PlayStation Should Consider PSN’s Top-Rated Game for Reviving ‘Deep Cut’ Franchises

Prominent franchises such as God of War, The Last of Us, Gran Turismo, and Uncharted have significantly contributed to the dominance of the PlayStation brand within the video gaming landscape. However, it’s easy to overlook Sony’s extensive library of lesser-known Intellectual Properties (IPs) that have remained dormant for years. Fortunately, recent comments from PlayStation co-CEO, Herman Hulst, suggest a potential shift in this trend.

During an interview with Famitsu, Hulst indicated that Sony is “looking at opportunities to leverage past IPs”and aims to “introduce new types of games.”This statement hints at a genuine interest in revitalizing older franchises. Additionally, well-known insider Andy Robinson recently stated that Sony is in the process of reviving several classic IPs, further fueling speculation about upcoming announcements. If these rumors hold true, Sony should mine the PlayStation Store for insights on which franchises fans are eager to see return.

Legacy Sony Franchises Shine on the PS Store

Classic PS2 Games Return to PS4/PS5: The Sly Cooper Trilogy

While current PlayStation consoles lack the native backward compatibility that the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S offer, Sony has strategically reintroduced many classic titles via the PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. Notably, a variety of PS2 games have recently been added to the lineup, including iconic titles like Tomb Raider Legend, Timesplitters: Future Perfect, and Siren. Among these, the revival of the Sly Cooper trilogy stands out.

Originally developed by Sucker Punch Productions, the Sly Cooper series is a stealth-based action-adventure game featuring a charming lineup of anthropomorphic characters engaged in elaborate heists. The first three titles were exclusive to PlayStation 2 for many years until they were finally launched on PS4 and PS5 in late 2023. The initial game, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, was released on modern platforms in June 2024, with the sequels following shortly thereafter.

High Ratings for Sly Cooper Indicate Strong Audience Demand

The Sly Cooper entries have maintained a legacy of acclaim since their initial launches over two decades ago, generating a lasting affection among players. Today, all three titles continue to excel in user ratings on the PlayStation Store, boasting near-perfect scores. For instance, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus has achieved an impressive 4.93/5 rating, while Sly 2 and Sly 3 hold ratings of 4.96/5. These figures illustrate their status as some of the highest-rated games available on the platform.

The enthusiastic recognition that Sly Cooper enjoys from the gaming community signals a ripe opportunity for Sony to consider a revival of the franchise. Despite the significant gap since the last installment, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, was released more than a decade ago, ongoing interest is palpable. While a new title might not be on the horizon imminently, Sony can gauge fan enthusiasm through Sly Cooper’s popularity on the PlayStation Store to inform their strategic direction.

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