Year of release: 2021

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: BioWare

Genre: third-person action-RPG

Game Mode: Single-player

Approximate duration: 60 hours for the main story and 145 for the entire trilogy

In the distant future, mankind has mastered interstellar travel and discovered that the universe is inhabited by other intelligent beings. Among them are warlike Krogan, disciplined Turians, mysterious Azari and many other races with their own traditions and laws.

The main character, the senior mate of the ship “Normandy” Shepard, is sent to the planet Eden Prime – there suddenly interrupted communication with the colony. But a simple reconnaissance mission turns into a battle with the Reapers – ancient machines determined to wipe out all organic life forms from the face of the galaxy.

The war will unfold over the course of three installments. Shepard will not only fight, but also negotiate, unravel intrigues and gather allies. His team will include soldiers, criminals, scientists and even those who are responsible for the destruction of entire civilizations.

Why it’s worth playing

For newcomers, Mass Effect Legendary Edition is the perfect entry point into the series, and for veterans, it’s an excuse to relive the iconic story. The re-release includes all add-ons, including key story episodes and missions with new characters.

The franchise offers the best space adventure in the gaming industry. The first installment captivates with a Star Trek atmosphere where exploration goes hand in hand with diplomacy and action. The second turns the game into a tense action movie with preparations for a suicide mission. And the third plunges into a full-scale war that engulfs Earth and other worlds.

But most importantly, you are the one writing the story. Your decisions will change the fate of entire civilizations. Is it worth forgiving a race that once nearly destroyed the galaxy? Is it possible to reconcile enemies who have fought for centuries? How to preserve love in the midst of war? The answers to these questions will make each playthrough unique and will make you think until the final credits.

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Release Years: 2018-2022

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Developer: Santa Monica Studio

Genre: third-person action games

Game Mode: Single-player

Approximate duration: 20 hours for the main plot of the first installment and 46 for the entire dilogy.

Kratos, the fearsome god of war, once ruthlessly slaughtered his enemies. But he left his bloody past behind and began a new life in the harsh lands of Scandinavia. There he met the warrior Faye and became a father.

A few years later, Fay dies, and Kratos, together with his son Atreus, sets out to fulfill her last will – to scatter her ashes on the top of the highest mountain. However, the journey is full of dangers: for some reason the Scandinavian gods consider Kratos a threat and want him dead.

In God of War: Ragnarök father and son again find themselves in the center of large-scale events. This time Thor himself and his father, Odin, the ruler of Asgard, burst into their home. The tense meeting quickly escalates into a fierce battle, and Kratos only miraculously survives.

Now the heroes must challenge Asgard itself. They intend to raise an army to stop Odin and put an end to his tyranny. But to do this, they must first find the Scandinavian god of war – Tyr.

Why it’s worth playing

The new God of War breathes life into the legendary series. Kratos still crushes his enemies with powerful blows, but now he is older and wiser. Instead of endless extermination of gods, the story focuses on the complex relationship between father and son, their attempts to understand each other.

The narrative chamberliness contrasts with the scale of the Scandinavian world. Kratos and Atreus visit the dark Helheim, the mysterious islands in the middle of the great lake and meet the World Serpent himself.

In Ragnarök, the story reaches an epic finale. In the first part, players explored six worlds, but in the sequel there are nine, including Asgard, the stronghold of Odin, Thor and their army. Atreus has grown up, became more independent and now more often fights on an equal footing with his father.

The combat system remains as powerful and dynamic, but there is more variety in Ragnarök. Kratos’ new magic spear is great for both close and long-range combat. Boss battles have also become more interesting: instead of the repetitive trolls, now the enemies are dragons, centaurs and fierce Vikings.

Both parts look amazing even on PlayStation 4, but Ragnarök unleashes its full graphical power on PlayStation 5. After completing the main story, be sure to try the free Valhalla add-on – it wraps up the Scandinavian saga beautifully and ties it back to Kratos’ Greek past.

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Release Years: 2017-2022

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Developer: Guerrilla Games

Genre: third-person action games

Game Mode: Single-player

Approximate duration: 30 hours for the main story of the first part and 60 for the entire dilogy.

Horizon Zero Dawn is a unique game that instantly grabs attention thanks to its stunning concept that combines elements of science fiction, post-apocalypse and a wilderness filled with mechanical dinosaurs. Developed by Guerrilla Games studio and released exclusively for PlayStation 4 in 2017, the game quickly won the hearts of millions of gamers around the world. It’s not just an action-adventure game, but a true epic in which players explore a shattered world filled with both the mysteries of the past and the threats of the future.

The world of Horizon Zero Dawn: Nature comes alive in a world of technology

Horizon Zero Dawn is set in a post-apocalyptic future where humanity is facing a catastrophe caused by its own technological advances. Dinosaur-like mechanical creatures have become an integral part of the new world’s ecosystem, and all that remains of ancient humans are just ruins and memories.

The main character of the game is Eloi, a young hunter and tracker who embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets of her origins and understand what led the world to disaster. In this world, nature has regained its balance, but technological monsters such as mechanical herbivores and predators still threaten the survival of the people living in the tribes.

Mechanical dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurs, Triceratops, Brachiosaurs and many others are some of the most colorful and impressive elements of the game. These artificial creatures, designed to perform various functions, have now become major threats to the surviving humans. Each type of mechanical creature has its own features, weaknesses and ways to interact with them.

Gameplay and mechanics

Horizon Zero Dawn combines elements of open world, action-adventure and RPG. Players will explore vast locations, explore hidden corners of the world, and battle mechanical dinosaurs using a variety of weapons and strategies.

One of the most exciting aspects of the game is hunting the mechanical creatures. Unlike normal animals, mechanical dinosaurs have their own unique vulnerabilities that must be learned and utilized in battle. For example, some robots have armored parts that you need to destroy to weaken them. You can also remove parts from them, which will be useful for creating new weapons and upgrades.

Aloy will not only have to fight, but also use his environment to win. A lot of natural objects can be used as hiding places or traps. In addition, the game gives the player the opportunity to explore the ruins of ancient civilizations, search for notes and artifacts to gather information about how humanity came to its downfall.

Graphics and World Design

One of the main strengths of Horizon Zero Dawn is its stunning graphics. The world of the game has been meticulously detailed, and every element, from destroyed cities to wild forests, looks incredibly detailed and alive. The mechanical dinosaurs look so believable that the player can feel their reality despite their artificial origins.

The game’s graphics are incredibly beautiful, and this is especially noticeable when traveling through the various biomes, which range from dense forests to arid wastelands. The use of lighting techniques and dynamic weather effects adds to the atmosphere and helps players immerse themselves in the game’s world. The mechanical dinosaurs, despite their metallic nature, blend seamlessly into their surroundings, creating a unique blend of technology and wildlife.

Plot and Philosophy

One of the most intriguing aspects of Horizon Zero Dawn is its plot, which touches on ecology, technology, and humanity. Players will have to unravel the mystery of the fall of civilization and understand how a world that once had a highly advanced civilization came to decline.

The plot includes many unexpected twists and turns, and the game’s philosophy touches on important themes such as how technology can both save and destroy, and what man’s place is in this world. Through characters like Aloy, players explore what it means to be a part of this world when much of its history is hidden in the past.

Reactions from players and critics

When Horizon Zero Dawn was released, it received instant acclaim from critics and players alike. The game was praised for its innovative concept, engaging story, and gorgeous graphics. It brought a revolutionary change to the open world genre, offering players a whole new experience in the adventure game genre. Soon after its release, the game won several awards, including recognition for best action game and best new franchise.

Conclusion

Horizon Zero Dawn isn’t just a game, it’s a true work of art that combines amazing elements of science, nature, and technology. It’s a game that makes you think about the future of our civilization and how our dependence on technology can affect the future of the planet. Mechanical dinosaurs, an open world and a compelling story make Horizon Zero Dawn not only one of the best games for PlayStation 4, but also a true masterpiece in the adventure game genre.

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Year of release: 2020

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Developer: Sucker Punch Productions

Genre: third-person action

Game modes: Single-player, Multiplayer

Approximate duration: 25 hours for the main story and 60 for the whole game.

1274 – A Mongol army invades the Japanese island of Tsushima. Samurai Jin Sakai and his uncle, the rulerShimura, try to stop the invaders, but are defeated. Shimura is captured, and Jin miraculously survives.

Realizing that it is impossible to defeat the Mongols in a fair fight, the hero decides to change tactics. He goes in search of allies and learns the art of stealthy assassination in order to free his uncle and drive the enemy from his native land.

Why it’s worth playing

Despite not having the most advanced graphics, Ghost of Tsushima is one of the most picturesque games of its time. Sun-drenched meadows, scarlet fields of flowers, golden groves – every frame looks like a hokku-inspired painting. The game even offers special mechanics for composing them.

Ghost of Tsushima is created with a love for classic samurai movies. The developers were inspired by the works of Akira Kurosawa, and for complete immersion they added “Kurosawa Mode” – a black and white filter and modified sound that creates an atmosphere of old movies.

For those who want to expand the adventure, there’s a Director’s Cut edition with the Iki Island add-on. In it, Jin travels to a neighboring island where new challenges, enemies, and a deep personal story await him.

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Year of release: 2019

Publisher: WB Games

Developer: NetherRealm Studios

Genre: fighting game

Game modes: single-player, multiplayer

Approximate duration: 6 hours for the main story, but you can play until you get bored of it.

The Time Lord Kronika is determined to restore the balance of the universe, even if it means resetting reality itself. To defeat such a powerful foe, the heroes of Mortal Kombat 11 are forced to team up with longtime adversaries, rewrite the course of history, and even face younger versions of themselves.

Why it’s worth playing

While fighting games are rarely praised for their story, Mortal Kombat 11 is an exception. The story here is on the level of a Hollywood action movie, with large-scale battles, unexpected twists and turns, and fun moments where characters fight with their doppelgangers from the past.

The game is perfect for both single-player and friendly battles. Beginners will quickly figure out the controls, and for those who want to test themselves, there’s practice and ranked online matches.

Even on PS4, Mortal Kombat 11 looks crisp and smooth, keeping frame rates high even in the most intense fights.

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Year of release: 2018.

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Developer: Quantic Dream.

Genre: open world third-person action game.

Game Mode: Single-player.

Approximate duration: 18 hours for the main story and 35 for the entire game.

New York, 2018. For eight years, Spider-Man has been keeping the city safe from criminals, but the quiet times are coming to an end. Mr. Negative – the head of a powerful Chinese group – gets in his way. He frees Peter Parker’s old enemies and begins to threaten his loved ones. Now Spidey will have to save the city again and send the villains behind bars.

Why you should play

Marvel’s Spider-Man is a benchmark open-world superhero game. New York City is alive and detailed: you can fly freely on the web, run on the roofs of skyscrapers and even take selfies with passersby. Residents of the city react to the hero – they applaud after victories over criminals and rejoice at his appearance.

Even on PlayStation 4, the game is still impressive. Although the textures and lighting are inferior to the PS5 version, Peter has no problem moving around the city without bogging down.

And if you don’t want to part with New York after the game, you should try Spider-Man: Miles Morales. There the main character changes, but the familiar atmosphere and exciting gameplay remain in place.

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Year of release: 2015

Publisher: WB Games

Developer: Rocksteady Studios

Genre: third-person action

Game Mode: Single-player

Approximate duration: 17 hours for the main story and 31 for the whole game.

Batman: Arkham Knight is the final part of the famous trilogy from Rocksteady. This time Scarecrow joins forces with other Batman enemies and threatens to release a deadly toxin in Gotham. The townspeople flee the metropolis in panic, and the Dark Knight has to save the city in one single night.

Why it’s worth playing

If you’re a Batman fan, Arkham Knight will give you a real treat. All the iconic characters are here, from allies like Nightwing and Commissioner Gordon to enemies including Two-Face and the Enigma. And the key antagonist is the mysterious Arkham Knight, a new character who has challenged Batman himself.

The game offers dozens of hours of content: disarming bombs, detective investigations, puzzles of the Enigma, catching a serial killer and, of course, dynamic chases on the Batmobile with non-lethal weapons.

Arkham Knight’s graphics are still impressive. Rain-drenched Gotham looks almost photorealistic, and the lighting emphasizes its gothic architecture. The realistic facial expressions of the characters are not inferior to modern gaming blockbusters.

Even if you missed the previous installments, don’t worry – Arkham Asylum and Arkham City are available in Return to Arkham remaster, so you can always return to the origins of this dark story.

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Year of release: 2015

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Developers: FromSoftware, Japan Studio

Genre: Action-RPG

Game modes: single-player, multiplayer

Approximate duration: 33 hours for the main story and 44 for the entire game.

A terrible epidemic has broken out in the town of Yarnham, reminiscent of Victorian London. An unknown disease is driving the inhabitants crazy, and some of them are turning into monsters.

Only a mysterious monster hunter can stop the catastrophe. For the sake of saving the city, he explores the gloomy streets, goes beyond its borders and even crosses the boundaries of reality. As time passes, it becomes clear that behind the epidemic lurks something much more sinister than it seemed at first.

Why you should play Bloodborne

Bloodborne is an incredibly atmospheric and tense game. Mad townspeople with torches prowl the dirty streets, a pale moon hangs in the sky, and monsters look like they’ve stepped off the pages of creepy European fairy tales. You will fight with werewolves, trolls and giant spiders.

Battles in the game are fast and demanding. Any mistake can cost lives, even ordinary enemies are capable of inflicting serious damage. However, if you tackle the first location and boost your character a bit, you’ll have one of the best PlayStation exclusives in front of you.

Bloodborne still remains unavailable on PC, so you’ll have to use the console to get acquainted with this dark story.

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