Why There Is No Longer A Place For Mediocrity In Video Games

Like everyone else, I was quite surprised by the PlayStation 5 Pro’s massive price tag, but looking at recent video games like Black Myth: Wukong, it makes sense why Sony is pushing for higher prices. My first console was a used PlayStation 4 that I managed to get my hands on way back in 2015 without breaking the bank, and it was quite the steal when I look back at how many memories I have had with it.

It was the console that started my love for Soulslikes with Bloodborne. It was where I began Kratos’ new chapter when God of War launched in 2018 and also the one that I used to swing through the streets of New York In Marvel’s Spider-Man.

It’s also the reason that I believe my PlayStation 5 has not justified its price tag even after four years of new memories and brilliant moments.

Should Console-Exclusive Titles Continue to Exist?

There are two titles that come to mind when I think about the best console-exclusive titles that I was fortunate enough to play on the PS4.

Ghost of Tsushima blew me away with its incredibly well-tuned combat and a narrative that was full of nuance and subtle commentary on a land plagued by conflict, fuelling Jin Sakai’s desperate decisions to abandon all that he knew about honor and valor in order to gain the upper hand against his enemies. It was also among the best iterations of feudal Japan I had seen in a video game at the time.

Similarly, Horizon Zero Dawn had me marveling at the minds that could create a post-apocalyptic world populated by dinosaur-like robots and sell it with such confidence, getting me equally invested in Aloy’s search for the truth of her birth as well as the events that brought the world to its knees in the past.

The conclusions of both of these games continue to fascinate me. They stayed with me long after the credits rolled and are a major part of any discussion I have with non-gamer friends about why video games are the best story-telling mediums in modern entertainment.

They are also why I believe that the current generation of console-exclusive titles is underwhelming when compared to their previous-gen counterparts and that there really is no place in modern gaming for titles that deliver sub-par experiences anymore.

Only The Best Video Games for the Best Consoles

With the current generation of consoles bringing an unprecedented potential for improved visuals and innovative mechanics to the table, my decision to get my hands on a PlayStation 5 back in 2020 was almost a no-brainer. I could not wait to see what the best of the industry could come up with given the new tools at their disposal.

Sadly, I remain disappointed with most console-exclusive titles I’ve played so far. Yes, Horizon Forbidden West expanded on the size, scope, and visuals of its predecessor, but it also played it safe with the game’s combat and narrative, choosing to make minor changes to an established formula that did not have me staring slack-jawed at my screen the way that Zero Dawn did.

Rise of the Ronin had me very excited to dive into another open-world iteration of Japan, but I was quickly finding myself tired of going through the same activities over and over again while fighting off enemies with combat mechanics that tried and failed.

What’s worse, both of these games were expensive. When factoring in the PS5’s high price tag, I do believe that the previous generation of consoles and games offered a lot more value for my money in the long term.

Rise of the Ronin took a long time to develop—a situation that is becoming increasingly common with modern games. It’s probably why I had such high expectations for a game from Team Ninja, a well-reputed presence in the industry.

And yet, it is a relatively unknown studio that has managed to create a title that I am happy to play on my PS5. Game Science’s take on Journey to the West delivers on all fronts in Black Myth: Wukong, making me feel as powerful as the Monkey King while it weaves in elements of Chinese literature in ways that make sense narratively while tying into its addictive gameplay loop.

What’s more, it is cheaper than the other two games I’ve discussed here, despite a development cycle that was similarly long. It showcases a shift towards more expensive game development with increased expectations for quality.

In the past, I would not have minded a game like Rise of the Ronin considering that another game would have quickly come along to make me forget about it. However, with the decline in the number of premium releases per year, subpar experiences tend to linger longer in my mind and even make me hesitate to take on potentially great ones in the bargain.

Black Myth: Wukong’s success is a wake-up call for AAA gaming studios. It shows them that gamers have become more discerning and that excellent visuals and giant maps are no substitutes for quality titles that deliver unforgettable experiences.

It’s time for the best of the gaming industry to pull up their socks and truly make the most of what modern consoles can do while pushing their own creative boundaries to create games that justify their price tags and the high expectations among gamers that they inevitably give rise to.