Highlights
- PlayStation is focusing on building its first-party exclusive library, with games like The Last of Us and God of War being key to its identity.
- PlayStation is embracing the trend of ever-lasting games, adding new modes to revive its recent single-player games and betting big on roguelikes.
- The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered and God of War Ragnarok are both getting their own roguelike modes, with unique features and gameplay that make them meaningful.
Over the last few decades, PlayStation’s focus has shifted quite dramatically a number of times, usually evolving with each major trend, such as the rise of online gaming in the mid-late 2000s. But for the last decade or so, PlayStation has really kept its focus on building its first-party exclusive library. While first-party PlayStation exclusives have always been important, that’s only gotten more true as the years have gone on, with them now being one of the company’s core pillars. Games like The Last of Us and God of War are of paramount importance to PlayStation’s identity.
One of the latest major trends in gaming, thanks in large part to live-service titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone, has been this concept of the ever-lasting game. Even 30-hour narrative-focused single-player games are expected to somehow retain their player-base for months after launch. It seems as though PlayStation is trying to embrace this trend as well, attempting to revive its recent first-party single-player games with new modes, and it seems to be betting big on roguelikes.
God of War Ragnarok’s Valhalla DLC Could Set the Stage for the Rumored Half-Sequel
God of War Ragnarok’s upcoming Valhalla DLC might forge a path that will lead into the game’s rumored half-sequel.
PlayStation Has Two Big Roguelike Modes in the Works
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered’s Roguelike Mode Is More Than a Throwaway Add-On
A potential Last of Us Part 2 remaster was bound to cause some big controversy, especially after the full-price release of The Last of Us Part 1 remake last year. But this time, it seems as though PlayStation and Naughty Dog have taken fan feedback into account. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is only set to cost $10 for those who already own the original PS4 game, and players are going to get a lot for that $10.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered not only updates the game’s visuals and adds DualSense integration, but it’s also going to add a handful of new modes to the 2020 sequel. The biggest, and likely best of these new modes is “No Return,” a roguelike mode that sees players try to conquer a series of challenging procedurally-generated missions in a row, with death resulting in a complete restart. Upon first hearing of this new game mode, many fans expected it to just be a few round-based levels, with not a lot of original content to experience, but that doesn’t seem to be the case at all.
Following some press previews earlier in the week, fans now know quite a bit more about The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered‘s No Return mode, and it’s all looking quite impressive. From multiple playable characters to choose from, each with their own unique traits and weapons, to an extensive multi-mission structure that ends in different boss fights, to a surprisingly complex skill tree progression system, No Return is far from an afterthought.
God of War Ragnarok Is Getting Its Own Roguelike Mode
Announced out of nowhere, and probably one of the biggest reveals of the entire 2023 Game Awards ceremony, God of War Ragnarok is getting its own roguelike mode. Titled “Valhalla,” this God of War Ragnarok roguelike mode seemingly functions fairly similarly to The Last of Us Part 2‘s No Return mode, seeing players take on the role of Kratos once more as he battles his way through the depths of Valhalla, upgrading various abilities along the way and losing it all upon death. The big difference here is that God of War Ragnarok‘s Valhalla mode is part of the series’ canon story, acting as an epilogue to the events of the sequel, which will apparently see Kratos go on a journey of self-reflection.
To make it even sweeter, God of War Ragnarok‘s Valhalla DLC will be completely free for those who own the game, and it’s set to release in just a few days. Between God of War and The Last of Us, and potentially some of the new live-service titles it has in the works, it seems as though PlayStation is really leaning into roguelike gameplay, and it seems to be going pretty well so far.
God of War: Ragnarok
God of War Ragnarok is an action-adventure game developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It serves as the sequel to God of War (2018) and the conclusion to Kratos and Atreus’ journey through Scandinavia. Loosely based on Norse mythology, players will fight mythological creatures while witnessing the events of Ragnarok.
- Released
- November 9, 2022
- ESRB
- M For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- How Long To Beat
- 26 Hours
- Metascore
- 94
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
