Sony’s PlayStation 3 may be the ultimate console of all time, as it gave birth to some of the best games that people still remember in 2022. These titles include Red Dead Redemption, God of War 3, The Last Of Us, Uncharted, Journey, Dark Souls, Persona 5, Grand Theft Auto 5, and more.
The best games on PlayStation 3 were popular for various reasons, such as their graphical fidelity and modern gameplay mechanics. Additionally, players loved them because of their simple stories full of deep lore. These are some of the best titles that seventh-generation console offer where players can truly dive in and explore the world through myths, legends, backstories, and in-game details.
10 God of War 3
God of War 3 is one of the most iconic action-adventure hack & slash games of all time, as it offers the conclusion to Kratos’ original journey. The Sony-exclusive game first came out in 2010 on PlayStation 3, and a remastered version became available on the PlayStation 4 in 2015.
God of War 3 is a fairly simple story of a man seeking revenge on gods that have wronged him. His goal is to kill everyone, including the god of gods, Zeus. However, despite its narrative simplicity, the game is full of deep lore that revolves around everything in greek mythology.
9 The Last Of Us
The Last Of Us is a Sony classic from almost ten years ago that developer Naughty Dog has recently remastered for the PlayStation 5. The biggest reasons for that are the tight gameplay of the original, brutal combat, incredible music, and a straightforward story that still works in 2022.
However, despite the simplicity of The Last Of Us, it manages to keep players hooked due to its world-building and brilliant environment storytelling. Everything in the game, including each note and location, is full of lore and details.
8 Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto 5 came out in 2013 and instantly became the best open-world action-adventure title on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Soon after, the game came out on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, followed by Windows, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PlayStation 5.
Grand Theft Auto 5 features a massive world loaded with lore. From ghost sightings and UFOs to murder mysteries and other events, the game offers much to players who want to walk around and explore. The game also pays tribute to the older titles, further expanding its lore.
7 Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption (or RDR) is an open-world action-adventure title by Rockstar Games. The game came out in 2010 and became an instant hit among players for its realistic gameplay, thrilling story, and overall retro vibe that no game has matched yet except Red Dead Redemption 2.
Like every other Rockstar Games title, Red Dead Redemption is full of mindblowing details and side-missions that keep players exploring for hours. Each element in the game, from local newspapers to NPCs conversations, amplifies the in-game lore.
6 Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham City is a beat-em-up action-adventure game that takes everything that made Batman: Arkham Asylum epic to another level. The Rocksteady Studios title came out in 2011 and became an instant hit among players for its over-the-top gameplay and excellent story.
Additionally, the game featured the iconic voices of Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy, who made the entire narrative even better. Like every Arkham game, Rocksteady Studious has poured its heart and soul into recreating the most comic-accurate Gotham City in Batman: Arkham City. Hence, the entire game contains deep lore and detailed environmental storytelling.
5 Portal 2
Portal 2 is a puzzle platformer that emerged in 2011 and instantly became a hit on platforms such as Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. In 2022, the game again came out on Nintendo Switch and reminded everyone why it’s one of the best in the genre.
Portal 2 is a Valve title. Hence, it perfectly connects the universe while building its world into it. The entire game, with everything in the environment and every level, is full of details dripping with lore players can explore.
4 Uncharted Series
Uncharted series began in 2007 and was one of the most ambitious Naughty Dog titles on PlayStation 3. The game featured a straightforward story, fun gameplay, and action sequences only its sequels, such as Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, could match.
Uncharted games are simple and easy to understand from a narrative standpoint. However, that doesn’t mean they lack in lore. The whole treasure-hunting concept of the game oozes with backstories and in-depth details that players can explore while discovering things in the game.
3 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is the last authentic Metal Gear game that follows the good old gameplay formula and tells the ultimate story of Solid Snake. The game is one of the best PlayStation 3 exclusives that concludes the storyline of the past games with an epic ending.
Since Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots concludes the original saga, it is full of myths, lore, legends, and stories that expand the Metal Gear universe and makes players realize the game is deeper than it looks.
2 Mass Effect 2
Original Mass Effect was an excellent action role-playing shooter that gave birth to a fascinating sci-fi universe. However, it was Mass Effect 2 that took the ideas and ran with it, becoming the best game in the series for obvious reasons.
Mass Effect 2 is full to the brim with highly detailed environments, extensive lore, and side stories that make it come to life, unlike any other science fiction game of 2011. The BioWare RPG is also a brilliant game regarding world-building, as each species in the game and planet has its backstory.
1 Dark Souls
Elden Ring may have popularized the Souls-like genre among the casual audience, but Dark Souls is the game that built a community of original fans in 2011. From visuals to gameplay and overall level design, the first game in the series is still unbeatable years after its release.
Dark Souls features a chilling story of gods vs. humans in a fantasy setting that’s truly one of a kind, even in 2022. Moreover, the RPG nature of the game and how players interact with NPCs make it one of the best lore-driven games on PlayStation 3.