PS3 HALL OF FAME

THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION OF LAST-GEN CLASSICS

THE LAST OF US

PS3’s premier developer proves a misbehaving pooch can learn new tricks in this extraordinary adventure. In true Naughty Dog fashion, the Californian studio subverts everything from zombie and postapocalyptic tropes to the gameplay beats of its own back catalogue. Effortlessly blending stealth, horror and action with a script destined to break your heart, TLOU is interactive storytelling at its finest.

GRAND THEFT AUTO V

The largest entry in the series is also one of the most ambitious games ever, but its fusion of thrilling missions, entertaining characters and scathing satire looks effortless. There can be no better way to bring a generation to a close than this.

UNCHARTED 2: AMONG THIEVES

The game that sparked a million mancrushes, with a perfectly pitched script, crunchy combat and setpieces like no other. In three words: unprecedented, unequalled, Uncharted.

RED DEAD REDEMPTION

A near-perfect open-world fusion of engaging storytelling, truly compelling characters and a living environment ripe for experimentation. No sandbox since has got us quite so invested, and the bold ending still resonates to this day.

JOURNEY

This charming two-hour voyage crafts an incredible, immersive narrative and a genuine emotional connection using little more than near-silent figures, marvellous sand physics and floating pieces of cloth. A remarkable and unique experience.

MASS EFFECT 2

While Bioware’s trilogy-ender sends Shepard out in fine style, it’s the middle slice of the delicious sci-fi sandwich that remains its best. A brilliantly scripted action-RPG, the closing ‘suicide mission’ provides an incredible finale.

DARK SOULS

Akin to nothing else you’ve ever played (unless you’ve already played Demon’s Souls). It may be as impenetrable as a vault in Fort Knox, but persevere and there’s a brutal and beautiful challenge within that you will never, ever forget.

CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE

Simply the finest COD ever made. From that nuke to Captain Price’s mesmerising ghillie suit stealth mission, few games can match Modern Warfare’s thrilling scripted spectacle.

PORTAL 2

Only Valve could turn advanced physics, impossipuzzles and a voice cast comprised of a disembodied AI and Stephen Merchant into such a unique and undeniable work of genius. Hands down the funniest first-person experience on console.

METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS

The most gleefully playful and imaginative stealth game on PS3. Whether you’re watching a monkey slurp soda or revisiting the site of the PS1 original, no game honours its past so poignantly.

BIOSHOCK INFINITE

Perhaps the best narrative team of the entire generation brings one of its finest series to a staggering climax. The original game would be well deserving of a place, but the mind-boggling revelations here run a whole lot deeper.

BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY

The most compelling bit of Bats action money can buy… that doesn’t involve Heath Ledger’s Joker. Thanks to an acutely detailed open-world chunk of Gotham, Rocksteady’s classic just pips Arkham Asylum to this spot by the thinnest of bat-whiskers.

THE WALKING DEAD: SEASON ONE

Telltale has crafted some amazing stories, but the first season of The Walking Dead stands among the best downloadable games ever with emotional ties and tangible consequences for your actions.

HEAVY RAIN

From controversial purveyor of interactive cinema, David Cage, comes this psychological thriller that plays like no other game on the system (apart from Beyond: Two Souls, natch). A real masterpiece of twists, turns, cinematography and, uh: “JASON!”

LITTLEBIGPLANET 2

Media Molecule’s second swing at the usergenerated puzzle-platformer is even more essential than its predecessor, offering a raft of options so deep and rewarding the only thing holding you back are the limits of your imagination.