It’s hard to believe the PlayStation 4 has been around for more than five years. Over that time, we’ve seen a remarkable number of masterpieces in gaming. PlayStation boasts one of the largest and most diverse catalogs of video games, with countless titles worth pouring hours into. But these are the best of the best—the 10 greatest games to ever be played on the PS4.
10. Resident Evil 2 (2019)
The recent remake of the classic horror title shocked everyone with just how great it was, capturing the same feel of adventure as Resident Evil 4 in a gorgeous new 4K package. This game is the perfect blend of action and gore. Seeing the classic police station in wonderful textures and new graphic design brought enough nostalgia to keep it equally heartwarming and horrifying. While the Resident Evil franchise had a rocky few years after its fourth installment, since Resident Evil 7 it has been coming to bat. Capcom is on a winning streak, and with more zombie titles on the horizon, it doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
Buy $39.99, amazon.com
9. Shovel Knight (2015)
Shovel Knight, a charming game that has players taking down the forces of evil with a trusty shovel sword, was a breakout hit for Yacht Club Games and the indie game movement as a whole. Its beautiful, 8-bit package and nostalgic music left all retro lovers hungry for more. And Yacht Club delivered, gracing players with a steady stream of free content, along with a brand new campaign coming soon.
Players are tasked with collecting treasure for upgrades, and when they die, their bags of treasure are re-collectable. It’s an excellent risk/reward system. You can also pogo on your sword. Shovel Knight did wonders for the indie wave, and for that reason alone it deserves its spot on this list.
Buy $24.98, amazon.com
8. Kingdom Hearts 3 (2019)
Kingdom Hearts combined Final Fantasy with Disney for a head-scratching experience, and it has been a PlayStation staple since the first installment on the PS2. After an almost 15-year wait, Kingdom Hearts 3 crashed onto the PlayStation 4 in January.
Kingdom Hearts 3 has a remarkably smooth and flashy combat system, complete with new drive forms and attraction commands based on rides straight from the Disney parks. It takes you into beloved Disney worlds and brings with it the in-depth, and sometimes confusing, plot we all have grown to love from this series. The care put into this game comes through on all levels, leaving players smiling through and through. With Critical mode and DLC slated to be coming soon, there’s plenty more KH goodness to look forward to.
Buy $43.49, amazon.com
7. Monster Hunter: World (2018)
The Monster Hunter series has a reputation for extreme difficulty. With detailed armor and skill systems, and the necessity of coordinated teamwork, the series calls for the absolute destruction of a vibrant cast of monsters—which turned many off before they even tried it. That all changed with Monster Hunter: World.
World puts an emphasis on story and teaching new players before they swim among epic new beasts. The game revolves around a team of four hunters, all playing with different skill sets and weapons, taking down huge monsters against all odds. The co-op experience has been dying this generation, what with our current obsession with chaotic 100-player matches, but Monster Hunter: World is a reminder of what makes intimate multiplayer so great.
Buy $19.99, amazon.com
6. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019)
The newest title from Dark Souls developers FromSoftware did not let us down. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, set in 1500s Japan, is a new spin on the traditional Souls-style level of difficulty. Sekiro’s take on the ruthless action-adventure games we’ve seen before makes for a refreshing experience. A grappling hook and an emphasis on vertical combat are fantastic additions that open a whole new path of strategy to players. This game requires a lot of patience, arguably more than the Souls/Borne series, and I am here for it. You’re going to die a lot, but isn’t that what gaming’s all about?
Buy $59.20, amazon.com
5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
This is a game with a glorious open world. The Witcher 3 offers players a meaningful RPG experience wrapped in a graphically ambitious package. What it really excels in compared to many action RPGs is quest depth. Whether it’s a side quest or main quest, it feels important. The player is always interacting with memorable and colorful characters, with top-tier voice acting making the game come to life. The polish on The Witcher 3 is seen from top to bottom.
Being nearly four years old, with many updates since its release, The Witcher 3 can be picked up for cheap and should definitely be your next impulse buy.
Buy $32.99, amazon.com
4. Overwatch (2016)
This class-based shooter took the world by storm. Turning three years old this May, Overwatch has maintained a consistent player base and free content stream. Recently, Overwatch developers Blizzard launched their 30th hero, Baptiste, proving the team won’t run out of fresh ideas anytime soon. Overwatch’s core gameplay has seen Nerfs, new maps, cosmetics, modes, events, and so on, and they’ve only made this already-stellar game even greater.
With many ways to play, it’s also an extremely versatile team game. The best part of Overwatch is working together towards objectives, and with teams of six, every player’s responsibilities are huge. The frantic adrenaline from teamwork has stood the test of time, making Overwatch a must-have for all PlayStation owners.
Buy $29.99, amazon.com
3. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
The massively popular Red Dead Redemption 2 swooped in and absolutely killed it with a stellar plot and stunning open world. High-tail it with Arthur Morgan through a touching and thrilling story, that much like the first game sticks with you through all of its twists and turns. The game is very long but still leaves players’ mouths watering for more—even after multiple epilogues.
Red Dead Redemption 2 also offers a fantastic online experience. While it had a rocky start and is still in beta, working as my own freelance cowboy with a team is some of the most fun I’ve had online since GTA V. Whether you’re into story, shooters, or online playing, Red Dead is definitely a must for any library.
Buy $39.88, amazon.com
2. Marvel’s Spider Man (2018)
A PlayStation exclusive swings in at number 2. Marvel’s first big hit in gaming since Ultimate Alliance back in 2006, Spider Man is a slam dunk. It was easily one of the best games of 2018, with smooth gameplay, interesting progression, great unlockables, and a remarkably heartfelt story.
The gameplay feels exactly as all of us hoped for our web-slinging hero. Swinging around New York and tackling plenty of side missions has us wanting more. Insomniac Games, known for the Ratchet & Clank series and Sunset Overdrive, absolutely crushed it with Spider Man, opening a wide path for licensed games and a MVGU (Marvel Video Game Universe). We can’t wait to see what else the superhero mammoth has in store for the gaming world, especially with Avengers: Endgame right around the corner.
Buy $34.98, amazon.com
1. God of War (2018)
God of War was 2018’s game of the year, and a PlayStation exclusive. Kratos himself has been a pseudo mascot since the original gory release for the PS2 in 2005, and while God of War for PS4 is the fourth main installment in the series, it works as a semi-reboot. This game checks all the boxes, with a gripping story and phenomenal design. The more tender dad version of Kratos adds a level of humanity to the god-ridden game, and the gameplay is near perfect, with a robust combat system that keeps players engaged throughout.
God of War gives us one of the deepest and most touching plots we’ve seen on the PlayStation, which is saying a lot with competition like The Last of Us and Inside. If you’re a PlayStation owner and haven’t played this masterpiece, you’re missing out on a gold mine.
Buy $37.92, amazon.com
