2021 proved a triumphant year for PlayStation, boasting a plethora of fresh trailers, announcements, and game launches across the PS5 and PS4 platforms. Furthermore, the PlayStation PS Now subscription service received consistent updates, resulting in a vast and impressive game library, packed with exceptional titles.
Amidst this flurry of activity, the Sony gaming giant achieved numerous memorable milestones, surpassing rivals and igniting fervent fan discussions. These pivotal moments solidify PlayStation’s status as a leading force in online gaming.
The celebrated return of Ratchet and Clank
The long-awaited comeback of this PlayStation exclusive series in 2021 delighted countless fans. Remarkably, the game emerged as one of PlayStation’s finest releases of the year, showcasing the enduring appeal and charm of the franchise’s past successes.
Despite the PS5’s year-plus market presence, the introduction of major exclusive titles like Ratchet et Clank significantly bolsters the console’s allure, which currently lacks a substantial game catalog. This scarcity partly explains the immense excitement surrounding Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart‘s launch.
God Of War Ragnarok trailer launch
While some enthusiasts felt disheartened by the game’s postponement—a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic and health challenges faced by Kratos’ voice actor, Christophe Judge—Sony’s strategic September unveiling of the sequel’s trailer masterfully sustained fan anticipation.
The trailer skillfully blended gameplay segments and cinematic sequences, portraying Kratos and Atreus confronting unprecedented challenges. The game’s release is presently scheduled for late 2022. Though a lengthy wait, devoted fans will undoubtedly deem it worthwhile if the sequel fulfills expectations.
Enhancements to PS Now
PlayStation has consistently expanded its PS4, PS5, and PC game subscription service with fresh additions. While some titles
Compared to its competitors, PlayStation’s lineup shines, with Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales debuting as an early PS5 success story. PlayStation cleverly leverages the superhero genre’s appeal with this genuine sequel to the original PS4 Spider-Man game.
Although its launch remains distant, PlayStation astutely unveiled a promotional trailer on YouTube, accumulating over 17 million views. This became a prominent PlayStation event of the year, igniting significant fan anticipation.
Uncharted movie trailer
Matching Nintendo’s online triumphs with its Mario Bros. movie cast announcement, PlayStation raised the stakes by releasing a trailer for its popular Uncharted film adaptation. Similarly, the Uncharted movie boasts a stellar ensemble cast, featuring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, sparking considerable buzz among fans.
The movie appears to capture the thrill and unique action of the PlayStation exclusive series, with the trailer showcasing impressive stunts. Even without a new Uncharted game, this unveiling was a significant highlight of the year for PlayStation.
Horizon Zero Dawn: Forbidden West gameplay showcased
Horizon Zero Dawn, a PlayStation 2017 masterpiece, stood out with its exceptional open-world design over the past five years. The visual splendor of this action RPG sequel garnered significant speculation and anticipation following its 2020 announcement.
Despite its release postponement to next year, PlayStation unveiled a brief gameplay preview, effectively capturing fan interest. The gameplay showcases Aloy traversing breathtaking landscapes, suggesting a possible improvement over its predecessor in exploration and adventure.
Gran Turismo’s return
With Gran Turismo 6 over eight years old and Gran Turismo Sport failing to fully replace this esteemed racing franchise, PlayStation’s announcement of Gran Turismo 7 was warmly received. PlayStation engaged the online community differently with this release.
To build anticipation, they strategically released short gameplay snippets and demonstrations, gradually revealing information about Gran Turismo 7. This measured approach only amplified the excitement among racing enthusiasts and PlayStation fans for the series’ comeback.
A connection to Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Given the prominence of Marvel’s Spider-Man games in PlayStation’s lineup, a brief clip from the new Venom movie on the official PlayStation YouTube channel was intriguing. Titled The Birth of Carnage, this video offered a PlayStation-exclusive preview of the upcoming Venom sequel.
While some fans may have mistakenly anticipated a Venom game (which would have been a major win for PlayStation), the film tie-in generated considerable excitement for the new Venom movie and the potential for future collaborations between films and video games within the PlayStation universe.
Five Nights at Freddy’s on PS5
The core Five Nights at Freddy’s collection is already available on PS4 and other consoles. However, the announcement of the recently released Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach for PS5 was a welcome surprise. PS5 owners eager to experience the horror in next-gen quality had ample reason to celebrate.
This announcement also bolstered the PS5’s growing horror game library, which includes titles like Resident Evil: Village, another significant release this year.
The Capcom game is also accessible on other gaming platforms; however, its presence on the PS5 remains a significant advantage for PlayStation users.
Hogwarts Legacy Video Preview
Initially showcased on PlayStation’s YouTube channel in late 2020, this advertisement has garnered immense popularity, becoming a top-viewed trailer of 2021 with a staggering 27 million views. Despite the absence of firm release details and a launch date still slated for the following year, PlayStation cleverly capitalized on the anticipation, allowing the preview to organically generate excitement among fans.
Details about this production remain scarce, apart from its classification as an open-world action RPG situated in the Harry Potter realm. The official website offers supplementary information regarding gameplay and narrative direction, serving as another subtle strategy by PlayStation to further cultivate anticipation for this upcoming release.