Gamescom 2014: Sony Proves PlayStation is Still King of the Exclusives

I think everyone knows by now: Rise of the Tomb Raider will be exclusive to Xbox.

It’s clear enough that Microsoft simply stepped in and bought the rights to publish the game, and it was – as it often is – a money issue for developer Crystal Dynamics. However, despite all the hoopla surrounding this move, I think the takeaway from this year’s Gamescom event is not that Microsoft has the exclusive edge. Rather, Sony maintains its superiority in this category.

All you really have to do is look at what’s coming down the pike.

Did anyone happen to notice all those PS4 exclusives?

It’s easy to ignore them in the wake of such a big announcement. But consider: During Sony’s press conference, we were introduced to more than a few new exclusive titles for the PlayStation 4, and when you add them to what has already been announced, the situation is clear to me: PlayStation will once again be the king of exclusive software this generation. Granted, 2014 doesn’t appear to be rife with exclusive greatness (aside from Driveclub and LittleBigPlanet 3) but 2015 and beyond…

And you know what’s worth noting? Most of the new PS4 exclusives on the horizon are new IPs. Can the same be said for any other platform?

Heavenly Sword developer Ninja Theory announced Hellblade, an awesome-looking new IP for the PlayStation 4. This is one of the most talented teams in the world, as far as I’m concerned, and they’ve never received enough credit for their work. I thought Enslaved: Odyssey to the West was another great game that didn’t get anywhere near enough attention.

Then Sony announced a new survival/horror game called P.T., which looks exceedingly frightening. The first-person view is a good idea for this genre (just look at Outlast) and this project appears to be extremely promising. Horror fans everywhere were undoubtedly encouraged by this unveiling.

Beyond Good & Evil and Rayman creator Michel Ancel revealed Wild, one of the most ambitious and promising titles we’ve seen yet this generation. It’s another exclusive for the PS4 and it’s absolutely one of the most stunning trailers I’ve seen in a while. The concept alone is worthy of recognition, as players will be able to play as just about any living thing (a bear, eagle, wolf, etc.). As usual, PlayStation is home to the cutting-edge exclusives; i.e., those that continue to push the envelope.

And don’t forget about the myriad of smaller digital titles that are coming to the PSN. There’s the newly announced The Tomorrow Children along with the four-player co-op shooter Hollowpoint, from the developers of Crackdown 2. Many more were announced during Sony’s E3 press conference as well.

Combine all of this with what we already know is coming; namely, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Bloodborne and The Order: 1886. Thus far, I’ve only named one sequel; all the others are brand new IPs (with the exception of this year’s LBP3) and that is precisely why PlayStation continues to be heralded as the proper home for so many core gamers. To sum up, I should also mention whatever is in the works at Quantic Dream (remember The Dark Sorcerer?) and the new IP currently in development at Killzone developer Guerrilla Games.

Yeah, I’ll miss Rise of the Tomb Raider. But what I receive on the flip side isn’t exactly a consolation prize.