Best PS4 games 2023: All the PlayStation 4 titles every gamer should play

We’ve put together a list of games that are are well worth adding to your library, with many bargains available too.

The PlayStation 4 is a fine games console, make no mistake. And the 4K-ready PS4 Pro is an even punchier version still, even if the PS5 has now been on the scene for quite a while.

However, it’s the incredible games that made the PS4 the winner of its console generation. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the greatest PS4 games of all time – dating back to the Sony console’s launch in 2013. All of them are well worth of adding to your library.

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If you’re looking for a particular genre, you can find some more specific guides, right here.

The Last of Us Part II

1. Best Buy

Simply stunning storytelling

10

/ 10

The pinnacle of cinematic storytelling in games – an absolute must-play for PlayStation owners.

Pros

• Amazing, gutting story
• Cinematic visuals
• Great stealth action

Cons

• Pretty grim to play

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Naughty Dog returns to its harrowing vision of a post-pandemic world, and picks up the story of Joel and Ellie. This time players will mostly be in Ellie’s shoes, as she treads a path that few would be able to stomach, in search of justice. It’s an absolutely gut-wrenching journey and arguably a new highpoint for cinematic storytelling in games. A must-play for any PlayStation owner.

CD Projekt RED / The Witcher III: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

2. Runner Up

Possibly the best RPG ever

10.0

/ 10

No matter which console you play it on, this is one of the best games of all time.

Pros

• Engaging story
• Labyrinthine quests
• Looks and sounds superb

Cons

• A lot to get your head around
• Too much to do for some people’s tastes

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Not just one of the best games on the PlayStation 4, The Witcher 3 can lay claim as being one of the best of all time. It is an extraordinary feat in game design, where it seems that every action undertaken in the massive third-person RPG has an effect on the game world.

Save a merchant from some bandits in a random encounter, for example, you might meet him again many hours later in a city, where he gives you a massive discount on items he has for sale. The world itself also seems alive and vibrant while the game is also capable of testing your skills so you don’t just blitz through it. Superb.

Sony Interactive Entertainment

God of War

3. A Top Pick

Sheer brilliance

10.0

/ 10

Compelling storytelling meets excellent game mechanics in this classic PlayStation title.

Pros

• Beautiful world
• Amazing no-cuts action
• Incredible performances

Cons

• Can be challenging early on

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God of War is, quite simply, stunning. Its over-the-shoulder third-person style works well for both emotive storytelling and the intuitive combat system.

We particularly like the axe-throwing mechanics and, specifically, the weight of the axe itself as it travels back to your hand Thor’s hammer style. No PS4 should be without easily the best God of War game and one of the best PlayStation games full stop.

From Software

Elden Ring

4. Strong Contender

Amazing world

10.0

/ 10

A stunning world to explore is paired with incredibly deep and rewarding combat and encounters.

Pros

• Brilliant combat
• Amazing world
• So free-form

Cons

• Hard as nails

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FromSoftware’s stunning gaming formula comes to a truly open world for the first time, letting you roam around at your own pace, discovering new areas and enemies and growing your power steadily through its unforgiving but highly rewarding combat. This is a new masterpiece of the genre.

Rockstar

Red Dead Redemption 2

5. Also Great

An amazing tale

10.0

/ 10

Incredible depth and attention to detail are present in this sequel.

Pros

• The best Western game ever
• Looks amazing
• Affecting, epic story

Cons

• Everything takes a long time to do
• Overly complex controls

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A truly stunning game that provides entertainment and enjoyment for weeks. It starts slow but the amount of depth and variety in mission types will soon have you well and truly hooked.

Rockstar isn’t the most prolific of developers but it is certainly one of the very best. There are few open-world games around with as much thought and attention afforded it.

Sony Computer Interactive Entertainment

Marvel’s Spider-Man

6. Worth Considering

Be a superhero

9.0

/ 10

The magic of Spider-Man is captured perfectly in this edition – a must-play for fans of the comic book.

Pros

• Amazing web-slinging
• Great comic-book story
• Looks beautiful

Cons

• Objectives get a little samey

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It is hard to describe just how enjoyable swinging around the streets in Spider-Man actually is, you will find yourself doing that for hours without even needing to complete a mission.

But thankfully there is a great story and game in the open world superhero title too. Comic book fans will also thoroughly appreciate the amount of collectables and costumes that can be unlocked. And there are some great character cameos along the way too.

Sony/Naughty Dog

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

7. A Good Choice

Rip-roaring fun

10.0

/ 10

A mature instalment in the series – one that’s perhaps the best action-adventure game on the console.

Pros

• Fun, zippy story
• Amazing visuals
• Rip-roaring gameplay

Cons

• At a certain point, it ends

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Uncharted 4 isn’t just the result of Naughty Dog’s learnings throughout the previous trilogy, it also benefits greatly from the developer’s work on The Last of Us.

While radically different in tone, A Thief’s End undoubtedly borrows some elements from its enduring horror-based stablemate, resulting in the studio’s most rounded, balanced game yet.

Square Enix

Final Fantasy VII Remake

8. A Decent Option

Superb remake

10.0

/ 10

An excellent remake that makes the PSOne classic feel like an entirely new game.

Pros

• A legendary story
• Loveable characters
• Modernised combat

Cons

• Awkward moments

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It may be a more recent addition to the list, but Final Fantasy VII Remake would easily slot into any best PS4 games line-up, even if it was just a top five. The PS4 exclusive is much more than a remaster of the classic PSOne JRPG, it’s almost a new game, having been rebuilt from the ground up, with amazing new graphics and combat system that hold it in good stead with most other games released this generation.

Sony Computer Entertainment / From Software / Japan Studio

Bloodborne

9. One To Check

Hard as nails

9.0

/ 10

A top RPG and PlayStation exclusive – perfect for those who like a challenge.

Pros

• Unbelievable tone
• Looks great
• An enormously rewarding combat system

Cons

• Can get frustrating
• The story is confusing to non-enthusiasts

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A PS4 exclusive at launch, Bloodborne is from the same stable as Dark Souls and you can tell almost instantly. It matches its stablemate series graphically, albeit with current generation flair, but the main similarity is that both action-adventure/RPGs are as difficult as each other. Prepare to throw your DualShock 4 around. A lot.

Remedy

Control

10. Not To Be Missed

Supernatural action

8.0

/ 10

A surprise hit that provides you with a well-balanced adventure.

Pros

• Unnerving story
• Beautiful visuals
• Fun action gameplay

Cons

• Takes a little while to unleash your powers

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One of the best, most unexpected hits of 2019, Control is a paranormal adventure/shooter from the team behind Alan Wake and has similarly become a cult classic.

Its art style – full of pastel shades and a purposely grainy overlay – matches the theme well, with an almost dream-like ambience. And, the gameplay mechanics that introduce new weapons and powers as you progress are so finely tuned that you never feel overwhelmed by the increasing difficulty. Superb.

How to pick your next PS4 game

There are so many games available for the PS4 that trying to browse them all would be a fool’s errand, so we’ve got some questions for you to think about as you consider – these could help you narrow things down.

Do you want a multiplayer game?

A huge variable for many players is whether they can pick up a title and play it with (or against) their friends, or if they’re locked into a singleplayer system – if you know that you like playing online, whether with mates or strangers, be sure to check if your game of choice allows for this!

Is it all about the story?

Some games lean heavily on their gameplay systems to offer a rewarding arc for you as you learn more about how to excel. Others concentrate on telling a good story first and foremost, enveloping you in a yarn. Of course, many of the best can do both, but we think it’s worth considering which you’re more interested in as you think about potential titles.

How difficult do you like your games?

Are you a fan of taking your time to get better at a game slowly but surely, with progress only as a reward for those who’ve put in the hard miles? If so there are plenty of difficult games on this list for you, in particular the likes of Bloodborne. If not, though, maybe check out our reviews to see which ones are more suited to casual players.