Multiplatform games with features unique to specific consoles

summation

  • Exclusive features enhance the gameplay of a particular console, giving it a unique quality.

  • Each platform offers a unique experience with exclusive features that enrich the gameplay.

  • Creative use of platform-specific features can provide players with a more immersive experience.

Console exclusives can be a good thing. This allows developers to take advantage of all the features and all of the unique characteristics of a single console without having to worry about optimizing for different platforms. Of course, this is not always the most profitable or logical decision. More games for more people is equally important.

relevant

All PS5 exclusives currently announced for next-gen only

Proud owners of the PlayStation 5 can look forward to upcoming exclusive games that will only run on Sony's next-gen console.

Even being multi-platform doesn't stop you from giving your game some unique features. In fact, sometimes it's a good idea to give people a stronger choice of platforms to download games on. These games took that lesson to heart and created unique experiences for each platform.

10

Death Stranding – PS4 and PS5

DualShock/DualSense function

Sam holding BB on tank in Death Stranding.

released

November 8, 2019

Death Stranding felt like a pipe dream for a long time, until it finally wasn't. Originally released as a PS4 exclusive, the game eventually made its way to PC and Xbox, paving the way for people around the world to rebuild America. Although it originally launched on PS4, it still retains many of these unique features.

A unique aspect of the Dualsense controller is that you can put the BB back to sleep by shaking the controller. 3D audio also plays a role, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world in a way no other audio can.

Certain features of the Dualsense controller are supported in the PC version, but a wired connection is always required.

9

Dragon Age: Origins – PC

tactical camera

Alistair in the clutches of an ogre at the Tower of Ishal in Dragon Age: Origins.
Via: https://bsky.app/profile/virtualvex.bsky.social

Dragon Age: Origins

released

November 3, 2009

Before Bioware became a massive multiplatform developer, it was known for PC games like the original Baldur's Gate. Now the studio has moved on from this for a long time, with Dragon Age Origins being the last game to maintain this legacy.

relevant

The 13 Best BioWare Villains of All Time

BioWare is known for creating incredible stories, and along with them, great villains.

Dragon Age: Origins was released on both PC and consoles, but the PC version had some advantages. The largest of these is the tactical camera, which allows you to zoom out and get a bird's eye view of whatever area you're in, giving you a better view of the battlefield.

Dragon Age Inquistion brings back this version of the camera, and it's also available on console.

8

Okami – Switch

touch screen drawing

Scroll depicting the use of the blast technique

released

September 19, 2006

developer

Capcom, Clover Studio

Okami was originally released on the PS2 and its Celestial Brush technique required it to be drawn using analog sticks. This was improved in the Wii version, allowing painting using motion controls. On the Switch, Celestial Brush finally feels like it's found its proper home.

Unlike all other versions of Okami, only the Switch has a touchscreen, allowing you to draw as if you were drawing brush strokes yourself. It feels like a much more natural way to use the technology, and can be instantly activated by just touching the screen.

7

Firewatch-Switch

Forest 64 Minigame

Firewatch: Forrest 64 Henry with cart

released

February 9, 2016

developer

campo santo

publisher

Campo Santo, Panic

Firewatch immediately rose to fame when it was released in 2016. You are not the main character. You are just doing your job. There are no heroes here, no mysteries to solve. It's a strange little adventure. But the Switch has some fascinating little extra features.

If you go a little off the beaten path you can find Forrest 64 game cartridges. This allows you to play a unique 3D minigame where you run through the forest collecting emblems in third person. It takes a lot of effort for one secret.

memory card read

Psycho Mantis before the boss battle in Metal Gear Solid 1

metal gear solid

released

October 20, 1998

developer

Konami Computer Entertainment Japan

Aside from its well-executed stealth and effective commentary on the horrors of war, the power of the Metal Gear Solid games was how integrated they were with the modern technology of the time. It was initially released on PS1, but despite numerous ports and remasters since, no version has the full functionality of the original.

relevant

Metal Gear: Whenever Snake Betrayed

Metal Gear is a series full of intrigue and betrayal.

The Psycho Mantis battle requires him to read all of your input and change your controller ports. However, it has been reproduced in many different forms. What remains exclusive is the ability to read save files. Psycho Mantis recognizes other Konami games and can even tally up what style of games you like.

5

Skyrim – Xbox 360

Kinect Shout

Dragonborn shouting into the air

released

November 11, 2011

developer

Bethesda Game Studios

publisher

Bethesda Softworks

It's hard to undersell the influence Skyrim has had on the gaming industry, especially the modding community. Mods allow you to recreate anything you want, but only the Xbox 360 version has unique features.

Kinect has been a controversial and often underutilized technology on the 360, but being able to actually shout in-game was an amazing and fun experience. It was definitely janky, but it was something you couldn't get anywhere else.

4

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remastered – PC

game booster

Tidus overlooking a devastated city in Final Fantasy 10.

Square Enix has been known to have some rather poor ports of its games as of late, with PC ports being the most prolific of them all. Mobile games and large UIs with fixed frame rates and lack of keyboard support. However, somewhat humorously, Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster actually has a feature that no other game release has.

relevant

Final Fantasy: The 8 Best Summoners in the Series

The best summoner in the Final Fantasy series is here!

FFZ, commonly seen on the PS1 port, was the first 3D entry, and because of this it seemed like they had to turn off encounters and lock down features that speed up the game.

That said, the PS Vita also had its own Quick Recovery feature, but the Switch release brings this feature back.

3

Monster Hunter Rise – PC

filter

Monster Hunter Rise PC - Warring Lands Show visual filters

Monster Hunter Rise's release schedule has been a fascinatingly mixed event. It first came out on Switch, then on PC right before Sunbreak released, and finally on all other consoles. And among them all, it's the PC version that retains one unique feature.

filter. All versions have a photo mode where you can apply filters, but only the PC version has some unique modes that not only allow you to apply filters to regular gameplay, but also slightly change the sound effects.

2

Resident Evil 4 – PS5

virtual reality

Resident Evil 4: Remake VR - Reload TMP by hand while El Gigante closes.

Resident Evil 4 is the most well-known of the Resident Evil games, and it has rarely been released in multiple releases. There's parity among these releases for the most part, but RE4 Remake has something significant that the other releases don't: virtual reality.

Following Capcom's trend, RE games will be released everywhere, but the VR mode will always remain exclusive to PlayStation, PSVR2. That's very unfortunate. Because it's an incredibly great way to experience the thrills and horrors of that world.

1

Elden Ring

motion gestures

My Lord Elden Ring Gesture

released

February 25, 2022

developer

in software

Gestures form a large part of communication in FromSoftware's Soulslike games. A point in a certain direction, a little dance, squatting with pride. This is a unanimous experience across all platforms, but PlayStation releases have always had a fascinatingly unique way of expressing themselves.

And this is in a way that most players aren't even aware of. The PS4 and PS5 controllers are motion sensitive, so when you twist them in a certain way, you can hold down triangle to perform the prompt. You can treat it as a form of roulette, but this is the most inefficient system for gestures. You never know what gesture you will receive.

next

10 games with the most detailed animations

You won't be able to take your eyes off the amazing animations found in each game.

Leave a Comment