In a very short period, PlatinumGames has made a pretty significant mark in gaming. In an industry where experimentation is largely frowned upon in favor of making maximum profit, Platinum continues to go against the grain to bring players something different from what’s standard in the mainstream.
Let’s take a trip through their catalog and see which of the developer's games are the 10 most highly rated on Metacritic. Only the vanilla installments of each game will be accounted for and, if the title was multi-platform, the platform that received the best overall score.
10 Infinite Space (Nintendo DS) - 75
For such a young developer, it’s no surprise some of their earliest titles will be on this list. Infinite Space is a space RPG that was actually co-developed with Nude Maker, the people behind the first two Clock Tower games. According to this interview, it seems like Platinum was the helping hand for this project and not strictly the project head. Credit where credit is due though.
Infinite Space was a pretty ambitious title for the DS which fits Platinum’s goal of being risk-takers. It seems people enjoyed its expansive features like the shipbuilding and space exploration but weren’t too keen on its UI and controls.
9 Transformers: Devastation (PlayStation 4) - 77
Devastation is the most recent Transformers game, and possibly the last one we’ll see for a while until someone picks up the license again. As a result, there’s currently no way to get a digital copy of this game. So, if we never see another Transformers game, you better get those physical copies while they’re cheap.
Anyway, Devastation is a Transformers game with the patented PlatinumGames flair: high-octane hack-and-slash combat but with big, hulking robots. As a licensed game, your mileage may vary, but the ratings for this game seems to have fared better than something like The Legend of Korra.
8 The Wonderful 101 (Wii U) - 78
Another inventive title under Platinum’s belt, The Wonderful 101 is an action title with an interesting gimmick. The player can draw weapons on the Wii U gamepad touch screen that can be used in the game to defeat their enemies. Got to put that hardware to use somehow.
Getting used to the game’s quirky controls seems to be its biggest criticism. Platinum is no stranger when it comes to installing steep learning curves into their titles. Whether challenging to master controls translate to genuine or artificial difficulty is a grey-ish area.
7 MadWorld (Wii) - 81
Platinum’s first commercially released game. Even though PlatinumGames is made up of a lot of experienced and talented members, a new development team still has to prove itself. MadWorld was certainly a promising first title for things to come.
Its black-and-white art style accentuating the on-screen violence. Coupled with its over-the-top nature, MadWorld was quite the striking title on the Wii in 2009. It wasn’t exactly the most profitable game by any stretch of the imagination, but when your first commercial title sits comfortably above an 80 for both users and critics, you probably did something right.
6 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (Xbox 360) - 82
This 2013 action title is quite a different take on the Metal Gear franchise. Even so, it seems that few had an issue with the game as a spin-off of the franchise.
Revengeance offers all the spectacle and flair you come to expect from Platinum, with most criticisms pointing to the game’s camera while some others found the combat to lack overall technical depth. Revengeance's short length was also a sticking point for many people. It’s a topic that’s only becoming more apparent as games have gotten larger over the last decade.
5 Vanquish (Xbox 360) - 84
Platinum’s foray into 3rd-person shooters started with a bang. Vanquish is easily one of the more creative 3rd-person shooters released on the market during the last decade. While you can play it as a standard ‘whack-a-mole’ shooter, Vanquish really starts to shine when you experiment with its crazy, acrobatic mechanics. This can lead to some wildly different experiences for many players.
Again, issues with the game’s length are common complaints. For any person looking for a one-and-done campaign, this probably isn’t the title for you. But for those that like to experiment heavily in your games, Vanquish might be your type.
4 Astral Chain (Nintendo Switch) - 87
The latest game on this list, Astral Chain is more hack-and-slash goodness from Platinum. Though, the combat is a little different than what you’d expect from your standard Platinum fair. The player character works in tandem with a ‘Legion’ to defeat enemies.
Possibly due to fan backlash of Platinum partnering exclusively with Nintendo, Astral Chain was initially review bombed upon its release. This comes as no surprise as many people weren’t happy with Bayonetta 2 being a Nintendo exclusive either. It seems like fans’ disdain of Platinum’s partnership with Nintendo isn’t going away any time soon.
3 Nier: Automata (PlayStation 4) - 88
Platinum’s first solo undertaking of an RPG-style game, Nier: Automata is part of the spin-off line of games in the Drakengard franchise. No doubt one of Platinum’s biggest games upon its release, it serves as a possible replacement to the ill-fated Scalebound.
With a slightly more simplified version of the combat system found in a Bayonetta title, Nier: Automata mixes that with RPG-like features and some shoot-em-up set-pieces to keep things fresh. It’s also Platinum’s first attempt at an open-world game which might explain the rather low-res detail of the world’s textures.
2 Bayonetta (Xbox 360) - 90
The game that officially put PlatinumGames on the map. Bayonetta is the game that people probably most identify with PlatinumGames. It’s the game that earned them such a passionate fan base that its sequel being a Nintendo exclusive was somewhat of a hot topic around the time of its release, and the implications of it still resonate today.
Bayonetta is practically a gold standard when it comes to stylish action games. A challenging combat system, tons of content to unlock, and a high level of spectacle wrap the complete experience in a nice, little bow. It’s just a shame the PS3 port had downgraded visuals and performance issues.
1 Bayonetta 2 (Wii U) - 91
Was there really any doubt which game would take the top spot? The sequel to the original Bayonetta, Bayonetta 2 might be a Nintendo exclusive, but it certainly made the most of its situation. It’s no doubt the next logical step in the series’ progression.
As much as people want to throw the blame at Nintendo or Platinum for the series now being exclusive when the first game was multi-platform, Bayonetta 2 would not have been possible without the former. The sequel improved upon the fantastic foundations set by its predecessor, crafting a title that made the Wii U worth owning.