Across both exclusives and multiplatform releases, PS4 has a strong presence in the AAA market, ranging from major Eastern and Western RPGs such as The Witcher 3 to what we consider the first VR game you need to play, Resident Evil VII biohazard, and action titles such as Uncharted 4, God of War, and Marvel's Spider-Man. Amid this variety, it is also worth remembering franchises that established a strong presence on PlayStation consoles, such as SEGA's critically acclaimed Yakuza. In short, we prepared a list featuring our favorite games and those of the public. That top "game of the year" you are looking for to ruin your social life may be below, in this guide to which game you should buy, with a description of each release. The games are not ranked by importance or website scores. This is simply a way to help you discover new PS4 experiences and update your game list.
Yakuza 6: Song of Life
As mentioned earlier, this comes from the franchise of
SEGA AAA games you should give a chance. One of Japan's best-selling games in recent years brought protagonist Kazuma Kiryu's story to a close in an epic adventure through real Japanese locations, such as the busy streets of Kabukicho in Tokyo and a quiet coastal town hiding a great secret. Strangely, Yakuza 6: Song of Life can be played by anyone new to the series, since careful summaries let players understand the story perfectly. The game is a genuine virtual trip to Japan and will impress with its minigames, side missions, and immense range of activities, which can occupy more than 40 hours without becoming tiring. Focused on action but featuring RPG elements, Yakuza 6 can be replaced by Yakuza 0, which loses only in graphics to the franchise's sixth entry. Fun is guaranteed in its 1980s-themed Japan, where bright lights and flashy clothes conceal a country corroded by the criminal underworld. Besides Kiryu, players control Goro Majima and learn both characters' origins.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Game after game, The Witcher III ruined my experience with other open-world titles. It becomes difficult to tolerate anything offering generic, tiresome exploration after Geralt of Rivia's universe delivered something so far ahead of its time. Many may regard it as the best game of this generation. It is pure excellence in charisma and character interaction, offering a vivid world with interesting quests no matter where you are. If you enjoy open-world RPGs, it is genuinely very difficult not to become addicted to this universe.
The game's story concludes the journey of witcher Geralt of Rivia, whose tale was told in earlier games, the franchise's books, and the new Netflix series, as well as a much older series and movie. Ciri, an exceptional swordswoman with magical powers, is playable at certain moments and plays an important role in the plot.
If one thing exemplifies Wild Hunt, it is that the game remains alive and everything around you interacts with consequences. As it satisfyingly meets your expectations for an action RPG, a little effort and perseverance let The Witcher impress with journeys to places you never imagined possible, cities invaded by vampires, an encounter with the essence of evil, which had already met you at the beginning without your noticing, addiction to the Gwent card game, haunted mansions with puzzles in full Resident Evil style, and even a few tears. What a "wild ride."
Sonic Mania Plus
This one is for nostalgic players. Who was not fascinated by the blue and yellow "balls" that were Sonic and Tails on Mega Drive, jumping and running through the scenery? This is easily one of the best Sonic games, not only for that reason but because it offers a highly satisfying number of stages, variety, and good difficulty. The round-bellied classic Sonic essentially received his best game yet, with new and reinvented stages, variations on them, gameplay variety, especially in the Mania Plus version released in 2018, and a good time-travel plot connected to the not-so-good Sonic Forces for consoles and PC.
If Sonic Team had invested half the effort given to Sonic Mania, which happens to have been created by fans and made official with SEGA, perhaps we would have a 3D hedgehog adventure on this list. Since times are hard for everyone, Mania Plus satisfies our appetite and will probably do the same for anyone who enjoys platforming and speed. The game seems to deliver everything Mega Drive Sonic fans expected and a little more, and it is easy to lose 20 or 30 hours trying to collect the seven Chaos Emeralds and other extras.
If you are not so fond of the blue hero, another interesting alternative is Rayman Legends, the fifth main entry in the Rayman series and a direct sequel to 2011's Rayman Origins. With consistent gameplay and memorable moments, Rayman establishes himself in the same genre through a light, entertaining adventure.
Marvel's Spider-Man
Insomniac's Marvel's Spider-Man rather comfortably became the best Spider-Man game released up to that point. For us, that place had previously belonged to Spider-Man 2 on PS2, based on the equally successful movie starring Tobey Maguire and directed by Sam Raimi. Other notable Spider-Man games included the two similar PS One titles and the less familiar but also very good Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions on PS3. Its combat adapts what appeared in Batman's Arkham adventures into something more aerial and frantic. Manhattan is recreated with excellence in a long adventure full of Easter eggs, characters you care about, and twists connecting several parallel stories. It is beautiful and addictive enough that many will play frantically from beginning to end.
Insomniac is known for successful Sony franchises, but its greatest legacy comes from Ratchet & Clank, which recently received a reboot complete with an animated film. This reimagining of the series' first game includes elements drawn from several entries, along with highly creative weapons introduced after the original and new ones such as the Pixelizer, which gives enemies an 8-bit appearance. Navigation between stages and through the game world is free, although the environments' paths are basically linear. With collectible extras such as cards, races in the style of Sonic Riders from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, and other activities, the Galactic Rangers' adventure against a new threat is a definitive feast for anyone fond of mascots and 3D platformers.
FIFA 17 - "The Journey"
This deserves a specific mention because it was the first time a soccer game had a genuinely relevant campaign mode. Titled "The Journey," similar to MyCareer in the NBA 2K series, FIFA focuses on training, club signings, and a story behind a soccer player's career, with choices and consequences in conversations through a dialogue wheel. Players take the role of Alex Hunter, a young footballer trying to make his mark in the Premier League, and can select any of its 20 clubs to begin the season. The achievement continued in FIFA 18 with the journey's continuation.
God of War
Anyone who thought Kratos was "gone for good" was badly mistaken. God of War is the kind of game where it is difficult to find anything to criticize. From gameplay to story, environments to skill trees, God of War works to deliver everything in just the right measure and gives the god of war a new mythology of deities, since he literally killed almost everyone in the previous one. Here, Kratos and his son Atreus live a relatively ordinary life until they receive an unexpected visit from a middle-aged man who says he "feels no pain." Norse mythology proves highly interesting, with legends of giants, a very cautious Odin, one might say, a serpent reportedly the size of Midgard that will impress you in every new situation, and more. Kratos is old, and his actions change drastically from the earlier games. Everything has an explanation, and following the evolution of both father and son while discovering what happened between God of War 3 on PS3 and the present is excellent. The franchise's third game is also remastered for PS4 and is a great way for anyone unfamiliar with these characters to enter the universe.
Fallout 4
Fallout 4 ranked among the 10 most-searched games on Google in 2015, and it is nice to see how much the series has grown since Bethesda released Fallout 3 in 2007. This action RPG is set in a post-apocalyptic open world from the company behind the medieval fantasy series The Elder Scrolls. The preceding game, Fallout: New Vegas, is essentially my favorite game of the previous generation and also made this my favorite gaming franchise. Curiously, New Vegas was produced by Obsidian rather than Bethesda, the same studio behind the South Park games released by Ubisoft.
In the story, the sole survivor of Vault 111, you, returns to the surface of a world now completely devastated by nuclear war. Every moment becomes a struggle for survival, and every choice, including where to go and what to do, is yours.
Fully subtitled in Portuguese, Fallout 4 introduces a kind of "world rebuilding" system where you can care for post-apocalyptic settlements and survivors. This returned in the franchise's new online game, Fallout 76, where players inhabit a world full of others fighting for survival. Fallout's 1950s theme set years in the future is highly compelling.
Shadow of the Colossus
This is a remake of one of the most intriguing games ever made, whether because of the secrets permeating its equally mysterious atmosphere or the unprecedented action of its era involving epic battles against colossi, not to mention its outstanding soundtrack. Shadow of the Colossus tells the story of an "empty" world where young Wander must travel across the vast Forbidden Lands to resurrect a girl named Mono. The story of this same world is also told in games such as ICO and The Last Guardian, also Sony exclusives. The latter is for PS4 and includes elements from Shadow, such as grabbing and climbing. In that story, a young boy discovers a giant creature resembling a griffin and a dog named Trico. They form a deep bond, and the unlikely pair must trust each other to travel through dangerous ruins. Players control the boy, who must learn to work with the creature. It is undoubtedly a universe worth exploring.
Resident Evil 7: biohazard
Now in the "horror games section," we have a title that is very good both in VR, using a virtual-reality headset, and in standard mode. In the story, six years after Resident Evil 6, newcomer Ethan receives a message from his wife, until then presumed dead, asking him to meet her at the Baker family residence. Resident Evil 7 biohazard, or Biohazard 7 Resident Evil in Japan, uses a first-person perspective and returns to traditional survival-horror mechanics. It is the franchise's first first-person entry and the first to frighten us deeply in a long time.
If first-person games do not appeal to you and you prefer seeing your character as in older Resident Evil titles, a perfect choice would be The Evil Within 2. Its theme basically resembles the classic Resident Evil 2 or 3, except that it is an open-world game. Impressive, isn't it? Believe me, the game can impress you even more.
Blending elements from horror and suspense series such as Alan Wake, Silent Hill, and even a little Fallout, The Evil Within could become your new favorite franchise in the genre.
Persona 5
Famitsu magazine named this the greatest RPG of all time according to Japanese players, and it ranks behind only God of War, GTA V, and The Last of Us among the internet's best-reviewed PS4 games. This Atlus release carries such weight that it became one of the company's most decorated games to date. With unique gameplay and all the charisma of an anime game at its peak, Persona 5 is an excellent modern JRPG choice.
In the story, players embody a group of friends fighting to reform society according to their own sense of justice. During the day, you enjoy school life in the big city and spend your time as you wish. After school, you use the Metaverse Navigator phone app to infiltrate surreal worlds created from the hearts of corrupt adults, living a double life as a Phantom Thief.
Another stylish JRPG option that departs from classics such as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy is the new Ni no Kuni franchise. Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom assembled renowned Japanese creators including Yoshiyuki Momose for character design and Joe Hisaishi for the soundtrack. You manage the kingdom of which you are prince, and its mechanics differ considerably from other current games, creating a sense that everything is new alongside a good, consistent story.
Far Cry 5
Far Cry 5 is an open-world shooter that evolved naturally from its predecessors Far Cry 4 and 3. The franchise always evokes eccentric villains, while exploration, territorial control, online play, and more guarantee entertainment for a long time. Here, the "pastor" of a religious cult becomes a genuine danger to the game's region in the United States, and your mission is to intervene in your own way. In Far Cry 4, the preceding game also available on PS4, players find themselves in Kyrat, a breathtaking but dangerous and wild Himalayan region caught in a civil war.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Unexpectedly, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End stands far above every previous Uncharted among Sony's exclusives. Written by Neil Druckmann, Tom Bissell, and Josh Scherr, its story takes place three years after Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception. Nathan Drake's routine is interrupted when his older brother Sam enters his life and asks for help finding an artifact connected to pirate Henry Avery's treasure. The game is almost a perfect movie with gameplay that retains many mechanics from earlier titles while adding improvements to movement and environmental interaction, especially climbing and parkour. Levels remain linear, though they offer broad exploration that can also provide combat advantages or let players avoid entire groups of enemies.
The game was followed by the franchise's "softer" release, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. It uses the same mechanics as the fourth entry but provides a partially open world to explore and many puzzles, which is genuinely rewarding.
The Uncharted series is produced by Naughty Dog, creator of the Crash Bandicoot trilogy on PS1. Remember those games? Crash made a triumphant return on PS4 with Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, a remake combining the first three games. The original was genuinely difficult, and its challenges generated major attention on social media as people died hundreds of times with the world's most famous marsupial. The remake's gameplay and entertainment are excellent, showing that PS1 mechanics did not age as poorly as some claim.
Mortal Kombat XL
Directed by series co-creator Ed Boon, Mortal Kombat X has an original, nonlinear story "featuring some of the franchise's most prolific characters, including Scorpion and Sub-Zero, while introducing new challengers representing the forces of good and evil and tying the plot together." The story begins at the end of the previous game and eventually moves 25 years into the future. I would say this Mortal Kombat's strength truly lies in how its story is told, flowing so seamlessly into the fights that it feels like a long movie. Mortal Kombat XL was later released with all of the game's expansions, updates, and extra characters.
Grand Theft Auto V
The beloved and highest-rated game up to that point could not be omitted. In Grand Theft Auto V, players control three characters whose stories are interconnected. Michael is a former bank robber in his forties living with a troubled family as a consequence of his past. He resides in the upscale suburb of Rockford Hills, based on Beverly Hills. Trevor lives alone in a trailer in the Blaine County desert, is former military, and was once Michael's partner. Franklin lives with his Aunt Denise in Chamberlain Hills, a lower-middle-class neighborhood very close to street-gang violence. GTA V received universal acclaim from critics and the fan community for its story, characters, presentation, and open-world gameplay.
You May Also Be Interested In
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain: Within the series' story arc, this title directly continues the events of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and follows mercenary Venom Snake. Highly confusing even for series fans, it may be a recommendation only for those who already enjoyed another franchise entry.
Horizon: Zero Dawn: A PS4-exclusive action RPG. Players control Aloy, a skilled hunter exploring a world inhabited by mysterious robotic creatures, tribal societies, ancient artifacts, and advanced technologies. Everything takes place one thousand years in the future, in a post-apocalyptic time when colossal mechanized creatures dominate Earth's open fields.
Batman: Arkham Knight: Unlike other Arkham games, players can drive the Batmobile through Gotham's streets. Scarecrow stands out by assembling a group of villains. The title could have received greater prominence on the list, but it often becomes more repetitive and inferior to its predecessors Arkham Asylum and Arkham City. Even so, the story provides an interesting conclusion with an excellent narrative.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor: Players take the role of Talion, a brave ranger whose family is killed before his eyes on the night Sauron and his army return to Mordor. Prepare to fight Orcs and other races while clearing territories. Shovel Knight: Return to the golden age of NES. Created entirely with inspired 8-bit art and music genuinely designed to sound as though it could run on an NES, it offers considerable challenge and charisma.
Nioh: Amid the trend of "games that look like Dark Souls" comes Nioh, with a protagonist seemingly pulled from Geralt in The Witcher. Regardless of the countless things the game copies, its experience is rewarding, and its difficulty and techniques will not easily disappoint genre fans. Its story is based on the life of historical Western samurai William Adams, with supernatural elements, and takes place in the early 1600s during a fictional version of the Sengoku period, when Japan was embroiled in civil war before Tokugawa's rise.
NieR: Automata: Set thousands of years after the little-known original NieR, it features frantic combat across post-apocalyptic environments with highly varied camera angles ranging from third person to side-on and aerial views. Paladins: We could recommend the famous Overwatch: Origins Edition, which is almost the same thing, but with Plus you can play Paladins online for free, and as already noted, it is almost the same. The choice is yours. With a roster of heroes possessing unique abilities, you enter team competitions requiring cooperation and good aim.
Inside: A puzzle platformer thematically and visually similar to Limbo from the same developer. Players control a boy in an almost monochromatic landscape, solving puzzles while avoiding death. The story begins without explanation and remains mysterious. Understanding what later unfolds is in your hands!
Bloodborne: "Prepare to die," they said. Many deaths await as you enter the bloody, bizarre world of Yharnam and its surroundings. With an extremely morbid theme and creatures that seem to have emerged from beyond, Bloodborne offers a "quiet" but rich story and endless combat challenges.
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn: After the troubled launch of the original online Final Fantasy XIV, Square Enix assembled an entirely new team for a new MMO, turning Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn into a completely new game and apologizing to fans for the first version's problems. The story takes place five years after the events of the original FFXIV.
The Last of Us: Remastered: The kind of game worth replaying. In a zombie-dominated world, Joel, a hardened survivor, and Ellie, a brave girl remarkably sensible for her age, must work together if they are to survive their journey across the United States.
Dragon Age: Inquisition: Leading the executive arm of a powerful organization, you are responsible for tracking the sources of corruption and "evil" spreading across Thedas in a story involving wars, underhanded strategies, and extensive political maneuvering. It is an action RPG with many conversation choices.
Rocket League: A soccer game with vehicles. Yes, you read that correctly. Online mode divides players into two teams that use "rocket" vehicles to push the ball into the opponent's goal.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided: A cyberpunk game focused on RPG, action, and stealth elements. This sequel once again places you in the role of Adam Jensen in another story full of conspiracies and gunfire.
Driveclub: Revealed alongside PS4 at Sony's February 2013 conference and announced as one of the console's exclusive launch titles. Driveclub received mixed reviews. Dozens of later updates added content, gameplay and AI improvements, new weather effects, and more, making the game dramatically more beautiful and realistic. Racing while listening through the Spotify app is worthwhile.
Child of Light: A platform game whose protagonist Aurora is a child who awakens in mystical Lemuria after "freezing to death." Its gameplay features character progression through levels and stats, and an active-time battle system reminiscent of some Final Fantasy and Grandia games.
Rise of the Tomb Raider: An action adventure combining gunfights and survival, where you join Lara Croft on her first tomb-raiding expedition as she seeks the secret of immortality.
Battlefield 1: Set during World War I and inspired by historical events. Players can use weapons from the conflict, including bolt-action rifles, artillery, flamethrowers, mustard gas, and more. Multiplayer supports up to 64 players, with vast maps based on locations around the world and combat that tends toward realism.
The Wolf Among Us: The Wolf Among Us is a five-episode series from Telltale Games where every decision can have enormous consequences and change the course of the story. As Bigby Wolf, the Big Bad Wolf from famous tales in human form, you discover that the brutal, bloody murder of a fable is only the beginning of what is to come. The game is based on the comic of the same name, where creatures from fairy tales take human form and live hidden in the human world, with their stories treated in a mature, dark way.
Assassin's Creed Origins: This light reboot of the Assassin's Creed series takes players to the true origins of the Assassin order, with new mechanics and a separate tour mode where they can learn a great deal about real-world ancient Egypt by exploring the game's environments.
Final Fantasy XV: From Square Enix's classic RPG series. Originally developed as a PlayStation 3-exclusive spin-off called Final Fantasy Versus XIII, it was reimagined with a different world and story set in Eos, a world similar to modern Earth. Every nation has been subjugated by the Niflheim Empire except the Kingdom of Lucis. Noctis Lucis Caelum, heir to the throne of Lucis, sets out to reclaim his homeland and its magical crystal after Niflheim takes them on the eve of peace negotiations between the two countries.
Stardew Valley: Heavily inspired by the Harvest Moon series, Stardew Valley is an indie farming-simulation RPG. At the beginning, players create a character who receives a plot of land and a small house once owned by their grandfather in a small town called Stardew Valley.
