10 Great PS3 Games that are Immediately Fun

The seventh generation of consoles is the most influential in my life as a passionate gamer, as I believe no other hardware cycle has given me so many unforgettable adventures.

Regardless of genre, developer, approach, or even budget, the number of soulful productions was countless, so much so that, to this day, I'm still catching up on everything I missed back then.

Video games have changed considerably compared to two decades ago, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it has brought with it a focus that, especially in the AAA space, abandons the pure enjoyment that once characterized the medium.

So, in order to reminisce about these games (and to offer some recommendations to anyone who has recently acquired a console from the previous generation), I invite you to check out this list of ten great PS3 games that are fun from the start.

10 Resistance: Fall of a Man

Made with Heart for Action Lovers

Before Insomniac Games practically dedicated itself entirely to superheroes, the studio departed from its traditional platforming style to create the magnificent Resistance: Fall of a Man.

That a team that accustomed us to franchises like Spyro and Ratchet & Clank would release a game of this nature, a sci-fi war FPS that imagines a world invaded by aliens, was nothing short of a major surprise.

However, more than just relying on the surprise factor, Resistance: Fall of a Man became a cult classic for the genre's enthusiasts, with a thrilling campaign that always left you wanting more and a multiplayer mode that rivaled Call of Duty's.

PlayStation 3's generation was one of war games, though Resistance: Fall of a Man felt different. Perhaps not drastically different, to be honest, though enough to think it was, and still is, quite underrated.

9 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

The Standard for TPS

I know many will be surprised to see the acclaimed Uncharted 2: Among Thieves so high on the list, but even though I don't hold it in the same high regard as most, it's undeniable that it's the pinnacle of cinematic entertainment of its time.

Naughty Dog certainly knows how to deliver spectacular experiences where realism is sacrificed to embrace pure power fantasy, giving us a cartoonish Nathan Drake whose charisma and ability to survive impossible situations are undeniably charming.

The game improves upon absolutely everything its predecessor did, offering an action-packed campaign, dynamic shootouts, and even puzzles, which provide a welcome respite and added depth to the narrative amidst the hail of bullets.

Even during moments of pause or simple dialogue, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves maintains a great pace, ensuring it never becomes boring. On the contrary, everything contributes to making the next sequence even more enjoyable.

8 Katamari Forever

A Misunderstood Tribute

Once again surprising those in the know, I decided to include Katamari Forever, one of the franchise's least appreciated installments, for a simple reason: it's the perfect example to demonstrate why the series is so much fun.

Yes, it doesn't offer much new to veterans, the soundtrack isn't particularly memorable, and I'll even concede it doesn't look as special as the others, but when it comes to its gameplay loop, I dare say very few games in the franchise can match it.

“What gameplay loop?” you might ask, and I'm at a loss for words to describe how entertaining it is to control a giant ball that absorbs every object it passes through until it's the size of a planet, while all the colors and sounds of humanity appear every five seconds.

Katamari Forever is a game for a very specific and open-minded audience, because it's anything but ordinary and mainstream. However, let me be honest when I say if it hooks you, you're about to experience one of the journeys of your life.

7 Heavenly Sword

Excellent and Ephemeral

One of the defining characteristics of the PlayStation 3 generation was that virtually every melee action game tried to emulate God of War, leading to a reluctance to embrace them and a corresponding undervaluation of gems like Heavenly Sword.

Repeating aspects popularized by Santa Monica Studio's work, such as quick-time events, cinematic spectacle, and a tormented protagonist, it didn't bring anything new to the table… Yet you can't say no to vanilla ice cream, no matter how many times you've had it.

In that regard, with magnificent animations, impressive combos, and combat that was slower and more deliberate but also more strategic and deliberate, it was the perfect option for those who had already experienced Kratos' adventures and wanted to experience something remotely similar, albeit with its own unique spirit.

Add to that its stance system, entertaining puzzles, and great art direction, and Heavenly Sword should be considered one of the genre's icons, though we'll have to settle for it being so beloved within the niche that knows it.

6 Killzone 2

Guerrilla Games at its Best

Today, everyone talks about Guerrilla Games for their work on the Horizon series, though those of us who have been around for a while know the real IP that put them on the map was Killzone, and its second installment has always been the best.

If you were to ask gamers from the era what the best FPS ever was, you'd be surprised by how many would point to Killzone 2, as its campaign and multiplayer formed such a formidable combination that it was quite difficult to argue with that assessment.

From the first moment you picked up a weapon and saw how the physics worked, distinguished the enemies' behavior, and felt the bullets flying back and forth, you realized how Killzone 2 pushed the PlayStation 3 to its limits, without ever sacrificing either the fun or its identity.

I suppose you had to be there to truly understand the colossus it was, but if you didn't have the chance, rest assured Killzone 2 will always be a highly recommended game, regardless of the era or even your personal tastes.

5 inFAMOUS 2

Refined and Captivating

Since open-world games weren't as popular as they are today, it was greatly appreciated whenever a developer ventured into the genre, especially if they did so with inFAMOUS 2's quality.

After Prototype blew my mind, I desperately needed a game with similar characteristics, and Sucker Punch's series not only satisfied my needs but showed me it could be done even better.

Exploring New Marais is simply intoxicating, primarily due to Cole MacGrath's superb movement mechanics, but also because of the progression of completing missions, unlocking powers, and making absurdly Manichean yet entertaining choices.

I wasn't a fan of its morality system then, and I still am not, but inFAMOUS 2 helped establish a gameplay structure that has served us well to this day, so it's essential to thank it for both its impact and its own greatness.

4 LittleBigPlanet

Fun in its Purest Form

Writing this article has reminded me of how many Sony franchises they've neglected, much to my dismay, but I'd say few touch my heart as deeply as LittleBigPlanet.

While I understand that, commercially speaking, it's not a guaranteed success, it's one of the biggest reasons why a PlayStation 3 was and still is worth buying, because the sheer creativity, heart, and imagination this game exudes are virtually unparalleled.

Whether you're a hardcore gamer, a casual player, a child, or an adult, it's the kind of creation that appeals to everyone from the moment you lay eyes on its beautiful aesthetic, enjoy its solid platforming, or discover the world of possibilities that is the community-created content.

LittleBigPlanet was a landmark in video games for connecting players in ways that were unusual for the time, and to this day, I'd say I still miss the magical feelings that this beautiful game was able to evoke in me.

3 Gran Turismo 5

The Turning Point for Realism

Pinpointing the historical moment when the racing genre shifted from being dominated by arcade titles to being dominated by realistic simulators isn't particularly easy, but I'd venture to say Gran Turismo 5 had a lot to do with it.

Considering the level of immersion the game achieved, both through its graphical fidelity and the technical marvel that is its dynamic weather system, it seemed impossible to imagine arcade games competing, and they truly couldn't.

The feeling of controlling high-end vehicles on visually stunning and demanding tracks was incredibly satisfying, and even though the franchise has improved considerably since then, it has never again reached such a high level of contextual polish.

Between the realistic physics, number and detail of the cars, and pristine sound design, Gran Turismo 5 is pure magic from the moment you enter the main menu. I'll insist until the day I die that I prefer arcade racing games, but this one in particular makes me question whether that's true.

The Climax of an Unforgettable Franchise

If you're wondering how I can include Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots on a list of games that are fun from the start when it has a 20-minute introductory cinematic, it's because entertainment can take many forms.

One of them, in the case of Hideo Kojima's games, is reveling in what kind of eccentricity he'll pull out this time, and no matter how many years have passed or how many of the Japanese director's games you've played, he'll always surprise you.

On that note, even the cinematics are entertaining, whether they're intriguing, thought-provoking, or downright funny, but Guns of the Patriots also holds its own in terms of gameplay, even being the most fun in the series for many years until the fifth installment arrived.

My love for stealth games and for Kojima in particular weighs heavily on me, but especially considering the evolution it represents after Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the refinement of its tactical infiltration made me fall in love from the very first second.

1 God of War 3

The Greatest Divine Massacre

If your game starts with a guy with anger issues climbing onto the back of a colossal titan to kill Poseidon, it's literally impossible not to be incredibly hyped from the moment you see the splash screen. In other words, it's unthinkable not to be bursting with anticipation before even playing God of War 3.

As the most grandiose and spectacular exercise the hack-and-slash genre has ever seen, the scale, perfection, and satisfaction of Kratos's ultimate revenge are unparalleled; it's a title that plays in a league of its own.

After years of accompanying the Ghost of Sparta on his journey, everything about the conclusion of the Greek tale is legendary, from the bosses and environments to the combat and even the puzzles our protagonist must occasionally solve.

Every time you encounter a new Olympian god, every time you execute a quick-time event to dismember an enemy, and every time you unlock a new component of your arsenal of weapons and abilities, you feel like you're experiencing the ultimate power fantasy ever conceived.

God of War 3 starts far higher than most games end, and yet it still manages to keep growing to an unattainable peak, both literally and metaphorically, so closing this list with it is simply my duty as a mere mortal.