Sucker Punch Faces a Tough Choice for PlayStation's Next Big Hit

Sucker Punch Productions, a cornerstone of PlayStation's exclusive lineup, stands at a pivotal moment. Fresh off the massive success of Ghost of Yotei, the studio is already plotting its next project. With a track record of delivering hits like Ghost of Tsushima, which sold over ten million copies, the team faces a tough call: dive back into the samurai saga, revive the sly raccoon thief Sly Cooper, or bring back the electrifying superhero vibes of inFamous. The catch? The studio's laser focus means they can only tackle one project at a time, making this decision a defining one for the next five to seven years.

This isn't just about picking a game; it's about shaping PlayStation's identity. Fans of the PlayStation 2 era, now in their late twenties or thirties, are clamoring for Sly Cooper's return after a twelve-year absence. Meanwhile, inFamous fans see a chance to fill a gap in the superhero genre, untouched by the studio since 2014. Then there's the Ghost fanbase, hooked on cinematic samurai adventures. Each path pulls Sucker Punch in a different direction, balancing nostalgia, innovation, and market trends.

Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus kicked off Sucker Punch's legacy in 2002, charming players with its slick platforming and heist-driven storytelling. The trilogy, ending in 2005, blended precise controls with a cartoonish world of thieving raccoons and global capers. As of 2025, the idea of bringing Sly back feels like a bold swing. Modern tech, like the PlayStation 5's haptic feedback, could make every rooftop leap or stealthy pickpocket moment feel alive. Imagine dynamic lighting casting dramatic shadows as Sly sneaks through a neon-lit city.

The catch is the challenge of scaling a PlayStation 2-era platformer to today's AAA expectations. Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart, another PlayStation classic, showed how to modernize a platformer with stunning visuals and tight gameplay, selling millions while keeping fans happy. But the last Sly Cooper game, 2013's Thieves in Time developed by Sanzaru Games, didn't quite hit the mark, suggesting a revival by Sucker Punch would need to nail the series' charm while expanding its scope. A family-friendly title could also broaden PlayStation's appeal, reaching younger players where Nintendo often dominates.

When inFamous launched in 2009, it carved a niche with its urban chaos and morality-driven superhero antics. By 2014's Second Son, Sucker Punch had mastered open-world mayhem, letting players wield electric powers in a gritty Seattle. Now, with superhero games like Marvel's Spider-Man dominating, inFamous could make a comeback with a twist. Picture destructible environments powered by PlayStation 5's tech, where every lightning blast reshapes the battlefield, or crowd simulations that make cities feel alive.

Marvel's Spider-Man offers a lesson here: a polished superhero game with a strong narrative can sell millions and define a console. But inFamous faces hurdles. Its morality system, once groundbreaking, feels dated compared to nuanced choices in games like Dishonored. Sucker Punch would need to reinvent the formula to stand out, especially against Sony's own Spider-Man. Still, the studio's expertise in open-world design, honed on Ghost of Tsushima, makes inFamous a tempting canvas for innovation.

Ghost of Tsushima, and now Yotei, proved Sucker Punch can create a blockbuster from scratch. The samurai epic's seamless open world and cinematic storytelling hooked a new audience, distinct from Sly or inFamous fans. Sticking with Ghost feels like the safe bet: leverage existing tech, keep the fanbase engaged, and deliver a trilogy that cements PlayStation's prestige. Sony likely sees this as a way to maintain momentum, especially with ten million copies sold for the first game alone.

But safe isn't always exciting. Reviving Sly or inFamous carries risks, new tech demands, fan expectations, and market fit, but also huge rewards. A successful revival could tap into nostalgia while drawing new players, much like Ratchet and Clank did. The downside? A misstep could alienate fans, as seen with Sly's lukewarm 2013 return. Sucker Punch's small team, about 160 developers, means every project is a massive commitment, amplifying the stakes.

Fans are vocal about their hopes. On forums and social media, PlayStation 2-era players push for Sly Cooper, dreaming of a heist game that feels fresh yet familiar. Others, drawn to inFamous's urban chaos, want a superhero epic that rivals Spider-Man's polish. Ghost fans, meanwhile, crave more samurai drama, with anticipation building for Yotei's upcoming Legends multiplayer mode. Sony, as the publisher, has to weigh these desires against market realities. A family-friendly Sly could diversify their lineup, while inFamous might compete too closely with their own IPs.

Whatever path they choose, Sucker Punch's track record, decades of critical hits with no major flops, suggests they'll deliver something worth playing.