Sony PlayStation has been with us for a while. Since the arrival of the PS1 back in 1994, Sony has been a major player in the world’s gaming scene and a force to be reckoned with. And even though it stepped on the very foundations that Atari, Nintendo, and Sega have created, Sony helped the shaping of the modern gaming world, and obviously, it is here to stay!
Being home to any possible genre that you can imagine throughout the years, PlayStation console owners witnessed the evolution of gaming itself. If a PlayStation console was your weapon of choice, then you were enlightened to see the progression of graphics, stories, gameplay, physics, and a lot of other gaming breakthroughs.
For many generations, Sony’s console was the sweet escape from reality and a good way to dive into any given story. Going through a good single-player game can be an extremely rewarding and intimate experience and doing it on a PlayStation platform has always been a blissful pleasure.
As you can already tell by the title and long introduction, this is a PlayStation article, so make sure to get some PlayStation Network Cards ready. It is a tough thing to say what are the best single-player games on PlayStation, but we would definitely like to try to point out which ones are a must-play for anyone owning a Sony console.
God of War 2 (PS2)
God of War 2 was one of the swan songs of the iconic PlayStation 2 and it was no surprise to anyone that it completely blew us away. In the original game of a war-ravaged Athens, legions of undead soldiers, Greek mythology’s greatest beasts, and a deceptive god were already no match for the fury of Kratos. Only going against the whole Greek pantheon and aiming for Zeus himself could have satisfied the fans back in the day. And, oh boy the game delivered!
Pushing the hardware of PS2 to its limits with God of War 2 is certainly something you shouldn’t miss. If for some reason you have missed it, correct this mistake as soon as you can. If you do not have a PS2 lying under your bed, don’t worry, it got ported later for the PS3, and if you only have a PS4, you can try it on PS Now.
Final Fantasy VII (PS1)
We recently got a Final Fantasy VII remake which was surprisingly good and the best way to relive the story from the 1996’s original. But despite the shiny graphics of the remake, we must give the original the well-deserved credits. It is the seventh entry in the Final Fantasy franchise but it was the one that re-shaped the JRPG genre with its vast open world, complex battle system, and innovative gameplay.
Where Final Fantasy VII really shined is the masterfully written deep story that will keep you awake until you finish it. A true monumental milestone in the history of PlayStation and one of the best-selling titles of all time. Well, if the 1996 graphics are not your particular taste you can always opt for the remake.
The Last of Us (PS3, PS4)
The news of a PS5 remake of the original The Last of Us might sound too much, as we already got a PS4 remake but this definitely confirms the iconic status of Naughty Dog’s post-apocalypse survival game. Part 2 was liked by both fans and critics but the original seems to be the one that made more noise.
If you are a PlayStation gamer there is little to no chance you never got your hands on The Last of Us. But if you haven’t, then you need to be aware that it is one of the best single-player games not only on PlayStation but on all platforms. A beautifully built American wasteland populated with all kinds of zombies, hostile humans, and a deadly virus awaits you on every corner. Great gameplay with a pure cinematic feel that is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Witcher 3 (PS4)
Before all the controversy with Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red was famous for the creation of the most awarded game of all time – The Witcher 3. And all the awards were no coincidence at all. All the hype around this action RPG was worth it.
In 2015 we got the largest open world in a single-player game, outstanding story, great combat system, a ridiculous number of enemies, myriads of side quests, graphics ahead of their time, and one of the coolest main characters of all time – the Witcher Geralt.
What is a Witcher? You might ask. Well, it’s a mutated human being created to kill all kinds of monsters with a silver sword and spells. Taking the role of Geralt, otherwise known as the White Wolf, you will have to make in-game decisions that can change the move of the main story and take you to a completely different quest branch and even a different ending of the game. A priceless open-world action RPG with true replayability that plays great on the PlayStation 4!
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PS3, PS4)
The prestigious Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu gave Skyrim a perfect score, which makes the game the first western title to ever achieve that privilege. The fifth installment of the Elder Scrolls franchise was something truly extraordinary. Its predecessor Oblivion was a perfect game already, but Skyrim took things to a whole new level.
Back in 2011, the game felt so realistic that you can actually feel being in the world of Tamriel. The freedom you get in this game is absolute. You can be whatever you want – a warrior, a mage, a thief, etc. And that wouldn’t be just a generic role in an RPG game, but a completely unique way to replay the game with a new questline. Just make sure to choose wisely as the continent of Skyrim is torn apart by the war between the Imperials and the Stormcloacks. Ohh yes, also remember to watch out for dragons!
God of War 2018 (PS4)
A true PlayStation exclusive that everyone was patiently waiting to be brought to the PS4. God of War could have been a letdown if it wasn’t on par with the God of War games from the PS2 era. We got something that didn’t follow the style of the previous games but instead a shiny new style. Kratos is back, don’t worry. He’s just a bit older, wiser, stronger than ever, with a marvelous beard!
After destroying the world of the Greek gods, Kratos found a home in the Northern Lands to find peace. Which of course, didn’t happen at all. He is now being hunted by the Norse gods, but this time accompanied by his son Atreus. Being probably the best single-player experience on the PS4, the game features breathtaking visuals, diverse enemies, over-the-top boss fights, convincing characters, and a memorable story. What a remarkable game and what a way to introduce Kratos to the younger audience!
Shadow of Colossus (PS2, PS3, PS4)
Team ICO’s games have been one of the finest single-player titles on PlayStation. But among the three – ICO, Shadow of Colossus, and The Last Guardian, there could be only one we can include in this list. The one that comes on top of the other two is definitely Shadow of Colossus. The game has spawned on three generations of PlayStation consoles, because of its immense value. What makes it that great?
In almost every game of this genre, everything is slowly being revealed to the player – the characters, the story, the lore. In Shadow of Colossus, you make your own conclusions and interpretation based on what you see, as nothing is really explained in-game. You are being thrown into a fantasy world where huge creatures called Colossi roam and you have to track them down and kill them to save your lost love.
Each of these Colossi is literally a new level, that’s how huge they are. All of this came out in 2005 and was absolutely ahead of its time. So, if you still haven’t got your hands on Shadow of Colossus, do your homework and play it ASAP!
Metal Gear Solid (PS1)
‘’A tactical espionage action,’’ as it was advertised back in 1998, Metal Gear Solid for PSX was one of Hideo Kojima’s greatest creations. In it, you take control of Snake Solid, and you have to sneak into a nuclear base in Alaska without being detected. The base is controlled by a genetically enhanced special forces unit called FOXHOUND. Your mission is to find and neutralize a nuclear threat, but things appear to be harder and more complex than they look.
Metal Gear Solid may look outdated by today’s graphic standards but it is a must-play for any PlayStation fan looking for a great single-player experience. Its gameplay still blows away many of the modern titles and is the ground that not just newer Metal Gear installments, but many other games, stand on. The rumor has it that a remake with next-gen graphics is on the way…
GTA San Andreas (PS2)
If the list was made entirely of GTA games it would still make sense and be legit. But let’s be fair, we cannot put them all here. Let’s pick just one! GTA V indeed holds the ground as the best open-world crime simulation game right now, but Rockstar had already done a great job back in 2004.
GTA San Andreas is arguably the best game in the series because it was the first one to introduce that vast open-world and interactiveness which we take for granted in today’s open-world games.
Taking the role of the gangster Carl ‘CJ’ Johnson you will have to keep the balance in the gang wars in the fictional city of San Andreas, based on San Francisco. As you probably already know what GTA games are all about, it’s hard to be the good guy in a game about Auto Theft.
To Conclude:
It is safe to say that multiplayer games are ruling the gaming world nowadays. But even so, single-player-only games are still not a dying breed, and PlayStation platforms have always been a great shelter for any of them. Just like books and movies, video games are almost an equally potent way to tell a story.
Hopefully, the gaming industry will continue to consider single-player games for big-budget AAA games in the future. Do you think that adding a multiplayer functionality makes a game better or it can be just as enjoyable when played by just one player? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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I am a junior content outreach writer for OffGamers. I foster relationships between gaming enthusiasts and gaming developers to create relevant content for gamers worldwide. I also happen to be a passionate writer and a certified night owl.
