Talking Point: Does PS5 Have a Sequel Problem?

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It’s a common misconception that the PlayStation 5 lacks games, which isn’t true at all. However, if you examine its most popular titles, you’ll notice a curious trend.

Man, I have so many good memories playing my PS4. It felt like Sony was really focusing on making amazing games themselves back then, and it totally showed.

Classic franchises like God of War made a huge comeback, earning widespread praise, and new games like Ghost of Tsushima, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Marvel’s Spider-Man quickly became some of Sony’s top sellers.

The PlayStation 5 has some great games made by Sony itself, like Astro Bot, Returnal, and Stellar Blade. However, many of the most popular titles are sequels to existing games, and we’re focusing on those now.

Ghost of Yotei, a new game and follow-up to the popular Ghost of Tsushima, is now available. Though it features a new hero and takes place at a different time, the gameplay is very similar – and improved in almost every way.

This version improves upon the original design with clever enhancements, utilizes the PS5’s increased capabilities, and boasts the high level of quality players expect from PlayStation Studios.

It’s worth noting that this same observation applies to other major PlayStation 5 games, including God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.

These are all fantastic games that build on solid foundations, expand their stories in interesting ways, and really showcase the power of the PS5.

However, a shared criticism among them all is that they’re all pretty safe.

Everyone is sticking with what worked before, adding a few updates or improvements, but without really making any big, innovative changes.

It’s a smart move for Sony to make these sequels. They’re almost certain to be successful, and they’re generally safe bets because they stick to proven formulas that have worked before.

While these games are all enjoyable and well-made, they don’t feel as innovative or groundbreaking as previous installments. They’re definitely worth playing, but they might not be pushing the series forward in a significant way.

Saros is scheduled to launch in March 2026. While not officially a direct sequel to Returnal, most reports describe it as being very similar to a second installment in the Returnal series.

Let’s be clear, Returnal is still a great game and we at Push Square really enjoy it. However, some dedicated fans are worried the next installment might just be more of the same, rather than something truly new.

It can be challenging, but it’s often best to stay with what’s proven successful. You’ll likely receive positive feedback and keep your existing fans happy, and there’s nothing wrong with giving people more of what they already enjoy.

One reason for the longer wait between game releases seems to be how much time it now takes to develop large-scale games. For example, it took about two years to make the sequel to the original God of War on the PS2. However, it took more than four years to create God of War Ragnarok after the 2018 God of War game.

In the past, sequels were released more quickly, building excitement and keeping players engaged. Now, game development takes much longer, and this could be reducing how much of an impression new games make.

Sony is a gaming company with a reputation for trying out new ideas and creating unique game franchises. They still do this today, and it looks like we might see even more of this innovation from them in the future.

We’ve previously talked about Saros, which is essentially a brand new project, and we’re also looking forward to upcoming games like Marvel’s Wolverine and Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This move into uncharted areas is really promising.

It’s worth pointing out that these predictable, safe sequels aren’t exclusive to PlayStation – many major game publishers are releasing similar titles.

Right now, game developers are playing it safe. Big-budget games cost a huge amount of money and take a long time to create, so it’s crucial they’re successful when they’re released.

A common approach is to simply continue making more of what people already enjoy, which leads to safe, predictable sequels like the latest installments in the Borderlands, Outer Worlds, and Assassin’s Creed series.

So, what are your thoughts? Are you enjoying the major sequel games Sony has released for the PS5? Do they feel innovative, or are they sticking to familiar territory? Share your opinions in the comments below!

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2025-11-26 23:07