Top 7 PS4 games you should be playing

PS4 titles carved out a distinctive era in console gaming, and many of those standouts still reward a fresh playthrough. The seven games below represent key moments in Sony’s lineup, blending story focus, mechanical ambition, and lasting replay value. Whether you’re revisiting them on original hardware or exploring them through current options, these entries continue to define the platform’s identity.

God of War

Kratos is back with his son Atreus in this reimagining of a classic series. After taking revenge on the gods who wronged him, Kratos lives in peace – that is, until his wife dies and he is approached by a man with mysterious powers. When they seemingly kill him, they move on to spread his wife’s ashes across the Lake of the Nine. This is where things get wild. Gods from all reaches of mythology try to stop Kratos on his journey. The introduction of a second protagonist and gameplay make this a great way to reinvent the series. The 2018 entry has sold over 23 million copies and remains one of the most acclaimed action games of its generation. The Greek trilogy remake now in early development adds another layer of interest for fans tracking the franchise’s next steps.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Set in the distant future, in this game humans live scattered across the planet. With a tribal way of living, humans are useless against the mechanical monsters, known as machines to the humans, who now run the Earth. The machines coexist with humans, but humans often hunt them for parts. Suddenly, however, the machines become crazy in an event known as the Derangement, and machines begin acting aggressively against humans. Larger machines come out to attack so the hunters who used to look for parts now look to survive. It’s a game you cannot miss on the PS4. A remastered version released October 31, 2024 on PS5 and PC brings updated visuals and performance enhancements to the original experience.

Spider-Man

Who doesn’t love a great game where you can sling webs and fight iconic bad guys? Peter Parker in this game is a 23-year-old research assistant protecting New York. Unfortunately, it gets harder each year to balance crime fighting and personal lives. Mary Jane Watson, his ex-girlfriend, helps him track down crime to battle, but suddenly a slew of bad guys start working together to take Spidey down. Even his mentor and boss, Dr. Otto, is showing signs of turning. As Norman Osborne runs for mayor and others come out of the woodwork, it is up to Parker to fight for what’s right.

Bloodborne

The team behind Dark Souls created this iconic PS4 title you must play. As The Hunter, you become a fighter with an origin that dictates your attributes and fighting style. As you create your player, you can make him look however you’d like, and eventually, join a brotherhood to fight against the evil in the world of Yharnam. No official PS5 patch or PC port has appeared as of 2026, yet community efforts have expanded access. PC emulation via shadPS4 supports 60 FPS and higher resolutions for players seeking those improvements.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

A fitting conclusion to the action-packed Uncharted series, A Thief's End is a great way to tie together years of fighting alongside Nathan Drake. These games are like watching a movie that you can participate in, and with so much to see and do, this fourth entry was an instant classic that must be played by all. If you haven’t played the first three installments, a Nathan Drake collection exists for newcomers. The game is included in the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection on PS5, providing another route for players who want the experience on current hardware.

Persona 5

The sheer amount to do in this game makes it worth playing, and it remains accessible through sales and subscription services. This JRPG is a classic and inviting enough for new players who have never entered the world of Persona. Joker is a character for the history books, with so many interesting quips and powers. The game is a hit worldwide, and playable now for all with a PS4. Persona 5 Royal joined the PlayStation Plus catalog in March 2026, lowering the barrier for anyone who wants to experience the expanded edition.

Shadow of the Colossus

In this remake of the PS2 classic, the main character is thrust into a fantasy land known only as the Forbidden Land. A mountain range shuts the player in, and ancient structures and monsters come to life. This platformer action game is massively underrated and its remaster came with some bugs that are now fully fixed. The remaster bugs were addressed post-launch, leaving the game in a stable state for players returning to its atmospheric world.

Playing PS4 Games on PS5

Backward compatibility gives PS4 owners a direct path forward. The overwhelming majority of PS4 games run on PS5 through native hardware support. Many titles also receive performance boosts, including higher frame rates and faster load times, without any developer patches required. This setup lets players revisit older libraries while enjoying modern hardware advantages.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

The 2024 remaster brings the original game to new audiences and gives longtime fans an updated way to experience its world. Released October 31, 2024 on PS5 and PC, the version includes technological improvements and visual enhancements that refresh the mechanical creatures and environments. Players who missed the title on PS4 can now approach it with current visuals and performance.

Bloodborne Emulation and Accessibility

While official updates for Bloodborne have stayed quiet, community tools have opened new options. The shadPS4 emulator enables 60 FPS and higher resolutions on PC in 2026. No official PS5 patch or PC port is available, yet the emulation route has become a practical choice for players who want to experience the game outside its original hardware constraints.

God of War Franchise Updates

The 2018 God of War entry sits at the center of an ongoing franchise conversation. With over 23 million copies sold, the game’s reception continues to influence expectations for future entries. The Greek trilogy remake confirmed in early development as of February 2026 adds another reason to revisit the 2018 title and consider how its narrative foundations might translate into new projects.

These seven games still sit near the top of most 2026 recommendation lists for PS4-era experiences. PS5 backward compatibility for most PS4 titles means the library remains reachable without extra setup. The combination of strong writing, inventive systems, and distinctive worlds keeps these entries relevant long after their original releases.