Who Made the List of Best PS4 Games So Far?
PlayStation 4 has been out for a year now, which has been enough time for the big-selling system to amass a collection of must-have games. Though the best PS4 games aren’t all exclusive to the system, you can argue that for the multiplatform ones, the PS4 is the “best” console to play them on with a great UI and slightly more power than it’s main rival, the Xbox One. But that’s the debate of the decade, it seems.
I thought I’d go through what I think are the five best PS4 games right now, given that I’ve sunk hundreds of hours into the console over the past year across probably a dozen different titles. In the end, here’s the list I came up with, and you can see if any of your favorites are on here, as well as suggest your own in the comments.
1. Infamous Second Son
I’m going to say right now that this is the only PS4-exclusive game on this list, which is head scratching given how much of a sales advantage of the PS4 has over the Xbox. While games like Resistance or Knack aren’t good enough to find a spot here, I really did enjoy my time with Infamous Second Son, which is a fresh on the superhero sandbox genre with innovative powers, a clever script, and action that rarely feels dull. I wasn’t even a big fan of the first two Infamous games, but Second Son really is a fresh start for the series, and I had a blast with it.
2. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
At the four numbered installment (not counting a myriad of spin-offs), Assassin’s Creed could easily start to feel tired, but Black Flag is less an assassination game and is instead the single best pirate simulator that’s ever been released across any game system. Yes, it’s cross-generation, meaning there are versions on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One, but for the longest time after launch, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag was the best game out for the PS4, or Xbox One for that matter. Ship combat is incredibly, the lead hero is finally likable, and the Caribbean vistas are gorgeous on a next-gen system, even if it’s potential is far from “maxed out” at this point.
3. Wolfenstein: The New Order
Out of every game on this list, Wolfenstein was far and away the biggest surprise. Going back to an old well like Wolfenstein for what seemed to be a poorly conceived reboot/sequel had nearly no one excited about the game ahead of launch. And yet, after it came out, it produced one of the most memorable shooter campaigns in recent memory. Yes, the plot is absolutely insane, and your lead hero is literally a caricature of a video game hero, built like a tank with a chink that could break boulders by itself. But creative combat sections, a great script and on-point voice acting created a fun game with a memorable, likable cast of characters. It really was a shock that it was even remotely good, much less kind of…great.
4. Destiny
I’ve written no less than thirty articles about Destiny over the past two months since its release. Though the game has much room for improvement, it’s the game on this list I’ve far and away sunk the most time into. Though it wasn’t quite as ambitious as promised, Destiny is still a hell of a lot of fun if you were ever a fan of Halo, and you find yourself getting hooked easily by loot-based games like Diablo and Borderlands. With so many modes, there’s something for everyone at every skill level, and even if it’s going to take some time to grow into a truly great game, I don’t know anyone who owns it and hasn’t been driven to sink at least 30 hours into it. Me? I’m probably closer to 200.
5. Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition
I’m a Diablo evangelist, particularly when it comes to the absolutely stellar console adaptation of the game, that against all odds, is my favorite way to play the series. I know many of you heard the horror stories of Diablo 3 at launch on the PC, and it really was a nightmare between crappy loot and an overbearing Auction House, but now? It’s a completely different game. Ultimate Evil is the culmination of a dozen different major patches that have transformed the game into something fantastic, and it also has the Reaper of Souls expansion to boot. I have a hunch there’s one more expansion in the cards a few years away, but for now, this is a must-have game for PS4, and any system that can play it, as it’s one of the only local co-op games on non-Nintendo consoles right now. Diablo 3 is hugely accessible and highly addictive, and trust me when I say it’s 100% a different game than it was when it made its lackluster debut two years ago.
Images via Playstation
@paul Ok … I know we’ve talked about this before – but I’m getting ready to pull the trigger. Xbox One or PS4? Looking at this list, the only game I’d really be interested in is Destiny … and maybe Diablo 3. That’s not to say that I’m going to get more out of any of the Xbox games out there. I truly don’t know which system to purchase because they seem so neck and neck to me that I don’t think it’s going to come down to games.
Anyone else please feel free to chime in here.
I think by and large Diablo 3 is a great game. I think that Blizzard is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to development of a “complete” game. Even if it’s initial release wasn’t what it was supposed to be – they made sure that it’s every bit of the game they intended it to be – and maybe even more so. I always look forward to what they can put together in the future.
Every single person I’ve spoken to that owns both systems says PS4 instantly. But seeing that almost all of the above games are also available on PS3 I’ve still got no reason to upgrade. I’m waiting for a really great look at upcoming next-gen exclusives before I decide. With Microsoft holding the keys to State of Decay, I really want to see what’s happening with that before I side with Sony because if that series went AAA, it could be the best game of the next gen.
And damn it, Paul, now I want to play Diablo 3 again. I keep going back and forth on that one…
I’ve heard the same thing … but the multimedia aspect of the One is something that I can’t ignore. (especially when I’ve got to consider that it could be the media hub for the family to use besides my gaming rig/toy)
The media aspect was the main reason I ended up getting the XBox One. It is the primary entertainment box in our (wife and I) living room and I was able to justify the expense with the voice commands and superior UI (in our opinion; we also read directions, so that may be a factor). Also, I am optimistic about MFST slowly working in Azure as the primary means of processing, though I think it will take programmers longer to figure this aspect out.
Bingo – keyword there – “wife”
I’m still torn … but the One is looking more and more like the ultimate decision. (unless someone out there can persuade me otherwise)
Get the Xbox One, you won’t be sorry.
xbox one and ps4 didn’t do so bad for year 1, year 2 is usually when the good stuff starts coming out. though i may bite before next year and buy one, sunset overdrive looks pretty fun, reminds me of jet set radio with the colors and all the grinding.
Maybe you though about it but I think you probably forgot its best game, The Last of Us
Different strokes for different people. I’ve enjoyed the exclusive lineup of the Wii U. Although it’s probable the roles will change next year, since honestly aside from Second Son (which is the only true next gen title in the list), I don’t see much that appeals to me.
Still didn’t you try Shadow of Mordor, The Evil Within or Alien Isolation, from what I’ve heard they’re a bit better than some of the selections of that list.
“While games like Resistance or Knack aren’t good enough to find a spot here”
There is no Resistance for the PS4, I think you mean “Killzone”.
And no Shadow Of Mordor or The Last Of Us on this list? Terrible article.
PS4 has great games already with more on the way.
Retail metacritic 75+:
The Last of Us: Remastered – 95, Final Fantasy XIV – 86, MLB 14: The Show 14 – 83, Injustice: Gods Among Us – 80, Infamous: Second Son – 80, Samurai Warriors 4 – 78
Littlebigplanet 3 and Guilty Gear Xrd should both rate highly in reviews.
PS4/Sony exclusives 2013-2014: Killzone: Shadowfall, Knack, Resogun and Heroes DLC, Flower, Sound Shapes, Flow, Doki Doki Universe, Infamous: 2nd Son and First Light, MLB: The Show 14, TLOU Remastered, Dead Nation, Entwined, Hohokum, Counterspy, Velocity 2X, Driveclub, LittleBigPlanet 3, Natural Doctrine, Samurai Warriors 4, Guilty Gear Xrd, Akiba’s Trip, Singstar: Ultimate Party, #KillAllZombies, Pix the Cat, more digital games, etc.
2015: The Order: 1886, Bloodborne, Ratchet & Clank, Uncharted 4, Tearaway Unfolded, Until Dawn, Persona 5, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, Rime, Let it Die, Deep Down, more.
There are already great exclusives on PS4 with many more on the way. They both have good games not on the other console, it depends on your gaming tastes.
PS4 is selling on game price/performance, 1st party studios, more developer support including indies and Japanese developers, PS+ value, and better PR.
Naughty Dog, Santa Monica Studios, Media Molecule, Japan Studio, Polyphony Digital, etc. will put great games on PS4. Infamous and MLB The Show are 80+ on PS4 already.