10 Best PS4 Games of 2021

Key Specs

• Genre: Action
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Players: 1
• Multiplayer Type: None
• PS5 Compatibility: Free PS5 upgrade

The developers at Insomniac Games pushed superhero games to a bold new standard with their release of Marvel’s Spider-Man. Fans of the web-slinger also now have the option to play as a fan-favorite hero in the sequel, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Both games play beautifully on the PS4, but there is a PS5 version available for those who really want to see New York City at its best. There are few PS4 games easier to recommend than Spider-Man. It’s a delightfully realized adventure that creates rich stories with classic characters, pushing them into deeper situations than most people may be used to. There are human stories in these two games that are incredibly relatable, even for people who usually don’t play games.

Key Specs

• Genre: Action adventure
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Players: 1 to 10
• Multiplayer Type: Online, PVP, Cooperative
• PS5 Compatibility: PS5 upgrade in 2022 (cost TBD)

Nathan Drake is one of the most iconic video game adventurers of all time, making a name for himself in the PlayStation exclusive (though these games will soon be available on PC) series Uncharted. If you’re unfamiliar with the series, the games feel similar in tone to Indiana Jones films, with lots of globetrotting in search of ancient artifacts. PS4 players should absolutely see the awe-inspiring vistas and pulse-pounding action of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, which is the culmination of Drake’s story. Those who want to see the first act of this tale can also pick up the Uncharted Collection that includes the first three games, remastered for PS4. Similar to how the Spiderman story was continued in Miles Morales while mostly keeping the game’s systems intact, there’s also Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, which focuses on Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross in their quest to find the Tusk of Ganesh.

Key Specs

• Genre: Open world
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Players: Single player, 1 to 4 in Legends mode
• Multiplayer Type: Online
• PS5 Compatibility: Free PS5 upgrade

If you’re a fan of Assassin’s Creed, this open-world game is absolutely worth your time. Based on Japanese history and steeped in style derived from samurai films, Ghost of Tsushima is one of the most stunning games on the PS4. The new Director’s Cut is even better, with new content and a free PS5 upgrade. Players will steadily unlock the deadly abilities of the Ghost, mastering the shadows and the sword. Some of the staples of the genre have been masterfully used to great effect such as watching the way leaves blow to determine the next objective. There’s even a Kurosawa Mode that adds a dramatic black and white filter over the game.

Key Specs

• Genre: Action adventure
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Players: 1 to 4
• Multiplayer Type: Online co-op
• PS5 Compatibility: Visual and performance enhancements

The release of Monster Hunter World completely changed Capcom’s world: It brought the monster-slaying series to modern consoles after years of being stuck on handhelds, and became its best-selling product of all time, even beating out major releases in the Resident Evil franchise. Old and new players alike come together to tackle greater and greater foes in a gameplay loop that is timeless and rewarding. Monster Hunter is all about beating giant bosses, using their parts to upgrade armor and weapons, and then hunting even bigger monsters. Monster Hunter World and its expansion, Iceborne, are some of the most accessible entries in the series and the most visually impressive. It’s definitely worth taking the time to learn the game.

Key Specs

• Genre: Hack-and-slash, action RPG
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Players: 1
• Multiplayer Type: None
• PS5 Compatibility: No current upgrade

Starting as a niche spin-off to a depressingly dark franchise, NieR has quickly become a big hit for Square Enix. The catalyst of that popularity surge is NieR: Automata, the story of two androids battling robots on a planet bereft of humans. Destroyed cities are covered in vegetation, moose wander the streets, and warriors clad in Gothic styles slash through cute robots with katanas. This complex game is actually quite approachable to play. Anyone who enjoys games as an artistic medium will be blown away, but even casual players may find a new series to dive into. For a modern look at the first game (connected through a few thousand years prior to the events of Automata) snag the NieR Replicant on PS4, a remake of the first game that is also incredible.

Key Specs

• Genre: Action horror
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Players: 1
• Multiplayer Type: None
• PS5 Compatibility: No current upgrade

There are a ton of excellent Resident Evil games on the PS4, including some of the best action horror games ever made, but if I had to pick a single game in the series to recommend, it would be Resident Evil 2, a full remake of the classic game. Resident Evil 2 just has so much content, including four character campaigns telling the stories of Claire and Leon on the day of the zombie outbreak in Raccoon City. This is classic zombie movie stuff with terrifying levels of gore mixed with over-the-top monstrosities created by the hands of twisted scientists. Once the game is beat, there are even more additional missions to play, so this is one with a lot of replayability. Want more? Pick up the nightmarish Resident Evil VII or the direct sequel Resident Evil Village (also on PS5), a modern take on the Universal Monster characters.

Key Specs

• Genre: Action horror, soulslike
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Players: 1 to 5, two partners, two invaders
• Multiplayer Type: Cooperative, PVP
• PS5 Compatibility: No current upgrade

FromSoftware struck gold with its release of Demon’s Souls on PS3, and since then the team has released some of the most praised fantasy games of all time. Its PS4 exclusive, Bloodborne, takes the Victorian Gothic worlds painted by Bram Stoker, mixes a healthy dose of the horrors of Mary Shelley, adds a dash of H.P. Lovecraft’s otherworldly creatures, and then blends even more influences such as the seminal manga Berserk to create one of the most hauntingly beautiful worlds ever realized in a video game. This is a challenging title, so be prepared to fail a lot and request the help of friends on occasion. Those who can push through to the end may walk away with a new favorite game.

Key Specs

• Genre: Simulation, RPG
• ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
• Players: 1 to 4
• Multiplayer Type: Local or online co-op
• PS5 Compatibility: No current upgrade

When Stardew Valley first came to PS4, I played the game for an entire day and then realized that this is a game I could lose myself in. While most games focus on action, Stardew Valley is all about charting your own path by rebuilding a family farm. You can raise chickens to sell eggs or plant an abundance of carrots or even go spelunking in the mines for rare gems. There is a lot of freedom in the game, wrapped in a relaxing atmosphere. This is also the perfect game to play with friends as more farm work can be done with more hands. Since its launch, there have been lots of updates, so now is a better time than ever to give this indie classic a try.

Key Specs

• Genre: Stealth, narrative, horror
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Players: 1
• Multiplayer Type: None currently
• PS5 Compatibility: Free upgrade

Standing out as one of the most visually impressive games on the PlayStation platform, The Last of Us Part II continues the story of Ellie’s survival in a violent, post-apocalyptic world. Expanding and improving the stealth action gameplay of the first game tremendously, this release is a benchmark for Naughty Dog that will be hard to top. The game’s story is often disturbing, so players may want to consider how they react to these types of stories before playing. It also fits into the zombie-movie style stories alongside things like The Walking Dead, so fans of that genre will find a lot to enjoy in The Last of Us Part II. Those who want to experience the start of this journey should look into Part I, which is on PS3 and also available as a remastered version on PS4.

Key Specs

• Genre: Action adventure
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Players: 1
• Multiplayer Type: None
• PS5 Compatibility: Free upgrade

There are few character stories more powerful than the evolution of Kratos in God of War on PS4, a full reboot of the series. It follows Kratos’s maturation from embodiment of rage to dealing with the challenges of fatherhood and his struggle to leave a life of violence (mostly) behind. God of War is a breathtaking display of PS4 magic that takes players through an awesome world of Norse mythology. With outstanding action gameplay, epic music filled with chest-rattling chants, and a camera that never cuts, God of War is stunning on so many levels.

While great for longtime fans, it also is perfectly approachable on its own for those that would rather not hunt up PS2 or PS3 copies of the old games. That said, Kratos’s climactic clash with the Greek gods is also available on PS4 as God of War III Remastered.