July Fourth is a special day for Americans. On Independence Day, the country gets to celebrate its freedom and everything that’s great about it. Since PlayStation LifeStyle is based out of the United States of America, I thought it was only fitting to celebrate this joyous day with a gaming related feature. So, if you get tired of grilling and enjoying the outdoors, you can come inside for some patriotic video games.
Some of these titles will make you laugh as if you were watching Team America , while others are a sober reminder of why Americans have the freedoms that they rarely think about. America has a lot of good and bad qualities, and so do these patriotic games. Here are 10 patriotic video games on PlayStation.
From the original PlayStation to the PS4, Sony gamers have been treated to some pretty patriotic video games. Sure, some weren’t great, but America manages to be something special despite its flaws. There were plenty of games set in America (such as Assassin’s Creed III ) and titles that represented American values that didn’t make this list, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy of recognition.
Let me know in the comments what PlayStation game you think is the most patriotic, and how you’ll be spending Independence Day! Happy Fourth of July, everyone!
More Essential Reading:
Patriotic PlayStation Games
10 Patriotic PlayStation Games
18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker
America loves trucks, and just like fast food bigger is definitely better. 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker allows normal pedestrians to forego getting a Commercial Driver's License and instead just pretend to be driving a big ol' truck. To get the optimum playing experience, I recommend getting a CB radio and learning trucker slang. In no time you'll be telling other drivers that there's "a Kojak with a Kodak" on the road.
America's Army: Rise of a Soldier
America has participated in its fair share of wars, and there's a lot of games that cover them. Only one of these games is actually developed in part by the U.S. Army, though. Released on the PS2, America's Army: Rise of a Soldier features a story mode that is based off Major Jason Amerine's 2001 stint in Afghanistan. Subsequent releases in the America's Army series have not made its way onto Sony's consoles.
Broforce
When I think about American cinema I think about amazing action films such as Rambo and actors like Mr. T. PS4 action game Broforce essentially takes all of these great things (although modifies them just enough to avoid a lawsuit), and provides a terrific 2D shooter. Levels are fully destructible, and up to four friends can join in on the action.
The Simpsons: Hit & Run
The Simpsons is significant to American culture in a lot of ways. Its sense of humor has been associated with our great nation for over 20 years (it's the longest running scripted TV show in the USA), and just like our great nation its best years are behind us. That said, it's still fun to reminisce and The Simpsons: Hit & Run is the best game in the series.
Freedom Fighters
If you were to boil the United States down to its core essence, it'd be freedom (although it probably would be covered in grease). IO Interactive's Freedom Fighters is a patriotic third-person shooter that's about taking back New York City from a Soviet Union invasion. The game's protagonist, Chris Stone, represents all that's great about America (he's similar to John Cena in that way) and vows that he'll "die a free man" in the game.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is all about the American dream. It's about making something of yourself from nothing, and its Miami-inspired setting is perfect for it (after all it was the home of Kevin Ferguson). There's plenty of coke, guns and gorgeous cars in Vice City , and it's a glorified look into American crime.
Patriotic Pinball
You can tell this PlayStation game (released in 2003!) is patriotic just by its title. Patriotic Pinball isn't a particularly good virtual version of pinball (maybe you'd be better off playing Zen Pinball if you're looking to have fun), but it's filled with American locales and symbolism. Plus the pause screen is the American flag, so what's not to love? Y'know besides the mediocre gameplay.
Saints Row IV
Few games allow players to command the Oval Office, and even fewer star a superpowered President. Thankfully, Saints Row IV allows gamers to do just that, and it's a blast. Ridiculously over-the-top, this power trip shows that it's pretty awesome to be commander-in-chief.
Salt Lake 2002
Sports are one of the US' most popular pastimes, and every two years America supports some of its best athletes as they compete in the Olympics. The last time the Olympics took place in America was in 2002, as Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympics. To mark this occasion Eidos Interactive put out a pretty awful video game. It may not live up to the event itself, but it's the thought that counts.
Spec Ops: The Line
Spec Ops: The Line is a chilling portrayal of war, and what it does to the brave men and women that battle them. It features one of the most interesting narratives in the entire medium. It'll hopefully give players an even greater appreciation of our returning troops and what they deal with.