You may believe that since the PS5 is here, the PS4 is no longer being supported and there’s no reason to look for new games. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Sony will continue to support the console for years to come, and there are still a lot of amazing games available on the platform, and that will remain true even when no more are released. Not to mention, the PS5 is backward-compatible so any PS4 games you buy now will be playable on the next-gen console. There’s something for everyone on the PS4, including family titles, couch co-ops, and party games. You can explore a new fantasy realm, blaze down a track in a race car, take a trip to an uncharted area of the world, or fend off a ravenous horde of zombies. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it. You certainly won’t want to miss checking out some of the best PS4 games. Taking the series into Norse mythology, this game features high-octane combat with the same fluid and dynamic mechanics that the God of War titles are known for. This time around, Kratos has an ax but he’s bashing in loads of mythological creatures, and then some. The game is also incredibly immersive and cinematic, and it’s presented as a single, uncut, and unbroken shot from start to finish. It mixes RPG, action, and arcade-style gameplay. Namely, you can improve Kratos’ stats and level up his gear, while the combo-based attacks let you add some flair to every fight. ESRB: M (Mature) | Install Size: Around 45GB It’s tough, and you will die a lot, but if you power through, you’ll be rewarded for your perseverance. Plus, the game has some of the wildest non-player characters (NPCs) of the entire series, and a lot of them give zany side quests, too. ESRB: M (Mature) | Install Size: Around 41GB A unique navigation system, which uses wind and visual cues, encourages players to explore the world more naturally, instead of running from map checkpoint to map checkpoint. The result is a uniquely flowing experience that often takes you off the beaten path to discover new quests, items, and events. The game follows a single character named Jin, but the player customization and upgrade opportunities are incredible. Not only can you adjust various gear and weapon sets, but you can also equip charms, customize colors (dyes), and much more. Each weapon set comes with a its own series of attributes, adding a little more nuance to the combat. Above all, stealth is also encouraged, as players can slink through the grass to hunt their prey a la Assassin’s Creed. It’s a solid mix of action, RPG, and stealth, with a hint of exploration sprinkled in for maximum effect. ESRB: M (Mature) | Install Size: Around 35GB Death Stranding is backed by one of the more cinematic and complex storylines this side of the Pacific. As you might expect, it also features some lovable, and deplorable, characters with plenty of backstory, nuance, and personality. Plus, you can collect your blood and feces to use them in grenades. What more could you ask for? ESRB: M (Mature) | Install Size: Around 55GB It’s set in a post-apocalyptic world where flesh-eating zombies, born from a fungus, roam the landscape. Just like the first game, however, the focus is on its characters—namely Ellie and Abby, who could be described as a new antagonist. Without spoiling anything, the story culminates in one anxiety-fueled but cathartic climax that is part of the reason the game is so divisive, among some unexpected story beats. Whether you’re here for the story, the gameplay, or the zombies, you’re in for quite the journey. ESRB: M (Mature) | Install Size: Around 80GB While the player character remains relatively fixed, there’s a huge amount of customization available in attribute, skill, and personality upgrades. Every change you make affects how the NPCs and world-at-large perceive you. There are also many paths to take, whether that’s through unique dialogue, story choices, or in-game actions. One downside is that, unlike similar RPGs, there’s not as much freedom to interact with the world. You can’t, for instance, go around stealing items, or attacking NPCs. The combat system isn’t traditional, either, and takes some getting used to. All combat encounters are filtered through dialogue, skill, and personality checks. Still, it’s one of the best RPGs on any system, including PS4. The title did have some bugs and major issues at launch, which have since been fixed through updates and a “Final Cut” re-release. ESRB: M (Mature) | Install Size: Around 12GB The same fluid combat system from the previous games returns, albeit with different skill and customization options. Skills must first be unlocked by finding collectibles in the world, called Books of Knowledge. Sadly, it means that some skills won’t be discovered until much later in the game, especially if you’re not exploring as much as possible. It also introduces a unique node-like navigation system where things to do and see in the world are presented as a colorful notification on the compass. Just follow the mysterious nodes to discover new gear, quests, side activities, and much more. Overall, the game is a blend of classic RPG, action, stealth, and open-world genres. ESRB: M (Mature) | Install Size: Around 47GB If you’ve paid attention to any of the marketing for the game, and have a fondness for Alcina Demetrescu, well, you’ll just have to play the game. One of the more profound themes is unpredictability, and this game will keep you in suspense. There’s a lot more combat in this one compared to RE7, which is welcome. The same item collecting and puzzle mechanics are here, and you’ll have a much larger world to explore in Village. It’s a survival-horror with action-arcade elements, especially on subsequent playthroughs. And there’s a ton of replayability, which is good because the story is relatively short. ESRB: M (Mature) | Install Size: Around 30GB It includes all three games in the series, and almost all downloadable content, except for Pinnacle Station from the first game. Multiplayer has also been left out of Mass Effect 3, so this is a single-player-only experience. If you’ve never played the Mass Effect games before, you’re in for a treat. It’s a sci-fi, dystopic RPG with some incredible characters, an excellent story, and some fun, albeit quirky, real-time combat. The developers have fixed a lot of the latent issues with the original games, and you can now skip certain events or cutscenes, and the games are much more fluid. Not to mention the combat from the earlier titles has been updated to be more like the newer games. ESRB: M (Mature) | Install Size: Around 80GB The graphics are fantastic, albeit gory, gritty, and brutal—as to be expected from a Mortal Kombat game. There’s a lot to do, with varying game modes and plenty of replayability. You can also just start up an arcade fight to beat up NPCs and other players. The combos are satisfying and there are a lot of exciting moves, but the controls can sometimes feel sluggish, especially when you first dive in. Altogether, it’s an excellent fighting game that offers a lot of value. ESRB: M (Mature) | Install Size: Around 44GB Ajay Kumar is Tech Editor for Lifewire. With over seven years of experience in the industry, he’s reviewed everything from phones and laptops, to games and gaming accessories. He built his own gaming rig and owns all the major conoles. He loved God of War and Horizon Zero Dawn for their mix of open world RPG elements with character-driven stories. Kelsey Simon has been writing for Lifewire since 2019 and she’s been a gamer even longer. She owns several consoles, two Nintendo Switches, and even built her own gaming rig.
What to Look For in a PS4 Game
Gameplay / Story
Games often include a mixture of story-based experiences such as cutscenes and linear play, alongside various mechanics like combat, crafting, and exploration. Both of these elements are tied for the most important factor when choosing a new game. Think about what kind of experience you’d like to have, whether that’s a rich, story-driven single-player title or a combat-heavy action game with online multiplayer.
Graphics
The visuals provide immersion, second only to the audio. The more realistic and gritty the graphics, the more surreal the experience will be. That’s not to say lighthearted and vibrant graphics can’t be beautiful. They absolutely can be. Check out Hades, Cuphead, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Spiritfarer, Okami, and much more.
Rating
Just like movie ratings, ESRB game ratings tell you what maturity level the content is suited for. “Rated T for Teen,” “Rated E for Everyone,” and “Rated M for Mature,” are just a few common examples. There is a letter rating, distributed by the ERSB, for every game, and it’s included on both the physical packaging and digital store listings. Be sure to check the rating if the game is going to be played by younger audiences. Mature games are best for players ages 17 and up.
