Each console brings with it a lengthy catalog of titles that shape the childhood of those who grow up playing it. Not all of these consoles have as vast a list of exclusives as others, with more and more games going multiplatform in order to reach even larger audiences. However, some debut exclusives are so amazing that they can help shape how a console is perceived by all manner of gamers.
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The PlayStation 4 has given players some of the most robust and resource-demanding titles of the time, and during the massive shortage of PS5 consoles, the PS4 was the only option for some players to enjoy PlayStation exclusives — which have become even more accessible with some of the best titles migrating to PC.
Updated by Chad Thesen onDecember 30th,2023:This article has been updated to bring it up to a higher level of quality. This will enhance the reader’s experience and make the article more engaging thanks to the inclusion of Metacritic scores, bullet point facts, and special tags under each entry that readers can make use of.
10Marvel’s Spider-Man
Metascore: 87
Marvel’s Spider-Manwas originally released as a PS4 exclusive, but its success would warrant a later release on PC systems as well. It is a true chart-topping, must-buy game on the PS4. Marvel’s Spider-Man already has a ton of huge names behind it:Sony,Marvel,Disney, andInsomniac Games.
Thankfully, the super-powered team has managed to craft a masterpiece title that sets a benchmark for not only super-hero games but open-world titles as a whole. Whether or not you consider yourself a Spidey fan, Marvel’s Spider-Man is an essential pick-up on the PS4 for any gamer to enjoy. Very few games cancreate an experience quite like Marvel’s Spider-Man.
Marvel’s Spider-Man
9NieR: Automata
Metascore: 88
Calling Yoko Taro’sNieR: Automataan exceptional title would be a massive understatement.Platinum Gamestruly created a masterclass work with an exceptional amount of storytelling, a highly memorable cast of characters, and brilliantly executed hack-and-slash gameplay to tie everything together.
Even if you are a newcomer to the NieR universe, you will without a doubt be pulled in by the game’s soundtrack, visuals, and the multiple endings that create an emotional roller-coaster. Very few developers are able to accomplish what the developers of NieR: Automata have with this title, making it a must-play even to this day.
NieR: Automata
8Horizon Zero Dawn
Metascore: 89
DeveloperGuerrilla Games’Horizon Zero Dawnis a must-play experience on the PS4. Horizon Zero Dawn has been incredibly well received from the moment of its debut and is a true fan favorite among PS4 gamers everywhere.
Pairing the novel futuristic, pre-historic setting with fantastic characters like Aloy bolsters a title that already leads the fray when it comes to impeccable visuals and addictive and satisfying gameplay. Like other games on this list, Horizon Zero Dawn is a technical powerhouse and an essential pick-up for the PS4.
Horizon: Zero Dawn
7Final Fantasy VII Remake
There are few projects more ambitious or more anticipated thanFinal Fantasy VII Remake— and it’s even more surprising thatSquare Enixwas able to meet (if not beat) expectations. Even more important, there is something about this game that feels so uniquely central to the PlayStation identity.
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Final Fantasy VII Remake is a true must-play for anyone, with Intergrade being an elevation of both quantity and quality compared to the base game. However, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is not something PS4 players will be able to enjoy, as it is only available on the PS5 systems and PC.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
6The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Metascore: 92
While not being a PS4-exclusive title,The Witcher 3: Wild Huntset the bar early in this generation on what Western RPGs should be. Filled to the brim with impressive gameplay, a very engaging and emotionally driven story, and plenty of heart, it isn’t out of the question to spend over a hundred hours on the continent where the game takes place.
However, The Witcher 3 is still unsurpassed by RPGs that have come after it, mainly thanks toCD Projekt Red’s dedication to world-building, fleshed-out side stories, and open-world game design. This has left many players wondering how CD Projekt Red might top themselves going forward.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
5The Last of Us: Part II
Metascore: 93
The Last of Usfranchise has become something of a swansong for PlayStation generations, withThe Last of Us: Part IIcapping off an excellent few years with the PS4. Despite some controversy that stirred among select audiences, it’s hard to see this adventure as anything less than another feather in the Sony narrative camp.
Naughty Dogcontinues to be unmatched in much of their skill and character development, and it shows after all these years across their numerous properties — with The Last of Us receiving more praise, re-releases, and revenue than any of their previous ventures.
The Last of Us Part 2
4God of War
Metascore: 94
God of Waris one of the top games to grab on the PS4. Kratos has had many adventures on past consoles over the years, all taking place in a very rich well of Greek mythology. However, Kratos' new adventure is both a revolution and an improvement in the God of War series as a whole.
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It inserts both a much larger amount of emotional depth and combat nuance into the franchise — all in a beautiful Nordic backdrop. God of War is far from the longest game on the list with a nearly 20-hour story; however, you will be mesmerized throughout your entire time with Kratos and Atreus, and there are plenty of collectibles and end-game entertainment to keep you occupied long after the main story wraps up.
God of War
3Persona 5 Royal
Metascore: 95
No PS4 list would ever be complete without mentioningPersona 5, which is arguably the best Persona game in the whole franchise. Whether you are a series veteran or this is your first time hearing of the Velvet Room, everything about Persona 5 oozes style, finesse, and charm in a way that helps it stand among some ofthe best JRPG titles around.
Whether you are living out your life as a Japanese high school student, or fighting to steal the hearts of monsters, you are going to love this 100-hour story from start to finish. What’s more, thePersona 5 Royalversion provides so much more additional content that it has become the definitive way to enjoy the game for both new and returning players.
Persona 5 Royal
Metascore: 97
Red Dead Redemption 2may have been divisive for some when it was released in 2018, but what can’t be denied is just how impressive the game is in nearly every way.Rockstarcreated a world in RDR2 that felt more lived-in and real than perhaps any other video game in history. This can be accredited to all the minor details that let players truly explore how they want to play and interact with the world in their own way.
While it has a slower pace at times, that more methodical approach has allowed it to become one of the more unique titles in the PS4 generation. This is a world and story that is more than worth your time getting lost in. Outlaws to the end.
Red Dead Redemption 2
1Bloodborne
There is something magical aboutBloodborne— very dark and gothic, but magical nonetheless.Soulslikegames have become a trend this generation with many excellent copycats coming from developers that aren’tFrom Software. However, Bloodborne hits a rare nerve, offering thoughtful gameplay, novel environmental storytelling, and chilling scenery that is unlike anything else on PS4 — and from the iconicdevelopers who pioneered and perfected the subgenreas well.
Soulslike games may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Bloodborne is a title you need to play regardless. As far as the subgenre goes, it’s very likely that Bloodborne is one of the best in the bunch. What catapults it to the very top of this list is how uniquely iconic it is even to this day, and how it has maintained pure PS4 exclusivity — meaning that without a PS4, you are unable to experience this unforgettable title.
Bloodborne
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