With the launch of PlayStation 4 and Xbox One mere weeks away, it’s time to start looking at some of the big name releases hitting both formats, as well as their current-generation counterparts. Naturally, any console transition is accompanied by cross-gen titles, and tempting though it may be to pick up the PS3 or Xbox 360 release on day one, some of this winter’s hottest titles are definitely worth waiting for on new systems — specifically, PS4.
Sony’s next-generation home console appears to have gotten the sweet end of the cross-gen deal, with deal-breakers such as exclusive content, higher resolution and prettier visuals all making for a compelling purchase. That’s not to disparage the other versions at all; rather, we just feel that PS4 owners will be able to enjoy some nice benefits should they pass on the current-generation version of the following titles.
With that said, here’s 3 cross-gen games that are better on PS4.
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Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Ubisoft’s stealth-action franchise takes to the high seas with the pirate-themed Black Flag, and we’ve already labelled it the best entry in the series since Brotherhood. However, it’s also one of the best cross-gen titles to take advantage of PS4. For starters, you have the exclusive content to enjoy as with the PS3 release, which features missions based around Liberation heroine, Aveline de Grandpre. You won’t get this on any other version at all, despite previous reports to the contrary. The next PS4 advantage obviously is the leap in visuals, which complements the already-stunning graphics with extra touches, including increased draw distance, improved water effects and more. You also have the ability to use the DualShock 4 to navigate the game’s map interface, which is far more rewarding than fiddling about with the analogue stick.
Battlefield 4
Electronic Arts’ famed military shooter certainly looks and plays the business on current-gen machines, though the PS4 version takes things a step further. For starters, the multiplayer component boasts far more players than the PS3/360 release, able to accommodate up to 64 players — a great advantage for those of you who are into large-scale multiplayer mayhem. Not only that, but the PS4 release even possesses a slightly higher frame rate than the Xbox One version, and is able to recover from potential frame rate dips more efficiently. Both versions look gorgeous though, which is hardly a surprise given the fact Battlefield has always proven a poster boy for amazing console visuals. If there’s one series built for next-gen, it’s this — wait it out and get it on PS4.
Call of Duty: Ghosts
Chances are you’ve already read about the controversy surrounding the PS4 and Xbox One versions of Call of Duty: Ghosts, but just in case you haven’t, we’ll reiterate. Ghosts boasts a higher resolution on Sony’s new console, running at 1080p while the Xbox One edition is locked at 720p to ensure a smooth frame rate. Obviously, as long as the game runs fine, then we’re not ones to grumble about the resolution, even if the game looks a little sharper on the PS4. Still, when juxtaposed with the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, the next-gen release looks a hell of a lot prettier, and it’s clear that the current crop of hardware is starting to show its age when it comes to Activision’s flagship franchise. Still, with the current-gen giving way to new hardware, Ghosts is the perfect time wave goodbye to Call of Duty on PS3 and upgrade to PS4.
Other cross-gen games coming to PS4 include Need for Speed: Rivals, FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, Skylanders Swap Force, and NBA 2K14. Which cross-gen games do you plan on picking up for PS4? Let us know below.