Ranking Every PlayStation Developer From Worst To Best (2020)
2. Naughty Dog
Recent Release: Last of Us Part 2
Past Highlights: Crash Bandicoot, Uncharted, The Last Of Us
In Development: Last Of Us Part 2: Factions (multiplayer mode)
Despite kicking around since 1984, and developing games for everything from the Apple II, Sega Genesis, and even 3DO, Naughty Dog only came to prominence in parallel with the PS brand.
They created a fresh game trilogy for each PS console released, Crash Bandicoot (for PS1), Jak & Daxter (for PS2), and Uncharted (for PS3). Each resulted in a high-quality exclusive series for that specific generation.
Then they ended the PS3-gen with The Last Of Us, an out-and-out masterpiece and a proud console swansong. For the PS4 gen, two solid Uncharted games dropped and that was it, until this year's big release...
It's been an eventful few months for them. Rumors of a tough crunch-time environment, problematic company leaks, and the divisive fan response to Last of Us Part 2 has sullied (if only ever so slightly) the company's shiny disposition, hence losing the top spot.
Regardless, TLOU 2 isn't a polarising title due to being a low-quality rush-job, it's a game for adults with ballsy choices and haunting themes.. It was never going to work for everyone.
If anything, it has only made this top-tier developer more intriguing.. Regardless of how big they get, they're still willing to gamble it all, taking massive chances for the sake of the story they want to tell.