The PlayStation 4, a console that still feels remarkably contemporary, celebrated its seventh anniversary in 2020. Over its impressive lifespan, this system has hosted a monumental library of titles, delivering hundreds of groundbreaking indie experiences, exhilarating multiplayer adventures, and an array of cool exclusives that have fundamentally redefined our perception of video games. Indeed, as highlighted in the accompanying video from DreamcastGuy, the PS4 has secured its place as one of the most beloved systems of all time.
With the PlayStation 5’s launch just on the horizon at the time of the video’s creation, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the console’s incredible journey and identify the absolute pinnacle of its gaming achievements. The presenter, having personally navigated nearly 500 PlayStation 4 games, meticulously curates a list of the most memorable, fantastic, and utterly essential titles. These are not just games; they are defining moments that encapsulate the power and artistry of a console nearing its generational sunset. Let’s delve deeper into these exceptional entries, exploring what makes them some of the best PS4 games ever released.
Nioh: A Masterclass in Tactical Combat
Kicking off the list at number ten, Nioh stands out as a project where every single encounter feels genuinely epic. This isn’t merely a consequence of its notorious difficulty—a hallmark often associated with its genre—but rather an ingenious design choice rooted in its dynamic combat system. Imagine if every sword swing and dodge required a conscious strategic decision, with your stance dictating your offensive and defensive capabilities. Nioh, a feudal Japan-inspired action RPG, pits players against formidable Oni demons, but the true addiction lies in its intricate dance of high stances for power, low stances for evasion, and a plethora of weaponry each demanding mastery.
This nuanced combat goes beyond simple button mashing; it transforms each enemy encounter into a puzzle requiring adaptation and foresight. The visceral satisfaction of flawlessly executing a combo, shifting stances mid-fight, and overcoming a seemingly insurmountable foe is unparalleled. Furthermore, Nioh’s commitment to delivering a consistently challenging yet rewarding experience solidified its place as a launch-era triumph for many players, showcasing the PS4’s capacity for intense, skill-based gameplay.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – Redefining Narrative Action
Often, a common criticism leveled at PlayStation’s AAA exclusives is their perceived linearity, sometimes derided as “interactive movies.” Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, occupying the ninth spot, is DreamcastGuy’s ultimate rebuttal to this notion. While it undeniably features breathtaking cinematic sequences and a meticulously crafted narrative, it seamlessly integrates engaging gameplay that prevents it from ever feeling passive.
Nathan Drake’s final adventure is a masterclass in blending thrilling gunfights, clever stealth sections, and truly jaw-dropping visuals with a deeply personal story that explores themes of family, loyalty, and redemption. The game’s narrative depth, often reserved for premium cable dramas, allows players to truly care about the characters and their fates. Moreover, the expanded environments and moments of player agency, despite the overarching linear progression, ensure that the player is always an active participant in this grand saga. Uncharted 4 proved that a game could be both a visually spectacular, emotionally resonant story and an incredibly fun, engaging gameplay experience.
Final Fantasy VII Remake: A Bold Reimagining
For many, Final Fantasy VII holds legendary status, and its remake, landing at number eight, had immense expectations to live up to. DreamcastGuy, a long-time fan, poured over 100 hours into this title, mastering every piece of magic, tackling every optional boss, and completing every single quest. This dedication underscores the game’s expansive content and its ability to hook even the most seasoned RPG enthusiasts.
The brilliance of Final Fantasy VII Remake lies in its courage to evolve while honoring its source material. It presents a dynamic hybrid combat system, blending real-time action with strategic command-based choices, appealing to both modern players and purists. Beyond its combat, the game expands upon the original’s narrative, giving Midgar a living, breathing quality and deepening the character arcs of its beloved cast. While the story takes unexpected twists and turns, particularly towards its conclusion, it ignites immense excitement for the future of the series. This bold reimagining stands as a testament to the enduring power of its narrative and the PS4’s capability to host such ambitious, visually stunning RPG experiences.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: The Web-Slinger’s Definitive Game
Superhero games can be notoriously difficult to get right, especially when tasked with placing the player directly into the shoes of an iconic hero. Yet, Marvel’s Spider-Man, at number seven, is lauded as the greatest superhero game ever made. Its success stems from a profound understanding of its protagonist: Peter Parker.
The game expertly balances the exhilaration of swinging through a breathtakingly rendered New York City with the human element of Peter Parker’s life. Players engage in scientific experiments, save citizens, and make tough moral choices, providing a glimpse beneath the mask that many adaptations miss. The web-slinging mechanics are fluid and intuitive, making traversal an absolute joy, while the combat is acrobatic and satisfying. Furthermore, the extensive DLC and rich open world encourage exploration, allowing players to truly inhabit the role of the friendly neighborhood Spider-slinger. This title showcased the PS4’s graphical prowess and its capacity to deliver an immersive, character-driven narrative within an expansive sandbox.
Horizon Zero Dawn: A Post-Apocalyptic Masterpiece
Amidst the deluge of top-tier PS4 exclusives, some gems, like Horizon Zero Dawn, can regrettably fade from the spotlight. Yet, this game, at number six, offers a truly distinctive take on the post-apocalyptic genre. Rather than focusing solely on grim survival, it injects life and wonder into a world reclaimed by nature and dominated by awe-inspiring machine creatures.
Playing as Aloy, a skilled hunter, players confront truly insurmountable forces—colossal, animalistic robots that sweep across the land. The gameplay is a blend of strategic hunting, crafting explosive arrows, setting elaborate traps, and exploring vast, mysterious territories. Horizon Zero Dawn distinguished itself with its unique setting, compelling lore, and innovative combat that encourages tactical engagement over brute force. Its initial launch was met with widespread acclaim, and even years later, its open-world design, character development, and visually stunning environments make it a must-play. This game exemplifies how the PS4 could host new IPs that push creative boundaries and offer refreshing perspectives on established genres.
Persona 5 Royal: The Apex of Modern RPGs
Sometimes, a game generates such a fervent buzz among friends that you initially overlook it, only to discover, upon finally playing, that every ounce of hype was justified. Such is the experience with Persona 5 Royal, which takes the fifth spot. This game is simply enormous; an RPG that could easily consume an entire year with its wealth of content and still remain deeply engaging.
At its core, Persona 5 Royal places players in the shoes of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, a group with the extraordinary ability to enter corrupted individuals’ cognitive worlds, battling their inner demons to cleanse their souls. This setup underpins a sprawling turn-based RPG packed with tens of thousands of lines of dialogue, optional dating scenes, countless side quests, and an array of mini-games. The true genius, however, lies in its meticulously crafted characters and the vibrant, stylish world they inhabit. Every tiny detail, from the expressive animations to the interwoven dialogue, contributes to a cohesive, immersive experience. Moreover, the game’s cult following highlights its ability to cultivate deep connections with its audience. Persona 5 Royal is a masterpiece of scale and detail, proving that classic RPG mechanics can be perfectly modernized for a contemporary audience on the PS4.
Judgment: An Unparalleled Open-World Experience
For those intimidated by the extensive history and numerous entries in the revered Yakuza series, Judgment, ranked number four, serves as an exceptional entry point. While technically a side-story within the same universe, it offers key distinctions that make it uniquely accessible and utterly compelling. First, the option for a full English dub with superb voice acting immediately lowers the barrier for many players. More importantly, instead of embodying a member of the Yakuza, players assume the role of Takayuki Yagami, a former lawyer turned private detective, pursuing a mysterious serial killer in Kamurocho.
Beyond its compelling detective narrative and stellar writing, Judgment truly shines as a “Japan simulator.” The city of Kamurocho is rendered with incredible vibrancy and detail, teeming with an endless array of activities. Players can explore, solve side cases for quirky citizens, visit cat cafes, dominate arcade games, and simply immerse themselves in the bustling cityscape. This meticulous attention to detail makes Kamurocho feel truly alive, with every corner, every person, and every curb contributing to a profound sense of place. Judgment set a new standard for open-world immersion on the PS4, demonstrating how a virtual city could be a character in itself, constantly inviting exploration and interaction.
Bloodborne: The PS4’s Defining Genesis
Upon the PlayStation 4’s initial release, many were impressed by its graphical leap, but few games truly captivated and showcased its generational potential quite like Bloodborne. Taking the third spot, this title was a revelation, marking the point where the console truly differentiated itself from its predecessor. It delivered an experience that was fast, fluid, and relentlessly vicious, pushing hardware boundaries in a way that simply couldn’t be achieved on the PS3.
Exploring the gothic, blood-soaked streets of Yharnam as players attempt to unravel and cure a terrifying plague, Bloodborne’s combat system is a visceral, aggressive dance. Gone are the shields and cautious approaches of its spiritual predecessors; here, players are encouraged to attack, to regain lost health through sheer aggression. This paradigm shift, combined with its nightmarish creature design and profound, esoteric lore, forged an unforgettable identity. It was the first game to earn a perfect 10/10 from the presenter, an accolade reflecting its monumental impact and its status as a true work of art—gory, over-the-top, and nasty, yet undeniably brilliant. Bloodborne remains a testament to the PS4’s capacity for creating genre-defining, artistic masterpieces.
Ghost of Tsushima: The Way of the Samurai, Refined
At number two, Ghost of Tsushima delivers a meticulously crafted samurai adventure, focusing on the journey of Jin Sakai as he grapples with the honor-bound path of the samurai and the brutal pragmatism of the “Ghost.” What makes this game so profoundly effective, as highlighted in the video, is its commitment to a clear vision: it sets out a specific set of rules and mechanics, then perfectly adheres to them. This isn’t a game attempting to be everything to everyone; it’s a focused, elegant ode to samurai cinema and open-world design.
Players are given a versatile toolkit of abilities, from tactical takedowns and ninja stealth mechanics to smoke bombs and environmental disappearances. The game ensures that once the initial mechanics are learned, every action feels intuitive and within the player’s control. Furthermore, the optional upgrade paths—new armor sets, fox dens, and hot springs for health boosts—allow players to tailor Jin’s journey to their preferred playstyle. The world of Tsushima itself is breathtakingly beautiful, inviting exploration at every turn. Its single-player campaign is exceptional, and the subsequent multiplayer addition further extended its longevity, promising an even more expansive experience. Ghost of Tsushima is a triumph of focused design, showcasing the PS4’s ability to render stunning natural landscapes and deliver a deeply personal, impactful narrative through refined gameplay.
God of War: Kratos’s Epic Rebirth
Topping the list as the undisputed best PS4 game is God of War, a title that executed one of the most remarkable character transformations in gaming history. The original God of War games, while popular, focused on Kratos as a rage-fueled demigod. However, the PS4 iteration reintroduces a Kratos who is older, wiser, and profoundly wounded, forcing him to confront a harder question: what is worth living for?
This narrative shift, seeing the once brutal Kratos grapple with fatherhood and the grief of losing his wife, injects an incredible depth of raw, visceral pain into a character once defined by vengeance. The emotional journey between Kratos and his son Atreus is the beating heart of the game, providing a powerful, moving experience that resonates deeply. Beyond its narrative brilliance, the combat system was also intelligently reimagined. It trades the chaotic hack-and-slash of old for a more deliberate, weighty, and intensely satisfying over-the-shoulder perspective, complete with devastating finisher moves and a versatile Leviathan Axe. This game’s numerous awards are a testament to its groundbreaking success, establishing a new direction for the franchise and setting a gold standard for narrative-driven action games on the PlayStation 4. Its enduring legacy and the promise of future installments with this evolved Kratos ensure its place not just as a top PS4 game, but as one of gaming’s true masterpieces.
