Sony's E3 software exclusives offset Metal Gear Solid loss

by Stevie Smith - Jun 3 2009, 17:40

Likely left reeling on Monday after Microsoft announced it had secured flagship PlayStation series Metal Gear Solid for the Xbox 360, Sony Computer Entertainment hurriedly gathered itself up in an effort to go toe-to-toe with its main market rival on the blood-stained software front. It’s an ugly war.

With Metal Gear Solid console exclusivity lost to Microsoft’s home console, much as Final Fantasy XIII exclusivity was in 2008, Sony’s software offerings needed to be bigger, needed to be bolder and, more importantly, needed to be better than those coming out of Redmond.

So, padding filter duly engaged, what can PlayStation 3 owners look forward to in the coming months?

Perhaps the leading light ‘coming soon’ on Sony’s powerhouse console is Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, which impressed the E3 masses at every explosive turn during a lengthy and action packed on-stage gameplay demo.

Next up, and similarly well received, is God of War III, which, while without the drive of original creator David Jaffe, was showcased to rapturous applause as its vicious action and sumptuous graphics suggested a clear critical and consumer winner in waiting.

Matching up to the cloying atmosphere of Alan Wake on the Xbox 360 is Heavy Rain, an immersive, decision-defined adventure boasting in-depth character interaction where the player is tasked with investigating a spate of grisly deaths attributed to the mysterious Origami Killer.

Helping patch the open wound of losing Final Fantasy XIII exclusivity, Square Enix has announced that the PlayStation 3 will be receiving Final Fantasy XIV Online. But will it remain a Sony property?

Then there’s MAG, an ambitious and sprawling online multiplayer first-person shooter that Sony claims will host a whopping 256 participants split into warring factions as they battle for territorial supremacy.

Stepping out of left field was the extremely cute ModNation Racers, which appears to blend the individual player creativity of award-winning PS3 exclusive LittleBigPlanet with the high-octane excitement of videogame kart racing. Surely that can’t lose.

Perhaps the most intriguing and promising addition to Sony’s software portfolio is The Last Guardian (a.k.a. Project Trico), which is being developed by the same team responsible for iconic PlayStation 2 exclusives Ico and Shadow of the Colossus and looks set to deliver an emotionally charged adventure across a mysterious land.

And, Sony stalwart Insomniac Games once again takes up the twin reins of accessible action and tongue-in-cheek entertainment as Ratchet and Clank head off for another rip-roaringly cute adventure in A Crack In Time. 

Oh, and apparently Gran Turismo 5. We won’t hold our collective breath on this one.

And, not to be outdone by its big brother, exclusive titles set to storm the Sony PSP include Gran Turismo PSP, LittleBigPlanet PSP, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, which is set between the third and fourth full series entrants.

It’s a good line-up. Nay, it’s a great line-up… but is it better than Microsoft’s?

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