PlayStation is marking 20 years of the PlayStation Store by asking developers to reflect on the games that surprised them most during that period. The selections span blockbuster releases, independent projects and distinctive experiences that won over their contributors in unexpected ways.
The developers were not asked to choose their all-time favorites, but rather games they did not expect to enjoy as much as they did or that impressed them through an unusual approach. The anniversary celebration also includes a 20 Years of PlayStation Store Showcase, featuring deals and a curated selection of games.
Naoki Hamaguchi, director of the Final Fantasy VII Remake series at Square Enix, chose Balatro, released for PS4 and PS5 in 2024. He praised how the game combines poker’s familiar rules with progression and card combinations that make increasingly high scores satisfying to achieve.
Jonathan Burke, senior director of technology at Santa Monica Studio, selected Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, which arrived on PS4 in 2018. He highlighted its story, character designs and world, as well as the unexpected twists that disrupt what appears to be a predictable journey.
God of War, also released for PS4 in 2018, was the choice of Ramone Russell from San Diego Studio. Although he was impressed by the technical achievement, Russell said the story changed his view of Kratos by exploring fatherhood, self-control, grief, identity and the breaking of destructive cycles alongside the series’ action.
Naughty Dog’s head of culture and communications, Arne Meyer, selected Inscryption for PS4 and PS5. Initially expecting a creepy card game, Meyer was won over by the interactions between cards and modifiers and by the way the game gradually reveals additional layers of gameplay and narrative.
Marcus Smith, creative director at Insomniac Games, named Inside, released for PS4 in 2016. He praised its lack of dialogue and interface, its ability to teach players without obvious instructions, and its visual and audio design, which support an ambiguous story that remains open to interpretation.
Sayonara Wild Hearts was the unexpected favorite of Bruno Velazquez, game director at Santa Monica Studio. Although he does not usually gravitate toward musical or rhythm-focused games, he was drawn in by its colorful style, dynamic setting, story and soundtrack, eventually playing through the entire experience.
Nicolas Doucet, studio director at Team Asobi, chose Shadow of the Colossus, originally released for PlayStation 2 in 2005. He described its journey across vast landscapes on horseback, its battles against giant creatures and its portrayal of heroic loneliness as key elements of what makes the game memorable.
Finally, Gregory Louden, creative director at Housemarque, selected Uncharted 2: Among Thieves for PlayStation 3. The game surpassed his expectations after its stage demonstration, delivering impressive set pieces, high production values, charismatic characters and the feeling of playing through a blockbuster movie.
Sources: PlayStation Blog.