The sun is setting on one of Sony's most successful console generations. With more than 112 million units sold, the PlayStation 4 is Sony's second best-selling platform behind the PlayStation 2. And Sony has earned those numbers by curating a plethora of pristine console exclusives.
While players are looking ahead to the launch of the PlayStation 5 this November and the next-gen experiences that it will bring with it, the console will be backwards compatible with most PlayStation 4 games. This means there are still plenty of opportunities to revisit some old favorites or play any missed titles. Here are five must-play PS4 games from this past generation.
Marvel's Spider-Man
Insomniac was already known as an incredible development studio thanks to its work on the Ratchet & Clank series, so blending its creativity and caliber with Peter Parker's world was a match made in Heaven. Released in 2018, Marvel's Spider-Man became the definitive game for experiencing Spidey's abilities.
The game's impressively recreated New York City as an open world that's immensely fun to get lost in thanks to how smooth Spider-Man's traversal felt. Some side-quests could get a bit stale, such as searching for missing backpacks and pigeons. However, the main story (which brought in several great villains like Doc Ock and Mister Negative) always felt exciting, especially during combat, which balanced acrobatic pummeling with clever gadgets. There's a good reason a follow-up is on the way, and it's because Insomniac's work is undeniably worthy of the hero's legacy.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
There are few games that perfectly sum up the feeling of going on a grand adventure, and Naughty Dog's Uncharted franchise is the cream of the crop. Through the trilogy on the PlayStation 3, players fell in love with the comically sarcastic Nathan Drake and his merry band of treasure hunters. Bombastic set pieces, nail-biting firefights and a historical focus helped prove Naughty Dog as one of Sony's most prized creators.
The fourth entry on the PlayStation 4 offered players everything they loved about the previous entries, only better. Not only did the upgrade in tech give the development team more to work with, but Uncharted 4 put all of Drake's actions and antics into perspective with the introduction of his long-lost older brother Sam. As the brothers are two sides of the same coin, the story explored how obsession and greed can form in their line of work, a theme that was brilliantly showcased in their journey to discover what happened to a missing group of enigmatic pirates.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Guerilla's Horizon Zero Dawn has one of the most interesting open worlds out there, not because its landscapes or environments are vastly unique to others, but because of its dangerous enemies and fascinating lore. Set in the very far future, Horizon focuses on humans living in tribes while surviving against the deadly robot creatures that roam outside their villages. That premise alone is tantalizing enough to make anyone want to dig up the past. But being placed in the shoes of a shunned outsider, and the only person who can uncover the history behind these mechanical beasts, instilled a desire for answers that couldn't be denied.
While Aloy's journey to save others is definitely engrossing, it's the game's combat that steals the spotlight. Each enemy type has specific weak points, weaknesses and immunities that must be taken into account using Aloy's useful tool, the Focus. Her arsenal also makes for varied gameplay. With a variety of weapons and ammo types, players can approach any fight as aggressively or stealthily as they want. Scouting patterns, setting traps and issuing a plan of attack all make the player feel more like a hunter than any game before, but in Horizon, which of you is prey can change at the drop of a dime.
The Last of Us Part II
Although many argued a sequel to Naughty Dog's multiple award-winning The Last of Us wasn't necessary, the studio proved it had a powerful story that needed telling. Set around five years after the first, The Last of Us Part II picks up on Joel and Ellie living at Tommy's commune. Players barely had time to register their strained relationship before a horrific event set Ellie on a path of brutal revenge.
The Last of Us Part II expertly balances tender moments with scenes of unparalleled violence. Its performances, both from a voiceover and motion capture standpoint, are phenomenal. When players weren't experiencing emotional crises during the game's intense cutscenes, they were fearfully tiptoeing through every environment, all of which were painstakingly crafted. There were genuine moments of terror throughout, courtesy of the classic Clickers, the newly introduced Bloaters and a certain hospital sequence that won't soon be forgotten.
God of War
While Kratos put an end to the Greek Pantheon, Sony Santa Monica set out to prove his story didn't need to end there. However 2018's God of War didn't just continue Kratos' adventures in the Norse Realm; it completely redefined the overly aggressive Ghost of Sparta for the better. The weary, battle-hardened warrior was given a son, Atreus, and a deathbed promise to keep. The complex dynamic between Kratos and Atreus was often strenuous, but it was also one of the most captivating relationships in any video game that showed that Kratos, despite all odds, was growing into a better person.
Gameplay was also enhanced thanks to Kratos' Leviathan Axe, which could be thrown and recalled at any moment. The axe in combination with the Guardian Shield allowed for weighty, vibration-heavy combat that players felt with every swing. Also welcome were customizations in armor, abilities and runic attacks, as was the side-character Mimir, who simultaneously played the parts of comedic relief and exposition dump. It still feels like Sony Santa Monica only scratched the surface of Norse Mythology, which is very exciting for the future.