Summary
The PlayStation 3 era was a great time to be a gamer. The console might not have sold as well as some of its rivals, but its library was an embarrassment of riches. Big publishers like Ubisoft released some of their best ever games on the console, many of which have aged incredibly well.
These days,Ubisoftdoesn’t have the best reputation among gamers, but there’s no denying that the company has released some excellent titles. It was responsible for releasing some ofthe most impressive titles on the PS3, and several of its big franchises arguably peaked on the console. Many of these games are still holding up remarkably well, thanks to their gameplay, storytelling, and unique style, and they are just as fun today as they were over a decade ago. Taking into account how well their mechanics, visuals, and overall experience have stood the grueling test of time, these are arguably thebest aging Ubisoft PS3 titles.
HD remasters of PS2 titles will not be considered in this ranking. As well as that, only games made by Ubisoft studios will be counted, not just those published by the company.
There’s no denying thatRainbow Six: Vegashas aged since it was released almost two decades ago. How could it not? Its graphics look shoddy by modern standards, and most of its mechanics feel dated compared to modern tactical shooters. These flaws land it a low ranking, but the important thing is that the game still feels great to play.
The once-impressive cover system, gunplay, and enemy AI all hold up remarkably well, although ally AI can be a bit spotty. The graphics may be dated, but the vibrant Las Vegas setting remains a unique environment with plenty of character. Perhaps the main reason the game has aged so well is the fact that fans still waiting for a follow-up (Rainbow Six Vegas 2notwithstanding).Vegas 2was just as good but felt more like an expansion to the original rather than a standalone game, which is why the original was chosen for this ranking (fans should play both).Rainbow Six: Vegasis still a pretty unique experience and remains one of the best tactical shooters around andone of the best Tom Clancy co-op games.
When gamers talk about theFar Cryfranchise, most of the praise tends to get heaped onFar Cry 3, and this is for good reason. ButFar Cry 2shouldn’t be overlooked. It might not have aged quite as well as its younger sibling, but there’s still a lot to love here. It offers an immersive open-world experience in a vast, realistic-feeling African landscape. The gunplay is decent (but lacks variety), it has a non-annoying weapons degradation system, and the fire propagation system still hasn’t been beaten. Seriously, it features some of the best fire effects ever seen.
Sadly, the game’s setting and fire systems can only take it so far. The narrative isn’t all that compelling (everyone sucks), and the gameplay lacks variety compared to later entries in the series (it largely boils down to driving to places and shooting enemies and finding diamonds). In almost every way, the game feels like a precursor toFar Cry 3.Far Cry 2’s DNA can be felt in many open-world games, and it’s as fun to play today as when it was released. Its relatively short length also makes it one ofthe most replayableFar Crygames
Despite being made byone of Ubisoft’s best studios, 2008’sPrince of Persiaisn’t as fondly remembered as the PS2-eraPrince of Persiagames. This is a pity because it has arguably aged better. Much of this is down to its gorgeous cel-shaded art style, inspired by watercolor paintings. Seriously, for developers who want their games to age well, it’s impossible to go wrong with cel-shaded graphics. Ignore some rough edges, and thisPrince of Persiais still just as visually stunning as it was at release.
The platforming is also smooth and has a nice focus on flow and rhythm to it that is almost relaxing. It’s very polished. Unfortunately, combat is nowhere near as engaging and almost seems like an afterthought. It certainly isn’t up to modern action game standards; fans of the genre are really spoiled these days. The story also isn’t particularly good, and many find the Prince’s personality grating. These minor flaws make the game harder to go back to than it otherwise would be, meaningPrince of Persiagets knocked down in the ranking. That said, it still remains a pleasantly relaxing platformer.
Child of Lighthas aged beautifully and is arguably one of the most charming games ever made.The watercolor-inspired art style is one of Ubisoft’s bestand hasn’t aged a day. Its poetic and deeply touching narrative is also just as enchanting. How well the gameplay has aged probably depends on how one feels about turn-based combat, a system that has increasingly fallen out of favor with modern gamers. For fans of classic RPGs, combat is satisfying and challenging but lacks the depth offered by longer RPGs.
Those who don’t like turn-based combat will probably find that the whole system feels dated. It’s a personal preference kind of thing. Still,Child of Light,thanks to its very nature, is as timeless as a fairy tale.
The originalAssassin’s Creedmight have been revolutionary, but it hasn’t aged well.Assassin’s Creed 2, on the other hand, has aged much better. Its setting, Renaissance Italy, still feels impressively accurate, and despite aging graphics, playing the game feels like stepping into a time machine. Gameplay-wise, the parkour mechanics are much improved upon the original, as is combat. This was the franchise at its purest, before system after system was heaped on top of one another.
The game also introduced Ezio, arguably the franchise’s andUbisoft’s best protagonist. Ezio’s tale of revenge and maturation is incredibly compelling, andAssassin’s Creed 2did a great job of kicking off his iconic 3-game arc. On the downside, the mission structure is a tad repetitive, and combat is less refined than in later entries. Ask anyone who has been around since the beginning which is their favorite entry in the series, and there’s a good chance they’ll sayAssassin’s Creed 2.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhoodtook everything that made2so popular and refined it while adding fun new mechanics and tools. Parkour was even better, combat had more options, and mission variety was much more impressive. The story, meanwhile, is arguably even better than2’s and continues to flesh out Ezio’s character as he grows into the role of master assassin.
What really puts the game a notch above its predecessor, though, is the multiplayer. Many fans were rightly concerned when multiplayer was announced for a franchise beloved for its single-player gameplay, but their fears turned out to be unfounded.Brotherhood’s multiplayer modes were quite unlike anything fans had seen before (or since).Assassin’s Creed’s parkour and stealth gameplay translate surprisingly well into multiplayer, and assassinating other players was great fun. Sadly, the servers were shut down in 2022, and fans haven’t had anything like it since.
3Rayman Origins
A 2D Platformer Inspired By The Greats
A good way to make sure a game ages well is to follow the KISS (keep it simple, stupid) design principle. In the case of gaming, this doesn’t mean making the game basic; rather, it means focusing on nailing down the basics rather than shoe-horning in extra modes, mechanics, etc. that might be in vogue at the time. This isRayman Originsto a tee.
Originstook the franchise back to its 2D platformer roots with great success. The gameplay is challenging and sometimes frustrating, but it’s always fair and fun. Success relies on mastering the game’s deceptively simple mechanics. Similarly, rather than going for flashy graphics, the game has a bright, colorful, and wonderfully weird art style that has aged superbly. Thanks to its simplicity, combined with a high skill ceiling,Originshas become a platforming classic and one ofUbisoft’s best aging games.
If a game is widely regarded as being the best entry in its franchise, despite being over a decade old and having received numerous sequels, then it has probably aged well. Likewise, if people are still talking about how it revolutionized/created an entire genre, then it surely holds up well today. That’sFar Cry 3,one ofthe best open-world FPS games ever made.
Far Cry 3’s DNA can be felt in pretty much every open-world game since it was released. Its gunplay, stealth, and crafting systems all still feel modern, while its outposts and towers became the blueprint for open-world design for a decade (especially in Ubisoft games). Some of these elements may have outstayed their welcome, but they all still work when going back toFar Cry 3. The visuals, while multiple generations old, still look good, and Rook Island still makes for a vibrant setting. What has aged best, however, is the story, with Vaas remaining one of the most iconic villains in all of gaming.
Arguablythe best open-world pirate game ever made,Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagis one of Ubisoft’s most beloved games. This entry took a franchise known for its brilliant realizations of ancient European cities and dropped it in the middle of the Caribbean Ocean. In doing so, it captured a level of exploration no game since has managed to copy.
Black Flagis all about freedom and adventure. If the player sees a landmass, they can visit it. If they can see a ship, they can board or attack it. At the same time, it polished the parkour and combat mechanics that the franchise had been refining sinceAssassin’s Creed 2. Everything about the game, from the visuals to the gameplay to the plot, is just as enjoyable today as it ever was. AfterBlack Flag,Ubisoft took the franchise in a different direction again and again, but for many,Black Flagremains the jewel in the publisher’s crown.
