The PS3 games I own all rate from Impressive to Masterful on www.ign.com
Disc Based Games
Grand Theft Auto 4
10 Presentation
The story is Oscar quality. The use of the phone as a gaming portal is genius. There's really nothing more that could be asked for from GTA IV.
10 Graphics
The level of detail is astounding. Liberty City feels alive and lived in. While there are some technical issues, the artistic merits push the score to the max. A true marvel.
10 Sound
The dialogue makes the story. Without the excellent writing and the stellar voice acting, the story would fail. And the soundtrack kills -- more than 200 songs and almost all are great choices.
10 Gameplay
The cover and targeting system work great. Blind firing with an RPG is a thing of beauty. Everything works in harmony and not a single one of the missions is bad. The most fun I've had in years.
10 Lasting Appeal
The story will take anywhere from 25-45 hours to complete, depending on your skill level and attention span. There's plenty more to do once you finish the story, such as excellent multiplayer.
10
Masterful OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
10 Presentation
A story worthy of a feature length film, with action that keeps you engaged from the second you hit the start button 'til the final credits roll.
10 Graphics
Incredibly detailed and visually breathtaking, with amazing camera angles, MGS4 is one of the most beautiful titles ever made.
10 Sound
Haunting melodies, the re-introduction of classic themes via iPod, and perfect line delivery by actors -- this is an aural delight from start to finish.
10 Gameplay
Not only does MGS4 include new gameplay mechanics, it shatters the mold of what's expected from the series. Stealth, action, or balanced play: the choice is yours in how you explore this MGS world.
10 Lasting Appeal
There are dozens of secrets and Easter Eggs, along with tons of ways to approach any combat situation. Plus, when you're done with the single player, MGO will keep you engaged for weeks on end.
10
Masterful OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Killzone 2
9.5 Presentation
Everything from the first entrance onto the battlefield to the last cutscene creates a hectic, fun and fast-paced thrill ride through a warzone where each step you take could be your last.
9.5 Graphics
Phenomenal visuals prove that Guerrilla either met or surpassed that infamous E3 trailer. Some technical issues hold it back from being a completely flawless masterpiece.
9.0 Sound
7.1 channel sound captures every nuance of the battlefield from gunshots to screams along with a great soundtrack. Weakly delivered, curse-filled dialogue (sans Brian Cox) could've been done better.
9.0 Gameplay
You'll have to get used to the firearms as well as the AI on both sides. More turret and vehicle sections would've been great, but outside of that, the single-player campaign is fun to play through.
9.5 Lasting Appeal
Multiplayer is extremely deep and has the added bonus of an offline skirmish mode. This is where you'll spend the majority of your time once the credits roll.
9.4
Outstanding OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
10 Presentation
Insomniac has created its most intriguing and diverse universe yet. The story is strong and ends with closure and a cliffhanger (figure that one out), while load times rarely exist.
9.5 Graphics
"Fantastic" is what comes to mind when describing the sights you'll see. A rock-solid framerate, crazy effects, a terrific art design and environmental activity galore. Prettiest thing on the system.
8.5 Sound
The recurring V/O cast puts in another high-end (and hilarious) performance. The surround sound effects make the most of your receiver as well and the musical score fits well.
9.5 Gameplay
Insomniac has the Ratchet and Clank formula down pat and the balance and progression of the shooting/ platforming/ space battles has been refined to award-winning levels. Fun, fun, fun!
9.0 Lasting Appeal
You're looking at a good 12-15 hour quest the first time through, plus a challenge mode option, tons of upgradeable weapons, plenty of clandestine areas, secret skins, cheats, cinematics and more.
9.4
Outstanding OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Street Fighter 4
8.0 Presentation
Generally well-polished and clean, with PS3 and 360 versions performing almost identically. Anime cutscenes, however, are a joke and should have been replaced with in-engine storytelling.
9.0 Graphics
This is a sharp, elegant and sublimely well-animated affair. I'm still amazed at how fireballs look in this game.
8.5 Sound
Plenty of slick tunes to complement the fighting, with a sweet J-pop song serving as the main theme. IGN predicts sweaty techno raves wherever the game is played.
9.0 Gameplay
Street Fighter IV is a brilliant step for the franchise as it -- in most cases -- returns to the roots of the series. As with many fighting games, gameplay gets deeper with practice.
9.5 Lasting Appeal
A veritable horde of unlockables keeps single-player sessions constantly rewarding. Playing against like-minded Street Fighter junkies will keep the game relevant for years.
9.3
Outstanding OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Ninja Gaiden Sigma
8.5 Presentation
The story doesn't make much sense and the cutscenes weren't re-rendered for HD, but everything else is slick as oil.
8.0 Graphics
Extremely clean visuals that look fantastic but aren't as awe-inspiring as other ground-up PS3 games.
9.0 Sound
Spectacular music and movie-quality sound effects.
9.5 Gameplay
The new segments with Rachel are only okay, but the core Ryu stuff is nearly as good as it gets.
8.0 Lasting Appeal
A lengthy single-player game will keep you hooked for a while, and the Mission mode will pick up where that leaves off.
9.3
Outstanding OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Resistance: Fall of Man
9.0 Presentation
Insomniac has created a compelling mythos and the unique blend of World War II-level battles with alien technology is a great mix. Expect load times only at the beginning of stages.
8.5 Graphics
A mix of 20th century war machines and intergalactic alien hordes makes for quite the interesting art style. A solid 30fps framerate and plenty of bells and whistles easily impress.
8.5 Sound
When connected to a capable speaker, Resistance will blow your speakers to kingdom come with great audio effects and stellar voice acting. Don't expect to hear much musically, though.
9.0 Gameplay
Experience the best weapons to come along in a shooter for quite some time united with challenging enemies, tight control, smooth online play, and insane boss battles. Seriously fun.
9.5 Lasting Appeal
Between 12-15 hours of single-player action, multiple (and very challenging) difficulty levels, four hidden weapons, unlockable secrets and skill points, and a ton of multiplayer options. Hot!
9.1
Outstanding OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
9.5 Presentation
The whole thing has the polish of a major motion picture and goes out of its way to immerse you in the experience with amazing cutscenes, music and more.
9.0 Graphics
There's no doubt the game looks great and that the use of in-game assets for the movies is seamless transition, but there's still a fair amount of screen tearing and texture pop in.
9.5 Sound
From the low instrumental piece accompanying the opening screen to the sweeping score that runs throughout the whole game, this is what videogame music should be.
9.0 Gameplay
This game is flat-out fun to play. Leaping from ledges is awesome, shootouts are fun, and the occasional vehicle section is a nice change of pace. Still, the pirate battles can be a bit much.
8.5 Lasting Appeal
The game is short, but the medals, rewards and bonuses should be enough to bring you back at least once.
9.1
Outstanding OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Burnout Paradise
9.0 Presentation
The interface is especially slick, especially the online stuff, but the in-game compass isn't so great.
9.0 Graphics
While it doesn't quite have the shine of some other racers on the market, it runs amazingly well, especially considering how much is going on, and the crashes are stellar.
9.5 Sound
The engine and crash effects are fantastic. Brilliant work here.
8.5 Gameplay
Perfect controls at blazing speeds are only hampered by having to rely on the map to get around and not being able to restart on the spot.
9.0 Lasting Appeal
Getting to 100% will take you forever. But you'll probably try.
8.8
Great OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)[/size]
Devil May Cry 4
8.5 Presentation
While this is more Nero's story than Dante's, this chapter of the DMC franchise maintains just about every facet of the series fans have come to know and love.
9.0 Graphics
Visually arresting and vibrantly depicted, this is one of those games that showcases the power of your system.
9.0 Sound
From sarcasm to apathy, the dialogue is almost perfectly delivered. Mixed with the trademark electrometal soundtrack, this is DMC through and through.
8.5 Gameplay
Dante feels more like an afterthought than a real addition, the Exceed system is a bit weak, and the repetitive level design is particularly dismaying.
9.0 Lasting Appeal
Six difficulty levels, survival modes and other extras will keep you playing for a long time.
8.7
Great OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Midnight Club: Los Angeles
9.0 Presentation
Fantastic GPS system that lets you explore the city quickly, and the menus generally get out of your way very quickly.
8.5 Graphics
The city looks fantastic given its scope, though the car models probably could have been a little sleeker.
9.0 Sound
Mostly great soundtrack and awesome engine effects make this a speaker-pusher.
8.5 Gameplay
The cars handle very well, the city is a blast to drive in and there's plenty to do. Unfortunately, it's also unforgivingly hard.
8.5 Lasting Appeal
Plenty of events and tons of online options will keep you hooked for a good while.
8.5
Great OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm
7.5 Presentation
Loading times are on the longer side, but Ultimate Ninja Storm is a slick title with a fairly high level of polish. Could have used more story-telling devices, though.
9.0 Graphics
Not only is Ultimate Ninja Storm the best-looking Naruto game I've ever seen, but it just looks outstanding in general. Animation fluidity is unbelievable.
8.0 Sound
Dual language tracks are a nice option and music is fun to listen to. Occasional sound glitch when you end a battle with Ultimate Jutsu, but nothing game-breaking.
8.0 Gameplay
Straight-forward and simple. Enough timing-related gameplay to satisfy skilled gamers, but makes the breath-taking style of Naruto easily accessible.
8.0 Lasting Appeal
Tons of unlockables to collect, though sometimes world exploration and Secret Scroll gathering can be bothersome. Otherwise, Ultimate Ninja Storm is entertaining and will last a fair while.
8.4
Impressive OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Downloadable Games
Bionic Commando Rearmed
9.5 Presentation
Slick storytelling elements, great characters, easy-to-navigate menus -- so much of BCR is better than a lot of retail games.
9.5 Graphics
It looks good enough to be a full retail game. This is one of the prettiest downloadable games ever made.
9.0 Sound
The updated soundtrack gives a nod to the retro, but feels properly modernized. Voice acting is about the only thing missing.
9.0 Gameplay
GRIN kept the best of the original and then added layers of good stuff on top. The d-pad control is not perfect, but this is otherwise a brilliant experience.
8.0 Lasting Appeal
Though the game can be short if you don't suck, there's plenty of incentive to replay. The challenge rooms add a few extra hours, as do co-op and competitive multiplayer.
9.4
Outstanding OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
Flower
9.5 Presentation
A nearly magical elegance and sophistication rarely seen in gaming. A simple story that teaches you a lot, if you're willing to listen.
9.0 Graphics
A superb achievement in visuals for a downloadable title. The first level alone is astonishing.
9.0 Sound
This game must be played with sound. The music and effects work brilliantly to complement the dreamy experience of moving the controller.
8.5 Gameplay
Some of the most intuitive motion controls I've ever used. But Flower's significance extends far beyond its stage-to-stage objectives.
7.0 Lasting Appeal
Flower is very short, but there are secrets to find that will encourage gamers to come back. Furthermore, it's one of the rare gems that's rewarding to share with (girl/boy)friends.
9.0
Outstanding OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)