$ have set different expectations for games. Mine is higher than yours, and Sony says it isn’t too high.

Returnal, R&C, & Deathloop w/dualsense > entire Xbox library atm @120hrz, IMO.

The Zenimax studios might change this trend, but it hasn’t yet. Games take time.

[porkChop]

That's fair. If you look at sales the GT series has seen a bit of a drop off from where the series used to be. GT usually sells around 12M units, but GT6 and Sport only sold around 5M and 8M respectively. Still good sales but it isn't quite the powerhouse it used to be. Maybe GT7 can change that though.

Either way PlayStation will likely be releasing another big hitter next year. At least I'd assume so. In the last 2 to 3 years Sony was outputting less PS4 games than the first half of the gen. So some of their other teams should have something ready by next year.

[Snakeeater25]

If GT don’t add damage to the cars, it will be lower Than gt6.

[Jay767]

porkChop@ GT still sell way better than Forza at least. I think GT7 will probably put the series back to 15 million sales status though.

[Profchaos]

In defense of gt6 it dropped on PS3 after the PS4 launched and everyone was hyped for driveclub no one was looking at gt6 even Sony's advertising was weak

[porkChop]

@prof

That's fair. Bad timing, weak marketing. Though both GT6 and Sport are the lowest rated in the franchise I believe, so that also would have played a part. I hope GT7 can bring the franchise back to the glory days of GT3 and GT4.

[Bathyj]

I glossed over GT6 because I was already on PS4 and I'm not into sport because I don't care about online and my Logitech wheel didn't work on PS4. Once you play GT with a good wheel it's hard to go back.

But man I think I'm buying a new wheel soon.

[outsider1624]

@bathyj..
Which wheel are you using? I'm planning to buy the logitech g29 in anticipation for GT7. That a good wheel for us newbies?

[Nacho_Z]

Sounds about right, arguably great compared to the dry spells new consoles always have, but not compared to a big heavy hitting year later in the generation.

[ABizzel1]

It was a solid year. The PS5 remasters were great for those who missed them or wanted to play them at the "best" performance / resolution. The New games were all solid - good. I don't think any of them were games we'll be talking about for Game of the Generation for PS5.

But next year is going to be killer.

[Gaming4Life1981]

You named 2 of ps biggest franchises and 1 new big franchise getting a sequel. If those 3 games launch next year that is already an excellent year for ps.

I think ps will have some surprises for next year with 30 exclusive games in development.

[Profchaos]

So you mean I think we need more than sequels from some of the highest rated PS franchises to date ?

[blackblades]

If you wanna go there you can say the same about forza and halo. How many games in there series again I lost count.

[Bathyj]

So you were hoping Ps5s best years would be in the first 2 years like all the other Playstations?

No wait...

[Terry_B]

I guess it was okay. Am still waiting for a current gen fighting game.

[VersusDMC]

Guilty Gear Strive wasn't good? Not current gen exclusive but the best looking one.

[Terry_B]

It's nice bought it just recently on PC, but the thing is.. it's definitely not a current-gen fighting game that makes use of the available power of the new consoles.

Look at the differences between Mortal Kombat 9 on the PS3 as an example and Mortal Kombat X on the PS4..or between SoulCalibur 4 and 5 and the much better looking SC VI.

Sadly the next MK is still coming to the old consoles and is more like an MK XI-2. I hope we see a new Tekken next year that can be named a current-gen fighting game. Or a new Killer Instinct that shows a big visual difference to KI from 2013

[13sentinel]

Terry_ B

Doesn't make use of the power of the console? Maybe get your eyes checked

[Flewid638]

Sprite based/2D visuals are so 90s man. It looks good but still runs on old hardware.

[PapaBop]

You'll be waiting a while, fighting games are too niche for them to limit the playerbase to current gen consoles.

[NeoGamer232]

I am still waiting for true current gen games in general.

Too many games are still shipping on previous consoles.

[Terry_B]

Yup, thats true. Besides the very very few exceptions, like Ratchet and Clank, its like we are still in the PS4, Xbox Gen.

@13sentinel. Maybe get YOUR Eyes checked. The visual differences between Guilty Gear Strive on PS4 and PS5 are almost non-existant.

[pietro1212]

terry_b

Despite it being a multiplat title with last gem in mind it’s still an impressive looking game. It’s the best looking fighter on the market right now

[Terry_B]

I would argue that MK 11 from 2019 looks a lot better, but those two games have very different styles.

[GoodGuy09]

Not really, it was just ok. 2022 on the other hand....
I mean its normal that the first year of a consoles not great.

[ArmorOfGod]

GOW, GT7 and Horizon all on PS4. What does 2022 offer in terms of actual, meaningful, exclusives?

[frostypants]

By your definition no platform is likely to have any big exclusives in 2022, or at best they will be crazy rare. Too much money left on the table to make a PS5 or XSX exclusive game.

[isarai]

R&C was an amazing peak into what "next gen" could be, and i haven't been that anxious to get back to a game for a long time. Sucks tho cause everything else seems to be back peddling into cross gen territory putting "next gen" essentially on hiatus. I'm sure the games will still be great, just not fully taking advantage of what these new consoles can do

[Ethereal]

Definitely still in the transitional generation phase. I think we'll start see some true next gen stuff at the end of 2022 into 2023 when support for last gen start to dwindle.

[aconnellan]

I mean yeah it was good, but I guess compared compared to some of their other stronger years maybe not quite as good as it could have been.

Funny that this article comes a day after the ‘Xbox is publisher of the year’ article, and the same day as Halo Infinite’s campaign launch

[13sentinel]

Who says Microsoft is publisher of the year? Some random dude? 🤣🤣🤣

[UltimateRacer]

It was a great year for PlayStation exclusives, i certainly can’t complain.

[darkrider]

Returnal is my favourite. Also very impressed with ratchet. I think it's the more advanced game in terms of graphics and the kind of world it can create.

[Einhander1971]

And things will get even better next year.

[Snakeeater25]

It was great to see all these port on ps5 and some remake. As for you new IP or ps5 exclusive (not on ps4) it was a disaster

[Elda]

At least the PS5 had 2 PS5 only first party exclusives that were bangers Returnal & R&C though it's only timed but they had the PS5 console timed exclusive Deathloop. That's 3 2021 PS5 only exclusives. The competition AAA exclusives are all cross gen except for Flight Simulater.

[Snakeeater25]

Yeah it was such a weak year can’t wait for forbidden west but am afraid god of war will be push to 2023

[FlavorLav01]

I had never played Demon Souls on PS3, so between that gem, Returnal, Deathloop, Miles Morales, Ghost Directors Cut and R&C, my AAA Sony cup has been full. Still haven’t been able to touch Death Stranding so very excited about jumping into the director’s cut there as well. Great Sony year for me personally. The only thing missing I really thought would be there was Horizon 2, but I know the quality is coming so I don’t mind the wait.

[CS7]

Yeah it was decent.

Still yet to play Kena but Returnal and Ratchet were great.

Just wish there were more truly next-gen games.

By this time in the PS3 generation we had some absolute next generation bangers that spawned franchises like COD4, Bioshock, AC & Mass Effect.

[Darkborn]

Returnal, ratchet and clank rift apart, ghost of Tsuchima directors cut, death stranding directors cut, deathloop, kena bridge of spirits, solar ash, destruction Allstars, and Jett the far shore. These are most of the games they put out this year and that's with sifu, Horizon forbidden west, forspoken, GOW ragnarok and gt 7 being pushed to 2022. They had a killer first year planned after the already really good 2020. I think 2022 will have some unlisted games pushed to 2023 behind the scenes, but ultimately more games will be announced for 2022. The point is, they planned a crazy stacked 2021, but covid got in the way. I just wonder what was actually planned for 2022. They have been dropping games all year long for years now. I'm sure they had actual games planned for 2022 before the delays.

Edit* as far as we know, we don't know any actual origional 2022 games except for maybe spiderman 2, but I feel like it was always planned for 2023 or later.

[Elda]

I own most of the PS5 exclusives that were released this year & the only exclusive I finished was Returnal. I'll be off for 5 1/2 weeks starting next Thursday & hopefully I'll finally finish the rest of those games so I can make room for the PS5 exclusives including multiplat games being released in 2022.

[CrimsonWing69]

I've seen better years for Playstation exclusives. This one had a few, but I wouldn't say they knocked it out of the park with exclusives this year.

[dbcoops]

Absolutely and 2022 is going to be awesome for Playstion with the amazing exclusives on the way. Hopefully those still looking for a PS5 are able to find one as its truly a fantastic time to be a Playstation gamer. Congrats to Sony so far and on their continued success.

[chicken_in_the_corn]

Would have been even better if God of War, Gran Turismo and Horizon weren't delayed

[dbcoops]

Delays are tough but I'd rather them take the time they need to make the game the best it can possibly be then rush something out the door that's not up to Sony's high standards for exclusives or missing pieces at launch that need to be added later.

[masterfox]

Stunning in everyway.

[TheDoomedGuy]

First year of the console was great indeed.

Demons souls remake is an impressive achievement and the game itself the forerunner to the souls genre.

Ratchet and clank is an improvement to the previous and amazing to look at.

Returnal is my game of the year and one of my favourite sci Fi games to date. Soma and this are my 2 favourite.

Getting 3 great exclusives is a first for any console launch in recent memory

[Orchard]

It was a good year, not great IMO when compared to past years - but that is also setting a high bar.

None of that is Sony's fault either - they clearly planned to deliver a lot more this year than they could, due to COVID, which is obviously totally out with their control.

2022 is looking packed now though!

[MetalGearsofWar]

Does this list include games on PC?

[iplay1up2]

Most of the games mentioned here are PS4 games, with a PS5 boost. Ghost of Tsushima being the best of them. Just finished the first 35 minutes of Infinite. Absolutely fantastic, and emotional. It still isn't as heart wrenching as Ghost, but a great start!

[Petebloodyonion]

I'm always baffled about these arguments trying to justify the 1% of games that can't be found on the competing console.
Honestly, have you seen lately the iPhone is so great in 2021 because of the 1% of apps that can't be found on Android or vice versa article?
How many games out of the entire PS5 can only be played on a PS5? 3? 5? less than 10?

And what about Xbox serie X?

Now make an article talking about what Sony Studio made this year in terms of quality or what MS studio published
fine, we can evaluate the performance versus other studios but again I still fail to see the value of how my Xbox will be better because they remove a PS5 version or why my Ps5 is better because I'm preventing DLC to appear on the other console.

[ECHOINFINITY]

I mean every year is a great year for playstation Studios. So far PS5 has cranked out Demons Souls, Returnal, Ratchet, Miles Morales, and more. Returnal and Demons Souls are my favourites so far this generation hands down, however the visuals and animations in Miles Morales were phenomenal. Still need to play FIST and Kena too.

[Yui_Suzumiya]

Deathloop was the best PS5 timed exclusive hands down. Everything else was all about Doki Doki Literature Club Plus, Resident Evil Village, Life is Strange: True Colors and Mass Effect Legendary Edition.

[akurtz]

Im surprised more people aren’t talking about Kena bride of spirits. Its story and gameplay was solid. The visuals were a treat, especially on my LG oled 4K. I cried a couple times too.

[Bronbron92]

I think it was a solid year but obviously it’s definitely only going up from this point on with the games we know that are coming! But out of the exclusives released I have to give to returnal I love rouge like games and I felt returnal was a sleeper hit honestly

[Imortus_san]

Sorry, but not even close, this was one crappy year as hell.

[CBaoth]

2021 was a dud for all. Sony at least had a few PS5 games (although one was a remake). Xbox had no Series X games. And Nintendo seemingly only released Metroid. 2021 was a good year for my backlog.

2022 should be stout. I am worried though, Covid could delay the next two big hardware launches, Switch Too and PSVR2, into late '23

[Imortus_san]

2021 was a dud for all. Sony at least had a few PS5 games - LOL, PS4 games, one Indie ans the 12 reincartation of Ratchet.

Xbox had no Series X games. - they only lanched 8 games this year, right no games ya, lmao.

[Magog]

Yes, very solid. And the third party support was great as well. A very smooth transition to a new gen especially in the middle of a pandemic.

[Hawk198666]

It was just ok, no GOTYs. Tbh this year has been meh for gaming, lots of disappointments.

[jznrpg]

For a launch year it was good but they haven’t hit their stride yet and it wasn’t great by normal year standards but better than it’s competition by a mile . Launching a beta and broken MP racer a year after launch is enough for xboxers , they will vote GoTY for games they haven’t even played yet . It can only be said it was a great year because it was launch year for Sony imo . It was good but Sony has a great track record and it’s hard to live up to there last few years of games on PS4 at launch for PS5 . What did the competition release the last few years ??? Nintendo had a handful of great games for sure and the other guy I can’t think of anything .

[ChasterMies]

The $70 price tag is not great. I picked Deathloop on Black Friday (haven’t played it yet). The other exclusives will have to wait. Black Friday will be amazing next year.

[dolfa]

lmao sure great year, wanted to buy ps5 after half a year canceled order and bought 6800 XT PC instead. Quite happy with the PC exclusives though.