A key trait that separates the best games from the rest is the strength of their protagonists. PlayStation games have consistently delivered iconic heroes and antiheroes that go beyond action to deliver depth, emotion, and harpatoto character arcs that rival those found in cinema. These characters don’t just move through the world—they shape it, and they stay in players’ minds long after the game ends.

Take Kratos, for example. Originally introduced as a rage-driven Spartan in God of War, his evolution in the PlayStation 4 reboot revealed layers of grief, fatherhood, and restraint, turning him into a far more relatable figure. Similarly, Ellie from The Last of Us has become one of the most complex and compelling protagonists in gaming, embodying both vulnerability and determination.

Even the PSP platform has produced standout characters. Daxter gave a beloved sidekick his own starring role, while Zack Fair in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII won hearts with his loyalty and tragic fate. These PSP games demonstrated that handheld titles could still offer deep, memorable leads who carried the emotional weight of a full story.

In every generation, the best PlayStation games succeed not just because of graphics or gameplay, but because of the characters they center on—characters who feel human, flawed, and worth rooting for.

PSP games also carried the torch for horror, albeit on a smaller screen. Silent Hill: Origins retained much of the franchise’s signature tension and eerie sound design, proving that a handheld game could still deliver genuine scares. The PSP’s headphone-based immersion often heightened the psychological effect, making fear feel closer and more personal.

Thanks to its library of terrifying titles across both console and handheld systems, PlayStation remains one of the best platforms for horror fans. The genre continues to evolve on Sony consoles, but the foundation built by classic and experimental titles alike remains deeply influential.