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 on December 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.

10 Marvel's Spider-Man

Metascore: 87

sony marvel insomniac spider-man ps4 2018
  • Exploration and traversal are next-level.
  • Addicting gameplay that perfectly captures the feeling of being a superhero.

Marvel's Spider-Man was 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, and Insomniac 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 can create an experience quite like Marvel's Spider-Man.

Marvel's Spider-Man
$23 $40 Save $17

Developer(s)
Insomniac Games
Released
September 7, 2018

9 NieR: Automata

Metascore: 88

2B and 9S (NieR: Automata)
  • Provides a truly unique feel unlike any other game.
  • Gameplay is dynamic and engaging from start to end.

Calling Yoko Taro's NieR: Automata an exceptional title would be a massive understatement. Platinum Games truly 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
$27 $30 Save $3

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC , Switch
Released
March 7, 2017

8 Horizon Zero Dawn

Metascore: 89

Horizon Zero Dawn: Aloy hunting with a bow
  • A defining game for the PS4 era of Action Adventure.
  • Truly breathtaking views that will make players stop and take screenshots.

Developer Guerrilla Games' Horizon Zero Dawn is 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

Released
February 28, 2017
Developer(s)
Guerrilla Games

7 Final Fantasy VII Remake

Metascore: 87

Final Fantasy VII 7 Remake Cloud Strife
  • A marvel for both veterans and newcomers alike.
  • Builds upon lore established by the original.

There are few projects more ambitious or more anticipated than Final Fantasy VII Remake — and it's even more surprising that Square Enix was 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

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS5 , PC
Released
April 10, 2020

6 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Metascore: 92

the witcher 3 geralt art
  • Gameplay that has you looking before you leap through preparation.
  • Unforgettable story and complex side quests.

While not being a PS4-exclusive title, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt set 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 to CD 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

Released
May 19, 2015
Developer(s)
CD Projekt Red

5 The Last of Us: Part II

Metascore: 93

Screenshot of Second Firefly Pendant in the Bus Depot Highway Exit area in The Last of Us Part 1
  • Creates a world of both ruin and rebirth.
  • A visceral story that shakes you to the core.

The Last of Us franchise has become something of a swansong for PlayStation generations, with The Last of Us: Part II capping 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 Dog continues 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

Released
June 19, 2020
Developer(s)
Naughty Dog

4 God of War

Metascore: 94

god of war opening kratos hand
  • A story with a long and lore-rich lineage dating back to the PS2.
  • Redefined the series in terms of combat and narrative.

God of War is 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 (2018)

Released
April 20, 2018
Developer(s)
Santa Monica Studio

3 Persona 5 Royal

Metascore: 95

Main characters all gathered around (Persona 5 Royal)
  • Hyper-stylized visuals.
  • Brilliant combat mechanics.

No PS4 list would ever be complete without mentioning Persona 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 of the 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, the Persona 5 Royal version 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

Released
March 31, 2020
Developer(s)
Atlus

2 Red Dead Redemption 2

Metascore: 97

Red Dead Redemption 2 Saloon Full Of People
  • Truly an engrossing and vibrant world and storyline.
  • Takes player immersion to the next level.

Red Dead Redemption 2 may 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. Rockstar created 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

Released
October 26, 2018
Developer(s)
Rockstar Games

1 Bloodborne

Metascore: 92

Shadow Of Yharnam Bosses Rushing Towards The Hunter
  • Beautifully realized gothic-Victorian era-inspired world and atmosphere.
  • Encourages a far more aggressive and engaging playstyle.

There is something magical about Bloodborne — very dark and gothic, but magical nonetheless. Soulslike games have become a trend this generation with many excellent copycats coming from developers that aren't From 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 iconic developers who pioneered and perfected the subgenre as 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

Released
March 24, 2015
Developer(s)
From Software
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