When Sony’s PS4 console released alongside Microsoft’s Xbox One in 2013 everyone expected a good old fashioned horse race. The PS4 jumped into an early lead though and really hasn’t looked back. Despite the Xbox One making big gains over the 2014 holiday stretch it looks like Sony’s lead is going to continue to hold up for quite some time. With a line-up of exclusive (or mostly exclusive, we snuck in some PC also games) titles like this in its wings there’s no doubt that the PS4 has what it takes to maintain its number one console title. Of course don;t expect the Xbox One to just give up either, check out our Top 10 Upcoming Xbox One Exclusives list too!
12 – Rime
Help a young boy escape a mysterious island and defeat a terrible curse in this gorgeous looking cel-shaded adventure from Tequila Works. Originally offered to Microsoft and the Xbox One console they let politics get in the way of a great game so their loss was Sony’s gain as they picked it up for an exclusive PS4 release. This adventure/platformer looks to tell a great story in spectacular fashion aided by stunning animation with director Raúl Rubio citing films such as Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke as inspiration. An official release date is yet to be announced but 2015 is looking good for the release.
11 – Hellblade
While it has been revealed that Hellblade isn’t 100% exclusive to the PS4 platform it is a timed exclusive. If you have a PS4 you’ll get the chance to play it before anyone else! Ninja Theory is bringing its signature style animation as well as the brutal combat they have become famous for to Hellblade and fans are eager to get their hands on it. Based on a Celtic myth the story follows Senua as she fights her way through a hellish underworld. Another game without a firm release it is likely to fall within the 2015 window unless it gets delayed.
10 – The Tomorrow Children
Sandbox style game The Tomorrow Children is the story of a future re-imagined from the after-effects of an experiment in 1960s Russia that attempted to ‘sublime’ the human race, or meld all human minds into one global consciousness. Unfortunately it went wrong and decimated the planet, and it took the next 90 years for the few humans left to rebuild to the point where they have created you, the player, as a ‘projection clone’. You’re tasked with venturing out into ‘The Void’ to reclaim the human race and restore it to its former glory! One of the more unique titles on the list we have no confirmed release date set… possibly not even 2015! All we know is the sooner the better!
9 – Deep Down
Back at the 2013 Tokyo Game Show Deep Down was announced as an upcoming free-to-play game for the PS4 console. Hopefully 2015 actually sees its release! Set in a future New York City (kinda) the player is transported back in time with the use of magical artifacts to various randomly generated dungeons to seek out treasures, defeat enemies and, if they so choose, participate in a Dark Souls series style multiplayer. It remains to be seen if the difficulty levels are as high as Souls but regardless, this one has our attention.
8 – Tearaway Unfolded
The original Tearaway is a gem. While not necessarily underappreciated, it was a critical darling back in 2013, it was definitely under exposed due to the fact it was only available on the PS Vita. Well, the Tearaway story has been reconfigured for the PS4 to take use of the Dualshock 4 controller and run in beautiful 1080p. This extended version of the original Tearaway is sure to win the hearts of many a gamer and get Media Molecule’s masterpiece the exposure it truly deserves.
7 – Until Dawn
PlayStation exclusive developer Supermassive Games makes its PS4 debut with this adventure survival horror game due out this summer. It follows eight teens (headlined by Hayden Panettiere) as they spend the night in a log cabin together to commemorate the anniversary of the death of one of their friends. Things quickly turn sour when they realize they are being hunted by an insane serial killer. A highly entertaining interactive walkthrough with the crowd at the recent PlayStation Experience left us with two questions; Does Hayden ever wear more than a towel and when EXACTLY can we play this ourselves?
6 – Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture
This game, developed by The Chinese Room and Santa Monica Studio, is said to be the spiritual successor to 2012’s ‘is-it-a-game-is-it-not-a-game?’ Dear Esther. With a trailer just a vague as the preceding game’s storyline we really have no clue what EGttR is really about. A first person adventure game set during the apocalypse you’ll follow six characters as they tell their own story all while being connected in some way or another. Our curiosity alone is enough to put EGttR on our most wanted list and at some point in 2015 we should have that curiosity sated.
5 – Street Fighter V
OK, we’ll get this out of the way right away… YES WE KNOW THIS IS NOT TOTALLY A PS4 EXCLUSIVE. While the PS4 is the only console that will see SFV it will also see a release on the Windows PC platform. In terms of the console wars though, this is a serious acquisition by Sony. Featuring cross-platform gameplay and a hilarious noodle-headed Chun Li (watch the video, you’ll see) we have very few details about Street Fighter V, its characters or its release date which could even be as far away as 2016. Who cares though!? It’s Street Fighter and it is DEFINITELY anticipated!
4 – No Man’s Sky
Yeah, this ANOTHER one that will hit PC too but if you’re wanting to play this on a console it’ll only be available on the PS4. In terms of straight up reaching for the stars the nod for this year’s “Most Ambitious Title” award might likely go to Hello Games. A procedurally generated universe that essentially will NEVER BE ABLE TO BE FULLY EXPLORED BY ONE HUMAN BEING is the very definition of ambitious. Discover planets, creatures, and fauna or manage a trade route! Travel to the centre of the galaxy! There is a neverending expanse for players to explore and is hands down one of the PS4’s most anticipated titles.
3 – The Order: 1886
Few titles on this list may be as divisive as The Order: 1886. Some people who have seen the game in action are already decrying it as just another cover based shooter with pretty graphics while others are lauding its praises. We’ve seen it, played it and were certainly left wanting more. A big AAA title with a lot of hype behind it we’re really hoping that this Victorian era inspired steampunk story has the chops to succeed. Sir Galahad and company hit the PS4 soon with The Order’s release date only a month away on Feb 20th, 2015.
2 – Bloodborne
Dark Souls series director Hidetaka Miyazaki is bringing his expertise to From Software’s PS4 exclusive Bloodborne and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Faster paced and with more focus on a strong offense than the Souls series Bloodborne takes place in the Yharnam which is told to contain a medical remedy of great power that many people have tried and failed to obtain. You take on the role of one of these cure seeking travelers and when you arrive in Yharnam you find it to be overrun with all types of horrible creatures. Will Bloodborne continue Miyazaki’s heritage of making insanely difficult games? Will it appease the adventure seeking fans of Dark Souls? Find out on March 24th, 2015.
1 – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Alright folks, let’s be real for a moment. In all likelihood number one and number two here are completely interchangeable. Both of these titles are hugely anticipated but Nathan Drake making his debut on the PS4 is kind of a big deal don’t you think? Unveiled in all its glory at the recent PlayStation experience it whipped PlayStation fans into a frenzy and rightfully so. Naughty Dog looks to retain its title as Sony’s number one exclusive developer as we join Nathan on his biggest adventure yet. This game cannot come soon enough.