Before the release of the PlayStation 5, the PS4 was one of the top dogs in the gaming world. To this day, it remains in the Top 5 best-selling video game consoles of all time. While consoles may have a draw to their specs, or their design, or their controller, or even just their cost or bundle packages, no console can sell well without good games to pair with it.
This is what Sony does well. While console wars seem to be dying down now, during the earlier Playstation generations, Sony hardlined on their exclusivity. This may have hurt game sales overall, but it made sense for Sony, as it meant people had to buy their console. There is a reason that PlayStation 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 1, and PlayStation 3 are all in the Top 8 best-selling consoles, and PlayStation 5 already has a collection of iconic titles itself.
Having exclusives is not the only way to sell your product, but having good exclusives is certainly a way to fast-track it. Between exclusives, hidden gems, and cross-platform best sellers, the PS4 has a catalog that is diverse, deep, and full of masterful, compelling games. To name just 10 is a near-impossible task, but in the end, these games should stand the test of time and be remembered for how they impacted and defined their respective genres.
10. Horizon Zero Dawn (PS4, PS5, PC)
Horizon Zero Dawn, an action RPG developed by Guerrilla Games, is the first of several games under the Horizon franchise. Earning itself a remaster already, the game reached critical acclaim. A unique combination of robots and mythology drives a strong storyline. The world is huge and staggeringly beautiful. The combat is smooth and fluid, engaging long-time action fans and accessible to newcomers to the genre.
9. Unchartered 4: A Thief’s End (PS4, PS5, PC)
Unchartered 4 continues the story of protagonist Nathan Drake and is one of developer Naughty Dog’s greatest games. The amount of content packed into the game is incredibly impressive and will keep gamers engaged for dozens of hours. As with most modern games, the visuals are exquisite. The storyline is well thought out but also adds humor through character dialogue. The game is chock full of action, and there is no doubt that the game is a fantastic experience for all types of gamers.
8. Death Stranding (PS4, PS5, Xbox Series, PC, Mobile, Luna)
The premise of the game hits close to home, which may be why players enjoyed it so much. Death Stranding is an action game that takes the concept of reconnecting communities who have become isolated thanks to a world wide catastrophe. Many players felt a connection due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Dystopian in feel, the game earned rave reviews for its storyline, music, visuals, voice-overs, and multiplayer functionality. Its experimental design felt fresh and novel, and even though not all gameplay mechanics work, it was so well done that it has earned a sequel and a movie adaptation.
7. Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4, PS5, PC)
An iconic game in an iconic franchise, Final Fantasy VII Remake is not just the best Final Fantasy on PS4 but one of the best Final Fantasy entries, period, and outshined in the VII trilogy only by its sequel. This game takes an all-time classic and manages to reimagine it in a way that is still nostalgic and fresh. The combat is smooth like butter, combining action elements with turn-based-inspired strategy. The storyline builds effortlessly upon the original and manages to hit all the right notes while bringing new elements to the table. This game is one of Square Enix’s best entries and shows that Final Fantasy can be modern and enjoyable for all.
6. Bloodborne (PS4)
Another action RPG makes the list, but for a very good reason. This gothic-inspired, dark game by FromSoftware is strong across the board, but it is especially noted for its incredible third-person action combat that is as exciting as it is challenging. The atmosphere is beautiful through its dark, foreboding presence. The creativity here is top-notch, with monsters that seem straight out of a horror movie and settings that only Bloodborne could come up with. For fans of action who want a unique experience, this game is a required play.
5. Ghost of Tsushima (PS4, PS5, PC)
There are a lot of Samurai games out there, and most do not do the theme justice. Ghost of Tsushima nails it, so much so that a sequel is currently in the works. An action adventure game that does right by Japan, the setting is the feudal period during the Mongol invasion. You play as the protagonist, Jin Sakai, as you defend your home country, with moral dilemmas around any corner. The beautiful, huge, open world is supplemented with smart combat and a slew of positive design and music features. It was nominated for game of the year for a reason, and it remains one of the best Samurai games a gamer can play.
4. Yakuza 0 (PS4, PS3, Xbox One, PC)
Yakuza 0, a first prequel to the Yakuza/Like A Dragon franchise, may well be the standard by which the rest of the series has to measure. This action RPG doubles as a crime thriller beat ’em up, offering you two separate protagonists as they weave their stories together. As a member of the Japanese “Mafia”, brauling in the street is commonplace. What sets this game apart, besides its smooth combat and endless side content, is its ability to marry a heartbreaking storyline with over-the-top humor points. This is something the Yakuza franchise is known for, but Yakuza 0 in particular perfected it.
3. The Last of Us Part II (PS4, PS5, PC)
The Last of Us Part 1 is known as one of the best games of all time, to the point where it has since received about 1 million remasters and re-releases, as well as a television adaptation. This sequel for the PS4 has gotten nearly the same treatment and was also a pop culture success. The storyline may be a slight tick down from the perfection of Part I, but everything remains brilliant. A beautiful setting, smooth stealth combat, emotional twists and turns, and unique additions to the series set this game up to join its predecessor as one of the best games out there.
2. God of War (PS4, PC)
God of War comes from another franchise that very rarely misses. This 2018 entry both carried on the legacy of the series and added incredible new elements to keep the series fresh. Following your protagonist Kratos and his son, the storyline provides one of the most emotional plots in the collection. The shift from Greek to Norse mythology for the series also worked. The fantastic action-adventure game blends combat, visuals, and story in an impressive, enhanced, and reimagined continuation of the franchise, which shows that God of War is here to stay.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia)
The best entry in the PS4 catalog also happens to be a sequel that brings players to the wild, wild west. Hopefully, it will not be the last time because this game hits every high note possible. Red Dead Redemption 2 offers a sprawling open world that combines adventure, shooters, and a fully satisfying storyline to create a one-of-a-kind experience. Players will connect to the characters, be drawn in by the plot and setting, and fall in love with the perfected shooting mechanics. One does not have to be a fan of shooters, or the wild wild west, to get sucked in to this game hook, line, and sinker. This is the best of the best.
Final Thoughts
The reality is that there are so many more amazing games for the PS4 that just didn’t have the opportunity to make the cut. Grand Theft Auto V may be one of the most iconic pop culture entries ever, Persona 5 Royal redefined what a JRPG could do in the North American market, The Witcher 3 provides an entirely new, immersive open-world RPG experience, Marvel’s Spider-Man is at the peak of the superhero gaming genre, Control Ultimate Edition balances psychic powers with playful humor, the list goes on. With a system this iconic, most of which stayed largely on PlayStation or PC, it is no wonder so many games are true hits.
