The Last of Us 2013
Why it still holds upToday the fights still come down to scarcity: retreating and coming back from another angle is often the way through, in levels open enough to improvise in.
PlayStation 3 games that still hold up
First released on the PlayStation 3
Games
The Last of Us 2013
Why it still holds upToday the fights still come down to scarcity: retreating and coming back from another angle is often the way through, in levels open enough to improvise in.
Portal 2 2011
Why it still holds upA few simple tools that combine keep producing new puzzles, and the writing and characters carry them, so it still plays well today.
Persona 5 2016
Why it still holds upEven now it stands out for its style and structure, since a year of school becomes a rhythm of days, dungeons and people.
Grand Theft Auto V 2013
Why it still holds upToday the reward for your time is the detail: conversations while driving change if you repeat a mission, and the story takes about 30 hours.
Red Dead Redemption 2010
Why it still holds upThe restraint helps it now, since the world is full of life and your attention stays on varied, well designed missions.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves 2009
Why it still holds upIt stays playable now because you keep control of Nathan almost every time something happens on screen, and the characters talk like people.
On sale
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2011
Why it still holds upToday the freedom still carries it: after a linear introduction you can go anywhere, and side quests range from short errands to adventures as long as the main story.
On sale
Batman: Arkham City 2011
Why it still holds upEach enemy type asks for a different answer and gliding between fights keeps the pace up, which keeps it worth playing today.
On sale
Fallout: New Vegas 2010
Why it still holds upFaction choices that lock out other routes, and skills that open dialogue, still make your decisions count today.
Assassin's Creed II 2009
Why it still holds upFree running and a choice of how to handle each situation, with several ways past the guards, are the draw today, in a Renaissance Italy with an orchestral score.
Dark Souls 2011
Why it still holds upPlayed now, exploring still pays: it turns up items, shortcuts and hidden areas, and the slow, precise combat almost never ends in a cheap death.
On sale
Dragon Age: Origins 2009
Why it still holds upIts world and its choices keep it worth playing now: many dilemmas have no clear good or evil side, so the decisions are yours to weigh.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots 2008
Why it still holds upCamouflage, bought weapons or a run without killing give you different ways through the same act, which is the reason to go back to it now.
On sale
BioShock Infinite 2013
Why it still holds upThe first hours let you wander Columbia at your own pace, and Elizabeth works as a partner in the fights, which keeps it enjoyable today.
Dead Space 2 2011
Why it still holds upIts atmosphere is why it still works: the lighting and the sound design keep you on edge from start to finish.
On sale
The Walking Dead 2012
Why it still holds upA story built around one relationship is why it still plays well: the voice acting carries it, and the choices come under time pressure.
On sale
Batman: Arkham Asylum 2009
Why it still holds upThe loop of combat and gadgets is why it still plays well: it joins gadgets, fighting and characterisation into a game about being Batman.
Dead Space 2008
Why it still holds upBecause the interface is in the world and the game never pauses, the Ishimura never lets you step away, which keeps it tense today.
Mass Effect 3 2012
Why it still holds upCarrying choices from game to game is the reason to play it today, in order from the first game.
God of War III 2010
Why it still holds upToday it still offers combat built on chained combos and weapon switching, on a very large scale.
On sale
Journey 2012
Why it still holds upWith three controls and a world that keeps introducing something new instead of repeating, it is still worth the few hours it takes.
On sale
Dishonored 2012
Why it still holds upLevels with several ways in, and a world that reacts to how you played them, are the reason to play it today.
Yakuza 0 2015
Why it still holds upIt is worth playing now for a dense, hand built city where serious crime drama sits beside absurd comic side stories, in a prequel that needs no earlier game.
On sale
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain 2015
Why it still holds upWhat it still offers is a big sandbox where you choose how each infiltration goes, and where the base, the soldiers and the weapons you research feed into the next mission.
On sale
Alien: Isolation 2014
Why it still holds upThe Alien is driven by systems rather than scripts, and hiding, noise and scarce resources turn every room into a risk, which is the reason to play it today.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2007
Why it still holds upWhat it still offers is a tight campaign followed by a multiplayer loop of leveling and class building made to be replayed.
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception 2011
Why it still holds upIts set pieces blend climbing, shooting and escape in single sequences rather than separate modes, and that is why it is still worth playing now.
On sale
Deus Ex: Human Revolution 2011
Why it still holds upIt still rewards a visit for levels with several routes and fine environmental detail, and for its mix of stealth, combat and conversation.
On sale
Tales from the Borderlands 2014
Why it still holds upWriting and voice acting that balance comedy against drama in varied scenarios are the reason to play it now.
Demon's Souls 2009
Why it still holds upLarge, distinct and believably connected areas, and careful stamina based fights with gradual improvement as the core loop, are the reason to play it now.
On sale
Borderlands 2 2012
Why it still holds upAn enormous range of guns and four class builds are the reason to replay it now, and co op scaling lets friends share the same quests.
On sale
Grand Theft Auto IV 2008
Why it still holds upToday it is still a satirical Liberty City full of radio, TV and side activities, with a story of conflicting choices.
South Park: The Stick of Truth 2014
Why it still holds upIt is built as a playable episode of the show, with the town explored as a real map and every fight framed as the kids' fantasy game, and that is the reason to play it now.
Far Cry 3 2012
Why it still holds upFive core systems, sneaking, shooting, driving, exploring and hunting, all feed the same leveling system, so the same encounter plays out differently depending on stealth, firepower and wildlife, and that is the reason to play it now.
On sale
Fallout 3 2008
Why it still holds upIf you play it now, it is for an open world whose exploration is optional and whose quests respond to different approaches.
Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag 2013
Why it still holds upThe open sea gives a loop distinct from the city based games, which makes it worth sailing today.
On sale
The Wolf Among Us 2013
Why it still holds upIt is a detective story built on conversation choices rather than reflexes, and that is why it is worth playing now.
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch 2011
Why it still holds upStudio Ghibli's animation and a long adventure built around collecting and training familiars still stand up today.
Life Is Strange 2015
Why it still holds upBecause the rewind lets you test a choice before you commit to it, you can still experiment inside a game of choices and consequences today.
Assassin's Creed Brotherhood 2010
Why it still holds upRecruits to call in, a city you invest in and kills you can chain still make Rome a place you build up as you fight today.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock 2007
Why it still holds upStrumming and fretting in time with the notes, with a multiplier that builds on a streak, still makes each song a test of timing today.
Dragon Age: Inquisition 2014
Why it still holds upHub regions with optional content, and a Tactical View for harder fights, still let you set the pace of each region today.
On sale
Metro: Last Light 2013
Why it still holds upFilter timers and scarce ammo put constant pressure on every trip, and that still gives each trip outside its tension today.
Rayman Origins 2011
Why it still holds upNew abilities and play styles keep arriving, so familiar platforming ideas keep getting a twist, and the controls still answer quickly today.
On sale
XCOM: Enemy Unknown 2012
Why it still holds upVisible hit chances and a strategic layer where every choice costs something elsewhere still keep each decision a readable risk today.
On sale
Valkyria Chronicles 2008
Why it still holds upA map for commanding and a third person view for aiming still let you plan like a commander and then aim like a soldier today.
L.A. Noire 2011
Why it still holds upWith interrogation as the core loop, reading faces and backing accusations with evidence, the detective work still rests on the cases rather than on shooting today.
Spec Ops: The Line 2012
Why it still holds upOrdinary shooter systems turned toward the protagonist's choices, with missions, hints and environment all pushing one theme, still make it play as one argument today.