5 Best Sucker Punch Games of All Time, Ranked

You probably know Sucker Punch for their latest hit samurai game, Ghost of Tsushima. But they’ve been at work since way before, as early as 2002, when Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus came out. To date, they’ve released five mainline entries in the Sly Cooper series, with the latest, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, released in 2013. They’ve also launched a remaster collection of the first three games: Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, Sly 2: Band of Thieves, and Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves.

While Sly Cooper was a resounding success, it doesn’t rack up as much praise as their Infamous IP. Their second franchise kicked off with Infamous, released in 2009 to positive reviews. It was followed by two sequels, Infamous 2 (2011) and Infamous Second Son (2014). All along, Sucker Punch’s M.O. seems to be focusing on one game until it’s done, a strategy that has seen the studio hang onto an uphill climb to the top studios in the world.

Let’s see how each of Sucker Punch's games stacks up, though. Here are our best Sucker Punch games of all time.

5. Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves (2005)

The Sly Cooper series follows an anti-hero raccoon that likes to steal stuff. In fact, he’s a descendant of a long line of master thieves. And only ever steals from other thieves. He usually has two compatriots in tow: Bentley, the turtle and brains of the operation, and Murray, the hippopotamus and getaway driver. On their heels, always one step behind the Cooper gang, is Cooper’s own love interest, Inspector Carmelita Fox of Interpol. 

Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves is the third entry in the Sly Cooper series. It’s a stealth platform game that kicks off with the Cooper gang about to orchestrate a heist on Kane Island. It’s their most impossible robbery yet, but thanks to the strict vetting process of the new recruits, they just might have a chance to break through the family vault and collect a whopping mass of treasure and wealth. Of course, Inspector Carmelita won’t be far behind, along with the evil maniac, Dr. M. 

The game's upgrade from previous entries was perhaps its most potent factor. It's a bigger, longer, and faster game that could have benefited from a little more polish, but it's still one of the best Sly Cooper experiences yet. Furthermore, the game introduced partial 3D, which, while a flop, did not detract from the gameplay. Overall, the game was a rich and entertaining experience, with a variety of scenarios and a charming personality.

Platform: PS2

4. Infamous 2 (2011)

The Infamous series stages missions in fictionalized versions of urban America. In Infamous 2, Sucker Punch curated an immersive open-world action adventure that’s perhaps the most powerful, compelling, and visceral embodiment of heroism. As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility, it’s up to you to use your newly acquired powers to the benefit (or otherwise) of society. 

Every gameplay aspect weaves together to create a complete playthrough. Side quests, while often optional, play a part in keeping the city safer. Visually, the game looked fantastic, with evident improvements from previous entries. Exploration is fun, with each area you go to feeling unique and enticing. It’s difficult to lack something to do, whether uncovering secrets or playing hero against The Beast.

Platform: PS3

3. Sly 2: Band of Thieves (2004)

Sly 2: Band of Thieves takes you back to the arcade era and the classic platforming elements. Its most significant victory was picking up from its predecessor, which nailed fun and exciting gameplay. Even if you’re a little late to the party, it still provides an intricate plot and variety of gameplay to return to tens of times. And thanks to the remastered version of the first three games, you can enjoy up-to-date graphics and gameplay.

Anyone can pick up and play Sly 2: Band of Thieves, unlike Infamous. Perhaps it’s the allure that still hooks us today. You can switch between the three characters and enjoy each one’s varied gameplay. Whether you love the original or 3D platforms in general, Sly 2: Band of Thieves is the kind of game where its parts work in synergy, leaving you wanting more.

Platform: PS2

2. Ghost of Tsushima (2020)

Ghost of Tsushima is the most gorgeous game Sucker Punch has made yet, with fascinating, stylish, blade-to-blade combat. It’s not the perfect game, but it sure does come close to scratching the itch for the feudal Japan game you never knew was there. Save for the violence inspired by the fearsome Mongol Empire invasion of Japan, the graphics do capture the raw form of beauty and charm I imagine 1274 Japan looked like.

Set in feudal Japan, Ghost of Tsushima lets you choose from one of four classes: Samurai, Hunter, Ronin, or Assassin. You must master the way of the Ghost to defeat the Mongol forces and give power back to the people. Throughout the journey, your experience encompasses a dense, vast open world that constantly challenges you, while still delivering a rewarding all-around samurai slashin’ adventure. Even after roughly 40 to 50 hours of play, it’s still easy to put in an additional 15 to 20 hours to finish any remaining side quests and search for all the collectibles because the gameplay is just that good and fun throughout.

Platform: PS4

1. Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut (2020)

While more or less the same game, Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut is an upgrade from the PS4 to the PS5 next-gen version. So, while it includes everything that makes the original great, it also adds an additional layer of bonus collectibles like score points and skins, as well as the director’s commentary and a historian's input on the actual events of the feudal Japan time period in which the game is set. That, along with the obvious DualSense haptic feedback, 4K resolution, and 3D audio, elevates the experience to a new level.

Platform: PS5

So, what’s your take? Do you agree with our list of the best Sucker Punch games of all time? How would you have ranked them? Let us know over on our socials here.