PlayStation Games That Were Ahead Of Their Time

Key Takeaways

Sony’s PlayStation on PS1 succeeded against Nintendo 64 due to innovative software and talented teams.
Spider-Man on PS1 showcased superhero potential in gaming before MCU, featuring various iconic characters.
Vagrant Story on PS1 was an innovative action RPG using the unique Ivalice setting, non-party combat, and weapon upgrades.

As a seasoned gamer who has witnessed the evolution of gaming since its infancy, let me tell you, those were the days! The PlayStation 1 (PS1) was a game-changer, and the games it birthed are still etched deep in my memory.

Initially, when Sony debuted the PlayStation as a direct competitor to the Nintendo 64, few anticipated they’d outshine their fierce rival. However, following the dissipation of the intense console conflict, it was Sony who triumphed, and this success was attributed to the colossal efforts and exceptional software solutions developed by some extraordinary minds.

Leading the charge with gifted development crews and a thirst for novelty, these video games blazed trails in terms of design and gaming mechanics. They pushed boundaries in voice acting, pioneered new genres, or offered fresh perspectives on classic games, making the PlayStation 1 a platform brimming with titles that seemed years ahead of their actual time.

10 Spider-Man

A Showcase Of What Superhero Games Could Become

Before Spider-Man became a blockbuster movie sensation in the early 2000s and shone in the critically acclaimed 2018 open-world game, he was already a well-known figure beyond his popular comic book runs. The PS1 game launched in the year 2000 marked the beginning of what superhero video games would eventually become.

In its early days, Spider-Man, created by Neversoft, demonstrated how effectively a comic book superhero could be transformed into a video game. This was prior to the Batman: Arkham series, and it served as a testament to the potential of such intellectual properties. At that time, superhero games were not as refined as they would later evolve, but Spider-Man showcased the immense power these IPs could wield. Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe constructed a sprawling universe of heroes and villains, this game featured characters like Captain America, The Punisher, and Daredevil, which was a bold endeavor that proved to be remarkably successful.

9 Vagrant Story

An Innovative Action RPG That Hasn’t Been Duplicated In The Past 20-Plus Years

During the mid-1990s, Yasumi Matsuno shifted his focus from developing strategy games for Squaresoft to creating “Vagrant Story”, an action RPG that introduced one of the earliest uses of the Ivalice setting. First seen in “Final Fantasy Tactics”, this group known as the Ivalice Alliance can be found within its own universe and is also a part of the mainline Final Fantasy series. By employing the distinctive Ivalice setting and crafting a groundbreaking combat system, Squaresoft produced one of the PlayStation 1’s standout games with “Vagrant Story”.

In the fantastical city of Lea Monde, I found myself engrossed in the story of Ashley Riot, a Riskbreaker who unwillingly got tangled up in a dark conspiracy revolving around a cult and the slaying of a duke. Unlike most RPGs Square was churning out at that time, Vagrant Story featured real-time movement with turn-based commands and an ingenious targeting mechanism. The intricate weapon upgrade system was one of its many highlights, making this unique action RPG stand out among the crowd. Regrettably, this masterpiece has never received a remaster, leaving it as one of Square’s most elusive titles still yearning for a second life. The extraordinary combat sequences and breathtakingly beautiful animated cutscenes continue to be unparalleled, making Vagrant Story an exceptional game that remains unlike any other.

8 Crash Bandicoot

Legendary 3D Platformer That Beat Super Mario 64 To The Finish Line

Prior to Naughty Dog creating the series of cinematic masterpieces such as “The Last of Us” and “Uncharted”, they were a company with completely different aspirations, having started out quite differently. Their first game for the PlayStation brand, which they joined in 2001, demonstrated their future talent and audacity. The character “Crash Bandicoot” was one of the pioneers of the 3D gaming revolution that swept through the ’90s.

Approximately two weeks prior to the launch of Super Mario 64, Crash Bandicoot emerged as one of the pioneering titles during the gaming industry’s shift from 2D to 3D. By guiding players through 3D corridors and mimicking the side-scrolling view from earlier 2D games, Crash Bandicoot set a precedent for future platform games. It effectively utilized its polygons and colors, employing vertex shading instead of textures. It stands as a technical masterpiece, demonstrating the skill and ingenuity that Naughty Dog has consistently displayed.

7 Parasite Eve

Fascinating Blend Of Survival Horror And JRPGs

The storyline of “Parasite Eve” originated from a spin-off of “Final Fantasy,” featuring a detective in a futuristic New York City pursuing a sorceress named Edea. Elements of this narrative were subsequently incorporated into “Final Fantasy 7” and “8,” while the New York detective tale remained distinct until Square revisited it for “Parasite Eve.” This game, which blended aspects of “Resident Evil” and “Final Fantasy,” was renowned as one of the PlayStation 1’s most creative titles.

Instead of typical RPGs featuring groups of rebels fighting against megacorporations or ancient evils, Parasite Eve stood out as a compact, horror-oriented story centered around NYPD detective Aya Brea. The blend of dynamic combat and visually stunning pre-rendered backdrops remains impressive to this day. It’s a rare type of game that seldom appears nowadays since survival horror RPGs aren’t widely popular in the gaming industry. However, Parasite Eve was groundbreaking in many aspects.

6 Resident Evil

Enter The Survival Horror

Drawing inspiration from films such as “Night of the Living Dead”, “Alone in the Dark”, and “Sweet Home”, Capcom created the game “Resident Evil” over a period of two years. This game significantly contributed to the creation of the term ‘survival horror’. This suspenseful experience simulates life-or-death scenarios where resources like ammunition and supplies are scarce, encouraging players to ration their supplies in order to survive.

Thanks to the larger storage capacity of CD-ROMs, Capcom managed to cram a vast quantity of pre-made backdrops and voiceovers into the game. In a time where cinematic experiences were growing more popular, Resident Evil strived to produce an interactive horror movie brimming with B-movie spirit. This approach has been consistent throughout the series, paving the way for one of the most respected intellectual properties in the gaming industry.

5 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

Addictive Extreme Sports Game Became A Gaming Icon

In the 1990s, skateboarding and other extreme sports were a significant cultural force, influencing the attitudes of many teenagers who embraced this rebellious subculture. Among all games that resonated with this trend, none seemed to align more than Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, created by Neversoft and launched when the craze for extreme sports was at its peak.

Featuring skateboarding legend Tony Hawk as its main character, Neversoft’s skateboarding simulation game was a groundbreaking revelation. It took traditional gaming concepts like scoring points and creating high scores, but gave them a fresh, youthful twist by immersing players in the world of professional skateboarding culture. The result was nothing short of genius. This game, known as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, paved the way for future extreme sports games and even inspired a remarkable remaster by Vicarious Visions in 2020, demonstrating the enduring popularity of this fantastic title.

4 Silent Hill

One Of The PS1’s Best Psychological Horror Games

Horror games seemed perfectly suited to the PlayStation 1, as the analog controls and rough graphics enhanced the eerie ambiance. While Resident Evil emphasized action and exhilarating scenes, Konami opted for a distinct strategy with Silent Hill, which debuted on the PS1 in the year 2000.

In a groundbreaking move for horror video games, Silent Hill explored heavy themes such as trauma, sorrow, and remorse. Unlike the straightforward narratives that were common in the genre at the time, this game ventured into more complex territories. It stood out by featuring narrow, claustrophobic environments and a dismal, gritty ambiance, which was rarely seen in console gaming back then. The intricate plotline and Akira Yamaoka’s hauntingly industrial soundtrack set new standards for the genre. Unlike many games that emphasized happiness and adventure, Silent Hill‘s descent into darkness played a significant role in shaping the industry as we know it today.

3 Fear Effect

Cyberpunk Thriller Combines Survival Horror With Cinematic Storytelling

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, the upgrades in PS1 hardware opened up a whole new world for game developers, allowing them to create richer and deeper gaming experiences than ever before. And let me tell you, Kronos Digital Entertainment truly seized that opportunity with Fear Effect. It felt like stepping right into an anime series! Unlike games such as Resident Evil and Final Fantasy which relied on pre-rendered images for their backdrops, Fear Effect was a game changer. Instead of using static images, they used looping video files to make their 3D polygonal characters interact with the dynamic backgrounds, making the game feel more immersive and alive.

Although it led to Fear Effect being distributed across four discs, the effort was justified since it remains one of the most innovative and engaging games from its era. This cyberpunk journey seemed like the perfect blend of anime and video games, boasting an impressive visual style and gameplay reminiscent of survival horror. It stands as one of the most captivating games ever created, and a remaster or reboot is long overdue.

2 Final Fantasy 7

Historic JRPG That Became A Cultural Phenomenon

Following a disagreement with Nintendo, Squaresoft leveraged the impressive capabilities of the PlayStation 1 to drive the development of their next Final Fantasy installment. Launched in 1997, Final Fantasy 7 left an indelible mark on popular culture, with fans becoming fiercely devoted to ex-SOLDIER Cloud and the Avalanche team, creating a whirlwind in the gaming industry that has yet to subside. As one of the first games to integrate pre-rendered backgrounds with 3D characters, Final Fantasy 7 skillfully blended elements of drama, comedy, science fiction, and cyberpunk.

The way it switched between various elements and connected them all in a significant manner throughout an extensive 3-part journey was nothing less than outstanding. In the 1990s and 2000s, Square demonstrated proficiency in this kind of gameplay, building upon their experiences from creating Final Fantasy 7. This approach greatly impacted subsequent games by Square, as the knowledge gained during the development of Final Fantasy 7 was instrumental in shaping their future projects. This period served as a trial for Square, as their ability to take several years to create a captivating adventure that retained its own identity remains noteworthy even today.

1 Metal Gear Solid

Iconic PS1 Game Featured Innovations In Gameplay And Voice Acting

Among all titles, Metal Gear Solid by Hideo Kojima has undeniably shaped the PS1 like no other over the years, earning its reputation as a stealth-action masterpiece and setting the bar for cinematic adventure games. Despite his departure from the series following Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Kojima was enticed to return due to the potential of innovative hardware capabilities. His team was then challenged with crafting a 3D stealth game that would maximize the PlayStation’s abilities to its fullest.

In a league of its own, boasting an immersive 3D environment, stunning soundtrack, and top-notch voice performances, Metal Gear Solid paved the way for numerous acclaimed games we know today. This game was among the pioneers to feature full voice acting, and its cinematic scenes are skillfully orchestrated by Kojima. The internal consistency is remarkable as it uses the in-game engine to produce cutscenes, ensuring a smooth transition from narrative to gameplay. More recently, Metal Gear Solid has been made accessible on contemporary systems with the Master Collection, allowing players to enjoy this influential title effortlessly.

2024-10-30 06:05