Whether reliving classic adventures or exploring bold new landscapes, it's been a great year for PlayStation fans.
From long-anticipated game releases and the launch of the PS5, this is our pick for the best PlayStation exclusive of 2020.
Winner: The Last of Us Part 2
Debuting early in a year of fantastic PlayStation exclusives, The Last of Us Part II remains a standout blend of rich storytelling and insanely satisfying gameplay. The level of polish here is incredible; every frame of every cutscene and each gameplay encounter have been so meticulously crafted that it's impossible not to appreciate the level of care put in by Naughty Dog. From the small-but-important details - like the near-flawless blending of character animations – to the marvelously open-ended stealth and combat encounters, to its brilliant story that constantly forces characters to reckon with the consequences of their actions, every moment of this long-awaited sequel is striking. The Last of Us Part II is easily one of the best games the PS4 has to offer – not just of 2020, but of the entire generation.
The Last of Us Part 2 was also IGN's People's Choice pick for this year's best PlayStation exclusive! Listen to Neil Druckmann's reation to winning, and for more, check out our full Last of Us 2 review here!
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See the Last of Us Part II at Amazon
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Below you'll find all our other favorite PS exclusives from 2020.
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Watch the video/click through the gallery above or scroll down for the full list!
Demon's Souls Remake
As one of the only games on the PS5's launch lineup developed exclusively for the PlayStation 5, and as a remake of one of the most beloved cult classics of all time, Demon's Souls had a lot to live up to. Fortunately, it surpasses those expectations and then some.
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Bluepoint's remake of From Software's first Souls game is a triumphant success that carefully balances a strict adherence to the core of what made the original so successful, with necessary quality of life improvements that brought the 11-year-old game up to modern standards. The result is a game that looks stunning, plays as though it's the latest entry in the Souls series as opposed to the first, and still maintains that same degree of punishing difficulty that makes it such a satisfying challenge to overcome.
For more, check out our full Demon's Souls review here!
Final Fantasy 7 Remake
We've seen plenty of remakes over the years, but nothing is quite like Final Fantasy VII. Square's classic PlayStation RPG comes back to life for 2020 in way that is so stunning, so unpredictable, and so damn cool that fans of the original and newcomers alike will find something to love. At the heart of this classic, but decidedly truncated, story is an ensemble that demands your affection right out the gate. Each and every member of Avalanche manages to endear themselves to you effortlessly, by the end of this story you can't help but root for the ones you love and mourn the ones you lost. An incredible battle system, blistering action set-pieces, and over-the-top dialogue make Final Fantasy VII Remake an unforgettable swan-song for the PS4.
For more, check out our full FF7 Remake review here!
See Final Fantasy 7 Remake at Amazon
Ghost of Tsushima
Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima is the studio's most engrossing open-world yet. Every design decision in Ghost feels predicated on the idea of encouraging and rewarding the player's curiosity, from the way its map screen reveals itself to the guiding wind that leads players along the way to the simple joy of standing on a mountaintop, taking in the landscape, and picking a destination. Ghost does a wonderful job of making the journey from one significant point to the next meaningful, whether it be in the various environmental activities that have you following foxes or platforming up treacherous terrain to a shrine, or in the layered story approach.
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There are main objectives Jin Sakai can follow sure, but some of Ghost's richest storytelling paths take you into the side character-specific storylines or through everyday tasks that paint a picture of life on Tsushima. The sadness and small joys brought to life by a people besieged by war and hoping to find peace is beautifully illustrated – literally and figuratively, as Jin's quest takes him all around the island, which is just flat-out one of the most beautiful open worlds we've ever seen. Ghost makes exploring every facet of its world a true joy.
For more, check out our full Ghost of Tsushima review here!
See Ghost of Tsushima at Amazon
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
As if there wasn't enough evidence already, Spider-Man: Miles Morales proves just how lucky Sony is to officially have developer Insomniac as a first-party studio now. Simultaneously launching on PS4 and PS5 (on the console's launch day), Insomniac delivered one of the PS4's best exclusives and a fantastic showcase for the power of the PS5.
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At launch, its beautiful resolution mode is a sight to behold, with 4K visuals and ray tracing making NYC come alive like never before in a game, while the resolution mode makes 60fps web-swinging a revelation. And that's all, frankly, just the cherry on top of a beautiful Miles Morales origin story and fun, meaningful evolutions of the original Spider-Man's combat and side quest design that are meaningful and engaging while simultaneously bringing everything back to its charming core – Miles, himself.
For more, check out our full Spider-Man: Miles Morales review here!
See Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales at Amazon
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More Game of the Year Awards
There are plenty of other awards beyond just the PlayStation exclusive! Check out all our platform, genre, and design winners - and, of course, our picks for this year’s GotY - below!