It’s About Time Sony Tried Something Other Than Cinematic “Movie” Games

Over the years, video games have evolved in countless ways. Visuals, gameplay mechanics, storytelling, art direction, and open-world design are all day and night compared to past games. However, these changes and the evolutionary process were not all necessarily better. Games are a lot more photorealistic now, no doubt, but are they decisively more fun? 

Of course, creative, entertaining, thought-provoking, and meaningful adventures exist today, but the stagnation of video game design philosophy has become commonplace. Rarely do we see companies straying from the tried-and-tested, to the extent that it all feels more of the same. A good example of this is Sony’s recent works, the so-called “movie games.”

Sony And “Movie Games” Go Hand In Hand

Before I begin, I should make it clear that I don’t necessarily hate Sony’s new approach to its games. In fact, games like The Last of Us and God of War are some of the best games of current times for many gamers. What I want to highlight is a need for change, something different and creative, not the same old cinematic experience, which is honestly overused at this point.

Turn back time to the PS1-PS2 era, and you’ll see Sony creating versatile and creative games one after the other. Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, the original God of War, Sly Cooper, Parappa the Rapper, Gravity Rush, Killzone, Ratchet and Clank, Jak and Daxter, there was a little something for everyone.

I miss when Sony used to make games instead of cinematic pseudo-films.
byu/Luke_IAmYourDaddy ingravityrush

I don’t know where it went streamlined, but Sony saw success in third-person action-adventure games with a cinematic presentation and deep story focus, and then decided “This is going to be my thing now.” Every subsequent game, though each different individually, didn’t exactly abandon this one formula.

God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, The Last of Us, Spider-Man, Ghost of Tsushima, all of these games are vastly different, yet fundamentally the same, to the point that I know exactly what to expect from a Sony game when it comes out. And I haven’t been proven wrong yet. 

Is just me or modern Sony games feel the same?
byu/New_Signature_5202 inpatientgamers

Versatility And Experimentation Is Nonexistent

While all these games were solid in their own way, this “cinematic experience over creative gameplay and unique design” approach is something I grow tired of now. Sony of the past experimented with new, versatile ideas and broke ground for many innovative concepts. Today, all we see are movie games.

If you ask me, the big-budget blockbuster AAA mentality is to blame. The humongous budgets for these AAA games and their lengthy development cycles are extremely unsustainable. The loss toleration is dangerously low, which is why these companies stick with the tried and tested, and kill something that makes even 10 cents less profit than their expectations, no matter how entertaining or creative.

AAA innovation is dead
by ingaming

Take a look at the recent Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Sony played it a little too safe and avoided anything different like the plague, and the game suffered as a result. Despite being a solid entry, it failed to make a buzz where it mattered and ended up losing to all its competitors. 

The last time Sony created something ingenious and entertainingly versatile was Returnal. I praised the hell out of that game then, and I still consider it among Sony’s best works. Unfortunately, it didn’t do as well financially as Sony wanted, and thus the tech giant was back to the cinematic adventures that sold.

RETURNAL is to me the only perfect game I have ever played. Got over 350 hours on ps5 but havent played in over a year. I started the PC version yesterday…its so fresh to start from the beginning and experience everythin once again. Got to biome 2 with my “first” run. Cant wait to get home!
byu/J33Ns inReturnal

Astro Bot Is The Best Sony Game In Ages

All these above-mentioned points are exactly why I’m so deathly excited about Astro Bot. Ever since I saw that game, I fell in love. It was nothing like I had come to expect from the Sony of today, which is precisely what made it so attractive. I mean, take a look at it and tell me you don’t get an extreme PS2-era nostalgia. That game is what I wanted Sony, and the entire gaming industry to do.

crazy how much more exciting astro bot looks than everything else

there's so much variety

— hatok (@HatokTalk) May 30, 2024

No matter how good a cinematic and photorealistic adventure is, it can never beat a creatively hilarious game that lets you do the most dumbest yet fun things imaginable, at least for me. 

Astro Bot is a culmination of Sony’s rich history, and a throwback to those creative times when the company was all about experimenting with creative ideas and making something unique and different, all the while upholding the mantle of “have a ton of fun.” It’s the game I’m most looking forward to; I can’t wait to hunt every possible easter egg and reference.

I'm completely obsessed with Astro Bot!
The fact that one of PlayStations biggest games of 2024 is a 3D Platformer that harkens back to the founding roots of what made PlayStation in the first place, I almost feel like I'm in a fever dream – https://t.co/e1Uqfi7Le4 pic.twitter.com/23At1AxusD

— Cynical (@thegamersjoint) June 4, 2024

More Games Like This, Please

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say this again. Sony needs to create more games like Astro Bot now. Hell, everyone needs to. Creativity and ingenuity before anything is precisely why indie games and Nintendo’s works are so beloved. Companies need to get out of this blockbuster AAA and live service craze and pursue something innovative like this.

I know full well that a project like Astro Bot is a massive risk these days, but then again, everything we consider a hit today was once a risk. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Besides, it’s the monstrous budgets that lead to crazy-high profit expectations. Games like Astro Bot can stay short and sweet, no need to exaggerate them beyond belief. 

Video games do not need to look and feel like real life
byu/Thuctran1706 inunpopularopinion

Short, AA games can maintain creativity and experimentation in today’s gaming, can gauge player interest in a particular concept and genre which can then be magnified in scale if necessary, pad up the lengthy development times of larger AAA games, and keep things from getting monotonous, it’s a win-win in every way.