As a PlayStation gamer, the pursuit of platinum trophies has become a beloved pastime. There's a unique satisfaction in conquering every challenge a game throws your way, exploring every nook and cranny, and ultimately, earning that coveted platinum trophy. To commemorate the milestone of achieving 50 platinum trophies, I've decided to create a tier list, not of the games themselves, but of the experiences of earning those platinums. This isn't about the best games, but about the most memorable, enjoyable, and sometimes, the most grueling platinum hunts.
Defining the Tiers
Before diving into the list, let's establish the tier categories. These tiers reflect my personal enjoyment and overall experience of obtaining the platinum, considering factors like difficulty, time commitment, the grind factor, and how much fun I had along the way.
- S Tier: Platinum Perfection - These are the platinums that were an absolute joy to earn. The games were fantastic, the challenges were engaging, and the platinum felt like a natural extension of the gameplay experience. There was minimal grind, and I enjoyed almost every second of the journey. These are the platinums I'd happily pursue again.
- A Tier: Excellent Adventures - These platinums were still very enjoyable to earn, but perhaps had a few minor hiccups or slightly more grind than S Tier games. The overall experience was positive, and the games themselves were excellent.
- B Tier: Solid Hunts - These platinums were decent to earn, with a mix of enjoyable and less enjoyable tasks. There might have been some grind involved, or a few frustrating trophies, but the overall experience was still worthwhile.
- C Tier: The Grind is Real - These platinums were more of a chore to obtain. The games might have been good, but the platinum requirements were either overly grindy, excessively difficult, or just plain tedious. These are the platinums I'm glad to have, but wouldn't necessarily recommend to everyone.
- D Tier: Never Again! - These are the platinums that I regret pursuing. The games might have had potential, but the platinum requirements were so frustrating, time-consuming, or poorly designed that they soured the entire experience. These are the platinums I'd actively advise others to avoid.
The Tier List
Now, let's get to the list itself! Keep in mind that this is entirely subjective, and your own experiences may vary. I'll provide a brief explanation for each game's placement, highlighting the key factors that influenced my decision.
S Tier: Platinum Perfection
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Marvel's Spider-Man (PS4 & PS5): Web-slinging through New York City and thwarting supervillains is inherently fun, and the platinum trophy in Marvel's Spider-Man perfectly complements that experience. The trophy list encourages exploration, completing side activities, and mastering combat skills. There's very little grind, and the story is captivating enough to warrant multiple playthroughs. The challenges are engaging without being overly difficult, making this a truly enjoyable platinum to pursue. From swinging through the city to battling iconic villains, every moment feels like a superhero fantasy come to life. The balance between story progression, side missions, and collectible hunting is masterfully done, making the platinum journey feel organic and rewarding. The post-game cleanup is minimal, and the overall experience is polished and satisfying. Earning the platinum in Marvel's Spider-Man feels like a true accomplishment, a testament to your dedication and skill as a player.
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Horizon Zero Dawn: The world of Horizon Zero Dawn is breathtaking, and the gameplay is equally captivating. The platinum trophy encourages players to explore every corner of the map, engage with the fascinating lore, and master the art of hunting robotic creatures. The trophy list is well-balanced, offering a mix of challenging combat encounters and engaging exploration tasks. The story is compelling and the characters are memorable, making the platinum journey a truly immersive experience. What sets Horizon Zero Dawn apart is its ability to blend a captivating narrative with challenging gameplay and a rewarding trophy list. The sense of accomplishment you feel after taking down a Thunderjaw and earning a trophy is unparalleled. This platinum is a badge of honor, signifying your mastery of the game and your dedication to exploring its rich world. From unraveling the mysteries of the past to battling colossal machines, the journey to platinum is an unforgettable one.
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Ghost of Tsushima: Ghost of Tsushima offers a stunning open-world samurai experience, and the platinum trophy is a testament to the game's quality. The trophy list encourages players to explore the beautiful island of Tsushima, engage in sword fights, and master stealth tactics. The game's atmosphere, combined with the engaging gameplay and well-designed trophy list, makes for a truly memorable platinum hunt. The story is both epic and personal, and the characters are well-developed and compelling. The side activities are also worthwhile, offering additional lore and character development. Earning the platinum in Ghost of Tsushima feels like a true samurai journey, a testament to your skill, patience, and dedication. This is a platinum that you'll be proud to display on your trophy list.
A Tier: Excellent Adventures
- God of War (2018): God of War is a masterpiece, and the platinum trophy is a worthy challenge. The trophy list encourages players to explore the world, battle challenging enemies, and master Kratos' combat skills. The only reason it's not in S Tier is the Valkyrie fights, which, while rewarding, can be incredibly frustrating.
- The Last of Us Part II: This game is a narrative masterpiece, and the platinum trophy requires players to fully engage with the story and world. The trophy list is well-designed, encouraging exploration and experimentation with different playstyles. The emotional weight of the story makes this a platinum journey that will stay with you long after you've earned it.
- Final Fantasy VII Remake: This remake is a stunning reimagining of a classic, and the platinum trophy is a testament to the game's quality. The trophy list encourages players to master the combat system, complete all side quests, and experience the story in its entirety. The difficulty spikes in some challenges prevent it from reaching S Tier, but it's still a very enjoyable platinum to pursue.
B Tier: Solid Hunts
- Assassin's Creed Odyssey: This game offers a vast open world to explore, and the platinum trophy encourages players to see it all. The trophy list is a bit grindy, but the game is fun enough to make the grind worthwhile.
- Red Dead Redemption 2: This is an epic Western adventure, and the platinum trophy is a long and challenging journey. The online trophies are the main reason it's in B Tier, as they require a significant time investment and can be quite repetitive. However, the single-player experience is so good that it makes the overall platinum hunt worthwhile.
- Control: This game is a unique and stylish action-adventure, and the platinum trophy is a good challenge. The trophy list is well-designed, encouraging players to explore the Oldest House and master Jesse's abilities. The collectibles can be a bit tedious, but the overall experience is enjoyable.
C Tier: The Grind is Real
- Death Stranding: This game is a unique and divisive experience, and the platinum trophy is a significant time investment. The trophy list requires players to complete a lot of deliveries and build infrastructure, which can become repetitive. While the story and world are fascinating, the grind factor prevents this platinum from reaching a higher tier.
- Days Gone: This open-world zombie game has a good story and satisfying gameplay, but the platinum trophy requires a significant amount of grinding. The hordes are fun to fight, but clearing them all can become tedious. The collectibles are also numerous and scattered throughout the map, adding to the grind.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: This is an epic RPG with a vast world and engaging story, but the platinum trophy can be a bit of a grind. The trophy list requires players to complete all side quests and contracts, which can take a considerable amount of time. The difficulty of some of the challenges also contributes to the grind factor.
D Tier: Never Again!
- Mafia III: This game has a good story and atmosphere, but the platinum trophy is a repetitive and grindy experience. The trophy list requires players to complete a lot of repetitive tasks, such as taking over rackets and interrogating informants. The lack of variety and the sheer amount of grind make this a platinum that I regret pursuing.
- Watch Dogs: Legion: This game has an interesting concept, but the platinum trophy is a tedious and frustrating experience. The trophy list requires players to complete a lot of repetitive tasks, such as recruiting operatives and completing side missions. The technical issues and glitches in the game also added to the frustration.
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order: While the gameplay and story are enjoyable, the platinum trophy requires excessive backtracking and collectible hunting. The map design makes navigation difficult, and the collectibles are often hidden in obscure locations. The frustration of finding the last few collectibles outweighs the enjoyment of the game itself.
Final Thoughts
Creating this tier list has been a fun and reflective exercise. It's reminded me of the many hours I've spent gaming and the diverse experiences I've had pursuing platinum trophies. While some platinums were a breeze, others were a true test of my patience and dedication. Ultimately, each platinum represents a unique journey and a personal achievement. As I continue my platinum-hunting adventures, I look forward to adding more games to this list and creating new memories along the way.
This list is, of course, just my personal opinion. What are some of your favorite (and least favorite) platinum trophies? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
