Best PS4 games 2025 - the essentials on PlayStation 4 you shouldn't miss

The best PS4 games are still well worth playing, even if you're the owner of a PS5. Given that we can all still enjoy the best of the PS4 library on a PS5 too, the selection of experiences the console provides is still as accessible as ever. From gripping adventures, beautiful visuals, and unforgettable stories, there's still plenty to get out of PS4 games.

And despite the PS5 being into its fourth year, don't discount the fact that PlayStation 4 games are still being released. This means that we're continuing to experience a PS4 game library that's bigger than ever, bursting at the seams, but also, if you do own a PS5, you can enjoy PS4 games with a performance boost thanks to backward compatibility. If you're looking for the best PS5 games, however, we do have you covered there too.

We have curated a list of games from different genres to show that no matter what you enjoy, the PS4 offers something that's right in your wheelhouse. From shooters and sports to action-adventures and RPGs, here are the best PS4 games you can play right now.

The best PS4 games 2025

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

19. Elden Ring

All shelter under the Erdtree

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆Today's Best DealsView at AmazonView at Walmart(XBox 360)View at Fanatical(PC)

Reasons to buy

Stunning environmental design Amazingly fun new weapon types Some of FromSoft’s best bosses to date Plenty for lore heads to scratch their noggins over

Reasons to avoid

-Legacy dungeon level design is (mostly) a slight step back-Some truly infuriating standard enemies-Occasional visual oddities and performance dips

Elden Ring launched in poor shape on PS4, but since then it's been patched and updated, offering up a brilliant Souls experience that's truly unmatched. What sets Elden Ring apart from other FromSoftware games is its interconnected open world, which can be explored and tackled any way you wish. There's a ton of build variety, allowing you to put together your Tarnished warrior as a magical archer, hulking hand-to-hand combat master, or even a chaos magic-casting bloodmage.

You'll be able to check out Shadow of the Erdtree too, the massive DLC that adds in a whole new map, new bosses, and over 70 new weapons. There's hundreds of hours of fun to be had here, and a much more lenient approach to leveling up when compared to harder Souls games.

18. Resident Evil Village

Howl at the moon

Our expert review:

Today's Best DealsView at Amazon(XBox One)View at AmazonView at Walmart

Reasons to buy

Well-paced story (mostly) Brilliant use of audio Inventory management improved Brilliant array of memorable characters

Reasons to avoid

-Boss fights can feel anticlimactic-Less focus on scares-Story spoon-fed at the end

Resident Evil Village continues the modern games' switch to first person horror action, and does it very well indeed. This time, poor Ethan Winters is combing a mysterious village in hope of rescuing his kidnapped daughter. Things go predictably sideways, as he faces off against tall vampiric ladies, snarling wolf-men and other nasties.

The village setting of Resident Evil Village is the real star of the show here, managing to give off vibes of the original Resident Evil 4, while keeping things fresh. There's twists and turns galore, and you'll likely be absolutely terrified at points, even if this one is a bit more action-packed than its predecessors.

17. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Consider my timbers shivered

Our expert review:

Today's Best DealsView at Amazon(Switch)View at WalmartView at Fanatical(PC)

Reasons to buy

Tons of variety for a relatively compact experience Majima’s combat styles are a joy to play Building up your crew and reputation is immensely fulfilling Optional treasure hunts had me turning Honolulu upside down

Reasons to avoid

-Navigating the seas can be a slog at times…-…and it’s the only place where performance dips-Like other games in the series, it’s a bit of a slow starter

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii isn't the weirdest spin-off for the series, surprisingly, but it is one that even the most die-hard Yakuza fans would have had trouble predicting before it was announced. Thankfully, this high-seas adventure is probably the best game in the franchise for a while. Against all odds, the oddball humor often peppered throughout Like a Dragon matches perfectly with epic ship battles, sword-fighting, and treasure hunting.

Fan-favorite Goro Majima returns, and he's on a quest to build up his very own pirate crew, as he builds a reputation as an unstoppable pirate lord. Along the way, there's treasure to be found, chimpanzee Gods to summon, and multiple combat styles to master. Don your eyepatch, gather your allies and set sail on this quirky yet heartwarming adventure.

16. Sniper Elite: Resistance

Behind enemy lines

Our expert review:

Today's Best DealsView at AmazonView at AmazonView at Walmart

Reasons to buy

Sniper Elite’s stealth sandbox is as engaging as ever Propaganda Challenge mode adds some fun replayability Axis Invasion is still genius

Reasons to avoid

-Feels too much like to Sniper Elite 5 in places-While nothing game-breaking, glitches were present-Plot very similar to previous games

The Sniper Elite series really hit its stride with 2022's excellent fifth mainline entry. It's back, with Sniper Elite: Resistance, which, if nothing else, is just more of what we loved about its predecessor. There are some changes here, however, namely in the game's new protagonist. Players will recognize Harry Hawker from other campaigns but now, you step into the shoes of the gruff, Statham-esque agent.

Levels play out as before, with open and expansive mini open-zones to explore and work through. Each one hides multiple ways to take down your main target, some great side-content, and even collectibles that unlock mini missions. Essentially, this is a more action-focused Hitman setup, with sniping and stealth being the main ways to progress. Really though, these sandboxes can be tackled in a wide variety of ways. You could go in guns blazing, sabotage enemy defenses before infiltrating, or just find a great sniping spot and pick away at the opposition using environmental hazards and well-placed bullets.

15. Metaphor: ReFantazio

Power fantasy

Our expert review:

Today's Best DealsView at CDKeysView at WalmartView at Amazon(Download)

Reasons to buy

Engaging and challenging turn-based combat Fantastic plot and characters Impeccable user interface design A strong feeling of constant progression

Reasons to avoid

-Optional dungeons are pretty dull-Very choppy performance in larger city areas

Metaphor: ReFantazio is essentially a fantasy-themed Persona game, sharing many of its systems, while elevating certain aspects like combat. It's also very much its own thing, with Atlas clearly putting a lot behind this new series, resulting in an RPG that's immediately proven itself to be one of the very best this decade.

What makes Metaphor: ReFantazio stand out is its dark fantasy story, which centres around an election. It's clearly drawing from some very relevant, real-life themes, and is all the more impactful for it. Better yet, you can play this 2024 RPG on PS4, and still get the full experience, and given that it takes 60 hours to complete, you're getting a lot of bang for your buck.

14. Ratchet & Clank

What a wonderful worldAverage Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆Today's Best DealsView at AmazonView at WalmartView at Walmart(PS4)

Ratchet & Clank (2016) reimagines the very first game, remaking it from the ground up, while completely retooling it in the process. It's accompanied by the movie, which means that the presentation is absolutely off the charts, especially in cutscenes. When it launched, it was easily one of the best looking games around, and even to this day still holds up very nicely indeed.

There's a reason why Ratchet and his mechanical pal have stood the test of time, with new entries still being released recently. They're excellent mascots, deeply rooted in PlayStation's history, great for kids and adults alike. The main reason to try out the game is its wide suite of wacky weapons. One makes enemies stop and dance, while another fires bolts like bullets. As you slowly upgrade your arsenal, you'll unlock new ways to shoot, glide and pummel. Definitely worth checking out before heading into the sequel on the PS5.

13. Horizon: Zero Dawn

ExtinctionAverage Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆Today's Best DealsCheck Amazon

Horizon Zero Dawn wowed players when it launched, proving that the studio behind the Killzone series certainly aren't one-trick ponies. Much of the positive critical and fan reception can be attributed to the look and feel of the game, with it still being one of the best looking games you can pick up on PlayStation consoles. You'll get to explore a living, breathing world as Aloy, a new character who now sits as one of Sony's most recognizable mascots.

As you ride across lush plains and Rocky Mountains, you'll encounter robotic creatures, some of which can be battled for resources. Shoot off specific parts to dislodge weapons, which can then be picked up and turned back on your enemy. Each of these hulking monsters behaves differently, and there's a good deal of variety in the enemies you'll face while out adventuring. Give Horizon Zero Dawn a try if you're into fast action and expansive open worlds.

12. Death Stranding

Deliver packages in an eerily beautiful apocalyptic wasteland

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆Today's Best DealsView at GamersGate(PC)View at Walmart(PS4)View at Amazon(PS4)

Hideo Kojima's first game as an independent designer is Death Stranding, an action-adventure many players also affectionately call the Postman Pat simulator. You play Sam Porter-Bridges, a courier brave enough to walk across a post-apocalyptic America to deliver goods to people.

Death Stranding is essentially a wayfinding simulation that may test your patience – rappelling down a mountain with a swaying stack of boxes on Sam's back is a genuine challenge, and it's unlike anything we've ever played before.

Not only is Death Stranding unique, it's also often very beautiful. Sam, played by The Walking Dead actor Norman Reedus, is rendered perfectly, the snow-capped mountains and grassy fields you travel through can exude an uncanny calm. But Death Stranding can be tense, too – you will have some run-ins with monsters, leading to some tense stealth. Add to this incredibly detailed worldbuilding in Kojima's signature style, and you've got yourself one of the best PS4 games, a game truly like no other. Read more in our Death Stranding review.

11. Doom Eternal

A speedy, satisfyingly grisly horror shooter

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆Today's Best DealsView at AmazonView at Walmart(XBox One)View at Best Buy

The latest game in the Doom series is a crunchy shooter that will excite old and new series fans alike – it's a speedy, loud shooter that feels like a real power trip. As Doom Guy, you're slashing and shooting your way through battle arenas filled with hordes of monsters, all set to a pumping heavy metal soundtrack.

With Doom Eternal, shooter fans get a smooth, stylish adventure that's still distinctively Doom, heavy metal attitude, and all – read our full Doom Eternal review for more details.

Doom Eternal renders its kills with a degree of gory detail that should excite any horror fan, pushing the PS4 hardware and producing some astounding visuals. The frantic gameplay is so smooth that you just want to keep going – this is a game that makes you feel powerful while still offering a decent challenge. You can enhance and adapt Doom Guy in several ways so that there is plenty of reason to keep playing Doom Eternal even when you have completed its story.

10. Disco Elysium

Now, where did I leave my gunToday's Best DealsView at Fanatical(PC)View at GamersGateView at Walmart(XBox One)

Disco Elysium wowed players when it originally released on PC, but found even more acclaim once it was ported to consoles. While it's definitely a game that caters to keyboard and mouse, the Final Cut streamlines its controls and UI wonderfully to those playing with a controller.

What makes Disco Elysium stand out is its painstakingly realised world. There's lore galore, different political factions, and even some TTRPG mechanics thrown in to spice everything up. As you explore the district of Martinaise, you'll interrogate union workers, pick up on clues, and work with your partner Kim to solve a murder case.

Disco Elysium is easily one of the best written games ever made, and with the Final Cut, all of its characters are fully voiced. There's multiple ways to approach its narrative, which unfolds over the course of several in-game days. If you're a fan of RPGs, particularly ones with a tabletop slant, you really can't do much better than Disco Elysium.

9. Dreams

A playground for aspiring game developersToday's Best DealsView at AmazonView at Amazon

Dreams isn't really a game, it's more of a creation platform. As the currently only game development tools for consoles with this breadth of features, it shows that the best PS4 games aren't just there to be played, they also inspire you to get creative.

Dreams is a tool for you to create your own games. It teaches you game development with its toolset in a playful way, and you also get to play the games its large community of creators has made, a seemingly infinite pool of ideas and gameplay experiences for you to peruse. That's why Dreams is great if you're an artist, but it's even better if you're not.

Dreams' game development tools are powerful, intuitive and made for the PlayStation. It will take some time to learn, but if you've always wanted to make your own game, this is an option only the PS4 offers.

8. Marvel's Spider-Man

The best superhero PS4 gameAverage Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆Today's Best DealsView at Walmart(PS4)View at Amazon(Wii U)View at Amazon(PS4)

As the name suggests, this game lets you journey through New York City as one of Marvel's most popular superheroes. This is Spider-Man's first outing since the PS2 era, and controlling Spider-Man just feels phenomenal. Whether you swing around buildings or whack enemies with an acrobatic attack, in this open-world action adventure you get to enjoy some of the tightest gameplay the genre has to offer.

Marvel's Spider-Man combines good storytelling and fun combat with an open world that doesn't overdo it with optional content, making it one of the best PS4 games to play if you enjoy open-world games but always get too busy to finish them.

Make sure to play Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales on PS5 if you have one, too, alongside the newest release in the story: Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

7. Persona 5 Royal

The best PS4 game for JRPG fansAverage Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆Today's Best DealsView at Amazon(PS4)View at Walmart(PS4)View at GameStop

Persona 5 follows Joker, a student who has transferred to a new school in modern-day Tokyo. Over the course of the school year, Joker and some of his fellow students begin to awaken special powers, resulting in those affected forming a vigilante group called the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. The group travels through the mysterious Metaverse (not the Facebook one), forcing adults to have a "change of heart", in an effort to reform the city. There's so much more to it than that, but we don't want to spoil it for you.

Persona 5 is considered one of the best JRPGS of all time and it's not hard to see why. It's a stylish game, packed with over 100 hours of content and a story that is sure to keep you invested, all while tugging on your heartstrings at the same time. While Persona 5 also released on the PS3, the PS4 is truly the Persona 5 console – more people played the game than ever before, and it even got a sequel called Persona 5 Strikers.

If you buy it now, make sure to buy Persona 5 Royal over the original version. If Western RPGs are more your thing, head over to our best RPGs list.

6. God of War Ragnarok

The sequel Kratos deserves

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆Today's Best DealsView at Amazon(Black)View at Walmart(PS4)View at Amazon(Switch)

Since God of War's 2018 reboot of the action-adventure series, the series has won over many new fans, thanks to satisfying combat, and an emotional story told completely without the camera cutting away even once, which is both a large technical achievement and fascinating to see.

As our God of War Ragnarok review will tell you, the sequel brings back all these elements, but it also comes with some choice improvements and new parts. For one, while the beloved Leviathan axe is certainly back to fight and solve puzzles with, Ragnarok also introduces a few new weapons and environmental puzzles. You get to experience the story from many other perspectives than Kratos', thanks to a much larger cast and plenty of side missions, and now that Atreus is older, he has an even more active role to play in events, too.

God of War Ragnarok is one of the best PS4 games and must-play for players who loved Kratos and Atreus' adventure and want to see it end, but it's also a game that draws you in with incredibly beautiful graphics both on PS4 and PS5, and a manageable amount of side content that will teach more Norse mythology if you're so inclined. God of War Ragnarok is currently still exclusive to PlayStation consoles, and its genuinely the kind of game you should get the console for.

5. The Last of Us Part 2

Is revenge worth risking it all?

Our expert review:

The Last of Us Part 2 is not a particularly easy game to play. It's an extended look at the follies of revenge, the effect of grief on an individual, and is undoubtedly Naughty Dog's most divisive game yet. Beneath the surface, some of the best third-person action combat this side of the millennium combines with masterful storytelling to create something that's both beautiful and monstrous.

Ellie is older, and having grown up in a broken world filled with terror, she's been hardened to a point where she's barely recognizable as the little girl from the first game. Over its runtime, TLOU2 puts Ellie through the wringer, throwing absolutely everything it has at her.

Somehow, the game manages to compel you to keep playing, despite the doom, gloom and misery that punctuates each of the chapters that you'll play through. Part of this is down to the excellent game design, the way opponents feel like real people, and another part comes down to just how high the game swings. It's impressive, intoxicating, and deeply upsetting. A real modern classic.

4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The best PS4 RPG gameAverage Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆Today's Best DealsView at Walmart(PC)View at Amazon(XBox One)View at Amazon(PS4)

The Witcher roleplaying game series has been around for a long time, but the Witcher's 3's release during the PS4 era made Witcher Geralt and the world he lives in more popular than ever. As witcher Geralt, you make your way through the world in search of your adoptive daughter, a powerful magic user just like you, is being hunted by a group called The Wild Hunt. But the journey isn't straightforward, as you get involved in war, political intrigue, and plenty of personal problems, which will require your decision-making skills, your sword, and some magic.

For a long time, there was no game on the PS4 that looked better, but The Witcher 3 is one of the best PS4 games because Geralt's story will take you through a fascinating fantasy world free of the usual character tropes such as dwarves living underground and wizened magic users with long, white beards.

The Witcher 3 is huge, and it's one of the few open-world games where no task and no sidequest feels superfluous, it's simply all part of a large, interesting tapestry that you get to explore. This is a game stuffed with memorable moments, headed by one of gaming's most beloved protagonists – if you are a fan of RPGs, you'd do well not to miss it.

3. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

The end of the roadAverage Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆Today's Best DealsView at Amazon(PS4)View at Walmart(PS4)View at Walmart(PS4)

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is the last part in the saga of Nathan Drake, another enduringly popular PlayStation protagonist. When we meet him this time around, Nathan is married and has sworn off the treasure-hunting lifestyle, but when his long-lost brother asks him for help, Nathan can't turn him down. This action-adventure series combines third-person cover shooting with climbing sequences.

The Uncharted series is one of the best in games for cinematic presentation, and Uncharted 4 is no exception. Nowhere but on PlayStation do you get to enjoy an Indiana Jones-type game with a hero that quips with the best of them.

Uncharted is truly the game for anyone who enjoys large setpieces, whether that's a giant bell smashing through a clocktower Nathan has just climbed or a tense chase sequence. This is a great sendoff for Nathan Drake fans, and you can also pick up remastered versions of the previous four games for PS4. Check out our full Uncharted 4: A Thief's End review.

2. Bloodborne

A dark and atmospheric journey that will test your gameplay skillsAverage Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆Today's Best DealsView at Walmart(PS4)View at AmazonView at Walmart(PS4)

FromSoftware's Bloodborne is an action-roleplaying game that sees you explore the Gothic world of Yharnam as a character simply called the Hunter. Your goal is to explore Yharnam, or, to put it more simply, survive it – its dark streets are full of powerful monsters that can't be taken down with a few simple button presses.

Bloodborne shares a lot of similarities with FromSoftware's Souls games as well as Elden Ring – you will face difficult combat, find your way around with no help, and connect the dots of the world's lore yourself. However, Bloodborne's combat is quick, monsters often attack in large hordes and the game's RPG elements give you enough freedom to customize your fighting style.

This is the perfect game for players who find Souls combat too slow and restrictive, and Bloodborne's visual design, music, and worldbuilding are highly distinct and memorable. Bloodborne is a Lovecraftian nightmare that will keep you coming back for more, thanks to a satisfying degree of mystery and player freedom, and you should experience it at least once.

1. Red Dead Redemption 2

One last rideAverage Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆Today's Best DealsView at Fanatical(PC)View at Amazon(XBox One)View at Walmart(XBox One)

Red Dead Redemption 2 is absolutely a once in a generation game. Not only does it build upon the lofty legacy left by its predecessor, it manages to push the RPG genre forward, with a sprawling Western that places players into the road-worn boots of a great new protagonist. Despite having released nearly six years ago, Red Dead Redemption 2 is still one of the best looking games you can play in 2024. Its world is teeming with wildlife, from a diverse range of birds to large beasts like bears and bulls. There are few open worlds in gaming that can match Red Dead Redemption 2's attention to detail in this sense.

While RDR2 is indeed a prequel, there's plenty in its epic story to keep players guessing. For one, you play as an entirely new character: Arthur Morgan. He's part of John Marston's crew, and thanks to an excellent performance by actor Roger Clark, is a real standout. You'll grow to love the cast of rogues that cross paths with Morgan over the game's runtime, as the gang goes from good times to bad times, and everything in between.

Best PS4 games - FAQs

What games are worth buying on PS4?

Tastes vary, but former Sony exclusives, which are often still better on PS4 than their PC ports, tend to be popular and are still worth buying for the console. We recommend bangers such as Marvel's Spider-Man, God of War Ragnarok, and The Last of Us 2.

What PS4 game has the best story?

There are hundreds of exceptional stories to play on PS4 nowadays as our best PS4 games list demonstrates. However some still stand above the others. If you're looking for the most gripping of stories then we'd recommend the likes of Red Dead Redemption 2, The Last of Us: Remastered, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and the Mass Effect Legendary Edition.

Is a PS4 still worth it in 2025?

This question has been repeatedly asked with every year since the PS5 launched and with growing intensity. Which is fair enough given it represents the last generation and is no longer the most up-to-date machine made by Sony. However, the PS4 player base is still enormous, active, and vibrant. Even in 2025 there are still games coming out for the console too so if you own a PS4 or are keen on a second hand one to see what all the fuss is about then a PS4 can absolutely prove enjoyable and worthwhile in 2025.

Are PS4 games worth collecting?

Every generation of gaming has produced games and editions of games that end up being super collectible and the PS4 generation is no different. There are super rare games from the generation and ones that can prove quite valuable too. Games such as Rez Infinite, Godzilla, and Blue Reflection are examples of PS4 games that are certainly worth snapping up if you see them going cheap. Heck, if you find a PS4 console with the short horror game P.T. installed on it, then that game makes the machine rocket up in value too.

From a more general perspective, and one that I share, there's nothing better than making a physical game collection. A shelf filled with the best memory-givers and experiences makes for a conversation point, a great feature in a room, and there's just nothing quite like media that you can tangibly touch. Well, that's what I think anyway...

What PS4 games are we're playing right now

The PS4 game library is still absolutely worth dipping into given its size, breadth, and quality, and given that I've got a pretty solid backlog of PS4 games to work my way through, I've usually got one or two PS4 games in my live 'play schedule'.

Currently, however, we're giving Bloodborne another replay, focusing on clearing The Old Hunters DLC, and tackling some of the mini-bosses we missed in previous playthroughs.

How we made our best PS4 games list

We at TechRadar Gaming are an experienced team of gaming and tech experts, who have committed 100s and 1000s of hours into the best PS4 games to make, and continually curate, this list for you. We've played hundreds of PS4 games across loads of genres to be able to be in a position to recommend something for almost everyone with this list. What's more, we're always reviewing more games, and by extension, our recommendations on these lists too so you can be sure we take it seriously and only want to give you the best and our top picks for PS4.

The above is the detailed content of Best PS4 games 2025 - the essentials on PlayStation 4 you shouldn't miss. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!