The Best Sony PlayStation 4 Games
, by Patrick Hetherton, 16 min reading time
The Sony PlayStation 4, launched in 2013, became a defining console of its generation with a robust library of first-party exclusives, third-party blockbusters, and indie gems. Below is a concise list of the best PS4 games, selected for their critical acclaim, cultural impact, and enduring popularity, based on sources like Metacritic, IGN, and fan discussions on X. These titles highlight the PS4’s strengths in cinematic storytelling, open-world adventures, and diverse gameplay experiences.
Best Sony PlayStation 4 Games
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God of War (2018)
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Genre: Action-Adventure
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Developer: Santa Monica Studio (Sony)
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Why It’s Great: Kratos’ Norse mythology reboot blends brutal combat, emotional storytelling, and a seamless open-world structure. The bond between Kratos and his son Atreus elevates the narrative.
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Metacritic Score: 94/100
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Why It Stands Out: A reinvention of the series, X users praise its cinematic depth and axe-throwing combat.
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The Last of Us Part II (2020)
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Genre: Action-Adventure/Survival
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Developer: Naughty Dog (Sony)
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Why It’s Great: Ellie’s revenge-driven journey pushes narrative boundaries with intense stealth, visceral combat, and stunning visuals. Its polarizing story sparks deep discussion.
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Metacritic Score: 93/100
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Why It Stands Out: Its ambition and emotional weight are unmatched. X debates focus on its narrative risks and gameplay polish.
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Bloodborne (2015)
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Genre: Action RPG
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Developer: FromSoftware
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Why It’s Great: This gothic Soulslike delivers fast-paced, punishing combat, intricate world design, and Lovecraftian lore in Yharnam. Its aggressive playstyle sets it apart.
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Metacritic Score: 92/100
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Why It Stands Out: A PS4 exclusive cult classic, X fans rave about its atmosphere and Chalice Dungeons.
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Horizon Zero Dawn (2017)
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Genre: Open-World Action RPG
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Developer: Guerrilla Games (Sony)
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Why It’s Great: Aloy’s journey in a lush, post-apocalyptic world filled with robotic creatures offers engaging combat, a compelling mystery, and breathtaking visuals.
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Metacritic Score: 89/100
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Why It Stands Out: Its world and story captivated players. X posts highlight its photo mode and DLC expansion.
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Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)
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Genre: Open-World Action
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Developer: Insomniac Games (Sony)
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Why It’s Great: Swinging through New York as Peter Parker feels exhilarating, with fluid combat, a heartfelt story, and a vibrant open world. It’s a superhero benchmark.
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Metacritic Score: 87/100
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Why It Stands Out: Its web-slinging and polish won fans. X users share clips of acrobatic combos.
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Persona 5 Royal (2020)
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Genre: JRPG
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Developer: Atlus
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Why It’s Great: This enhanced version of Persona 5 blends stylish turn-based combat, social sim elements, and a gripping story about rebellion. Its flair is unmatched.
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Metacritic Score: 95/100
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Why It Stands Out: Its art and music are iconic. X fans adore its characters and 100+ hour depth.
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Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
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Genre: Open-World Action
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Developer: Rockstar Games
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Why It’s Great: Arthur Morgan’s tale in a sprawling Wild West offers unmatched detail, immersive storytelling, and freedom. Its world feels alive.
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Metacritic Score: 97/100
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Why It Stands Out: Its scope is monumental. X posts praise its realism and emotional ending.
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Notes
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Selection Criteria: Games were chosen for high Metacritic scores (87+), genre diversity, and cultural significance. Sony’s exclusives (e.g., God of War, Spider-Man) mix with third-party masterpieces (e.g., Red Dead, Persona 5).
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Context with Prior Queries: The PS4 builds on the PS3’s cinematic focus with stronger visuals and open-world trends, contrasting with the GameCube/Wii’s family-friendly or experimental vibe. No Nintendo games appear, but Persona 5’s style might appeal to JRPG fans from Xenoblade (Wii/GameCube).
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Sources: Metacritic, IGN’s PS4 rankings, and X discussions (e.g., God of War’s combat, Bloodborne’s difficulty) shaped the list. Sales data (e.g., Red Dead 2’s millions sold) also factored in.
These games define the PS4’s legacy. If you want a deeper dive into a specific game, genre, or comparison with PS1/PS2/PS3/GameCube/Wii titles, let me know!