What are the best PS4 games so far in 2018? That question gets increasingly difficult to answer, and this year has already been stellar for Sony. It started well with the release of God of War, which is our top PS4 game of all time, and now we’ve just had the launch of Spider-Man… but where will that place on our top 30? It’s a damn good game, and an essential experience for anyone with a console, so you should definitely check the lower numbers for sure.
Looking to the horizon at the upcoming PS4 games, there’s a good chance this list of the best PS4 games will change before the end of the year. We’ve got Red Dead Redemption 2 to look forward to, and the likes of Battlefield 5, Fallout 76, and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey all have a good chance of sneaking in. So, if you’re new to PS4 and are looking for something awesome to play, or you’re a seasoned PlayStation gamer looking for expert recommendations for your next obsession… here are the 30 best PS4 games you can play right now. Maybe if we’re lucky, some of these will pop up among the selection of free PS Plus games too.
This is, quite simply, the best RPG ever made. The reason Skyrim: Special Editionisn’t higher in our list of best PS4 games, however, is because it’s now seven years old and more modern RPGs have stolen Skyrim’s ideas and bettered them. This Special Edition is only 18 months old now, and is enhanced for PS4 with some impressive visual upgrades and boosts to load times and gameplay performance, so it feels like a modern game. Oh, and you can play the whole thing in VR, which really gets you into the game. The world is still utterly beautiful, and getting lost in it is one of the greatest pleasures in all of gaming. Skyrim also represents amazing value – you get at least 200 hours of play here from a single adventure, so it’s excellent value for money. Definitely a great enough game to make the wait for Elder Scrolls 6 a little more bearable. A little.
PS4 Pro enhanced: Yes
Also consider: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
In 1972, Vincent Moretti (Eric Krogh) is freshly incarcerated and sent to jail for murder. In jail, he meets thief Leo Caruso (Fares Fares), who has now been inside for 6 months for grand theft auto. A thug sent in by crime boss Harvey tries to murder Leo, but Vincent intervenes, later resulting in both of them being sent to the infirmary while the thug is killed by guards in the cafeteria. While the two recover in the infirmary, they get to know each other and Leo requests Vincent’s help to steal a chisel from the office. Vincent complies. After the theft, Vincent senses that Leo is planning on a prison break and offers to help so he can escape too. Leo initially refuses, but begrudgingly agrees to collaborate when Vincent reveals he also has a grudge with Harvey.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider:
Dark Souls, the series that spawned a hundred imitators thanks to its emphasis on difficult-but-fair gameplay, came to a close with Dark Souls 3, but what a way to go out. Featuring a variety of awe-inspiring locales (some grotesque, some majestic), the same finely-tuned combat fans had come to expect, and a new emphasis on speed and versatility inspired by FromSoftware’s own Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3 is a wonderful encapsulation of the series as a whole; not as scattered as Dark Souls 2, not as rough around the edges as the original. If you’ve been curious about the Souls games, this is where you should start.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider: Dark Souls Remastered
27. Far cry 5
A joint operation between the United States Marshals and the county sheriff’s department—consisting of Deputy Marshal Cameron Burke (Doug Hutchison), Sheriff Earl Whitehorse (Christopher Heyerdahl) and his deputies Joey Hudson (Luisa D’Oliveira), Staci Pratt (Julian Bailey) and the player character, an unnamed junior Deputy—arrive at an Eden’s Gate church to serve Joseph Seed with a federal arrest warrant on charges of kidnapping with the intent to harm. Although Joseph offers no resistance, he claims that God will not allow him to be detained. As he is escorted away, cult members attack the task force and cause their helicopter to crash. Joseph escapes and commands the cult to capture the task force members.
Also consider: Planetside 2
26. Final Fantasy 15
Four adrenaline-driven teens embark on the journey of a lifetime, but this ain’t no Road Trip. The RPG tale of Prince Noctis and his merry band straddles fantasy and reality with almost balletic grace, throwing in titanic monsters and classic missions alongside conversations about the weather and visuals that just sing “America”. Final Fantasy 15’s story is bonkers and its final destination a genuine surprise, but it’s still a winding, delight-strewn road that Square converts are duty bound to travel – with sufficient appeal in its blockbuster battles and eclectic quest mix to suck in Fantasy novices, too.
Also consider: Dragon Age: Inquisition
in Season 1, 47 fulfills several assassination contracts for the International Contract Agency. Though the contracts at first appear to be unrelated, an unidentified man, referred to only as the “shadow client”, has covertly coordinated these contracts to attack a secretive organisation called Providence, so that the ICA will appear culpable while disguising his own involvement. The final contracts of Season 1 address the fallout caused by the ICA uncovering the shadow client’s actions, and by Providence discovering the ICA’s role in the attacks.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider: Wolfenstein: The New Order, Doom
24. Doom
This modern reboot is worthy of the name Doom, and is basically the FPS equivalent of a muscular body: it’s speedy, empowering, and hits incredibly hard. You awake as the classic Doomguy to begin another spree of demon genocide on a Mars colony, with a surprisingly intriguing plotline that explains how you’re able to murder so many Hellspawn. There’s a primal satisfaction to whipping out a Super Shotgun, blasting an Imp’s innards into oblivion, and then performing a lighting-fast, stunningly violent Glory Kill on the demon who caught shrapnel just behind him. The classic weapons and enemy types benefit from new additions like upgrades and double-jumping, making Doom one of the most frenetically fun shooters of all time. Also, you can grab it super cheap now.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider: Wolfenstein: The New Order
23. Dishonored 2
The first Dishonored was so great there isn’t much room for manoeuvre here, in terms of quality: you’re again getting an options-packed adventure brimming with deftly woven narrative tales, set in a thoroughly believable world. What Dishonored 2, set 15 years later, adds is a second playable character – choose between original hero Corvo or super-powerful protege Emily. Supernatural abilities such as the latter’s grapple-like Far Reach again deliver both flair and fun, while a small-but-major improvement to melee combat is being able to turn a parry into a non-lethal knockout, making murder less of a necessity if stealth is your jam. The only notable drawback is assumed knowledge – the storyline makes little sense if you’ve not played the first game.
PS4 Pro enhanced: Yes
Also consider: Dishonored 2: Death of the Outsider
22. Rise Of The Tomb Raider
Exactly two decades on from her PlayStation debut – hence the PS4 version of Rise Of The Tomb Raider being subtitled the ’20 Year Celebration’ edition – Lara Croft delivers another must-own round of substantive combat and taxing-yet-enjoyable puzzling. The storyline, with Ms Croft venturing through Siberia in an attempt to complete her father’s work in the lost city of Kitezh, doesn’t scream originality but packs in some genuine shocks, while the platforming and zip-lining mechanics take Lara to heights she’s never before reached – and not just figuratively. Choose to pick it up on PS4 and you also get all previous DLC, a new co-op Endurance option, and Blood Ties single player content. And you really should choose to pick it up.
PS4 Pro enhanced: Yes
Also consider: Lara Croft and the Temple Of Osiris
21. Fallout 4
Hitting PS4 with the atomic force of a Fat Boy, Fallout 4’s excellent gunplay and crafting systems can trigger a nasty case of RPG-itis. Don’t worry though, there’s a Stimpak for that. There’s so much to do in this post apocalypse it’s almost terrifying and quite often you’ll set off to complete a mission and get completely side-tracked when you find something wonderful/horrific along the way. Giving the main character a proper voice adds an extra layer of polish to proceedings, and the expanded set of companions and customisation options are very welcome too. It’s not without its faults (or vaults), but the scale of Bethesda’s wasteland will keep you bunkered down for weeks. Slosh in the extensive DLC additions available in the complete Game of the Year version and you’ll never want to return from the Wasteland.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider: Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
20. Titanfall 2
Titanfall 2 is an absolute colossus of a game. It was one of the biggest surprises of 2016, as it delivered a smart campaign and enhanced the killer mulitplayer of the original (which was Xbox-only). The story is overflowing with unique twists in a genre which long ago anchored itself in a sea of wash-rinse-repeat, offering true freedom while still retaining a sense of the familiar. Its navigation and combat feel truly three-dimensional, and its big-gun battles are an adrenaline rush even Optimus Prime would struggle to contain. A special, special game which, in execution, is anything but robotic. Holds up beautifully in 2018, and you can pick it up for a bargain price.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider: Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Perching precariously in 7th position with arms outstretched for balance on top of a pyramid is Assassin’s Creed Origins. After one decade of the free running stabby franchise, this Ancient Egyptian adventure takes the Creed to another level. A full RPG in a sprawling and eye-meltingly pretty Egypt, Origins pushes reset on everything you know about the series. Combat, loot, free running, quests. You name it and Origins has made it better and probably made it deadlier. Oh God, not another angry hippo…. Add in an origins story that hurts in all the right places and future sections that have seriously interesting implications for the future of the series and Assassin’s Creed Origins is the definitive AC adventure.
PS4 Pro enhanced: Yes
Also consider: Middle-earth: Shadow of War
18. Monster Hunter World
We knew Monster Hunter World was going to deliver something special but no one expected quite the level of depth and beauty awaiting within Capcom’s updated action RPG. Despite being the most accessible Monster Hunter yet, you’re still going to have to wade through some intimidating tutorials to get to the good stuff but smash through that wall and be dangerously prepared to lose all of your time here. Endless weapon types, huge creatures, constantly gorgeous environments, and a terrifyingly addictive loot for spoils system means Monster Hunter will have its claws in you from the get go. Oh, and don’t forget to aim for those weakspots. You’ll thank us later. If you’re looking for more help, check out our Monster Hunter World tips.
PS4 Pro enhanced: Yes
Also consider: Horizon: Zero Dawn
17. Battlefield 1
Battlefield 1 takes the epic shooter series back to World War 1, and the result is some of the grittiest, bloodiest FPS action you’ll ever see. This instalment has a great little story mode, which follows the exploits of several troops fighting on all fronts of the conflict, but it’s all about the multiplayer with Battlefield. The variety of maps and modes is staggering here – especially with all the content added by the various DLC packs (most of which are now completely free for ALL users). Whether you prefer to stick as a soldier, or choose to drive tanks or pilot aircraft, there’s a role for you in the chaotic online arena. The highlight of it all is Operations mode, which sets massive 64-player conflicts over the course of several maps, giving a real sense of back and forth battle.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider: Call of Duty WW2
16. Detroit: Become Human
The latest adventure from Quantic Dream is a fascinating story game that centres on Detroit in the year 2038. Society has created Androids to do all their menial tasks and low-paid jobs, but Detroit: Become Human explores what happens when the Androids gain sentience and start to break their programming. One of the most beautiful games on PS4, Detroit is all about progressing the story, rather than having full control over the action, so you need to be prepared to involve yourself in a proper, engaging story before you play. Embrace Detroit’s narrative, relish the choices it forces you to make, and this could be one of the most unique, interesting games you’ll ever play on PS4. It’s impossible to see even half the game in a single playthrough too, so there’s heaps of value here.
PS4 Pro enhanced: Yes
Also consider: Heavy Rain Remastered
15. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Crudely, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a hack’n’slash adventure game, which follows a young warrior called Senua, who travels to hell to save the soul of her lover. Most of the game sees you solving environmental puzzles, fighting demons, and taking part in boss battles. However, it’s the stories you live through, and the way the game represents Senua’s fragile mental health, that makes Hellblade one of PS4’s best. You constantly hear multiple voices echoing around in Senua’s head, eroding her confidence and making her scared of the next darkness-filled corridor. Senua herself is expertly acted and mo-capped by the team at Ninja Theory, which all adds to the realistic portrayal of a very troubled woman, looking for redemption. And the side-plot, played out by a narrator inside Senua’s head, are some of the most fascinating, well told stories in games. Essential, and usually available for a great price.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider: DmC: Devil May Cry
14. Wolfenstein 2 the new colossus
Doubling down on all the intelligence, uncompromising emotional grit, and giddy, hilariously brutal Nazi killing that made its predecessor such a special game, Wolfenstein 2 has an even lesser tolerance for messing about. Transposing BJ Blazkowicz’s intensely personal war to an alternative ’60s America twisted into an ugly parody of itself by Nazi rule, Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus brings the same aggressive focus on combat and character, alongside a newfound relevance and indignation. Not that it’s all seriousness and soul-searching. Wolfenstein’s kinetic, high-risk, high-reward combat is even better tuned up, with customisable dual-wielding laying on even more strategic carnage, just as hatchets and exo abilities blow up the stealth. Brainy, brawny, big, brash and beautiful, MachineGames’ new wave of Wolfenstein remains some of the smartest and most unique FPS around.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider: Fortnite
13. Bloodborne
Bloodborne was PS4’s first truly great, bespokely created exclusive. In Yharnam, From Software has made one of the most unerringly atmospheric worlds on PlayStation. This is a city that drips with dread; every corner potentially hiding a grotesque beast or fascinatingly twisted piece of lore. Though there may be fewer weapons than in Dark Souls, the new Trick variants (capable of morphing between long and short-form states) are among the most empowering virtual slaughtering tools you’ll ever find. With the finest third-person melee combat in all of games, drool-worthy art design and the most twisted monsters in the biz, this is a gorgeously gothic must-have. Bit hard, mind.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider: Dark Souls 3, Salt & Sanctuary
12. Persona 5
Admit it, if you’re familiar with the Persona series, you probably saw this comiiiiiiiin’. And if you’re not familiar, here’s the jist: you are a high school student who (between class and socializing with friends) fights monsters, capturing or otherwise convincing them to lend their power to your quest. And what is that quest, you may ask? Why, to fight against a world run by adults who have let their hearts grow cold, of course. To do this, you enter a realm tied to each major antagonist’s twisted psyche, facing down their literal demons. So yeah. One part Pokemon, one part high school simulator, one part Psychonauts, all backed by a groovy soundtrack.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider: Final Fantasy 15
11. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
The original survival horror is back to reclaim its throne as one of PS4’s best scarefests with this first person reboot. Resident Evil 7 is a complete reinvention for the series, drawing in the terror close with a new camera and a palette of fear that’s very much aware of modern horror films. The game follows Ethan as he searches for his missing wife in a Louisiana swamp, a trip that soon goes very wrong when the Baker family show up. This is a much more low key, slow burning sort of fear than the last couple of game’s action blow outs, focusing on a more slasher movie style pursuit through a large, crumbling house. But, despite the overhaul, things like inventory management, puzzles, weapons and items still feel unmissably Resi. It’s a great Resident Evil game, but more importantly, a great horror game in its own right.
PS4 Pro enhanced: Yes
Also consider: Outlast
10. Nier: Automata
Nier: Automata may not be the most expansive, content-filled, or open-ended RPG in the world (or even on this list), but it’s definitely the best game to star an android dressed in gothic Lolita fashion while waxing philosophical about the nature of humanity, morality, and free will. Combat is fast, fluid, and satisfying, while a unique and award-winning soundtrack ranges from exciting to melancholy to mystical to inspiring. This is the type of game where you take side quests from a robot that models itself after early 20th century French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre before flying off in your power armor to battle a giant kaiju machine with lasers and 10-foot long katanas. It’s weird, wild, and not to be missed.
PS4 Pro enhanced: Yes
Also consider: God of War
9. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Uncharted 4’s true successes lie in the details. Oh, sure, you have the big action set-pieces that the series is known for, where everything hero Nathan Drake touches falls apart around him in Michael Bay levels of destruction. And the attention to detail in those moments – how wood splinters into pieces under gunfire, or how Nathan’s clothing gets caked in mud during a high-octane car chase – certainly makes it shine as a bit of impressive tech to show off to your friends. But it’s how Uncharted nails the small moments that makes it truly great. For the first time in the series, Naughty Dog has given the series’ characters some room to grow as actual people, filling in the details where you least expect them to, and these smaller moments make the big ones feel all that more impactful. As explosive as Uncharted 4 is, it’s also deeply personal – and it’s a hell of a showpiece for your PS4, to boot.
PS4 Pro enhanced: Yes
Also consider: Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection
8. Ghost recon wild lands
The game takes place in Bolivia in July 2019. The country has become increasingly unstable as a previously minor Mexican drug cartel known as the Santa Blanca Cartel gains more power and influence within the country to the point where Bolivia has become a narco-state and the world’s largest producer of cocaine. This concerns the United States government, as Santa Blanca’s influence begins to spread beyond Bolivia. The last straw comes when a bomb targets the American embassy in La Paz and its intended target, DEA agent Ricardo “Ricky” Sandoval, is kidnapped, tortured and killed by the cartel. The United States initiates Operation Kingslayer, a joint operation between the CIA, DEA, and JSOC. The United States Army dispatches a Ghost Recon fireteam to destroy the cartel and reveal the connection between Santa Blanca and the local government. The Ghost team consists of Ghost leader “Nomad”, tactical gunner “Midas”, engineer “Holt”, and sniper “Weaver”. The Ghosts enter Bolivia with their CIA contact, Karen Bowman, who was also a close friend to Sandoval. They meet Pac Katari, leader of the Kataris 26, the only resistance against Santa Blanca. Pac Katari requests they rescue Amaru, whose ideologies inspired the Kataris 26, from Santa Blanca. The Ghosts are then free to tackle the cartel in any way and order they see fit.
PS Pro enhanced: Yes
Also consider: GTA5
7. Grand Theft Auto 5
The magic of Grand Theft Auto 5 – our favourite PS3 game – and its reappearance on current-gen hardware isn’t in the improved textures, shinier cars or even the brilliantly executed new first-person mode. It’s in the way each addition and improvement combines to enthral and seduce you all over again to sink another blissful 50 hours into Los Santos without it ever feeling like a re-run. Also: an unhealthy dose of first-person cat-stomping. If tabby-kicking isn’t your thing, GTA: Online – with its mega online Heists, improved character creator and, y’know, end of the mystery of Mount Chiliad – is sure to gets it claws into you. Quite simply, it represents the definitive edition of the greatest open-world game ever made, which hold up well in 2018.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider: Far Cry 5
6. Beyond Two souls
Young Jodie Holmes (Caroline Wolfson) lives with her foster parents in a suburban home. Since birth, Jodie has had a psychic connection with a mysterious entity named Aiden, with whom she can communicate and perform telepathic acts, such as possessing people’s minds and manipulating certain objects. After an incident with some neighbourhood kids results in Aiden almost killing one of them, Jodie’s foster parents seek help to care for her condition, permanently leaving her under the custody of doctors Nathan Dawkins (Willem Dafoe) and Cole Freeman (Kadeem Hardison) of the United States Department of Paranormal Activity.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider: Heavy Rain, Life is strange
5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The White Wolf himself finally rides onto PS4 in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and brings with him one of the most diverse and challenging RPG worlds ever seen. Mesmerising to look at and utterly engrossing to play, CD Projekt RED’s farewell to Geralt is a new high for the genre. What really impresses are the genuinely entertaining missions, and the eclectic cast of characters that bring the world to life. While combat can be challenging at first, once you get into it, there’s enough depth here to keep you interested for the duration. Not to mention it’s been further bolstered by the often-astonishing Blood And Wine expansion DLC. Essential in every way.
Also consider: Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition
Konami might try to scrub Hideo Kojima’s name from the ultimate in tactical espionage action, but it’ll never remove his fingerprints. While retaining that distinct storytelling and sense of wonder that defines the Metal Gear series, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain offers a level of freedom and creativity unheard of in any sandbox. It’s something to be explored for days, weeks, months – each little secret and hidden slice of gameplay just waiting to be found and to make players rethink the way they approach the game. Plus, it’s got a killer ’80s soundtrack, and some wonderfully gruff voice-acting from Kiefer Sutherland. Grand, majestic and bittersweet, this is an instant classic and one of the finest things you can shove into your PS4. It’s also been re-released as MGS5: The Definitive Experience, which contains prologue MGS5: Ground Zeroes plus all the Metal Gear Online DLC items, so that’s definitely the version to go for.
PS4 Pro enhanced: No
Also consider: Hitman
3. Spider-Man
Swinging straight into the top 3 (sorry, yes, that’s the most played-out pun ever) Spider-Man PS4 is one of the most fun, immediately joyful games you’ll ever pop into your PlayStation. It looks incredible, sure, and the game itself is massive, but what impresses most is the feel of swinging around New York as the web-slinger himself. There’s plenty to do, and the variety of non-story stuff is impressive, but the real beauty lies in the slick, free, and utterly wonderful swinging. The fact that the story has all the heart and humor of Spidey’s latest Marvel outings only enhances an already brilliant super-hero game. With a neat Photo Editor included, and a stack of DLC on the way, you could be playing Spider-Man for months… and still have a grin on your face when you’ve finished.
PS4 Pro enhanced: Yes
Also consider: GTA 5
2. Horizon: Zero Dawn
2017’s biggest surprise from Killzone devs Guerrilla fully deserves the number two slot on in our best PS4 games. As beautiful as it is deep, Horizon: Zero Dawncreates an astonishingly rich world to explore and get lost in. On top of the all that post apocalyptic prettiness (especially in the PS4 Pro enhanced version) the core gameplay loop of hunting and taking down various mechanical creatures is the real draw here. The use of slower weapons like bows creates a far more tactical take on the action – you have to think about your strategies and consider your options rather than just charge in blasting. As well as learning how to get by in a world that hates you, there’s just so much to see and do as you chase side quests, meet new factions and try to unravel the compelling mystery behind corrupted machines and a lost past. Once you’re done with the main game, there is a sizeable, challenging expansion with The Frozen Wilds. Easily one of the best games of this generation.
PS4 Pro enhanced: Yes
Also consider: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
1. God of War
The new God of War is – in many ways – a complete fresh for this action series. While Kratos is still very angry, the game still features moments of horrific violence, and the action continues to be smooth and brutal, the whole structure and pace has been completely revamped. Now you’re free to explore the world and unearth all its secrets as you go through, and there are so many layers to this game. Puzzles are incredibly smart, set-pieces impress, and Kratos is a much more rounded character – especially when it comes to the interactions with Atreus, his son. It also helps that the game looks staggeringly good, from scripted scenes to the way combat flows freely, all taking place in a world that feels alive and historied. There’s no better showcase game for PS4. It’s a gorgeous exclusive that reinvents one of the console’s longest-serving, most loved characters. It’s heaps of fun to play, and the game just keeps inviting you to dig deeper and deeper to discover all its goodies. And you will. You’ll be playing this for a long, long time.
PS4 Pro enhanced: Yes
Also consider: Rise of the Tomb Raider
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