35 Best PlayStation 4 Games

Though the PS5 generation is well underway, the PlayStation 4 is a powerhouse, boasting some of the finest games ever developed for the eighth generation of video game consoles. The rivalry between Microsoft and Sony has been going strong for years, with both sides claiming a healthy chunk of the market, but what makes the PlayStation 4 the console of choice for Sony fans, even this far into the ninth gen? 

We believe it all comes down to the games library, so we've compiled a list of what we think are the very best titles you can find for the PlayStation 4. If you're a Sony diehard and still enjoying your time with the PS4, these games should definitely be in your collection.

If you're a fan of the fast-paced action titles developed by "Bayonetta" creators Platinum Games, then you need to get your hands on the curiously-named "NieR: Automata." This offering from Square Enix blends genres and puts you in the butt-kicking shoes of androids 2B and 9S as they fight their way through hordes of unique enemies in standard third-person, 2D sidescrolling sequence, and even in a sort of shoot-'em-up style that recalls a classic arcade cabinet. 

This title is stylish, flashy, and everything you've come to expect from a Platinum Games project with even more RPG trappings. Buckle up and prepare for an assault on your senses. Good luck unlocking all the endings, too — there are over two dozen of them.

Metascore: Critics – 88/100, Users – 8.9/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Bayonetta," "Devil May Cry," "Drakengard"

We have a new PlayStation icon in Aloy, the tough-as-nails protagonist of "Horizon Zero Dawn." If you've ever wanted to explore Jurassic Park but felt that it needed more robots, then this game will fulfill your very specific desires. As Aloy, you'll stalk robot dinosaurs through tall grass, collect materials to craft powerful items, and use all of your skills to survive in a gorgeous, post-apocalyptic world. 

"Horizon Zero Dawn" is a must-have for anyone with a PlayStation 4, and we dare you not to cry out in awe the first time you see Guerrilla Games' beautifully-rendered vistas. The sequel, "Horizon Forbidden West," is pretty fantastic too, but it doesn't quite capture the magic of Aloy's first adventure.

Metascore: Critics – 88/100, Users – 8.3/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Tomb Raider" (2013), "Shadow of the Colossus," "Uncharted"

"Nioh" is sure to scratch that "Dark Souls" itch for gamers who love a challenge. While it's easy to call this game a mix of "Ninja Gaiden" and "Dark Souls" with a shiny Japanese veneer, there's more to it than that. 

There's something about the charm of the Sengoku period and the unique enemies you can conquer that makes "Nioh" so satisfying. You'll relish the feeling of defeating particularly difficult foes and completing missions after failing a number of times. Practice makes perfect, and you'll feel like the perfect warrior after conquering "Nioh."

Metascore: Critics – 88/100, Users – 8.2/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Dark Souls 3," "Bloodborne," "Ninja Gaiden Black"

We hope you're not afraid of the dark, because your stay with the Baker family from "Resident Evil 7: Biohazard" will have you peeking around every corner of your house at night and diving under your covers. This entry brought a first-person perspective to the "Resident Evil" formula, departing from previous entries and putting the horror right in your virtual face. 

Remember the tension and the terror you felt whenever the door-opening animations played out from a first-person perspective in the original games? Yeah, that's amplified and carried over to every encounter here, as the game dares you to survive against the Bakers and the "Molded" creatures that seek to bleed into your nightmares.

Metascore: Critics – 86/100, Users – 8.1/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Outlast," "Amnesia: The Dark Descent," "Alien: Isolation"

If you've ever felt like taking a short vacation in a land of swords, spells, and intriguing characters, then stepping into the boots of Geralt of Rivia should be on your list of things to do. As Geralt, you set out on a mission to find your loved ones. The only rub is that a group called the Wild Hunt is also tracking them down, so you've got to unleash your own brand of magic and brutal swordplay in order to cut down anything in your path. 

The graphics are breathtaking, the world is expansive, and being Geralt never felt so good. If you're an RPG fan, then this deserves to be on your shelves. Plus, all the great downloadable content adds even more of a bonus.

Metascore: Critics – 92/100, Users – 9.1/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Dragon Age: Inquisition," "Final Fantasy 15," "Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor" 

The second game in the "Tomb Raider" reboot series sees Lara Croft undertaking her very first actual "tomb raiding" adventure. In "Rise of the Tomb Raider," you'll witness Lara's growth as she becomes the legendary adventurer we've known and loved for the last few decades. The story puts her at odds with a group called Trinity as they both race to find the Lost City of Kitezh. There are plenty of puzzles, combat, and amazing environments to explore, making you really feel as if you were an adventurous archaeologist like the young Miss Croft. 

The PlayStation 4 version also supports PlayStation VR, allowing you to play the "Blood Ties" chapter with the virtual reality headset and see the world through Lara's eyes. For even more fun, you can play through the game with Lara's polygonal character model from the classic PS1-era games.

Metascore: Critics – 88/100, Users – 8/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End," "Assassin's Creed Syndicate"

"Battlefield 1" is a compelling entry set in the horror that was World War I. This means the maps are littered with old tanks, armored trains, dirigibles, and even the odd horse or two. While the meat of any "Battlefield" game has always been the multiplayer suite, it's worth mentioning that the single-player campaign is quite compelling, putting you in the roles of several soldiers across different points in the war. 

Any veteran "Battlefield fan" will be right at home with all of the open-world ridiculousness that can happen online, so don't be surprised to see "Battlefield Moments" like dudes dropping out of biplanes only to land on a zeppelin, blow up an enemy, and then jump back off just in time to get into another plane mid-flight. Yeah, that kind of stuff happens. Maybe that's why this "Battlefield" entry still has more robust online presence than its successors.

Metascore: Critics – 88/100, Users – 7.4/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Star Wars Battlefront," "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2"

If you've ever wanted to live out your dream of having an "Iron Giant"-like buddy, then "Titanfall 2" can make it happen. The story mode partners you up with a Titan named BT, a gigantic hunk of metal and fury that becomes your best friend as you go on adventures together. Get ready to have an emotional attachment to a video game robot, folks. Once you're done singing "Kumbaya" with BT, you can get into the multiplayer portion of the game and level up your skill as a Pilot, unlocking different Titans and loads of customization options to really make yourself stand out. 

The controls for the game are buttery smooth, allowing you to transition from sprinting to wall-running to hopping onto your Titan with ease. The addition of new Titans like the sword-wielding Ronin, the flame-happy Scorch, the sniping Northstar, and more will also get you wanting to keep sampling different Pilot and Titan builds in order to find the perfect combination. Get out there and start stomping around.

Metascore: Critics – 89/100, Users – 8.5/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2," "Apex Legends" 

The first "Dishonored" was an exercise in both stealth and choice. As Corvo Attano, you were given supernatural powers to help kill your enemies and traverse the city with speed, all in the name of rescuing Emily Kaldwin, the Empress-to-be. While you could have slaughtered every person you came across in the game, you can also complete the story without killing anyone, taking out targets non-lethally. 

The same rules apply in "Dishonored 2," the same rules apply, only now you get to pick between Corvo and Emily herself, who is now a young adult woman with her own supernatural powers. If you choose, you can also do away with the supernatural powers and try to take on the game armed only with your own physical skills — and weapons, of course. Take a non-lethal route during playthrough, then see how things differ if you spread chaos and caused bloodshed instead. In a game like "Dishonored 2," freedom of choice is your greatest weapon.

Metascore: Critics – 88/100, Users – 8/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "BioShock Infinite," "Thief," "The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim"

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is an interesting game for the PlayStation VR that puts one player in a room by themselves, tasked with defusing a time bomb. The other one to three players are meant to talk to the defuser, helping them with instructions by looking up what to do in a manual. Sounds pretty easy, right? Well, the problem is that the "experts" don't know what the bomb looks like, so it's up to both parties to communicate in order to identify the bomb and properly defuse it before the big boom happens. You're likely to feel a lot of tension and excitement as you work with others, but just remember that it's not real and you'll be able to keep your cool—probably.

Metascore: Critics – 88/100, Users – 7.8/10

Play this if you enjoyed: Spaceteam 

"Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain" is a piece of art that takes everything we love about the "Metal Gear Solid" series and amps it up. The open-world gameplay allows you to approach missions however you want, whether it's through stealth or with guns blazing. If you really wanted to, you could order a helicopter to descend upon your enemies while your soldiers blast a-ha's "Take On Me" through the speakers. 

The fact that you can customize everything, from your weapons to your very own base, is amazing. It helps foster the sense that you're truly in charge and you're building up a formidable army. Add a dash of Kojima's trademark wacky storytelling and characterization, and you've got an adventure that will last you a long while.

Metascore: Critics – 93/100, Users 8.2/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Thief," "Hitman" (2016)

Nathan Drake's final adventure is outlined in "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End," dipping into his past and giving us another jaunt into the adventurer's life. Anyone who's played the "Uncharted" games knows these titles play out like big summer blockbuster movies, and "A Thief's End" is no different. We wouldn't be surprised if you whipped out some popcorn and started munching while you played through this chapter in Nate's life, in which he has to wrestle between his old life as an adventurer with his brother and his quiet new life at home with Elena. 

The gameplay is as tight as ever, with satisfying third-person shooting that works well in both the single-player and multiplayer modes. And this is a good thing, because once you're done the amazing final chapter in Nate's story (and all those twists!), you're going to want to jump online and show people how incredible you are.

Metascore: Critics – 93/100, Users – 8.8/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "The Last of Us"

"The Last of Us" is one of the best video games ever created. There's just something about the game that fills you with equal parts dread, awe, and excitement. Thanks to this remastered version, you'll be able to play through Joel and Ellie's journey through the post-apocalyptic world on the PlayStation 4, with even better graphics than the original release. 

Every spore that dances through a ray of sunlight and every puddle that sits undisturbed in an otherwise chaotic and destroyed cityscape is gorgeous, so you're in danger of spending hours in front of your TV just taking in the sight of the desolate beauty. There's an incredible narrative and the bond that forms between Joel and Ellie puts you on a rollercoaster of emotions that will grab you and won't let go.

Metascore: Critics – 95/100, Users – 9.2/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End," "Days Gone"

Live life as a Hunter in the creepy world of Yharnam in "Bloodborne." If you've ever played any of the "Dark Souls" games, then you largely know what to expect from this FromSoftware game, which features tough boss battles, exploration, and honing your combat skills so you can glide through enemies like a hot knife through butter. 

The aesthetics of the game are horrific and leave you with a sense of dread as your explore different areas of Yharnam. If you're going to play, you'd better be made of stern stuff. You'll be grinding for hours, perfecting your moves and finding out more about the world as you discover new areas. If dungeon-crawling is for you, then "Bloodborne" will sate your need.

Metascore: Critics – 92/100, Users – 8.9/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Dark Souls," "Lords of the Fallen"

You might not be a military strategist, but you can pretend to be one in the remaster of "Valkyria Chronicles." You'll command troops with characters like Alicia, Gunther, and more as you march against the Empire in battle. 

If you've ever played a tabletop war game, then you'll be right at home on the battlefield as you spend action points to move your units and have them engage the enemy with guns, tanks, and even supernatural powers. Aside from the tactical gameplay, the art style is gorgeous and makes the game look like a sketchbook come to life. You owe it to yourself to play this overhauled first chapter in the "Valkyria Chronicles" series.

Metascore: Critics – 84/100, Users – 8.3/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "XCOM: Enemy Unknown," "Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.," "Advance Wars"

The "Dark Souls" series evolved yet again with "Dark Souls 3," offering adventurers the chance to die over and over again in the Kingdom of Lothric as they explore every nook and cranny and face off against horrifying creatures. Most of the series staples are back, complete with bonfires, a variety of weapons to master, and dodge-rolling to avoid certain doom. 

The grotesque beauty of the world looks even better on the PlayStation 4, and we know you'll spend hours praising the sun and avoiding trolls online who only want to bring death and destruction to your world. You might get frustrated every now and then if you get stuck dying to the same enemy, but the satisfaction you feel once you've conquered a difficult foe is unmatched.

Metascore: Critics – 89/100, Users – 8.8/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Lords of the Fallen," "Bloodborne"

"Transistor" is from the creators of "Bastion," and just as with "Bastion," the audio is everything in this game. The music is absolutely gorgeous, moody and thrilling all at once, setting the tone for every fight and every cutscene. The noir vibes are augmented by the visuals, calling to mind a futuristic city that's seen better days. 

As Red, you use the Transistor, a sword that speaks with the voice of a dead man, to fight back against enemies that belong to the Process. You have the ability to stop time and queue up your actions so combat's silky smooth, assuming you know the proper attacks for different enemy types. You can spend hours getting lost in the story, and if you don't find yourself bobbing your head along to the music at least once, we'll eat a physical copy of the game.

Metascore: Critics – 83/100, Users – 8.1/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Bastion," "Child of Light"

Have you ever played a PC game that was ported to a console only to find that the console version was superior? Yeah, that's what you'll get with "Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition" for PlayStation 4. Blizzard Entertainment's addictive dungeon-crawler found its perfect home on consoles once more with the "Ultimate Evil Edition," packaging both the core game and the "Reaper of Souls" expansion together in one handy bundle. 

It may sound like blasphemy, but the hacking and slashing seems better suited to a controller and the multiplayer action just feels right on the PlayStation 4. It doesn't matter if you play a Barbarian, a Crusader, or a Wizard—you'll probably roll all sorts of characters just so you can keep playing.

Metascore: Critics – 90/100, Users 7.8/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Titan Quest," "Gauntlet: Slayer Edition"

"Life is Strange" gives you the chance to step into the sensible shoes of a teenager named Max as she uncovers the mystery of a missing girl while trying to figure out why she saw a vision of her town being destroyed by a storm. Oh, she also obtains the power to rewind time so she can relive events to achieve different outcomes. Set to a catchy indie-pop soundtrack, each episode of "Life is Strange" makes you feel like you're living out a TV show, complete with cliffhangers. 

The narrative isn't always the most lighthearted, so your emotions are definitely going to experience some turbulence with this game. With that said, it's an incredibly rewarding experience that really explores the power of choice and how we deal with circumstances. Few adventure games reach this level of sophistication.

Metascore: Critics – 85/100, Users – 8.6/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Telltale's The Walking Dead," "The Wolf Among Us"

"Inside" is Playdead's followup to the eerie yet beautiful "Limbo." With "Inside," the devs managed to catch lightning in a bottle again, presenting us with a beautiful puzzle-platformer that looks like it could have been an animated feature film. There's a quiet beauty in "Inside," letting you experience a haunting desolation with every frame through the eyes of the young protagonist, a red-shirted boy. You'll feel like you're playing through an art piece that belongs in a museum rather than a 2D platformer. 

As with the aforementioned "Dark Souls 3," you're probably going to die a lot, but you shouldn't let that stop you from trying to figure out how to conquer the game's puzzles and experiencing more of this surreal world. It doesn't take long to beat the game, but you'll probably keep coming back, especially since there's an alternate ending.

Metascore: Critics – 93/100, Users – 8.3/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "The Swapper," "Limbo"

Do you like Metroidvania games? Then you're going to love "Axiom Verge." In this fun and frenetic side-scrolling adventure, you take on the role of Trace, a scientist who awakens on an alien world after a laboratory accident. As Trace, you'll explore the alien world of Sudra and use a variety of strange weapons to fight off enemies and destroy fantastic bosses. 

This game begs to be completed, as there's a different ending players can attain with a high completion rate. You must be sure to play through everything to really appreciate "Axiom Verge" in all of its 8-bit-styled glory.

Metascore: Critics – 84/100, Users – 7.8/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Castlevania: Symphony of the Night," "Super Metroid"

"Yakuza 0" is a prequel to the entire "Yakuza"/"Like A Dragon" series, and it also happens to be one of best open-world games available for the PlayStation 4. You can dive into the seedy underbelly of the Japanese gangster world as you uncover plots and build up side businesses to bolster your rise to power. 

You can play as Kiryu and Majima, both of whom have different playstyles that change how you approach combat. You'll probably be engrossed in the story as much as the spectacular open-world gameplay, but we'd advise against getting any yakuza tattoos after playing (at least for the first playthrough).

Metascore: Critics – 85/100, Users 8.8/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Saints Row: The Third," "Grand Theft Auto 4"

This isn't your daddy's "God of War." Oh, sure, Sony Santa Monica's soft reboot of one of PlayStation's flagship franchises is still full of bloody battles to conquer, awe-inspiring spectacles, and deities to slay. But this time around, Kratos is more than a rage-fueled berserker who indulges in his every orgy-tastic whim. This Kratos has soul.

Instead of a vengeful mission to to dethrone the gods (Norse this time, not Greek), in God of War, Kratos — with help from his son, Atreus — simply wants to put his late wife's ashes to rest. The ensuing journey is full of action, not to mention some of the most visually impressive scenes a video game console has ever produced (thanks in large part to the game's "single shot" camera style), but it's not just a slaughterfest. It's got heart, and that's more than enough to make it one of the best franchise relaunches ever made.

Metascore: Critics – 94/100, Users – 9.1/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Tomb Raider (2013)," "The Last of Us," "Dark Souls"

Japanese role-playing games have never looked this good. Like its predecessors, "Persona 5" puts you in charge of high school kid (this time, in modern Tokyo), tasking you with juggling your student life during the day and sending you into the Metaverse to kill monsters at night. Before long, you'll be incredibly invested who to befriend (and who to ignore), as well as real-life obstacles like school exams. That stuff is almost as compelling as surviving the game's surreal, sprawling dungeons. Both halves of the game are great, but not what makes "Persona 5" so special. 

See, on top of everything else, "Persona 5" has more style than the very best heist movies, with a catchy jazz soundtrack and bright pop aesthetics. Even the menus are fun to look at. "Persona 5" is like "Final Fantasy" crossed with "Ocean's 11," and while you'll need 100 hours or so to finish it, you'll enjoy every second, guaranteed.

Metascore: Critics – 93/100, Users 8.9/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster," "Tales of Berseria"

With "Monster Hunter: World," the "Monster Hunter" franchise has become the global phenomenon it was always meant to be. It's about time. While the series has been a chart-topper in Japan for years, "Monster Hunter: World" is the first game in the franchise to really take off in the Western world. Play it, and you'll see why. 

Experimenting until you find the right weapon (you've got 14 to choose from), venturing out into the wilds to kill some beasties, and ransacking their remains for the parts you need never gets old. Even better, this time around, Capcom managed to make "Monster Hunter" mythology accessible to newcomers without sacrificing the series' complexity. Whether you're playing "Monster Hunter: World" by yourself or with friends — both are viable options — you'll find the game's kill-loot-craft and repeat gameplay loop addictive in all the right ways. If you're looking for a new obsession, your search is over. "Monster Hunter: World" is it.

Metascore: Critics – 90/100, Users – 7.8/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "God Eater 2," "Horizon: Zero Dawn"

The PlayStation 4 is a great device for revisiting old favorites, including "Shadow of the Colossus." 2018's remake isn't just a reskinned version of the original game, however. For the PS4 remake, Bluepoint Games rebuilt "Shadow of the Colossus" from the ground up. That means you'll get crisper graphics, some UI tweaks, and a few other quality-of-life improvements.

Little else has changed — for better or worse, Bluepoint even recreated the original release's flaws, including its wonky camera system and clunky controls. That's an interesting, deliberate choice, and while it might make the game a little rough around the edges, it ensures that the remake feels almost exactly like the original. That means that "Shadow of the Colossus" is still an epic fantasy adventure, a series of awe-inspiring boss fights, and a reflective meditation on exploration and video game violence. If you haven't played it before, now you really have no excuse. If you have? Play it again. Trust us, it's worth a second shot.

Metascore: Critics – 91/100, Users – 7.8/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "The Last Guardian," "Ico"

"Grand Theft Auto 5" might've made its debut on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, but the PS4 re-release was a quantum leap forward. Not only did it allow Rockstar to update the graphics and roll out more "GTA Online" content, but the addition of a first-person mode radically changed the "GTA 5" experience, making the city of Los Santos more immersive than ever before.

Still, those are just perks. These days, the main appeal of "GTA 5" is its constantly evolving multiplayer mode, which remains one of the most popular games on the planet. The PS4 edition of the game inarguably put "GTA 5" on the map, and it's still the preferred version for many players.

Metascore: Critics – 97/100, Users – 8.5/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Saints Row 4," "Grand Theft Auto 4"

Spoiler alert: Despite analysts' predictions, virtual reality has yet to conquer the world. In fact, it's hard to see Sony's PlayStation VR releases as anything more than an expensive (albeit cool) novelty. Still, while "Moss" may not be the killer app that brings virtual reality to every living room in America, this short adventure title makes a great case for the technology.

In "Moss," you'll use your VR headset to help a sword-wielding mouse named Quill save her uncle from a fire-breathing snake. Clear paths by swiping objects out of the way. Find secrets by physically peeking around corners and other obstacles. Along the way, you'll also bond with the game's itty-bitty hero, and by the end of the game, you'll do practically anything for her.

Metascore: Critics – 85/100, Users – 8.5/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons," "Lucky's Tale," "Tunic"

Despite all the technical advances that gaming has made since "Super Mario Bros." first arrived on the scene, there's still nothing quite the same as a well-made 2D platformer, and if you're hankering for some good old-fashioned running and jumping, "Celeste" will be a treat from beginning to end — if you have the patience to see it through to its conclusion. Madeline's quest to climb Celeste Mountain gets very tricky very fast, requiring quick reactions and pixel-perfect precision. 

It's hard and yet oddly gentle. When you die — and you will die many times — "Celeste" doesn't punish you, making it easy to jump back in and try again (and again, and again). It offers up encouraging bon mots as you play. It is, in many ways, the best of both worlds: a sadistically rough platformer that feels, somehow, like it's on your side. Mix in some flawlessly responsive controls, tons of secrets to unlock, and modest and charming pixel art graphics, and you've got one of the best platformers to come along in years. "Celeste" looks simple, but don't pass it up. It's just as good as any AAA blockbuster on the market.

Metascore: Critics – 91/100, Users – 8.7/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Super Meat Boy," "Shovel Knight," "Rayman Legends"

"Helldivers 2" is a third-person multiplayer shooter that took the world by storm in early 2024. Set in a war-torn sci-fi world, players control the soldiers fighting for humanity, called Helldivers, who struggle to combat various alien threats. Helldivers can team up with allies and complete missions in order to unlock new equipment and slowly push back the encroaching aliens. Following the original "Helldivers," expectations were a bit high for this release. "Helldivers 2" surpassed all of those hopes with its addictive gameplay, wicked sense of humor, and constant updates to the game's messed-up war.

Discovering unique aliens and robotic assailants and finding their specific weaknesses is one of the most exciting parts of playing "Helldivers 2," especially if you have a dedicated squad with you. The game has encountered some controversy, thanks to Sony insisting that players sign up for a PlayStation Network account to play (and alienating roughly 90% of its player base), but many fans have continued to enjoy the experience that "Helldivers 2" brings.

Metascore: Critics – 82/100, Users – 7.2/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Warhammer 40,000: Darktide," "Deep Rock Galactic"

"The Last of Us" is considered to be one of the best gaming experiences of all time — one that ends on a devastating and controversial cliffhanger. After that game's massive success, fans were ravenous for a continuation of the beloved story. In 2020, the world was finally given just that with "The Last of Us Part 2." Picking up years after the events of "The Last of Us," "Part 2" follows Ellie, now on a journey of revenge against a new antagonist, Abby, as well as her allies. What unfolds is a complex tale of loss and revenge, culminating in a beautiful meditation on forgiveness and grief. As for gameplay, the two games play largely the same, though "Part 2" makes some much needed improvements with dodging, stealth, and crafting.

You may notice that the critic and user scores are add odds here. While some fans were a bit disappointed with some of the story decisions made in "The Last of Us Part 2," many were glad to see the developers take a risk with the sequel's emotional storytelling. We still won't spoil those heartbreaking twists all this time later, so do yourself a favor and pick this one up to learn how Ellie and Joel's world evolves.

Metascore: Critics – 93/100, Users – 5.8/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Uncharted 4," "God of War"

To put it simply, the original "Final Fantasy 7" is still considered to be one of the best and most ambitious games of all time, reaching a legendary status in gaming history. Despite this, since the game is from the 1990s, it can feel a bit dated at times, utilizing outdated systems and slower gameplay than modern fans are used to. It was only a matter of time before the game would receive a remake, which eventually arrived in the form of "Final Fantasy 7 Remake" in 2020. This retelling of the classic story completely overhauls the gameplay and design of the game, opting for sleeker action-based RPG combat. Additionally, while the remake still tells the tale of Cloud and his battle against Shinra, it takes more time to develop characters and expand on the lore of the "Final Fantasy 7" universe.

Overall, with these adjustments, the remake may be the best way to experience "Final Fantasy 7." With the extra character development and better gameplay, the new RPG feels like what "FF7" could have been if it had modern hardware when it was originally released. The new timeline takes the story in some very surprising directions, so fans of the original do not want to miss out on the latest chapters. 

Metascore: Critics – 87/100, Users – 8.2/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Final Fantasy 15," "NieR: Automata," "Tales of Arise"

"Ghost of Tsushima" is a beautiful open-world adventure that delves into the realm of Japanese historical fiction. Players take control of a wandering samurai named Jin Sakai and journey through a virtual version of the real-life island of Tsushima during the first Mongol invasion of Japan. "Ghost of Tsushima" took inspiration from games like "Shadow of the Colossus" and classic samurai movies, which helped create the gorgeous environment and sleek, stylish combat that make the game a masterpiece. The fast yet strategic swordplay is especially addictive and makes for one of the cleanest combat experiences in recent years. The world of Tsushima and the combat therein (including thrilling camp raids) are all perfectly tied together with an excellent story.

For many fans, "Ghost of Tsushima" has carved out a very strong historical niche in the gaming industry. Despite the modern generation of gaming being arguably a bit over-saturated with open-world experiences, "Ghost of Tsushima" manages to stand out from the crowd. For many, "Ghost of Tsushima" almost feels like a work of art in the form of a video game.

Metascore: Critics – 83/100, Users – 9.2/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice," "The Witcher 3"

Upon release, "Red Dead Redemption 2" was almost an instant success. Acting as a prequel to Rockstar Games' original "Red Dead Redemption," "RDR2" takes every element of the original and improves on them, all while adding new wrinkles of its own. This newest game follows the story of Arthur Morgan and his exploits with the Van der Linde gang as they navigate the wild American west. The gameplay is extremely similar to many of Rockstar's other games, with players often taking part in cover-based third-person shooter segments and chasing down bounties to raise cash.

"Red Dead 2" had big shoes to fill, facing not only comparison to the original entry but to the "GTA" series as well. However, thanks to an expansive map filled with secrets and dazzling gunplay, Rockstar's western adventure is a fun open world that any player can really lose themselves in. On top of this, the entire game is tied together with a surprisingly emotional story that is sure to leave most fans of the original in tears. For fans of westerns and crime dramas, "Red Dead Redemption 2" is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

Metascore: Critics – 97/100, Users – 8.8/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Grand Theft Auto 5," "Cyberpunk 2077"

Superhero games have largely been hit-or-miss. Some are atmospheric, dead-on adaptations — like the "Batman: Arkham" franchise — to rushed cash grabs, like most movie tie-in games. Luckily, "Marvel's Spider-Man" from Insomniac Games falls into the former category, giving us one of the most faithful translations the wallcrawling hero has ever gotten outside of comics. Putting players into the shoes of everyone's favorite web-slinger, "Spider-Man" allows players to explore a beautiful open world map, leaping rooftop-to-rooftop and swinging through the skyline. The movement controls amazingly well and feels very fluid, making the city a joy to explore. Combat is equally as intuitive, taking some cues from the aforementioned "Batman" games and showing off the acrobatic fighting that Spider-Man is known for.

"Spider-Man" takes place 8 years into the titular character's superhero career, following Peter Parker as he juggles both his social and hero life and faces classic threats like Doctor Octopus and Kingpin. It's one of the most true-to-form comic book games ever made, and makes players really feel like they're Spider-Man. Even when you're not punching your way through the story, there's nothing more relaxing than simply swinging around New York and helping people in need, just like Spider-Man would want.

Metascore: Critics – 87/100, Users – 8.7/10

Play this if you enjoyed: "Batman: Arkham City," "Infamous: Second Son"