The best PlayStation 4 games range from contemplative, surreal experiences to action-packed epics. Whether you want immersive single-player adventures, chaotic multiplayer matches, or engaging collective experiences, the PS4 has a game for you. Of course, it’s easy to see why. The PlayStation 4 has been available for seven years, during which time it has amassed a library of thousands of games. Furthermore, because Sony has led the way in exclusive titles, the PS4 is the only way to experience new classics such as God of War (2018), The Last Of Us, and Death Stranding.

Of course, the PS4 won’t last forever, and the PS5 is already on the way to take its place. Don’t worry; most PS4 titles are playable on Sony’s new console thanks to widespread backward compatibility. You’ll have the technology to play these games right away or save them for later.

God Of War (2018)

The God of War series is back after a five-year hiatus, and it’s very different. Kratos, formerly a living ball of rage, is now a family man, attempting to reconcile his suicidal past with his love for his adolescent son, Atreus. Kratos has moved from Greece to Scandinavia, which means, among other things, a whole new set of mythical beasts to slay. Kratos’ new enemies constantly put his skills to the test, from trolls and ogres to undead horrors and even Norse gods.

While the plot questions whether Kratos’ violent past was fully justified, the gameplay remains as satisfying and visceral as ever, pitting the demigod against trolls, sea monsters, and dragons. It’s a daring new direction for a beloved series, and it’s easily one of the best action/adventure games on the PS4.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

The latest installment in Ubisoft’s long-running action/stealth series, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, is another solid one. This time, you’ll play Eivor, a Viking warrior in medieval England who needs to find a new home for his clan. You’ll travel through various kingdoms, eliminate key targets, fight dangerous Saxons, and even participate in Viking battles known as “flyting.”

While Assassin’s Creed Valhalla looks and plays great on the PS4, your purchase also includes a PS5 version with improved lighting, richer HDR colors, and a smoother frame rate. Your saved data will also be carried over, but transferring achievements can be demanding.

Devil May Cry 5

Capcom has finally released a sequel worthy of the wait eleven years after Devil May Cry 4. Devil May Cry 5 is a confident, stylish action game that will please long-term fans while welcoming newcomers. You’ll fight enormous, grotesque foes as the supernatural warriors Dante, Nero, and V, using a gorgeous combination of gunplay, swordplay, and platforming. It can be a difficult game to master, but combat becomes its own reward once you do.

Devil May Cry 5 is an incredible, rewarding experience that is worth a look if you’ve ever enjoyed the series. The gameplay is especially enjoyable because as you rack up more combos, the soundtrack changes and becomes more elaborate to reflect your success. If you’re a newbie or noob, you can catch up with previous titles in the Devil May Cry: HD Collection, also available on PS4.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn has it all: an intriguing open world, a creative story, a relatable protagonist, a wide range of challenges, and, of course, a slew of giant robot dinosaurs. With a bow and arrow and a variety of melee and ranged weapons, you’ll be able to take down these massive beasts and a variety of human enemies.

Horizon Zero Dawn tells the story of Aloy, a pariah from her tribe who nonetheless becomes a master of the bow and spear in a post-apocalyptic world that has had time to become lush once more. As she investigates the dangerous world around her, she discovers that she could play a critical role in changing it for the better. It’s one of the best action/adventure games on the PS4, but it’s also available on PC.

The Last Of Us, Part II

The Last of Us, Part II, is an ambitious follow-up to a well-received game. As a result, it was always going to be divisive — which is probably exactly what the developers intended. In this post-apocalyptic action/adventure game, you play as Ellie, who embarks on an epic revenge quest across the ruins of the western United States. Ellie, now grown up and elevated from “sidekick” to “protagonist,” must rely on her abilities to determine when (or if) revenge crosses the line from “necessity” to “obsession.”

The Last of Us 2’s story is full of interesting twists and turns, but the gameplay backs it up beautifully. The Last of Us 2 employs large, creative levels and intelligent enemies of both the human and Infected varieties, as well as numerous ways to customize and upgrade Ellie and many options for stealth, combat, and exploration. It’s easy to see why The Last of Us 2 is one of the best action/adventure games on the PS4, with stunning graphics and moving voice acting.

Mortal Kombat 11

Mortal Kombat has had its ups and downs over the years, but Mortal Kombat 11 shows that the series is still full of surprises. Rather than seeing who can memorize the most super-moves or how quickly players can mash an attack button, this game emphasizes distance, variety, and the judicious use of limited super-moves. Mortal Kombat 11 features refined, strategic one-on-one fights, a solid story mode, and tonnes of unlockable single-player content.

Depending on your tolerance, this may be a selling point or a deal breaker, but it’s good to know that the series has yet to tone down over the years. Of course, Mortal Kombat’s trademark gore is back in full force, with some extremely over-the-top fatalities that will put even the toughest stomachs to the test. Overall, MK11 is a fantastic fighting game that has something for everyone.

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

You may have previously played the games in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, but never with this level of polish. This collection includes Mass Effect, Mass Effect part 2, and other parts, as well as nearly all of the DLC packs for those games. (The first game’s Pinnacle Station appears to have been lost to the whims of time, but everything else is present and accounted for.) If you haven’t played the Mass Effect games before, now is a great time to start — and if you have, now is a good time to go back and play them again.

For those unfamiliar with Mass Effect, it is a trilogy of sci-fi RPGs developed by BioWare. You customize Commander Shepard, a military hero, and then assemble a team of human and alien experts from all over the galaxy. You face off against the Reapers, a race of synthetic organisms bent on eradicating all sentient life in the Milky Way galaxy. The plot is largely determined by whether you want to play as a rule-abiding Paragon or a vigilante Renegade.

Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima’s pitch makes it sound like an Assassin’s Creed game. It is an open-world action/stealth game with a real-world history-based story. You take control of Jin Sakai, a samurai who fights against the Mongol invasion of Japan in the 13th century. Where Ghost of Tsushima differs from other open-world adventures is in its incredible sword-fighting. The combat in the game is simply outstanding, with numerous techniques, gadgets, and strategies to master.

The game can drag a little in the middle as it leans heavily on familiar sandbox tropes like collecting doodads, solving mild platforming puzzles, riding horses, etc. Despite its breadth, the game is admirably deep, with numerous ways to customize your character. It also has a good story about honor, duty, and sacrifice, all appropriate themes for a samurai story.

Death Stranding

Death Stranding is, without a doubt, one of the strangest games to be released in 2019. But it’s also one of the system’s games, especially if you like Hideo Kojima’s unique brand of unhinged futurism. The titular “Death Stranding” unleashed an extradimensional race, raising existential questions about life, death, and the nature of power in the post-apocalyptic world. You play as Sam Bridges, who delivers supplies to survivors on a post-apocalyptic Earth.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Death Stranding is its understated gameplay. A lot of it is simply getting from one place to another and building infrastructure to make your trips more convenient. How well your deliveries go will influence how you can level up Sam, allowing you to carry more items and build your reputation with non-player characters.

Elden Ring 

You play as a Tarnished, an adventurer on a dangerous quest to defeat four demigods and rebuild a powerful artifact known as the Elden Ring. Elden Ring is a spiritual successor to the Dark Souls series, with similar gameplay but a very different structure. Elden Ring, rather than a series of open-ended levels, takes place in a massive open world with many optional areas to explore and secrets to discover.

Elden Ring, like other FromSoftware games, is extremely difficult. Bosses can kill you in one or two hits, while regular opponents require three or four. On the other hand, the combat is exquisitely precise, encouraging you to hone your skills and strategies over time. You can level up your character however you want and outfit them with a wide range of inspired gear. Elden Ring could keep you occupied for dozens of hours, so if it sounds appealing, now is the time to start.

Conclusion

There’s no special way to choose the best PS4 games. It all depends on what kinds of music you like the most. A lot of these games, like God of War, and Horizon Zero Dawn, are action/adventure games. Some of these games take place in an open world, while others are more linear. Either way, if you buy a first-person, third-person game, it’s almost certain to be good.