The PlayStation 3 was Sony’s third console release on the market when it debuted into markets around the globe in 2006. This PlayStation 2 successor came packed in with a Blu-ray Disc player along with options for remote connectivity towards the PlayStation Portable and later the PlayStation Vita. Much like the norm for console releases, Sony had launched a number of models into the market though the original model might have been more sought after for collectors due to the fact that it had PlayStation 2 backward compatibility.
Regardless, the console was officially discontinued in 2017 leaving a library full of video games. If you’re looking to go back and play some of the more desirable video game titles from the last generation then check out our list below.
We’ve listed out our personal favorite video game titles on the PlayStation 3. There’s a massive library of video game titles so if we missed one of your favorites then let us know by leaving a comment down below! Furthermore, it’s worth mentioning that this is simply our list for the best PlayStation 3 video game titles which is not ranked in any particular order.
Without further ado, here is our list of the best PlayStation 3 titles ever to release.
BioShock Series
Created under development studio Irrational Games, BioShock was a hit when it first launched into the market in 2007. Luckily, all three of the installments that are available in the market can be purchased for the PlayStation 3. The game series acts as an FPS though set in cities that are cut off from the world speaking of which, the first installment takes place in an underwater city known as the Rapture which hosts the location for BioShock 2, an installment that acts as a sequel to the original title.
BioShock Infinite takes on a new story in a city known as Columbia that hovers above the clouds in the sky. All three stories are mature in nature and as of today, there’s no new information set on when we can see the next installment of the franchise.
Irrational Games has since disbanded leaving the IP in the hands of 2K Games who have stated in 2014 that the series would continue on. For now, we’ll have to wait and see just if we get a new main installment on the latest generation consoles. However, the first three titles are well worth the pickup on last gen consoles.
The Walking Dead: The Game
Telltale Games delivered a masterpiece for a video game based on the hit television show The Walking Dead. The Walking Dead: Season One focuses on a group of survivors of the zombie apocalypse.
Overall the story revolves around Lee Everett, a protagonist that was on his way to jail and Clementine, an eight-year-old girl that finds herself alone in the apocalypse. As players progress through the game, the story will provide different options and choices that will affect relationships with in-game characters. Depending on the choices made, players may find a unique way to reach the end of the game.
Souls Series
The Souls series is noted to be one of the more challenging video games to go through. From the development team, FromSoftware, the souls series holds four installments, the latest of which is only available on current generation consoles.
Each installment plays a third-person adventure title that has a strong focus on timing attacks against the plethora of enemies you’ll encounter. Because of the timing when using weapons and magic, the monsters within the environments can quickly drain a character’s HP causing the series as a whole to be infamous.
Far Cry 3
There are a number of Far Cry video games that are available on the PlayStation 3, but we’re tossing Far Cry 3 in particular on this list. The video game was a massive success when Ubisoft released it into the market and its one that you can still enjoy today.
Much like the past Far Cry video games, Far Cry 3 is an action-adventure FPS, this time set on a tropical island near the Pacific Oceans. Within the game, players take on the role of Jason Brody who is on vacation when things go terribly wrong. Jason Brody finds himself taking on a slew of pirate invaders and rescuing his captive friends before leaving the hostile islands.
Much of the game was praised for its open-world exploration and narrative. We highly suggest checking out this game if you have yet to do so.
Infamous Series
The Infamous series was developed under Sucker Punch Productions and is a Sony exclusive IP. There are a number of installments available though only the first two main installments are available on the PlayStation 3.
Set as an action-adventure platform video game, players take on the role of a conduit which holds a supernatural ability and it’s with this ability that the character will have to morally choose where the narrative goes.
Depending on the choices you make within the game will determine just if your character is good or evil. The first title, Infamous, released back in 2009 and you’ll want to start there as its sequel does take place a month after the events of the narrative campaign.
There is a DLC known as Infamous: Festival of Blood that released in 2011 which takes place during the events of the first Infamous title. Unfortunately, the latest installments, Infamous Second Son and Infamous First Light are only available on the PlayStation 4.
Batman Arkham Series
The Batman Arkham series was created by the development team, Rocksteady Studios and it quickly became a huge series. Overall, the series follows Batman as he cleans up Gotham City over the course of several games, each offering something new to the game as a whole.
Set up as a third-person action-adventure, Batman will use his trained fists and gadgets to solve puzzles and fight off some of the more infamous DC Comics villains such as The Joker. There are a total of four main installments to the Arkham series though there are only three available on this console.
Gamers on this console could only enjoy Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City and lastly, Batman Arkham: Origins. To conclude the Arkham series, gamers would have to move onto the PlayStation 4, Xbox One or PC platform with Batman: Arkham Knight.
Uncharted Series
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6MKnz0aStk
Naughty Dog is a well-known development studio who has brought out several classic series. Back on the PlayStation 3 however, the development team really shined during the course of the console’s lifespan thanks to the Uncharted series.
The video game franchise is often compared to Indiana Jones. Players take on the role of Nathan Drake who charts off on grand adventures in search of lost and mythical treasures. However, each stop seems to bring in a new foe and a supernatural element.
With four main installments to the franchise, only three are available on the PlayStation 3. The latest, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End released exclusively on the PlayStation 4. If you enjoy third-person action-adventure video games and have yet to try the Uncharted series then you’re really missing out.
Portal 2
The Portal series only has two installments and while both are on the console, we suggest looking at Portal 2 if you haven’t. This is a puzzle platformer where players use a portal type weapon to create two holes in the world that links to one another. By entering a portal hole, the character will pop out wherever the second portal is placed.
Though the narrative does follow a bit after the first game, the sequel really shines due to the multiplayer element. Outside of the main campaign, a secondary multiplayer campaign is available with even more complex puzzles that will have to be completed with the help of another gamer.
Fallout 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7a1GVlC9SM
From Bethesda Game Studios, Fallout 3 is a must-play. The third main installment of the Fallout franchise saw the gameplay turn towards a first-person or third-person open world RPG adventure. Players witness the world from inside a controlled vault, though through the narrative campaign, our protagonist enters the real world for the first time.
A nuclear war has destroyed the outside world leaving nothing but decay, small towns, and of course a plethora of creatures. As you explore the open world, players will find that the game will offer a number of quests to take on.
While Fallout 3 is part of the main series, others have found Fallout New Vegas to be an incredible story to go through as well.
Mass Effect Series
The Mass Effect series by developers BioWare is a science fiction action RPG and the original trilogy is available completely for the console. Overall, the story takes place in the distant future where players take control of Commander Shepard when the galaxy becomes threaten by a foe known as the Reapers.
Over the course of the three main video games, players will be fighting back against the Reapers making big choices along the way. Unfortunately, the third installment did receive some criticism from fans as they felt the ending didn’t take in consideration for everyone’s choices, but for the most part, the trilogy is well worth playing through.
Grand Theft Auto V
Rockstar Games has a few hit titles with Grand Theft Auto arguably being the biggest. The latest release within the series, Grand Theft Auto V, remains highly regarded since its launch back in 2013. This particular title came out towards the end of the console lifespan but it still saw plenty of early adopters before eventually making its way on PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Much of the same game mechanics the series is known for remains intact, though this time around, the title allows three playable characters to go through within the game, all of which have their own goals.
Red Dead Redemption
Speaking of Rockstar Games, the development studio also saw the launch of Red Dead Redemption on the console as well. This is the studio’s take on a western style Grand Theft Auto game and it became a massive hit.
Players take on the role of John Marston, an outlaw turned good who seeks to live out his last years living a normal ranch life. However, when his family becomes kidnapped by the United States government, John Marston is forced into doing the government’s bidding.
Visually, the game is outstanding when it launched back in 2010 and the ability to take on a number of quests really allowed the game to feel as if it’s a fully living world. Another interesting aspect Rockstar Games introduced into the game that was unique compared to Rockstar Games previous releases was the random encounter incidents.
As players go through the world, a random instant mission may pop up allowing players to either get involved or look the other way. This particular component was brought over to Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto V release.
Journey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BEComrj0A4
Developed by thatgamecompany, Journey is an indie title that saw success quickly after it launched in 2012. This is a Sony exclusive title where players take control of a robed figure that is traveling among a desert world. This is a puzzle adventure game that was played best with another player online.
The game forced players to work together without the ability to speak, type or even access to their online game tag until after completing the game. Instead, the only means of communication was with a single chime button as you attempt to explore the world and reach the endpoint.
The Last of Us
We’ve mentioned Naughty Dog earlier on this list with their Uncharted series. While Uncharted was a massive hit, that series wasn’t the only big release the development studio saw on the PlayStation 3. The Last of Us saw countless awards once the studio unleashed this video game into the market.
This is an action-adventure survival horror type video game set in a world where a disease that turns people into mindless creatures similar to zombies has started to spread globally. Players take on the role of Joe who must deliver a young girl named Ellie to a group across the United States.
The atmosphere, voice acting, narrative, and gameplay had gamers everywhere enjoying the title. If you have yet to try this Sony exclusive then we recommend picking up the PlayStation 3 title or even the remastered edition on the PlayStation 4.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim by Bethesda Softworks is one title that is still popular and seeing new release to this very day. Released back in 2011, the video game saw players taking on the role of a Dragonborn, one of the last few within the world that is capable of speaking the language of dragons.
This is an open-world action RPG where players can explore the world, take on quests, gather loot, and craft their character’s stats uniquely. While the game is highly beloved, its initial releases did see plenty of bugs and technical issues, but for those who were able to look past that received a game that was easy to sink countless hours into.
God of War III
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZh83utjOPU
God of War III, by SCE Santa Monica Studio, wraps up the Greek mythology trilogy for Kratos. The video game series has been going on since it first launched back on the PlayStation 2. For those who have kept up with the series then you can expect more of the same gameplay in the third installment such as fighting off monsters, gods along with Titans while solving puzzles.
The third installment wrapped up Kratos’ journey in terms of Greek mythology, but Sony is bringing the beloved tempered soul to the Norse mythology with the soft reboot release, God of War, on the PlayStation 4.
Heavy Rain
Developed under Quantic Dream, Heavy Rain is an interactive drama action-adventure title that acts similar to a film noir. The video game follows four protagonists in a quest to solve the Origami Killer mystery. Much of the game is through quick time events as the story progresses and there are a number of choices available which will alter certain scenes and endings. If you have yet to enjoy the game then we recommend picking the title up or its remastered release on the PlayStation 4.
Tales of Berseria
There are a number of Tales video games available but for this list, we included the latest, Tales of Berseria, which acts as a prequel to Tales of Zestiria. The video game is an action RPG where players take the role of a young woman named Velvet Crowe who is out for vengeance after she is betrayed by someone who she once saw as family. As mentioned, the Tales series has a few installments on the PlayStation 3 such as Tales of Xilla which is another highly regarded installment available on the console.
Life is Strange
Developed by Dontnod Entertainment, Life is Strange is a fantastic interactive episodic series, that plays out similarly to Telltale Games releases. The narrative journey follows Max Caulfield who returns to Arcadia Bay in order to take part in a photography class. With Arcadia Bay being her old hometown, Max finds herself reconnecting with her old best friend, Chloe Price who was left in shambles after Max moved away.
Max finds herself with a new power of rewinding time and with it, the duo seek out to solve a dark mystery that is surrounding the town along with a premonition of the destruction of their town.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjYE7GkZg-A
The Metal Gear Solid series is known for their in-depth narrative stories with the fourth main installment, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots following Solid Snake who finds himself aging prematurely. Now tasked with a mission to take out Liquid Snake, Solid Snake is forced into a new battle against the clock.
If you enjoyed the past installments of the Metal Gear Solid franchise then you’ll feel right at home with this fourth installment. However, if you’re new to the series, starting off with the fourth installment may prove to be troublesome with the story narrative.
