Sony’s fourth-generation console may be more than a decade old, but in 2025 it still commands an outsized presence in living rooms and dorms alike. A wallet-friendly price, a 100-million-plus install base, and an ever-growing used-game market mean the PS4 ecosystem is alive, well, and constantly refreshed through PlayStation Plus. Below you’ll find an updated guide that blends timeless first-party masterpieces with the games charting at the top of this year’s download lists—plus a few brand-new titles arriving before the holiday season.
Why the PS4 Refuses to Fade
- Sheer numbers: With so many units in circulation, developers keep shipping cross-gen builds to avoid leaving players (and sales) on the table.
- Budget hardware, premium experience: A PS4 Slim and a discounted TV still deliver HDR action at 1080p, while a used PS4 Pro pushes 4K checkerboarding in cinematic heavy hitters.
- PlayStation Plus keeps it fresh: 2025’s monthly drops have added everything from Battlefield 2042 to cult indies like FBC: Firebreak, ensuring newcomers never run out of things to play.
How We Chose
- Recent player-count spikes pulled from the June/July 2025 download charts.
- Critical acclaim at launch and subsequent patch support.
- Cross-gen longevity: games that still see active updates, esports events, or frequent community mods.
The Essential Ten
1. Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)
Why It’s Great: Still the gold standard for open-world traversal, thanks to a silky 30 fps cap that rarely wavers—even on the base PS4.
Key Features
- Near-instant fast travel keeps the action flowing.
- A rogues’ gallery narrative worthy of the comics.
- Three meaty DLC chapters bundled with the “Game of the Year” edition.
In-depth: Swinging above Midtown never gets old, but what makes the experience ageless is Insomniac’s attention to micro-storytelling—every side quest ties into Peter’s personal journey, ensuring first-timers in 2025 feel as emotionally invested as day-one players did seven years ago.
2. God of War Ragnarök (2022)
Why It’s Great: Proves you don’t need a PS5 to witness a AAA showcase. Ragnarök squeezes dynamic lighting, dense particle effects, and razor-sharp facial animation out of the PS4 hardware.
Key Features
- 45-hour campaign with zero camera cuts.
- New vertical level design and puzzle variety.
- Optional 40 GB high-res texture pack for PS4 Pro owners.
In-depth: The real hook in 2025 is the post-launch “Valhalla” roguelite mode, a free add-on that transforms Kratos’s story epilogue into an endlessly replayable arena run.
3. The Last of Us Part II (2020)
Why It’s Great: Naughty Dog’s narrative tour de force is equal parts harrowing road trip and stealth-combat sandbox.
Key Features
- On-demand permadeath toggle for masochists.
- Real-time guitar mini-game still spawns viral covers on TikTok.
- PS4 Pro dynamic 1440p patch keeps it crisp on modern TVs.
In-depth: A remastered PS5 edition exists, but the PS4 original remains definitive for purists who value that late-gen engine coaxing every drop of performance out of old silicon.
4. Horizon Forbidden West (2022)
Why It’s Great: Guerrilla’s robo-dino sequel delivers sprawling landscapes that remain jaw-dropping at 30 fps—and it includes the Burning Shores expansion as a free upgrade.
Key Features
- Deep skill trees and customizable loot.
- 20-minute loading-screen “recap” cinematics are now skippable.
- Aloy photo-mode filters updated monthly via patch.
5. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
Why It’s Great: PC-quality draw distances and emergent wildlife AI still put many current-gen releases to shame.
Key Features
- Story campaign that can last 70+ hours without touching side quests.
- RDR Online lobbies revived by a busy role-playing community.
- 2025 mod-friendly private servers on console via RedM integration.
6. Grand Theft Auto V (2014 → ongoing)
Why It’s Great: GTA Online’s “San Andreas Mercenaries” content cycle kept rolling into 2025, adding cooperative heists for last-gen.
Key Features
- Cross-progression to PS5 and PC is now painless.
- Five radio stations refreshed with new tracks in January.
- Los Santos economy rebalance makes solo money-making viable.
7. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – Game of the Year Edition (2019)
Why It’s Great: FromSoftware’s most kinetic action title gained fresh life after re-entering the PS Store’s top ten downloads this summer.
Key Features
- Boss-rush “Gauntlets of Strength.”
- Real-time reflections patch dramatically improves water surfaces.
- Asynchronous “Remnant” messaging now cross-posts to Elden Ring servers for extra visibility.
8. Injustice 2 (2017)
Why It’s Great: NetherRealm’s superhero brawler has roared back thanks to the June 2025 PS Store sale, drawing a flood of new fighters.
Key Features
- 76-character roster after years of DLC giveaways.
- 4K super-moves scale gracefully down to base PS4 without frame drops.
- Ongoing “Multiverse” live events rotate every 24 hours.
9. Minecraft (PS4 Edition) (2014 → forever)
Why It’s Great: The Trails & Tales update hit PS4 day-and-date, bringing archeology tools and cherry-blossom biomes to the classic build.
Key Features
- Mouse-and-keyboard support toggled via USB-C adapter.
- Cross-play with Xbox, Switch, PC, and mobile.
- 2025 Creator Marketplace bundles 4K RTX-style texture packs—even on PS4.
10. Resident Evil Village Gold Edition (2021)
Why It’s Great: Capcom’s gothic blockbuster remains a technical marvel on PS4, clocking steady 60 fps in performance mode.
Key Features
- Third-person rewrite adds an entirely new perspective.
- Shadows of Rose epilogue serves as narrative bookend to Ethan’s saga.
- Mercenaries Extra Orders introduces Lady Dimitrescu as a playable tank class.
New & Upcoming 2025 Releases Worth Bookmarking
- Full Metal Schoolgirl – over-the-top cyborg-shooter landing October 23.
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 – Rebuilt collection adds online park sharing and 120-fps support on PS4 Pro.
- Patapon 1 + 2 Replay – A rhythm-strategy classic revived with modern latency calibration tools.
PlayStation Plus Power Picks (July 2025 Catalog)
Jumping into PS Plus Extra or Premium today nets you:
- Battlefield 2042 – now in its “Redux” year with free maps.
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 – PSVR compatibility trimmed down to a flatscreen mode.
- Deux Ex: The Conspiracy – retro stealth-RPG up-rezed for HD.
Getting the Most From Your 2025 PS4
- Swap in a 1 TB SSD for snappier loading and cooler temps.
- Enable Remote Play at 1080p to tablets or the new PlayStation Portal for couch-co-op on a second screen.
- Use cross-save wisely: Many of the games above offer free PS5 upgrades—perfect if you score the newer console during Black Friday but want to keep playing.
Dive back in—one of gaming’s richest libraries isn’t going anywhere soon.
Many top PS4 titles have won awards and praise from both critics and players alike. Games like God of War, The Last of Us Part 2, and Red Dead Redemption 2 stand out as must-play experiences. These games show why the PS4 remains popular even as newer consoles have hit the market.
1. The Last of Us Part 2
The Last of Us Part 2 stands as one of the most impressive games ever released on PlayStation 4. Many players consider it to be better than many next-generation games despite being created for older hardware.
The game follows Ellie’s journey in a post-apocalyptic world that feels both beautiful and terrifying. Its graphics pushed the PS4 to its limits, creating environments and character models with stunning detail. Players can see the emotion in characters’ faces and the wear on their clothes.
Naughty Dog, the developer, created what many consider to be the high point of PlayStation 4 gaming. The story takes bold risks that sparked discussion among players. While some found the plot choices controversial, the game’s technical achievements earned widespread praise.
The combat feels tense and brutal. Players must make tough choices about resources while facing smart enemies who work together to hunt Ellie down. Each encounter can play out in different ways depending on player choices.
Sound design adds another layer of quality. From the crunch of glass underfoot to the distant calls of enemies, every sound serves a purpose. The music shifts perfectly with the action, making intense moments even more powerful.
The game extracts the best from the PS4 hardware, showing what the console could do in the hands of skilled developers. Many consider it a must-have for PlayStation 4 owners who enjoy story-driven games.
While the game later received a remastered version for PS5, the original PS4 release still impresses. The remaster makes an already great game even better but the core experience remains strong on PS4.
Some players have even noted that until games like Horizon Forbidden West, few titles could match The Last of Us Part 2’s visual quality. This speaks to the lasting impact of the game’s technical design.
The attention to detail extends beyond graphics. The world feels lived-in, with notes and environmental clues telling stories about what happened to people before and after the apocalypse.
For players looking for the best that PlayStation 4 has to offer, The Last of Us Part 2 represents a pinnacle achievement in gaming storytelling and technical execution.
Impact on Gaming Culture
PlayStation 4 games changed how we play and connect with others. These titles set new standards for game design and brought people together in unique ways.
Evolution of Game Design
PS4 games pushed the limits of what games could be. Titles like “The Last of Us Part II” raised the bar for storytelling and emotional depth in gaming. The game tackled complex themes and featured characters with real flaws and growth.
“God of War” (2018) transformed a hack-and-slash series into a thoughtful story about fatherhood. It used a single-camera technique that never cut away, creating a more immersive experience.
“Horizon Zero Dawn” combined open-world gameplay with strong female representation. It proved that games with women leads could achieve massive commercial success.
These PS4 titles influenced how other developers approach:
- Character development
- Narrative structure
- Visual presentation
- Gameplay mechanics
Community Engagement
PS4 games built vibrant communities that extend beyond just playing. “Fortnite” became a cultural phenomenon, hosting virtual concerts with real artists like Travis Scott and Ariana Grande that millions attended.
“Dreams” turned players into creators. The game gave users powerful tools to make their own games, art, and music, fostering a creative community unlike any other on the platform.
“Bloodborne” players formed tight-knit groups to share strategies and lore theories. The game’s difficulty brought people together to help each other succeed.
Many PS4 titles helped bring gaming further into the mainstream culture. Games like “Spider-Man” and “Final Fantasy VII Remake” attracted both longtime fans and newcomers, expanding the gaming audience.
Technical Innovations
The PlayStation 4 pushed gaming technology forward with stunning visual capabilities and revolutionary sound design. These advancements helped define the console’s legacy and set new standards for gaming experiences.
Graphics and Performance
The PS4’s graphical capabilities transformed gaming visuals during its generation. God of War Ragnarok stands out as a technical masterpiece, delivering a completely uncompromised experience despite being on aging hardware.
Games like Uncharted 4 showcased the console’s ability to render cinema-quality environments and character models. The detailed facial animations and lighting effects created a new standard for visual storytelling in games.
Tetris Effect pushed the boundaries of particle effects and visual immersion. Its synchronized visual elements created an almost hypnotic experience that transformed a classic game into something revolutionary.
Open world games benefited from the PS4’s improved draw distances and texture streaming. Titles could render vast landscapes without compromising on detail or requiring frequent loading screens.
Audio Advancements
The PS4 introduced 3D audio processing that changed how players experience game environments. Games began using positional audio to create more immersive worlds where sound cues helped players navigate and understand their surroundings.
Resident Evil titles utilized advanced audio design to heighten tension. Footsteps, distant moans, and environmental sounds became crucial gameplay elements rather than just atmosphere.
The console’s improved audio capabilities allowed for more dynamic soundtracks. Music could seamlessly transition between different states based on gameplay situations, enhancing emotional impact during key moments.
Voice acting benefited from higher quality audio recording and processing. Character performances became more nuanced, with subtle vocal inflections being clearly captured and reproduced in-game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Players often want to know about game recommendations, top-rated titles, and which games offer the best experience on PlayStation 4. Here are answers to some common questions about PS4 games.
What titles are typically ranked among the top 10 PlayStation 4 games?
The Last of Us Part 2 consistently appears in top 10 lists for its storytelling and gameplay. Other highly-ranked games include God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
These games are praised for their immersive worlds and compelling narratives. According to gaming sites, titles like Persona 5 Royal and Ghost of Tsushima also appear regularly in top rankings.
Which PlayStation 4 games are highly recommended for children?
Ratchet & Clank offers colorful adventures suitable for younger players. Minecraft is another excellent choice with its creative gameplay and non-violent options.
LEGO games, including LEGO Star Wars and LEGO Marvel Superheroes, provide fun cooperative experiences. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy brings classic platforming that appeals to children while remaining challenging.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy is also perfect for younger gamers with its vibrant worlds and accessible gameplay.
Which free PlayStation 4 games are considered of the highest quality?
Fortnite remains one of the most popular free games with its constantly evolving battle royale experience. Warzone offers a free Call of Duty battle royale option with tight gunplay mechanics.
Apex Legends brings team-based action with unique character abilities. Rocket League went free-to-play and delivers soccer with cars in a highly competitive format.
Genshin Impact provides a vast open world adventure without an upfront cost, though it does include optional purchases.
What are the standout exclusive titles available on the PlayStation 4?
The Last of Us Part 2 stands as one of the most acclaimed PS4 exclusives with its emotional story. Bloodborne offers challenging combat from the creators of Dark Souls.
Spider-Man lets players swing through New York City as the iconic superhero. Horizon Zero Dawn features a unique post-apocalyptic world with robot dinosaurs.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End concludes Nathan Drake’s adventure series with stunning visuals and set pieces. GameFAQs has extensive information on these and other exclusive titles.
Can you suggest some PlayStation 4 games that offer great value?
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition includes all DLC and offers hundreds of hours of gameplay. Grand Theft Auto V includes both a massive single-player campaign and the ever-expanding GTA Online.
Skyrim Special Edition provides a huge world to explore with nearly endless quests. Monster Hunter World can keep players engaged for hundreds of hours hunting massive creatures.
No Man’s Sky has received numerous free updates since launch, vastly expanding its content and value.
What games commonly appear on lists of the top 50 PlayStation 4 games?
According to CNET’s gaming experts, games like The Last of Us Part 2, God of War, and Horizon Zero Dawn regularly make these lists. The Batman Arkham series, particularly Arkham Knight, often ranks highly.
Popular multiplayer games like Overwatch and Rocket League frequently appear. Role-playing games such as Final Fantasy VII Remake and Monster Hunter World are typically included.
Sports titles like FIFA and NBA 2K series usually find spots in top 50 lists, as do indie darlings like Hollow Knight and Celeste.
