What are the best PS4 games? Sure, the PlayStation 5 gets all the attention these days, the PlayStation 4 is still a work horse of a console. There are still plenty of awesome games releasing for the PS4, so we’ve decided to collate a list of the best PS4 games you can play right now.
While new PS4 games are great, we’ve got some classics and essential PS4 picks on this list too – some of the best games of all time have graced this console, so we’d be doing them a disservice by only focusing on the newer titles. The PS4 has such a wide variety of games that there really is something for everyone, regardless of taste or preference. So, here are the games you should check out next on your PS4.
The best PS4 games are:
- Apex Legends
- God of War
- God of War Ragnarok
- Rocket League
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake
- Doom Eternal
- Titanfall 2
- Marvel's Spider Man
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- The Last of Us Part 2
- The Last Guardian
- Unchartered 4: A Thief's End
- Horizon Forbidden West
- Gran Turismo 7
- Dying Light 2
- Stardew Valley
- Ghost of Tsushima
- Persona 5 Royal
- Elden Ring
- Bloodborne
- Sekiro Shadows Die Twice
- Prince of Persia The Lost Crown
- Assassin's Creed Mirage
- Just Cause 3
- inFamous Second Son
- Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War
- Control
- Neon White
- Spyro Reignited Trilogy
- Destiny 2
- GTA 5
1. Apex Legends
Its in-depth lore, range of character abilities, and stylized take on the battle royale genre make Apex Legends a clear pick as one of the best PS4 games and the best multiplayer games around. For us, the movement mechanics and unique characters put it at the pinnacle of battle royale games. While it is available on other platforms, remapping the DualShock 4 allows you to seamlessly slide around the map to your heart’s content.
Whether you want to hang out with your mates with some quick-fire games or knuckle down and test your mettle in Apex Legends’ ranked playlists, you can get a wide range of experiences just by logging into this free-to-play game.
In recent years, Apex has expanded from just offering battle royale experiences too. The Mixtape playlist provides a regularly-rotating lineup of fun, causal game modes that prove Apex’s gameplay is slick and substantial enough to thrive in whatever kind of FPS experience you throw at it. New limited-time modes will often appear during seasonal events too, so you’re never tied into just trying to be the last player standing.
2. God of War
It wouldn’t be a best PS4 games list without God of War, would it? In the 2018 reboot of the hit series, Kratos gets to unleash his fury in this open-world action game, together with his son, Boy… sorry, we mean Atreus. Featuring top-of-the-line combat, an enthralling narrative, and some pretty slick puzzles, all of the game’s offerings will challenge you.
God of War also looks gorgeous on the PS4 (and PS5, of course) and it’s the perfect game to pick up if you’re a fan of the series. The same goes for its sequel, God of War Ragnarok.
3. God of War Ragnarok
If you thought the original God of War from Sony’s Santa Monica studio bangs, then its sequel, God of War Ragnarok, is even better. Better biome variation, better battles with the God of War Ragnarok bosses, and an all-around tighter gameplay loop make Kratos and Atreus’s latest adventure their best yet.
In fact, we loved Ragnarok so much that we even marked it as a GOTY contender in the 2022 The Loadout Awards – it eventually took home the gold for best PlayStation exclusive. In our God of War Ragnarok review we felt it stood out from the crowd thanks to its “action-packed narrative, satisfying combat, a luscious Norse world, and some fantastic character development.”
4. Rocket League
Everyone’s favorite four-wheeled soccer game is a PS4 staple already. But after it became free-to-play a few years back, the game received a huge influx of players eager to get into the Rocket League ranks.
While Rocket League’s best cars are pretty much unquestioned at this point, the number of customization options can give your ride a unique, personal touch. Additionally, the Rocket League soundtrack is one of the best in gaming (depending on what genres you’re into). High-octane vehicular action aside, there’s plenty in here that makes Rocket League deserve a spot on our best PS4 games list.
5. Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Remakes often have a hard time living up to their predecessors. They have to overcome the nostalgia of the original, while simultaneously updating graphics and mechanics without losing touch with the soul of the game. That said, Final Fantasy 7 Remake navigates these tricky seas with ease, emerging glistening from the storm.
Although we’re not usually into single-player games, this is one of the few we deem worthy of making our list. If you value a single-player experience above anything else, Final Fantasy 7 is categorically one of the best PS4 games. Midgar has had a makeover, while Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, and Co. look better than ever, so there’s never been a better time to reminisce on your memories of the original or jump into the series for the first time.
6. Doom Eternal
Another of the PS4’s (mostly) single-player offerings, the fast-paced, metal-soundtracked journey through hell is big, brash, and unsubtle, but great fun. The campaign is up there as one of the finest from a first-person shooter, the high tempo never lets up for a second, yet somehow it never tires you out. Based on its campaign alone, Doom Eternal deserves a place among the best PS4 games.
The Battlemode multiplayer is fine, but the best moments are when you are left on your own in a room filled with vile hellspawn and you can remove limbs, explode heads, and generally mess up demons in more ways than you could possibly imagine.
7. Titanfall 2
Despite being released nearly five years ago, Titanfall 2 is one of the best PS4 games because it single-handedly revolutionized the way we see the FPS genre. The succinct campaign brought us wall-running, heart-wrenching story beats, and of course, inspired Apex Legends. The real standout features in Titanfall 2 are the blend of first-person shooter action and third-person Titan warfare. The large battles give you a sense of scale and the feeling that you are a small part of a much bigger war – as well as being a small pilot-shaped cog in the hulking automaton BT-7274.
Movement feels fast and natural, combining the sliding, wall-running, and titan action for a smooth experience all around. It’s safe to say Titanfall 2 is a genre-defining game, and worth picking up, whether that’s for the first time or to remind yourself of how good an FPS can be.
8. Marvel’s Spider-Man
It’s no wonder you’ll hear Spider-Man mentioned as one of the best PS4 games because it combines all the best parts of being a superhero into one near-perfect package. Swing through a stunningly detailed recreation of Manhattan to defeat a host of evil villains and bring some semblance of peace to the Big Apple. The sequel, starring Miles Morales, is available on the PS4 as well as on next-gen, so if you’re not upgrading your system, you can still get your superhero fix.
The best part of Spider-Man is the swinging, for sure, but it is equally satisfying to nail combat combos to disarm enemies, wrap them in web, or simply kick them into oblivion. Your spidey senses will help dodge and parry enemy blows, and the variety of opposing factions and villain types keeps things interesting. It’s also great fun to comb the streets for every collectible – most of which are references to the comics or movies. Upgrade your suit, unlock iconic outfits, and don’t let anything get in the way of justice.
9. Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the best open world games to have graced the PS4 store. With more duels, bounty hunters, and horses than you can shake a stick at, the game delivers a glorious epic that can be played time and time again.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most immersive experiences, requiring you to clean your guns in order to ensure they work properly, looking after your trusty horses so they know they’re cared for, all the while you take on bad guys and face the Wild West.
Since the next Grand Theft Auto game is skipping last-gen consoles when the GTA 6 release date finally comes around, now’s a great time to catch up on one of Rockstar’s best games to date.
10. The Last of Us Part 2
When the conversation regarding the best PS4 games of all time comes around, The Last of Us Part 2 is always mentioned – and for good reason seeing as it was crowned Game of the Year at the 2020 Game Awards. Widely considered one of the best games ever made – something we agree with – the third-person stealth shooter follows protagonist Ellie as she navigates life and love in a zombie apocalypse.
This isn’t a game that you can drop into for a little fun, but the gritty campaign is both graphically and narratively beautiful. Every level blends seamlessly into the next, and each offers an unthinkable variety of paths through – some violent, some stealth, and some a bit of both.
Obviously, you should play through the first game before tackling this, but be ready to have everything you thought you knew about games blown completely out of the water. It’s also made our list of the best PS5 games, so if you’ve had the chance to upgrade make sure you play it there for the ultimate experience.
11. The Last Guardian
Another single-player game for our list, The Last Guardian is a testament to worldbuilding, narrative, and artificial intelligence. Trico, the giant mythical beast that accompanies you on your quest to escape the ancient pit you find yourself trapped in, behaves exactly like an animal should. Yes, there are a couple of glitches here and there, but generally, Team Ico nails Trico’s animal tendencies to create a beautiful creature in a mysterious world.
Make sure to give your feline-ish friend lots of pats and care to make sure he responds to your instructions as best as possible. Work together through innovative platforming puzzles to make your escape, battling against the crumbling city’s defenders as well as your own fears. Cooperation is key, and The Last Guardian is a wonderfully unique game you’ll remember for years.
12. Unchartered 4: A Thief’s End
While some would say Uncharted protagonist Nathan Drake is a thief, we’d call him a treasure hunter in the same vein as Lara Croft. In the fourth mainline outing for the franchise, Uncharted 4 follows a recently retired Nathan as he’s thrust back into the dangerous world of treasure hunting in order to save his thought-to-be-dead brother.
Similar to other Naughty Dog games, Uncharted 4 is a narrative-focused experience, but it has some solid third-person shooting in beautiful and well-designed levels that take you across the globe, from tropical environments to snowy landscapes.
Having previous knowledge of the Uncharted games isn’t required, as the game can be played as its own standalone story, but playing the previous three games definitely adds to the enjoyment.
13. Horizon Forbidden West
The sequel to brilliant Horizon Zero Dawn, Forbidden West sees Aloy journey away from her home in search of more answers to questions the first game dredged up. But don’t worry if you haven’t played Zero Dawn, as Forbidden West offers a story recap of its predecessor (which is admittedly brief, but enough to get you started).
Horizon is a solid action-adventure series with a hint of role-playing within, allowing you to upgrade Aloy’s skills as she progresses her journey. There are plenty of human enemies out there, but the biggest threat are mechanical beasts similar to dinosaurs that inhabit the world. Yes, robot dinosaurs.
As the second game in the series, Forbidden West continues the narrative beats of the first outing, but it’s also packed full of new weapons and abilities, including new exploration tools to help you reach higher and more out-of-the-way places. If you liked the original, you’ll want to play Forbidden West as it improves in every way,
14. Gran Turismo 7
The long-running Gran Turismo series may need no introduction for most, but for those new to PlayStation, the GT series is Sony’s exclusive racing-sim line of games, similar to Xbox’s Forza series. In Gran Turismo 7, expect the same gameplay as usual but with a host of upgrades for the latest title, such as increased physics, incredible-looking tracks, and blood-pumping fast cars.
Save up for your favorite cars, tune them, and then take to the circuits to capture the best lap times possible. Polyphony has even implemented a super realistic weather system that dynamically affects different parts of the track.
15. Dying Light 2
Dying Light 2’s story isn’t much to talk about. The standard zombie cliches are here, such as a viral outbreak, splintered human factions in a post-apocalyptic city, nothing you haven’t seen before. But what makes Dying Light 2 and its predecessor special is how you deal with, or avoid your undead enemies.
Dying Light 2 allows you to craft and wield powerful melee weapons with different, and very powerful mods, such as electrifying or poisoning your enemies. But when things get tough, instead of running in a straight line, developer Techland has taken a page out of Mirror’s Edge’s book, allowing you to freely parkour across the open world.
It may not be a life-changing experience, but Dying Light 2 is exhilarating undead-killing fun that makes it one of the best zombie games available right now. For more of our thoughts on the game, you can check out our Dying Light 2 review.
16. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is one of the most magical simulation games out there, one of the best relaxing games you can get your mitts on, and one of the best PS4 games full-stop. Having taken over your late grandpa’s farm, your life in the titular region begins by trying to get things back into some semblance of order.
However, Stardew Valley isn’t just a simple, crunchy farming sim – it’s a farm life sim. Throughout the hundreds of hours you can easily plow into the game you’ll get to know the valley’s inhabitants – some very intimately – and forge lasting friendships with them. There are also dungeon-crawling elements thanks to a vast underground mine network that you can explore and loot – loot goblins, rejoice.
17. Ghost of Tsushima
After creating an incredible title with Infamous: Second Son, the team at Sucker Punch moved on from the superhero series to develop Ghost of Tsushima, which has gone on to receive critical acclaim for its gorgeous world, easy-to-know and hard-to-master combat, and an engaging story focused on the samurai clans of an island called Tsushima.
In Ghost of Tsushima, you play as Jin Sakai, one of the last remaining samurai on the island as he attempts to fight off a Mongol invasion led by Khotun Khan, the grandson of the evil Genghis Khan. While Jin has studied the Samurai code under his uncle, Lord Shimura, Jin must become the titular Ghost of Tsushima, breaking the code in order to save the island.
As Jin, you’ll have a variety of combat stances to switch between, all of which are able to damage certain enemies more specifically, meaning you need to quickly eliminate distinct enemy types before moving on to the next, as well as using Jin’s ghost tools to stealthily ambush and kill Mongols. When you’re not fighting off the invaders, you can roam a gorgeous open world that loads way too quickly even on the PS4, and upgrade your gear in order to finally defeat Khotun Khan.
18. Persona 5 Royal
PERSONA! While it may be the fifth mainline installment in the Persona series, Persona 5 Royal tells its own story, which means you don’t need to play the previous entries. In Persona 5, you play as a silent protagonist called Joker, and the story is told mostly in flashbacks as you form a group called the Phantom Thieves, which steals the corruption from the hearts of adults.
While some of Persona 5’s gameplay revolves around very stylish turn-based action, most of the gameplay is a standard role-playing affair, as you go to school, develop relationships with your cohort, and pursue other goals like part-time jobs.
Persona 5 Royal consists of the original game, as well as additional content like a new semester, quality of life features, and more, making it the best version of the game to play. If you’re someone who focuses on the story content, there’s still roughly 100 hours of content to enjoy here.
19. Elden Ring
If you haven’t played Elden Ring, stop reading and go and play it right now. Our Elden Ring Review gave the game a 10/10 – as did many other outlets across the world – and hailed it a masterpiece.
If you really need further explanation, Elden Ring is the latest Soulslike FromSoftware game. It continues the Dark Souls legacy by being tough as nails, but this is arguably the best time for new players to jump into the series. It’s everything Dark Souls was but in an open world, filled to the brim with adventure, wonder, and death. Unsurprisingly, it’s made our list of the best Soulslike games.
20. Bloodborne
The best FromSoftware game of the PS4 generation, fans have been clamoring for a Bloodborne PC port for the best part of a decade – it really is that good. Don’t believe us? Try its whopping 92 Metacritic score on for size.
A soulslike in the same vein as Elden Ring, Bloodborne doesn’t quite have the sprawling open world of its more modern cousin. However, this stylish ARPG’s more linear town of Yharnam is every bit as charming – something which is helped by its Gothic, Victorian stylings. It’s the gentlefolk’s soulslike in every sense of the word (okay, it’s not exactly ‘gentle’), and one which you have to experience if you’re after a real challenge.
21. Sekiro Shadows Die Twice
We’re not just stopping with Bloodborne on the FromSoft front, as Sekiro represents a very different vibe to its pseudo-Victorian counterpart. This time taking place in a fictionalized version of Sengoku Japan, Sekiro will have you embark on a quest as the enigmatic Wolf to rescue his lord.
Unlike its FromSoft predecessors, Sekiro places a much greater emphasis on managing poise. After breaking a boss’ posture, you’ll have the opportunity to deliver devastating damage. Likewise, if your block is broken you’ll be a sitting duck – this almost always has dire consequences. Indeed, Sekiro is a game that incentivizes aggression at its core, making for an even more high-risk, high-reward experience than the likes of Dark Souls and Bloodborne.
22. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
The first major Prince of Persia release in over a decade, Ubisoft Montpellier – the studio behind Rayman – reintroduced the beloved series in the best possible way with The Lost Crown.
An excellent addition to the list of best Metroidvania games, The Lost Crown takes elements of the genre and blends them with the classic Prince of Persia vibe. What’s more, its challenging combat and platforming can be tweaked to your liking thanks to the myriad settings available, making for one of the most approachable entry points into the realm of Metroidvanias yet.
The result of Ubi’s graft has merited a mighty Metacritic score of 86 – the best-scoring Prince of Persia game since the 2003 classic The Sands of Time (92).
23. Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Ubisoft Bordeaux’s first crack at heading up an Assassin’s Creed installment was a major success considering its more condensed budget. Acting as a prequel of sorts to 2020’s Valhalla, Mirage focuses on Basim’s rise from common street thief to the assassin order.
Unlike Valhalla, Mirage ditches the massive open-world design that’s featured prominently in recent AC games, returning to something old-school fans will feel much more at home with. You can definitely feel the influence of the Ezio games here, though Mirage ensures there are some new bells and whistles to separate it from its predecessors.
In our Assassin’s Creed Mirage review we call it “a truly excellent experience,” with Ubi “wonderfully blending this series’ past and present to provide players with a compact, engaging story driven by captivating characters and secrets worth seeking.”
24. Just Cause 3
If we could put Just Cause 2 on this list we would, but until a remaster comes along (or it drops on PS Plus), then its brilliant successor will do just fine. This time the action heads back to Rico Rodriguez’s stomping ground, as you liberate Medici from the evil General Sebastiano Di Ravello. Like every Just Cause game, the story is secondary to all the explosive action and chaos you’ll get up to.
Except now you’ve got a wingsuit, tons of epic weapons, and the power of the PS4 to deliver even more carnage. With some sweet DLC expansions too, including a jet-pack style wingsuit, Just Cause 3 is still a blast all these years.
25. inFamous Second Son
We’d love it if Sucker Punch Productions would make another inFamous game, but until then, inFamous Second Son is an excellent PS4 game to sink time into. As previous hero Cole MacGrath is out of the picture, the action shifts to Seattle, and sees you planted in the shoes of Delsin Rowe. He’s a little more scrappy than Cole, but his unique powerset and compelling journey of self-discovery make him a hero worthy of remembering.
InFamous Second Son still looks stunning and plays fantastically even now. You’ll pick up numerous abilities in an open-world ripe for heroics, or evil if you’d prefer to become the ultimate super villain. Better yet, if you play this on PS5 via backwards compatibility, you’ll be graced with upscaled visuals and 60fps support.
26. Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War
There are loads of Call of Duty games to check out on PS4, but Black Ops Cold War is easily the best of them. Taking the story back to before the events of Black Ops 2 and 3, this prequel-sequel sees you webbed up in a global conspiracy that could yield catastrophic consequences. Oh, and you can blast your way through an excellent campaign that pushes the Call of Duty franchise forward in ways games like Modern Warfare 3 can only dream of.
Alongside the awesome story is the game’s superb iteration of COD Zombies, which brings an all-new perk system, loadouts, fresh spins on classic locations and fresh lore to unravel. This is the Zombies experience that sequels should aim to replicate, but the game’s normal multiplayer is also worth your time. All the classic modes like Team Deathmatch are there, but Treyarch delivers some exceptional maps that hone in on the game’s 80’s aesthetic in clever ways.
27. Control
Before Remedy Entertainment delivered an all-time banger with Alan Wake 2, the seeds for a mind-boggling story were laid in Control too. Blending the developer’s amazing penchant for third-person shooter action with blockbuster level storytelling, Control is an essential PS4 gaming experience for anyone to enjoy. You’ll guide Jesse Faden, the newly appointed director of the Federeal Bureau of Control, through the Oldest House – a brutalist HQ within the heart of New York City.
However, sinister otherworldy threats are around every corner and Jesse is beginning to manifest powers she can’t quite explain. The game’s combat is top-tier, effortlessly merging superpowered antics with satsifying gunfights that you’ll quickly become entranced by. With plenty of DLC to keep you busy once the credits have rolled, it won’t be long before you become obsessed with the Remedy Connected Universe.
28. Neon White
If you’re in need of some serious late-90s nostalgia, but with a modern twist then let us introduce you to Neon White. Dubbed “the heavenly single-player card-based speedrunning FPS for freaks, by freaks” by developer Angel Matrix, Neon White places you in the shoes of White – the leader of a group of demon hunters called ‘Neons’ (you can see where the title came from). Having been drafted up to Heaven from Hell to deal with its demon infestation, White and the gang must quickly (and stylishly) display their pest control prowess.
Featuring an ingenious gameplay loop that feels fantastic to play, a breakcore-fueled soundtrack from maestros Machine Girl, and Spike Spiegel actor Steve Blum lending his talents to White, Neon White is a PS4 must-play. This isn’t just the case for nostalgics, but for anyone who has even a passing interest in completing games really, really fast.
29. Spyro Reignited Trilogy
Okay, we’re cheating with this one, but the Spyro Reignited Trilogy is too good to not include in our list. Compiling beautifully remade versions of the first three Spyro games – Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2 Ripto’s Rage!, and Spyro Year of the Dragon – the Spyro Reignited Trilogy gives these classic platformers a well-deserved new lease on life.
Alongside the audiovisual improvements, the Reignited Trilogy also introduces some extra gameplay consistencies between the trio. For example, skill points have been added to the first Spyro, while the ability to do a barrel roll has been transferred from the OG into the latter two installments. If you haven’t reveled in Toys for Bob’s wonderful remakes, then be sure to rectify that ASAP.
30. Destiny 2
One of the biggest live service success stories ever, Destiny 2 rolls an MMO, a loot-chasing PvE shooter, and a competitive FPS game into one incredible package.
In Destiny 2, you traverse the solar system with an enormous arsenal of weapons and gear at your disposal to take on intergalactic threats. You also pick a class (Titan, Hunter, or Warlock) and an elemental subclass within them, which imbue you with incredibly flashy and satisfying abilities.
The base game of Destiny 2, which features various PvE and PvP activities and some introductory quest lines to help onboard new players. However, the true meat of Destiny 2 comes within its paid seasons and expansions – this is where the game truly shines with an evolving storyline, thematic game modes, and more.
31. Grand Theft Auto 5
The biggest, most feature-rich Grand Theft Auto game ever, GTA 5 is a without a doubt a must-play experience. If you’re yet to play it (which makes you a rarity, given it’s one of the best-selling games of all time) you should look to change that. If you’re reading this and you have already sunk plenty of time into it, this is your reminder that it’s absolutely worth revisiting.
The single-player story is excellent – while some story moments are predictable, the ability to influence its ending and to experience it as three different characters at once makes it incredibly memorable and flexible. The open world of Los Santos is bustling with life and incredibly varied – from flashy city streets, to coastal beaches, to mountain wilderness, to rural communities, to military bases, it’s a truly exhilarating place to explore.
However, GTA 5’s all-timer status (and it’s longevity) is thanks to GTA Online, the multiplayer sandbox that lets you create your own character and pull of daring heists, compete in races, and run your own business enterprises with your friends. Be sure to check out our guide on how to make money in GTA 5 and GTA Online so that you can live out a lavish Los Santos lifestyle.
So, whether you’re a single-player nut or a multiplayer master, the PS4 still has plenty to offer. All you’ve got to do now is figure out how and when you’re going to play some or all of these expert recommendations.
If you’re subscribed to PS Plus Extra or Premium, be sure to check the PS Plus games list to see if any of these epic games are included and available to you at no extra cost. Free-to-play games like Apex Legends and Destiny 2 are also great places to start if you’ve got a tight budget.
If you’re still rocking your PS4 and need some accessories, check out our pick of the best PS4 controllers and best PS4 headsets you can get right now. Have fun!