PS4's in-house launch games appear to be all guts, not glory

Polygon: The lineup of first-party games launching alongside the PS4 this holiday is a multi-genre showcase that, while perhaps lacking in innovation, strives to deliver experiences that demonstrate the raw power of Sony's next-generation console. But the aim is clear: the development focus is on promoting the technology, rather than offering completely new, unique adventures.

[-Gespenst-]

TOTALLY agree with this. I know Polygon have a slightly anti-sony bent, but they're right about this, and I personally thought the Last of Us review made some strong points.

Hey, I mean it's not like it's any different with the Xbox One. This graphics / tech drive, it needs to stop. In no way is it necessarily conducive to making a good, memorable, and unique game. More risks need to be taken, no more triple A games designed to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

[majiebeast]

You really expected a truly original game at launch? That kind of stuff starts happening 1-2 years after launch when the fanbase has grown. The launch of a console is always about mass appeal Knack,Killzone and Driveclub seem like a good start. Just wait for Media Molecule to bring the unique experiences in the mean time indie games are filling that void.

Their Lastofus review was garbage deducting points cause the reviewer sucked and felt bad after killing people i mean wtf. If anything feeling bad is a plus it means the immersion of the game is incredible. The beginning of the game is one of the strongest this generation next to God of war 3.

[greyhaven33]

Well said, took the words out of my mouth. Bubble up

[Minato-Namikaze]

Sony has pleny of games like that (innovative). Not sure why you think they wouldnt continue down that path especially since they are really embracing indies.

[TKCMuzzer]

@-Gespenst-
You totally agree with a website that has not played any of the final release versions of any of the launch games and are pre judging what's to come.....interesting..

[Jaqen_Hghar]

KZ is more open than any previous titles in the series and most shooters in general. It lets you tackle the situations your own way. That's the kind of innovation a man wants in shooters. It has new gadgets like the owl and the zipline that you can pop up anywhere to give you even more options. A man loves this next gen openness as well as the prettiness. A man also knows Guerrilla will deliver great shooting mechanics. Knack is an old school platformer with next gen physics. Driveclub is a socially connected racer like we've never seen. Infamous offers the world a next gen superhero push which a man doesn't remember seeing that many of. A man sees indie titles as well that will make their console debuts on PS4 (at least 8 shown at E3) so a man doesn't see any lack of innovation or variety here.

[T2]

The man makes good points but also innovation is fine and dandy but if 20 mil people want grand theft auto , they dont want publishers going all mad crazy with it. Your sequels should be consistent and strong. New games are for innovation and Sony will show these in due time... To sum up , stupid article

[quenomamen]

Yea, PS4 needs a game changer at launch like Killer Instinct.

[Aceman18]

to be honest it was the most unimpressive game shown at E3 and EVO this past weekend.

one dimensional game where all we heard was combo breaker after combo breaker lol

[Ju]

I tend to believe you are not representing the majority of xboxers, even though, if you believe how many bring up KI as the second coming of Christ than I have the feeling you guys have never played a fighting game before.

Really? Yet another "comic style" fighting game is what we need? Why? Haven't you guys played Streetfighter by now?

I am not sure if you guys are the same guys trash talking PS4 titles. But all that really makes me do is laugh. I really tried to get hyped for some of your Xbox's "great" titles - but none of those really gave me something beyond what I already had.

I think the PS4 launch lineup is quite awesome. More titles than I can afford. More will show - what you think, Santa Monica will put God of War to rest ? or Naughty Dog is going out of business? It'll last, which is in fact a good thing.

I can't wait for KZ:SF. A reason to get a PS4 for me. DriveClub anyhow - because I have PS+ - and then we'll see what else is launching. I miss me some Resistance - but just because I have memories how the PS3 started.

[The_Con-Sept]

No not like killer instinct what so ever. There are a lot of fighting games already in existence. I'd much rather see a more action oriented fighting game when it comes to that genre. Not like Tekken 6, God Hand, or chilli con carne. But something that is just a bit more different than God of war, Devil May Cry, or Dynasty warriors.

Anyway the games coming out for the PS4 are the games I want to see at the beginning. Ryse kind of reminds me of Viking battle for asgard and Halo isn't for me anymore.

It is about time we play as a creature again. Not a platformer but something like the creature mode in nightmare creatures.

[S2Killinit]

if you believe that "more risks need to be taken" why would you agree with an article that bags on a creative game like The Last of Us? Sounds to me like covert fanboyism that's all.

[pixelsword]

They don't know the meaning of that meanint: wouldn't it be "all glory, no guts" if that was the case,then?

It seems like garbage, so I'm not clicking the article.

[iamnsuperman]

"Sony's first slate of PS4 games aren't trying to be new from a gameplay standpoint — but in terms of visuals they are gunning to be the best-looking. Sony has lined up what will be the decorative gems of the console's coming-out party, the flashiest graphics with the brightest colors that best represent that next-gen power."

It is the same with the Xbox One. They both are doing a pissing matching trying to outdoor one and other with visuals. I would like interesting use of gameplay and better AI....but I don't think that will be the case because those types of things takes time to develop and get right. The first year is going to be about visuals. Its the years after that where the tech limits will be pushed in other areas

edit: I personally believe both console's launch games are poor. I like Killzone and I know what I am getting with that but the rest or meh/I am not interested in. Nothing new but I was expecting that

[Gazondaily]

Yeah this is where Third Party studios will come into their own. Just look at the lineup for proof:

1) Titanfall- hardly the best looking next-gen game but the gameplay looks incredible

2) Battlefield 4- Amazing visuals PLUS amazing gameplay, massive destruction, massive player count, intuitive use of smartglass etc

3) The Division- Ambitious TPS with a persistent online world, amazing immersion and excellent mechanics

4) Destiny- Highly ambitious online FPS

I'm sure there are others. Project Spark is the only really innovative first party game I can think of at this stage.

[iamnsuperman]

And yet when is Project Spark releasing? That game could be miles away or go into limbo like Milo did.

What Microsoft and Sony are doing is right. They need to get some games out there that they now appeal to people. In a year or two they can start taking risks when they have the ability and knowledge to do it.

I agree with you by the way. Third parties on the other hand can. They are not there to sell systems but just the games. I assume both Sony and Microsoft are taking losses on these consoles.

[Novistador]

None of those are ground breaking. You just listed off 3 fps games (of which just look pretty) and a generic tps. Spark looks interesting though and could do wonders for the industry if done right.

[Ju]

What's wrong with KZ:SF?

- New open level design
- Player can freely choose missions
- Killer AI - as always. It was never bad to begin with
- New gadgets

And to the list above.

- Titanfall? I think we had jetpacks and "robots" in Warhawk/Starkhawk (minus the bots) How is that new?

- BF4? Yeah, - it's not smart glass but a tablet app (battle commander). But other than that it's the exact game as before. Quite disappointing (and you'd hardly play tablet & console at the same time, huh. As nice as the idea is).

The other two I like. And than Watchdogs and Black Flag.

[Ju]

- Double post...??

[ShinMaster]

Titanfall is like COD and Starhawk. I've already played those games.
Not really seeing much innovation.

Polygon just spouting bs again.

[MizTv]

Lame

[xReDeMpTiOnx]

I don't trust anything polygon has to say and reading the abysmal last of us review.

Also people need to realize by now its not all about "new" it's about taking things that have been done before and re-defining them and making them better.

At this point in time it's very hard to come up with something "new" as the ideas and concept have been present in books,media,tv, other games etc.

[iliimaster]

this article is horrible complaining about sony and not having new games are you serious ? if they say this about the ps4 imagine what they'll say about the xbox with nothing but gears forza halo fable

[thetruthx1]

@ iliimaster well so far xbox one has shown a game about a Roman warrior in history on a path of revenge. There's a game that has the longest combos in any fighting game. There's a game where you can create your own game, create the level, enemies and give life to things like rocks to help you in battle. One game's story is tied into a mini show which plays out differently depending on the choices you make. There's a murder mystery game. A game that puts a single player campaign into multiplayer involving soldiers being able to control and fight mechs triple their size. That's pretty diverse :)

[iliimaster]

lol

[izumo_lee]

Well Sony's in house games launch titles aren't overall innovated but this IS Sony we are talking about & those games will eventually show up. The launch games are here basically to give a glimpse of what the PS4 is capable of even at such an early part of its lifecycle.

We will get innovated titles on the PS4. Heck Studio Japan by itself can churn out crazy titles. Look at Puppeteer & Rain. Also who we don't really know what other games are launch games cause Sony don't think has officially announced all their launch titles & they did say that their are many games that Sony Worldwide Studios are working on for the system that we don't know of yet.

To compensate for the lack of innovation that is why the big push for the Indie games that accompanies the launch games.

[xReDeMpTiOnx]

And for all I'm concerned all this talk about killzone doing nothing new or innovative how about you wait until the game actually comes out or all the details are released before making a judgment call.

Because last time the whole kz2 debate that you couldn't make a game look that good and well GG did then people just called it a generic shooter and its far from generic.

Kz2 brought so many new things to consoles and redifined things to consoles it was crazy

- six axis sniping
- dynamic maps (cod ghosts just doing dynamic maps lol!)
- in game clan system with being able to host ur own tournaments/private matches and wage valor (form of currency all in game)
- dynamic warzone game mode
- 20 different variables to how the guns react and shoot
- weighted feel

And that's just to name some.

Also for those that didnt know. Ebolt (Eric boltjes) was the lead designer for mp in kz2
And he has returned for kzsf after firing acidcatfish ( gta online mp dev) from screwing up kz3.

[ssj27]

And how was KZ3 Multiplayer a bad thing?

KZ3 had equally good maps. it did overpower all the characters , KZ2 only had one over powered character, I give you that.

But the Multiplayer was more team base and balanced and bigger in ever way.

Sadly KZ3 felt more cheaper because they went from those 20 different variables to how the guns react and shoot, down to like 4 in KZ3 which make the gun and firing less exiting.

Let's hope KZSF use the best from each KZ to bring the best experience!

The campaign looks fun its like FC3 in the KZ universe and that is a huge plus!!

[xReDeMpTiOnx]

Well man I could debate about killzone all day I've been a harrdcore fan since kz1.

But here let me go on about what made kz3 so sub par kz2. Now I'm not saying it was a bad game in general but it was a bad killzone compared to 2, and most casuals will say they liked kz3 but the killzone community was in an uproar about kz3.

Ok kz3 compared to kz2

- kz3 sold less ( not a huge deal)
- kz2 had more people playing even during kz3 prime time shortly after launch ( that screams they did something wrong)
- less media acclaim
- scored way less (meta)
- launched half a game ( lacked in game music and custom games compared to kz2 and less customization even when patched)
- competitive was dead
- clan system was a huge downgrade compared to kz2
- maps were very pretty to look at but were very unbalanced, tsp placement favored one side heavily on tons of maps
- ditched spawn grenades ( big no no)

I could go on and on bro

[ssj27]

The new respawn system was amazing and more balaned in KZ3, they could have still keep the respawn grenade if fix few things, like do not allow to be used near on in the enemy respawn area and over objectives.
But the maps where equally fun to play and well done in KZ2 or KZ3.

KZ2 was just more authentic, the controls feeling where just amazing. More hardcore and sadly KZ3 was more COD friendly.

[Metfanant]

unfortunately, when you troll the most critically acclaimed game of the year just because of an anti-Sony bias...you lose credibility in my eyes...therefore i won't even give the website the added hit of reading the article...

[Hicken]

Yeah, they've been bad news from the start.

[pyramidshead]

lol Polygon....

No further comment needed.

[TKCMuzzer]

Creating games for a console launch is not about new, innovative IP's, no body will spend money on the unknown. The launch games are always going to be safe releases because of the core audience. As a purchaser on day one I want a new Killzone because I like that franchise, I want it with better graphics, better multiplayer etc. The new games will come but every console needs regular franchises to fill the gap.
Imagine if Sony said, "we are going to release the PS4 this year, downside is we are releasing new Ip's but due to the length of time creating a new IP you won't get any games until next year", then people would have something to complain about.
Plus, as far as I am aware no one has played the final version of Killzone Shadowfall, so how can we prejudge what it has to offer?

[Ju]

It took quite a bit until Uncharted launched and put ND back onto the landscape. And what came after was quite an awesome journey. And the same will happen this generation. It won't be over in a day, people.

[Sketchy_Galore]

I gave them the benefit of the doubt that maybe they just didnt like the Last of us, even knowing how Microsoft funded them but I think it's clear now this is an anti-Sony propaganda site.

[TKCMuzzer]

Yes, they could have referred to all next gen exclusive launch games but do seem to single out Sony, Plus considering Microsoft gave us an hour release conference on everything else the Xbox one could do apart from games in does seem kind of an unbalanced article. (referring to them accusing Sony of promoting the technology)

[mrmancs]

Polygon again? *face palm*

[sourav93]

What the hell are these guys talking abou...oh it's Polygon. Next.

[Jaqen_Hghar]

A man doesn't need a new genre to see innovation especially with existing IPs. KZ looks miles better than its predecessors (gameplay wise with way more open spaces and gadgets to open up the options for attack) and Infamous looks better than Infamous 1 or 2 which were 2 of a man's favorite PS3 games and we don't see many superhero games in an open world for some reason.

[Master-H]

Another BS article from Polygon , i think i find their crap even more annoying than Katuko's at this point. always hit-seeking with their bias showing.

[babis1974]

polygon??? I WON'T FORGET THE 'LAST OF US' REVIEW AND I HOPE NOBODY WILL...

[Minute Man 721]

Yea right, better that X1 line up

[GameCents]

Don't embarrass yourself please.

[Minute Man 721]

I've been here since 2006 few will remember me, Xbox is the Best use to be my name and screw the Xbox One

[kingPoS]

Ploygon: PS4 games look purdy but lack new gameplay. [pockets a wad of cash]

[iceman06]

The very sad thing about this is that the title of the article is the only real negative. The rest of the article is snippets from devs that are talking about their games. Even the tone of the article doesn't really fit the title. So, why title it that way?

[OC_MurphysLaw]

LOL... this article was sure to get tons of agrees on N4G.

I actually agree that BOTH consoles are playing it a bit more safe in terms of bringing less than innovative games to the launch window. Sure there are a couple but largely they are games that are working on gameplay, IP, themes and story lines that are safe and well known.... and that is totally ok IF...they are improvements over those games that did it before them.

I don't necessarily need innovation on my first wave of games but I don't want to just see iterative games with minimal changes. For my next gen games I want to see some substantial improvements for gameplay and graphical enhancements.

[blanket14]

how can this guy make an article when we haven't seen any new games from sonys best 1st party studios.....

[unicron7]

Because they are full of shit and trying to get hits.

[MidnytRain]

If you haven't heard from them then they probably won't be "launch" titles as the article mentions.

[Salooh]

And all X1 exclusives that have been announced will release in launch -.-

X1 fanboys now using the exclusives card when it's the weakest point of Xbox history , why do you think MS will change their policy of games. They are aiming for kinect as usual . I will take my words about X1 when they prove it , right now , it's nothing what they did , they are doing almost everything against us gamers and even developers..

[MidnytRain]

14Feb-R

Xbox? I don't care about them. They've got nothing to do with what I said. OR the article.

[GameCents]

"This experience works in a social way with friends whereby it's not necessarily about just being fastest," he said. "Because the problem with most driving games is that it's about being first. And at any one time there's only one person who's first, and that's a demoralizing experience..."
Like my racing mentor Ricky Bobby says: If you ain't first, you're last!
When I lose a clean online race (this happens often) I do not get demoralized because I'm not an 8 year old kid. It makes me want to get better at it, simple as that.
That said, if they can find some way to reward the gamer when they level up in the same vein as shooting games like BFBC 2 then losing won't sting as much.

[Bobets]

Yes ofc because we all know xbox1 exclusives far more inovative right?

lets see

another halo,another forza,a zombie game....

Woooooo so fresh never been done before!/s

[christrules0041]

Polygon at this point they should take there name seriously. Poly be gon. LOL Seriously easy to spot it a million miles away how biased they are.

[Valkyre]

Polygon can go suck a big floppy donkey dick.

I aint clicking their shit!

Even if I partially understand that a next gen console's first gen games are indeed more about showcasing the potential and technological advancement rather than innovate. It has been like that forever.

Oh and let me not forget: Polygon sucks balls as well.

[PSN_ZeroOnyx]

Polygon is as biased as bing, SMH

[Sevir]

Lol, this drivel is hilarious, the most innovative launch exclusive across both platforms is Driveclub, and that's because of it's structure of having multiple objectives over the course of a race which can be set by anyone while racing... The premise is just awesome...

They think an open world Zombie game about mowing down hordes of Zombies, a QTE ex, Kinect focus, run of the mill 300 rip from a company that only produces face melting graphics on PC, and a half backed Free to play fighter that's a shadow of itself More innovative than anything else launching on the PS4?

Seriously the only Title in-house launching on the xb1 is Forza and I give them that due to the way the potential use of having bettet AI being streamed into races from Servers recording player data, and that's something that isn't new by any stretch as games like motorstorm on Vita and Need for speed on current gen consoles do it.

so again .. what's better about the Xbox one line up apart from there games, mostly Forza and Ryse looking pretty? And still not looking better than Driveclub and Killzone:shadow fall?

The article is correct in saying Launch games don't push new ways to play and that it's mostly about the visual capabilities of the hardware, but don't just put that alone on the PS4 and act like the Xbox is the bastion of nee experiences because you can yell "Xbox on"

[DaGR8JIBRALTAR]

well spoken and very true....have a bubble on me.

[marloc_x]

Well well well..

Funny how kickstarting a fresh console with the same old sits well with the majority of the $ony camp..
HaHa!

[TronEOL]

At least it's only at the beginning that "the same old" happens. As opposed to Mario, Halo, Forza, Gears, Zelda, etc, etc.

Not saying those games aren't any good, since they're all fun. I'm just saying you aren't making a point. Especially when Sony seems to be the only major publisher taking risks and making/pushing new IPs.

Example for PS3 this late in the lifecycle:

Puppeteer
Last of Us
Beyond: Two Souls
Rain

And I'm sure there was more early 2013 and more to come.

How many new IP's did you get from Nintendo on the Wii during its end years? Or how about over on Xbox360? That's what I thought.

[AfterThought]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[zeroskie]

The important thing is that we stop giving Polygon site hits.

[assdan]

Surprise, the site that bans pro-sony people doesn't think the PS4 will be good.

[tanookisuit]

Just like the recurring trend of doom articles for PS3, the media is jumping on the PS4 now. Sigh...

[C-Thunder]

Octodad.

Not in house, I know, but it looks so fun.

[Drainage]

hes right though. no new gameplay mechanics in KZ and infamous have been shown thus far. However the MP of Driveclub still has potential to be innovative.

[ufo8mycat]

And this is what worried me.

That developers will just focus on the graphics and forget about quality gameplay.

KZ looks to have the same average gameplay. Only difference is amazing graphics - BORING!

Games are about gameplay not graphics.

It seems like pushing out amazing graphics is just easier then pushing out amazing gameplay (Thanks Naughty Dog you rule).

Pushing out quality gameplay takes a more imaginative and talented mind.

Who are they trying to impress with focusing on amazing graphics? Media? Casuals? Because its definitely not me or other core gamers.

[Locknuts]

I'd try Knack before the other games. Looks like the most innovative out of the lot. It kind of pissed me off that they said that it's expected to be a secondary purchase.

If they're aiming for 20-30 somethings, guess what? Most of us have grown out of the 'gore is cool' phase and we really don't care what other people think. We'll play a game if it's got something new to offer, regardless of its art style.

I honestly think they're targeting teens and casuals with this launch line up. Every 'core gamer' has played something very similar to all of these games 100 times before (knack excluded).

[N8]

Sony doesn't have to have new innovative games at launch because we all know Sony has games. Sony doesn't have to have better launch games because we all know Sony has better exclusives. The sequals to ps3 games are worth a ps4 purchase for me.

[_FantasmA_]

Polygon's just trying to get attention, lets not give it to them. DO NOT CLICK THE LINK! Stay on this page and rip them a new one.

[TRGMatt]

I wonder if Polygon realizes that, over time, blatant bias won't help them cash in in the long run. I am thinking they do. The proverbial hedge fund/big bank approach to journalism...cash in while it's hot then regroup and find the next cash crop. Bet these guys aren't around in 5 years. And if they are, they are better businessmen than most. Better businessmen than journalists, clearly.

[wishingW3L]

Polygon is the only pro-Xbone website in all the internets. Kappa

[isarai]

Jesus christ, i'm usually the last one to accuse a site of being "fanboy-ish" or biased, but Polygon is so fucking anti-sony it's not even funny

[Man-E-Faces]

We'll I hate to say this but I do think PS3 had a better launch and launch window games, exclusive wise there was Resistance that was a new ip and was great, then an rpg that I very much enjoyed Untold legends Dark Kingdom, then Motorstorm another gem, then Heavenly sword, F1 championship that I loved and Folklore are much better games than the safe rehashes of Killzone, Infamous that have been announced thus far with DriveClub(new ip) being the only exception and since it's from Evolution who is a personal favorite dev of mine I am interested. PS4 needs an exclusive rpg/jrpg in the launch window something I can grind on for months. PS3 gave me these games I don't see their current PS4 exclusive lineup providing this at the moment, my pre-order is likely going to be cancelled.

[uncharted56]

I will have to agree with this guy to a extent. Drive Club seems like a average racing game just like Forza, it seems to have a identity crisis in deciding between being a sim or an arcade racer. I am looking forward to Killzone but in all honesty it is not something we have not seen before. I just feel that Killzone Shadowfall would be more appealing mp wise if it would add some vehicles, mech suits and jetpacks to make it feel futuristic. It would also be good if it had a bigger map and more player count (but nothing close to bf 3 as I dont want it to turn into that). Knack looks fun but combat seems to be run of the mill you find in these genre of games. Tbh its same for xbox one launch titles with the exception of Killer Instinct. I was really hoping that both companies would have at least one new ip that would feel refreshing and innovative to masses much like games like the orignal Bioshock, Uncharted 2, Far Cry 3, The last of us or Red Dead Redemption did. The only upcoming title this year that may offer this sort of experience seems to be Watch Dogs which is not coming from either MS or Sony. Lol it seems Ubisoft is more committed then any one in the gaming industry to provide new and fun experience with upcoming titles like AC4, Watch Dogs, Division, Rayman and hopefully Beyond Good and Evil 2.

[FightFans]

idiot poster and article, nothing to see here, just troll and idiotic.

[unknownbystander]

All I can say is that there are too many FPS and too little other genres in the PS4's line-up.

[greedybear88]

For PS4:

Assassins Creed 4 = open world action adventure
The Crew = open world racing sim
The Witcher 3 = open world RPG
inFamous: Second Son = open world action adventure
Watchdogs = open world action adventure
MGS 5 = open world stealth/action

The next gen will have many open world games but I love that because I like open worlds in games :)

[unknownbystander]

Yeah I like open world games also because it's very fun to explore and find out new things in the environment. All I was trying to point out was that I hope that PS4 won't have too much shooters. They are fun but there are too much and most of their replayability is very low. In the future hopefully PS4's line-up wouldn't go to the way of the Xbox One which has a lot of shooters. I already have a Wii U and I already know that there will be diversity in it's library in the upcoming future. A lot people say that it has no games,but the truth is that they probably didn't buy the console and there are no games that appeal to them or just complete bias. Anyway back to topic, I would also get a PS4 alongside my Wii U that I may not miss out in anything in this generation.

[greedybear88]

@unimportantbystander totally. Bubble up my friend.

[nades_all_night]

Oh Polygon, your so silly... No for real, Polygon you've clearly lost your mind.

[noctis_lumia]

polygon=M$ dogs move along guyz

[jjb1981]

I want a new JRPG designed specifically for the ps4!