Why Every PlayStation Game Feels Like the Same Story

PlayStation has long been celebrated for its first-party titles, renowned for cinematic storytelling and engaging gameplay. However, recent trends indicate a recurring theme across many of its major releases, leaving players questioning the variety in narratives. This article explores why every PlayStation game feels like the same story, primarily centered around themes of grief and revenge.

Common Themes in PlayStation Games

Recently, major PlayStation titles have increasingly focused on similar story arcs. This has led to a feeling of repetitiveness among players. Some of the most notable games include:

• Ghost of Yotei: Set in 17th-century Japan, this game follows Atsu on a journey of revenge after her parents’ murder.
• The Last of Us Part 2 (2020): Focuses on Ellie’s pursuit of vengeance following the death of her father figure, Joel.
• God of War Series: Explores themes of loss, particularly in God of War and its sequel, Ragnarok (2022).
• Spider-Man Series: Follows both Peter Parker and Miles Morales as they navigate their superhero responsibilities along with their parental issues.
• Returnal (2020): Centers around Selene and her grief-related trauma within a sci-fi nightmare.
• Death Stranding 2: While not strictly first-party, it heavily features themes of parental anguish.

Repetitive Storytelling

These games, although well-crafted, portray heavy narratives that revolve around familial grief. The focused themes raise concerns about originality in storytelling. Nostalgia for the past prompts questions about future titles:

• Will upcoming releases, such as Insomniac’s Wolverine and Saros, break the mold?
• Will Naughty Dog’s new title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, focus on lighter themes?

The Impact of COVID-19

Interestingly, many of these games were developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time marked by hardship and loss. Themes of grief may reflect the collective experience of players and creators alike. This raises the question:

• Will future narratives continue this trend or explore new themes?

As the world emerges from the pandemic, players hope for a resurgence of diverse storytelling, similar to the varied narratives found in past titles like Uncharted or LittleBigPlanet.

Conclusion

The trend of exploring grief and revenge in PlayStation’s recent games has led to a sense of thematic repetition. While these titles offer great gameplay and narrative depth, the gaming community expresses a desire for more varied storytelling. Upcoming releases hold potential for change, suggesting that future PlayStation games may break away from familiar patterns. Players eagerly await the refreshing diversity that characterized previous generations of PlayStation titles.