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6 Reasons 2018 Is A Great Year To Own A PlayStation 4

For fans of narrative-driven or single-player games, PlayStation excels. And that’s especially true this year

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Loyalties aside, PlayStation and Xbox don’t differ that much. Playing on one doesn’t look or feel that much different than playing on the other. But for fans of narrative-driven or single-player games, PlayStation excels.

That’s especially true this year. Here are six reasons why.

Spider-Man (Q2)

This exclusive comes from Insomniac Games, developers of “Spyro the Dragon,” “Ratchet & Clank,” “Resistance: Fall of Man,” and “Sunset Overdrive.” Insomniac’s first-ever licensed game puts Marvel’s webslinger in a story unrelated to the cinematic universe or comics. The videos released so far make the game out to be a Spidey version of the Batman Arkham series. It also looks like Insomniac will try to replicate it the much-loved the swinging mechanics of 2004’s “Spider-Man 2” game.

The game should feature many Spider-Man villains, though only Wilson Fisk (Kingpin) and Martin Li (Mister Negative) have received any significant coverage. This console generation is overdue a non-Lego, non-Telltale Marvel game. Hopefully “Spider-Man” can deliver (and maybe spur a Marvel reboot of “Ultimate Alliance”?).

Detroit: Become Human (Spring)

Quantic Dream’s latest overly-ambitious project takes players to an android-filled Detroit. As with other David Cage games like “Heavy Rain” and “Beyond: Two Souls,” “Detroit” aims for “interactive movie” instead of “just” a video game. Player choices will affect the story and characters may die in one playthrough while surviving in another.

Perhaps it’s my “Heavy Rain” bias showing, but “Detroit” looks like it could be a successful rebound from 2013’s disappointing “Beyond: Two Souls.” A properly-realized “Detroit” could make it one of the most enthralling games of the year. But it could just as easily devolve into pretentious silliness.

God of War (April 20)

The latest “God of War” follows 2010’s “God of War III,” but shifts the franchise from Greek mythology to Norse mythology. Kratos takes his wife’s ashes to “the highest peak in the realms” along with his son. The son does not know his father’s (nor his own) divinity, so expect a dramatic, “I kept this from you to protect you!” cutscene. “God of War” has always provided gory action in stunning locales. The new setting and console upgrade should offer a refreshing take on the franchise.

The Last of Us Part II

Unfortunately, Naughty Dog hasn’t revealed much about the sequel to 2013’s “The Last of Us.” Ellie takes the reins this game and Joel will take a backseat of sorts. It looks like “Part 2” will take place in a post-apocalyptic Seattle about five years after the original. And, at least according to the video Naughty Dog showed at Paris Games Week, the game looks to be even darker and more violent than the first. Naughty Dog claims the game will come out this year despite the dearth of content or information so far.

Days Gone (TBD)

This open-world zombie apocalypse game looks, perhaps uncharitably, like little more than a “The Last of Us” knockoff. Combine that with zombie fatigue and a developer that hasn’t produced on a console game since the “Syphon Filter” series and “Days Gone” warrants a dose of skepticism. But look at it another way. It’s a “Last of Us” knockoff with real zombies and an open world. Or, “Walking Dead crossed with “Sons of Anarchy”. Those who found “The Last of Us” too claustrophobic and meticulous might find some relief in this game that should be more action-oriented and dynamic.

https://youtu.be/6uED22JERB8

Death Stranding (?)

Hideo Kojima+ Norman Reedus+Mads Mikkelsen+Guillermo del Toro+babies+skeleton soldiers+floating Slender Men=???