The Solution To PS5's Lackluster Games Library? Revisiting Old IPs

It's safe to say that the current library of exclusives for PlayStation 5 leaves a lot to be desired. Despite receiving some stellar titles in its lifetime, many of the PlayStation's latest offerings are few and far between, and the number of titles that are truly exclusive to the PS5 is embarrassingly small. However, recent comments and rumors present an opportunity for PlayStation to return to its former glory and give players a stronger lineup of titles to look forward to.

While PlayStation is home to a multitude of beloved IPs in gaming, not all of them are treated equally. In fact, many classic PlayStation IPs, from Sly Cooper to inFAMOUS, have been dormant for years, with no return in sight. That being said, recent reports have given PlayStation fans newfound hope that these franchises will soon make their grand return. In fact, it could be the return of these IPs that boosts the PS5's current library of games, helping the console to resolve its current issue with a lack of exclusives.

Old IPs Could Be Revived For PS5

Many PlayStation IPs Have Been Dormant For Years

There's a possibility that Sony could be revisiting older IPs for PlayStation 5. During an interview with Famitsu, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hermen Hulst said that the company will consider opportunities to bring back older franchises, while also stressing the importance of PlayStation's IPs in general. This statement was corroborated by VGC's Andy Robinson during an episode of the outlet's podcast (via VGC's YouTube channel), where he claimed that there are a few projects in development involving "deep cut, old IP stuff."

While it's unclear if Robinson's claims are entirely accurate, the renewed interest in older franchises would be a huge step in resolving the neglect that many of PlayStation's signature IPs have experienced. Across its 30-year history, PlayStation has been home to a selection of hugely popular franchises that have been influential in Sony's success across each generation. It makes the lack of new entries from these IPs all the more frustrating, as their absence prevents these franchises from receiving the recognition they deserve.

Therefore, the potential revival of these IPs is essential in keeping their memory alive. Not only will new entries to franchises such as Naughty Dog's Jak and Daxter or (the now defunct) Psygnosis' WipEout remind players of their importance to PlayStation's overall success, but it provides the opportunity for these IPs to grow and evolve, offering something new in the process. Giving older franchises the same attention as some of PlayStation's more recent releases gives newer players an opportunity to discover some of the best series of the last few generations, while preventing these IPs from falling into obscurity.

PS5's Lineup Of Exclusives Has Been Underwhelming

The Current Lineup Can't Compare To Previous Generations

The return of signature IPs could also help with another issue currently plaguing the PS5. Despite having been released over four years ago, the PS5 has struggled to build a first-party lineup that matches the strength of PlayStation's previous generations. While PS players have been treated to some spectacular games, the scarcity of these titles has resulted in the PS5 having a fairly underwhelming library.

This lackluster library is only made worse by Sony's lack of commitment to making the PS5 an essential purchase for players. The majority of PlayStation's biggest releases since the PS5's launch have also been released on PS4 or PC, offering players the same experience through more convenient means. Meanwhile, the PS5's release schedule in between the more ambitious projects has been plagued by remakes and remasters, many of which have been for titles that are only a single generation old, making minimal improvements that struggle to justify the upgrade.

The lack of original PlayStation exclusives developed solely for the PS5 has prevented the console from having the same killer lineup as previous generations. Players will be less inclined to make a purchase when Sony is offering alternative ways to enjoy the same experience and, while the PS5 has seen huge success since release, this approach may have prevented the console from gaining even higher demand. While Sony has shown better commitment to PS5 exclusivity, with titles like Game of the Year winner Astro Bot, bigger changes to the console's lineup are needed if the company wants its success to continue in the future.

Old IPs Are A Great Solution

They Could Help To Broaden The PS5's Appeal

With this in mind, the revival of classic PlayStation IPs could be the key to resolving the PS5's underwhelming library of exclusives. By releasing these revival projects as PS5 exclusives, the mix of old and new IPs would send a powerful reminder to players of the countless incredible titles that PlayStation has always been capable of providing and can still deliver today. It would not only give these beloved franchises another chance to shine, but would increase the PS5's appeal by giving players a wider variety of experiences that only this console can offer.

Moreover, these older IPs could also help give the PS5 a more consistent output as players wait for the bigger releases. During the same VGC podcast episode, Andy Robinson suggested that these revival projects would be smaller projects to fill in the gaps between the more ambitious PlayStation games being developed. If this is indeed the case, then older PlayStation franchises could easily take the role that the PS5's remasters and remakes have been given to fill out the console's current lineup, but this time providing players with something new to enjoy.

Of course, it's still yet to be confirmed whether there are indeed any revival projects in the works, and if so, what form these titles will take. However, it's undeniable how the return of some of the PlayStation's dormant franchises would do wonders for the PS5's library of exclusives. With one of the greatest selections of exclusive franchises, it would be a waste for Sony to not utilize some of them to give the PlayStation 5 the same incredible lineup as previous consoles achieved.

Sources: Famitsu, VGC/YouTube