PlayStation is one of the most enduring brands in the gaming industry that continues to dominate the industry with its offerings. Despite a minor recent stumble in the form of failed live-service gambles, Sony has been pretty competent at running this brand.
The 21 Hardest Soulslike RPGs, Ranked By Difficulty
Not all Soulslike on the market can offer the same compelling experience as Dark Souls. Only a few RPGs capture From Soft's rewarding gameplay loop.
Several iconic modern and classic PlayStation games have enjoyed their time in the spotlight, with the characters at the helm of these experiences being unforgettable. However, other characters from great PlayStation titles have failed to capture mass interest in such a manner, which is a shame given how alluring they are in their own right.
Selene Vassos
A Character With A Surprisingly Deep Backstory
Returnal
- Released
- April 30, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
Returnal is one of the hardest PlayStation games to come out in quite some time, featuring Sony's AAA take on the roguelike formula. Returnal's combat and sense of progression are its strongest aspects, but another less-celebrated strength is a powerful narrative with Selene at the helm.
In a bid to try and escape this alien planet, players find out a ton about her present and future. A game about challenging bosses and roguelike progression boasts a story about generational trauma and the cycle of suffering that families find themselves stuck in, something that shines with Selene at the helm.
Knack
The Protagonist Of An Underrated Action-Platforming Series
Knack
- Released
- November 15, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Beat 'Em Up
Sure, there may be more polished and engaging platformers than Knack and its sequel out there, but that shouldn't take away from the boundless charm of this title. Players control the eponymous organism made of Relics that can become smaller or larger based on the amount of Relics attached to its body.
It's a novel gimmick, albeit not one that is used to its fullest extent. Still, there's something about Knack's charm that made him endearing to the many people who played this title, and it's a shame that more people don't fawn over this PlayStation character.
Nariko
Heavenly Sword's Protagonist Is A Competent Femme Fatale
Heavenly Sword
- Released
- September 12, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Hack and Slash
Heavenly Sword is a short yet sweet action game that fans of Ninja Theory will love to play. Players control Nariko, a warrior destined to wield the eponymous blade against her enemies.
30 Best JRPGs On The Nintendo Switch, Ranked
If someone is looking for a great JRPG to play on the go or at home, these Switch games represent the genre at its best.
Her no-nonsense attitude and bravery make her an underappreciated protagonist. She can outsmart the curse harbored in the Heavenly Sword, using this power to become nigh-unstoppable in battle as she flattens her enemies to a pulp.
Trico
An Endearing Huge Dog-like Creature From The Last Guardian
The Last Guardian
- Released
- December 6, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
The Last Guardian took a long while to come out, and performance issues didn't exactly leave a positive impression on players. However, fans of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus will love the charms of this title, especially once they start bonding with Trico.
This massive hound can be either cute or fearsome based on how players treat him, with most people choosing the path of compassion because of how cute he is. This slowly turns Trico into one of the most endearing video game companions of all time... Which is why the twist at the end can be so shocking.
Sackboy
An Underrated Mascot Character Who Didn't Get Too Many Opportunities To Shine
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
- Released
- November 12, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
It's a shame that PlayStation didn't invest in cute mascots as their interests swerved to cater to a mature audience. They still dipped their toes in genres like platformers from time to time, which led to the birth of Sackboy.
He starred in LittleBigPlanet and eventually went on to become the protagonist of a lauded spinoff. As popular as Sackboy he was, PlayStation never really gave this character the respect he was due and slowly phased him out in favor of their PS5 mascot, Astro.
Deacon Lee Saint John
Way More Multifaceted Than Fans Give It Credit For
Days Gone
- Released
- April 26, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action, Adventure
It's a shame that Days Gone starts on such a tepid note, to the point that most players drop this game before things get interesting. However, players who power through a slow beginning will find themselves enjoying a zombie open-world game that has more to it than what meets the eye.
The Best RPGs On The SNES, Ranked
The Super Nintendo has some of the greatest RPGs of all time, with these being the 15 best role-playing games on the SNES.
Deacon St. John is a great example of the same. He seems like a cold, uninteresting character at first, but behind this veneer of unlikability is a surprisingly compelling and jaded character who survives in a ravaged world following his wife's death.
Yuri Hyuga
One Of The Most Underrated JRPG Protagonists Of All Time
Shadow Hearts
- Released
- December 12, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Shadow Hearts is an incredible JRPG that could've reached greater heights had Final Fantasy 10 not marked a major evolution for the genre. Shadow Hearts seemed dated in comparison, but players eventually came to appreciate this gothic role-playing game's brilliance.
At the heart of this game is Yuri Hyuga, a cocky fighter with the ability to shapeshift into different demons. He's a deep and compelling character who forms a lasting bond with Alice and must come to terms with the monster inside him after a pivotal moment in the game, and it's a shame this interesting character isn't talked about with the same love and adoration as other PlayStation JRPG characters like Cloud Strife and Yuna.
Delsin Rowe
Not Being Cole MacGrath Isn't A Crime
inFAMOUS Second Son
- Released
- March 21, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
Cole MacGrath may have been a beloved character, but it was clear after the second Infamous game that he wasn't going to return anytime soon. Second Son served as the debut of Delsin Rowe, a new character who could use some of the most unique powers in the series.
His rebellious and chirpy attitude is endearing in its own right, though it lacks the edge that Cole's character had. However, once players cool it with the comparisons, they'll realize that Delsin brings his own strengths to the table that should be appreciated.
55 Upcoming Games With Strong Female Protagonists
These upcoming video games hold a lot of promise when it comes to strong, independent female protagonists.