Actually, the dark opressive personality is present in all their divisions.
That's why the Net Yaroze was so bastardized from it's original concept of making a full PS1 dev kit available to consumers.
It's also why they actively put graphics abouve gameplay in their game approval process.
By most counts, publishers have extreme trouble getting licenses for 2D game releases in the US at all, regardless of game quality.
Based on the shelves, they can only get the linceses as bargain releases and bundle deals.
I would be happier if Sony had stayed out of the video game market totally.
I think they've been nothing but trouble for the industry, and to hell with the sales numbers that say otherwise.