Over the decades, certain PlayStation games have done more than entertain—they’ve shifted the landscape of gaming entirely. These landmark titles didn’t just set trends; they redefined genres, inspired competitors, and introduced new standards for what games could achieve. From cinematic presentation to combat bromo77 systems, their influence is still felt today.
The most obvious trailblazer is The Last of Us. Released in 2013, this game changed how developers approached narrative in games. It introduced characters with emotional weight and flawed humanity in a post-apocalyptic world that felt disturbingly real. Its success wasn’t just in sales, but in the new bar it set for storytelling, environmental design, and character development.
Bloodborne, developed by FromSoftware and exclusive to PlayStation, was a revolution in action RPG design. Its fast-paced, aggressive combat encouraged precision and risk, departing from the more defensive style of its spiritual predecessors. It introduced the world to the now-iconic “souls-like” genre, inspiring dozens of titles with punishing difficulty and rich lore.
Another major title is Shadow of the Colossus, a minimalist masterpiece that proved games could be both artistic and emotionally devastating. With very little dialogue and no traditional enemies, the game focused on epic battles against towering beasts in a hauntingly beautiful world. It became a touchstone for game designers exploring emotional resonance through gameplay.
Gran Turismo changed the racing game genre by introducing hyper-realism. Long before simulation racers were common, Gran Turismo gave players an unprecedented level of detail in car handling, tuning, and performance. It inspired a wave of realistic racing sims and is still considered a leader in the genre today.
More recently, Ghost of Tsushima has set new standards for open-world design. Its use of natural navigation (like guiding wind) instead of traditional waypoints brought a new level of immersion. It reminded developers that innovation doesn’t always mean adding more—but sometimes taking away.
These PlayStation games have become more than fan favorites—they’re industry benchmarks. Their influence spans genres, generations, and even platforms. By constantly taking risks and pushing limits, Sony’s ecosystem has nurtured some of the most important titles in gaming history.