Don’t get mad: here are 5 timed Xbox One and PS4 exclusives

We all know by now the furore that was raised when it was announced that Rise of the Tomb Raider would be a timed Xbox One exclusive. Playstation gamers everywhere were up in arms at the thought. Console exclusivity is hardly a new thing however, and we saw loads of them on the PS3 and Xbox 360. The fact that Rise of the Tomb Raider is being announced as a timed exclusive and not a console exclusive title at least gives PS4 owners a carrot to salivate over.

What are some of the other timed exclusives on the cards? Interestingly, there seem to be a greater number of timed Playstation exclusives (particularly when it comes to indie games) as opposed to timed Xbox One releases, but either way, all of these games will come to both consoles. All it requires is a little patience on our part.

Some of these games you might have heard of, some will be a little more off the beaten path.

Rise of the Tomb Raider – Xbox One

Rise of the Tomb Raider is a timed Xbox One exclusive, releasing in 2015. It follows the story of Lara Croft after the previous game, and her struggle to come to terms with the trials she had to go through in order to survive. We see Lara become the Tomb Raider we’re oh-so-familiar with. Although there has been a bit of an uproar about the release of this game on Microsoft’s new console, Sony isn’t completely pessimistic about this move, and honestly, considering the popularity of the title, Crystal Dynamics would be pretty short-sighted not to consider other platforms.

Hellblade – PS4

Video via RajmanGaming HD

Hellblade is a recently announced PS4 timed exclusive by developer Ninja Theory (Heavenly Sword, Enslaved, Devil May Cry), which is apparently inspired by Celtic myth. It’s a single player title, with a brand new IP and the combat has been described as brutal and uncompromising. Don’t think of this as Heavenly Sword 2 however, Ninja Theory have been clear that it’s definitely not a sequel.

The Witness – PS4

If you’re an indie gamer, you know about Braid and its somewhat enigmatic developer Jonathan Blow. The Witness is his latest game, and one that has been in development for the PS4 for quite a while. It’s a puzzle adventure game, of which there are apparently more than 600 in the game. Your unnamed player character finds himself on an island divided into ten sections. You must navigate your way through all of the different sections, solving puzzles as you go, in order to reach your ultimate goal.

Hollowpoint – PS4

Not too much is known about Hollowpoint at this stage, other than what was revealed at Gamescom 2014, but we know that Sony have partnered with Paradox and Ruffian Games to bring Hollowpoint to the PS4 in 2015. So far we know that this is a four player co-op game, that combines “fast paced 2D platform shooter gameplay… with precision based 3D shooter gameplay” says Sony. The goal of the game is to build up a feared and respected Organisation. Yup, with a capital O. We’re not sure how long this will take to come to other consoles, but it’s not looking too shabby.

Destiny – PS4 exclusive content

Video via GT News

This last one isn’t so much a timed console exclusive, as much as it is timed exclusive content. In what has been a somewhat controversial move, Activision have announced that the PS4 will receive timed exclusive content for upcoming FPSRPG shooter Destiny. PS4 owners will receive a multiplayer map, a Strike mission, three sets of armour, two weapons and three spacecraft. It might not seem all that special to some when you consider the customisation available in this game, but the additional map and Strike mission are going to be the real kickers here.

And so?

Do you think console exclusives are important? Do timed exclusives really make all that much difference in the long run, to whether or not you’ll consider playing a game? For those of us who own both consoles, for whatever reason, we often forget that the majority of gamers don’t really have this luxury, so what might not seem like a big deal to some, is actually a huge deal to the majority of the gaming population. All I can say is that at least timed exclusives are not a permanent state of affairs – there is always light at the end of the tunnel.