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With titles such as Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarok making strides to support the PlayStation 5 in 2022, there are high expectations for the console this new year. Now we look at 2023 and dream about what we want most from the gaming giant. It should be noted that the following are not reported facts; they are simply what I hope to see from PlayStation as the year progresses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Succesfull PSVR2 Launch & Support<\/b><\/p>\n

With the lack of marketing support and Triple-A exclusive games, I don\u2019t foresee PSVR 2 getting the successful launch I want. However, I can still dig deep and hope for the best. The hardware itself is promising, boasting substantial improvements over the previous iteration. Its resolution is <\/span>2,000 x 2,040 per eye<\/span>, up from 960 x 1080, there is only one cable, and its controllers are a big improvement over the lousy and outdated move controllers. Furthermore, the one big-budget Triple-A game, Horizon Call of the Mountain, looks like a graphically pleasing, detailed VR experience. I hope Call of the Mountain gets critical acclaim that encourages continued support for PSVR 2, Triple-A, and indie alike. As a cherry on top, Half-Life: Alyx could make its way to PSVR 2, which would be a major win for PlayStation.<\/span><\/p>\n

PlayStation Plus Revamp of the Revamp<\/b><\/p>\n

One can\u2019t deny that the PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium tiers are not exactly what we\u2019re looking for in a live service offering. It\u2019s difficult to know what comes with each tier, but the biggest issue is the game library. Despite Stray, there weren\u2019t many significant games on day one, severely undermining the service\u2019s worth. I know it\u2019s not likely, but PlayStation Plus needs another revamp to fix the revamp. The subscription model needs to be streamlined instead of separating content into three different tiers. At the very least, let people opt in for the free monthly games and then pay a little extra for the expanding game library. Furthermore, support that library with more exciting day-one games. Perhaps put The Last of Us Factions on there or even Forspoken. We probably won\u2019t see this come to fruition, but I can still dream.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marvel\u2019s Spider-Man 2 Hits S-Tier\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Marvel\u2019s Spider-Man 2 is slated to release this year and it will probably be a stellar game worthy of its predecessor. Insomniac Games is considered one of the best game studios under PlayStation\u2019s belt, but their games, despite being extraordinary, always fall slightly under the Naughty Dog or Sony Santa Monica games when it comes to esteemed reception. Insomniac deserves a big win. Something that is considered a masterpiece and on par with The Last of Us or God of War when it comes to critical acclaim and iconic status. We haven\u2019t seen much from Marvel\u2019s Spider-Man 2, but the inclusion of Miles Morales and Venom already bodes well for the sequel. Furthermore, Spider-Man gameplay can be maximized by using the PS5\u2019s full power.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Last of Us Factions Release And Receives High Praise<\/b><\/p>\n

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As Sony buckles down on their <\/span>multiplayer offerings<\/span>, I could very well see The Last of Us Factions (or whatever the name is) releasing this year. For those who don\u2019t know, this is a standalone multiplayer game that has been anticipated ever since The Last of Us Part 2 launched in 2020. My prediction is that it will be a live service game with a battle royale mode. While that may not sound appealing to many people, I hope that it delivers excellent gameplay and storytelling without relying on pay-to-win. Additionally, The Last of Us\u2019 looting and methodical gameplay would transition perfectly into a battle royale. Then add Naughty Dog\u2019s storytelling and we might have a special experience on our hands. In an ideal scenario, Factions could be the exclusive PlayStation multiplayer game for the foreseeable future. This would be a compelling offer for PS5 owners, and an enticement for those outside the fold.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More PS5\u2019s on the Shelf<\/b><\/p>\n

We all know how difficult it is to get a PS5. Some of you reading or watching might still be on the hunt. Thankfully, some good news came out of the most recent Consumer Electronics Presentation. Sony Interactive Entertainment president, <\/span>Jim Ryan said<\/span> we should be able to find PS5s much more easily in 2023. This is, of course, according to Jim Ryan and I won\u2019t believe it until I see the console on store shelves. I hope his words come true because it\u2019s about time those searching got their prize.<\/span><\/p>\n

A New Housemarque Game Announcement\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Housemarque\u2019s most recent game,<\/span> Returnal<\/span>, may still be my favorite experience on PlayStation 5. It was a rogue-lite that combined arcade bullet hell with a Triple-A production, resulting in one of the best-feeling video games I\u2019ve played. Although it was difficult, the satisfying, fast-paced gameplay kept me coming back. After the success of Returnal and a long history of working with the studio, Sony acquired Housemarque. I hope to see an announcement showcasing their new game sometime this year. It could be Returnal 2, but I\u2019d much rather see a brand-new IP that builds on the tight controls and fluid gameplay the studio is known for. I fell in love with Housemarque\u2019s gameplay design after playing Resogun, an arcade spaceship shooter, and Returnal, so I\u2019ll be happy with anything they have planned.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Return of Infamous<\/b><\/p>\n

Infamous was one of my favorite games of the PlayStation 3 era. The first two games featured Cole MacGraph, who gained electrical powers after surviving a city-leveling explosion. The first game was gritty, almost apocalyptic while the city\u2019s inhabitants survived in the aftermath of the bomb. As you progress, you make choices that determine whether or not Cole will be a hero or villain, with each path granting a different move set. The second game was less gritty, but it updated the powers and felt more refined overall. Even though I enjoyed the third game, Second Son, my heart is with Cole and those first two adventures. Infamous Second Son was released in 2014, then Sucker Punch moved on to Ghost of Tsushima with Infamous nowhere to be seen. I would love to see an announcement of an Infamous revival this year. My childhood dream was an Infamous style Marvel Cinematic Universe that follows multiple heroes and their adventures across games. At the very least, I\u2019d be happy with an Infamous 1 and 2 remake.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay tuned at\u00a0Gaming Instincts\u00a0via\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0YouTube,\u00a0Instagram, and\u00a0Facebook for more gaming news.<\/p>\n

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