We here at TPSN, as you can probably tell, think the PlayStation Network is great and, although it had a slow start, it really came into it’s own in 2008 and continues to do so. I know many people, PS3 owners, who have never bothered looking at the PlayStation Store and if they do it’s for demos. Could it be that Sony are doing something wrong? Or is the world of digital distribution and downloadable games to daunting for the average consumer? I don’t know, but what I do know is that they’re missing out. The PlayStation Store is home to a great deal of amazing games and theres something there for everyone. With so many great titles hitting the service recently, I felt it was my duty to provide a comprehensive list of the 10 best games available on the PlayStation Store.

Ok then, let’s kick this thing off.

10.

Savage Moon – Fluffy Logic

Savage Moon is a sci-fi tower defence game by, Bristol based, developer Fluffy Logic. The tower defence genre seems to have really found a home on the PlayStation Store and rightly so, they’re great. Set on a series of ‘Imoon’s’ you are set the task of defending mining operations on these fictional planets against Insectocytes. With a wide range of weapons at your disposal you should make easy work of these beasts, but don’t think it’ll be a walk in the park. You’ll have to use logic and strategy in order to stop your foes and keep operations going. This game can be as simple or as deep as you want. It’s more in the vein of typical real time strategy gameplay, but can easily be picked up and played and, most importantly, had a lot of fun with.

9.

Cuboid – Creat Studios/Tik Games

The first puzzler to hit the list and it’s a corker. Quirkyness seems to be a nessecity in order to get on the PlayStation Store and this game has it no end. The premise is simple: guide a cuboid around an area and get from A to B. It’s not that easy though. Don’t be fooled by it’s charm, this game is hard and is a must have for any fan of puzzle games. Creat & Tik have done a great job in making a great, exclusive puzzler for PS3 owners and it’s something you can go back to again and again. The probability of downloadable content seems pretty high too and that’ll only make this game better. If you want something to bend your brainbox then your in for a treat with Cuboid, a true hidden gem.

8.

Echochrome – Japan Studio

Another great, quirky, PS3 exclusive puzzler here. Echochrome is undoubtedly the best, most innovative puzzle game on the PlayStation Store to date. It’s simple visuals work great in comparison to it’s complex, challenging puzzles, many of which will have you scratching your head for hours. Puzzle fans should definitely pick this one up, a great game that’ll keep you wanting more and with new, user created, levels added everyday what more could you want?

7.

Crash Commando – EPOS Games

When I first saw Crash Commando, I described it as WarHawk meets Worms. Yes, that combination definitely sounds a little odd, but once you’ve played it you’ll see where i’m coming from. There’s nothing fancy about this game, theres no epic plot, just simple, fun gameplay that’ll keep you going for ages. Fight against foes online and battle on a wide variety of maps in a good range of game modes that’ll keep many a man happy for hours. It’s simple, but it works so effectively, it’s hard to fault.

6.

Super Stardust HD – Housemarque

Housemarque’s first forray into the world of PSN was a great one. Super Stardust HD is one of the best, most enjoyable games on any console. Like many downloadable games, simplicity is key and how much more simple can you get when you’ve made a high-res Asteroids. That might be downplaying it a little, but the basic gameplay is that of the shooters of old and it’s a formula that works as well today as it did back then. The visuals are great, the gameplay is fantastic and it’s just one of those games you can keep coming back to. Released way back in June 2007, it’s still played by many today and is considered one of the PS3′s finest downloadable titles.A definite recomendation for anyone’s first forray into downloadable games.

5.

PixelJunk Eden – Q-Games

Anyone that knows me, or has read anything i’ve written will know I have somewhat of a penchant for Q-Games’ PixelJunk franchise. PixelJunk Eden is a great all round game. The visual style is simple and effective and combined with the amazing soundtrack it’s just brilliant. It takes a little getting used to, but once you’ve got the controls and timing down it’s reminicsent of the old school 2D platformers seen on the NES. Another great, quirky, imaginative game that’s well and truly original. I’ve never seen a game that combines as many great elements as it does with such style. When I first saw the game I was left wondering what the hell I just saw, but when I got my hands on it I couldn’t put it down. It’s so addictive and ultimately brilliant that anyone, of any age, can enjoy it.

4.

Bionic Commando: Rearmed – Grin

It’s release was highly anticipated. It’s something gamers everywhere couldn’t wait to experience. Thank god we weren’t disapointed. Sweedish developers Grin were set the task of turning the beloved game of yesteryear, Bionic Commando, into something that gamers could once again appreciate. I’ll tell you something, they didn’t half pull it off. Bioinic Commando: Rearmed has the one thing a lot of remakes fail to retain, the spirit of the original. Grin captured this perfectly, adding the right ammount of visual polish to make it stand out from the crowd. This is something everyone who own’s a PS3 should buy, it’s mix of platforming and side scrolling shooting is great and I feel you can’t go wrong buying this.

3.

WipEout HD – Studio Liverpool

I was wondering if it was right to put this in as a PlayStation Network game, sure it was released on there, but it has more in common with a retail game than any of the others on this list. After a bit of deliberation I added it and i’m glad I did. If you want a racing game where almost everything is done right then you won’t go far wrong. One of, if not the, finest looking games on the PS Store it has everything a racing game fan would want and more. Even better, it’s a meager £12. Don’t expect a lack of quality because of the price either, it’s in our top 3 for a reason. It’s amazing, it was almost our downloadable game of the year last year, but got pipped to the post by, well, now that’d be telling.

2.

Flower – Thatgamecompany

The most recent PSN game to make it on the list and with good reason. If you’ve read my review you’ll know what I thought of this game. It’s amazing in every sense of the word. It just has that spark that makes a game good. It’s got everything a game needs without being overly ‘gamey’. Don’t let the name and the concept fool you, this isn’t a casual game by any stretch of the imagination. Flower is a masterclass in the art of indie games and Jenova Chen and the team at TGC should be mighty proud of what they’ve made. A must by for ANYONE who owns a PlayStation 3 and it’s fast becoming ‘the straw that broke the camels back’ when it comes to people deciding to buy a PS3. Go get it…now!

1.

PixelJunk Monsters

Our (XeNonX’s) ‘PSN Game Of The Year 2008′ is back again. PixelJunk Monsters is undoubtedly the best downloadable game available on the PS3. Dylan Cuthbert and the guys at Q-Games know what they’re doing when it comes to great, simple, quirky games like this one and I recmend it to anyone who has a PS3. It’s a great game for hardcore players and the ammount of challenges to undertake (especially with the ‘Encore’ add-on and Trophy levels) is amazing. I’ve heard a lot of people say they play it with family members (kids, wives, girlfriends e.t.c.) and I can definitely see where they’re coming from. This is another tower defence game, but unlike Savage Moon it’s really approachable and fun, whilst still being complex and giving gamers, and non-gamers alike, a great challenege.

Ok then, so that about raps it up. You’ve heard what we’ve had to say about downloadable games on the PS3, I certainly hope you act on our recomendations. Believe me, you won’t be disapointed.

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