Best PlayStation 4 Exclusive Games

More and more people might be getting the PS5 already, but it doesn’t mean that the PS4 isn’t a gaming console that could satisfy a gamer’s needs anymore. In fact, the PS4 might be the perfect option for those with a tight budget since its price has become even more affordable. 

One of the reasons Play Station is winning in the console race is the exclusives. While some exclusive titles later get released on PC, Xbox, or Nintendo, players are bound to watch the fantastic gameplay on YouTube. But does it all really come down to the games? If you’re wondering whether the Play Station 4 is worth your investment, read on to find it out.

In this guide, we’ll share the best Play Station 4 exclusives that were released over the years. We strived to include titles for gamers of all ages and preferences, from post-apocalyptic survivals to adorable cartoonish platformers. Whether you already own a Play Station 4 or are only considering it, we hope you’ll have fun reading our brief reviews.

Initially, a PS4 exclusive released back in 2018, God of War is currently available on PC and comes for free with the new PS5. The game involves blood and gore, violence, and strong language, so it’s rated M for mature audiences. That’s precisely what God of War is beloved for – staggeringly gruesome fights in mesmerizingly beautiful surroundings.

The first game was released in 2005. Its mythology-inspired storyline narrates the story of Kratos, a Spartan warrior who, the God of War Ares, deceived to kill his own family. This event leads to Kratos following a path of vengeance throughout the next nine games, fighting new Gods-enemies on the way. Unlike the first-era games, whose settings were based in Greece, the new God of War shows us fascinating ancient Norway.

Kratos is still wandering the world with his son Atreus who’s determined to earn his father’s respect. Kratos must not only survive but teach his son to fight and not repeat the mistakes of the Ghost of Sparta (2010). However, unlike previous games of this series, the God of War 2018 introduces much grimmer and more threatening monsters, Gods, and sceneries. Apart from a new setting, the game offers players new weapons and combat styles.

Pros

• New weapons and combat styles
• A completely new setting
• Excellent, very defined graphics
• Free for PS5 owners and affordable for PS4

Cons

• The main storyline doesn’t stand out among other games of the series
• May be too gory for some players

Ratchet & Clank is a mix of action platformer and third-person shooter released in 2016 as a PS4 exclusive. Beforehand, the series consisted of five games, with the first one released back in 2002. It’s a widely known, popular franchise that brings nostalgia to many grown-ups today.

The game’s setting is a science fiction-inspired world serving as an adventure ground for the main characters. Ratchet is a feline humanoid working as a mechanic, and Clank is a small defective robot following him. The best things about the series are the over-the-top, fun weapons and gadgets, unique locations, and characters.

The game has a very distinct look and feel. The 2016 game brings a deeper storyline, new Clank gameplay, and even more action. Furthermore, Ratchet & Clank’s animated movie came out the same year and shares voice actors with the game. The overall cartoonish style and atmosphere remain unchanged, though.

Pros

• Positive atmosphere
• More interesting storyline than in previous games of the series
• New Clank gameplay and flight sequences
• Unique gadgets and weapons

Cons

• Cartoonish style may not be appreciated by adult players who’ve never played the original game

After its release in June of 2020, The Last of Us Part ll has received considerable backlash. The reason for such a reaction was the characters, storyline, and, perhaps, a seven-year-long wait. We won’t get into the details to avoid potential spoilers, but the game was criticized for “unnecessary diversity” and the weird reasoning for the main character’s actions.

Regardless of the criticism, The Last of Us Part ll features all the elements fans loved about the original game. Its complex and engaging storyline based on Ellie’s vengeance path and following the previous release’s events may be debatable but fascinating, nonetheless. Ellie will encounter new survivors and new mutations of the infected.

The gameplay is tense like it should be in an action survival game. It involves intense combat, a wide range of weapons with unique perks, crafting items, and advancing skills. The gameplay doesn’t feature tedious, lengthy grinding – The Last of Us Part ll is all about action. Finally, the graphics are on point, presenting realistic, captivating, and dangerous settings, from forests and mountains to the ruins of Seattle.

Pros

• Beautiful dystopian settings
• Deep storyline
• Great combat gameplay
• Constant tension without boring story-fillers

Cons

• Some character actions may seem questionable if you’ve played the original game
• Extreme violence

Ghost of Tsushima is a third-person action-adventure stealth game published in 2020. The story is about a samurai, Jin, whose primary mission is to defeat the Mongols who have destroyed his home and killed his allies. On his vengeance path, Jin learns new fighting techniques, encounters new friends and enemies, and completes a bunch of side quests.

While the game was criticized for its lack of open-world activities, the gameplay is engaging and never boring. The two most notable things about Ghost of Tsushima are the combat physics and the setting. The world is breathtakingly beautiful, with each scene looking like a piece of art. Although the action mostly takes place outside of town, it easily beats Red Dead Redemption 2 with its attention to detail. The movement of grass, the realistic lighting, and the amazing sunsets make this game worth playing, even if it’s just for the scenery. The combat is realistic and skill-based; to some degree, it’s similar to Dark Souls or Bloodborne. The game involves blood, gore, intense violence, and partial nudity; thus, it is rated M.

Pros

• Beautiful locations
• Engaging storyline
• Multiplayer available with PS Plus
• Great combat gameplay

Cons

• Lack of open-world activities
• Extreme violence

Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a 3D platform game that requires a VR headset. The game is about robot characters that used to live inside a Sony Dual Shock PS controller but got scattered across different worlds. The player’s mission is to take control of one of the remaining robots, Astro Bot, to rescue other robots and bring them back home.

Astro Bot can jump, fight, and hover, all in a three-dimensional view. A fun story, cheerful characters, and unique gameplay have led to the game receiving positive reviews from critics and the public.

Pros

• Suitable for children and grown-ups
• Unique gameplay
• Fun and not overly complicated story
• Positive atmosphere

Cons

• Requires a VR headset
• It is merely a demonstration of VR capabilities than a standalone game

Death Stranding, an action game by Kojima Productions, was introduced in 2019 as a PS4 exclusive. It was also later released for PC. Containing violence, blood, and strong language, this isn’t a kid’s game. The setting is the post-apocalyptic United States, filled with destructive creatures hunting down the remaining citizens.

The main protagonist, a courier, named Sam Porter Bridges, is delivering essential supplies to remote colonies. On the way to completing his work duties, Sam fights the evil creatures and is involved in various adventures. The characters were developed using motion capture technology, starring Norman Reedus and Mads Mikkelsen.

Bleak landscapes may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they are undoubtedly unique and well-made. The game doesn’t revolve around one specific storyline but is a courier simulator set in a post-apocalyptic world with plenty of side quests. There’s no one main objective – instead, you run back and forth trying to save humanity without significantly impacting its fate. It sounds a bit hopeless, but this atmosphere is precisely why Kojima fans love this game. Advanced gadgets and detailed sceneries make up for all the game’s flaws.

Pros

• Detailed, interesting scenery
• Great side quests
• Imaginative gadgets that impact the player’s progress
• Atmosphere

Cons

• A bit slow and inconsistent storyline

Gran Turismo Sport was released in 2017. It remains a PS4 exclusive to this day. It’s a racing game that can be played alone or online, with or without a VR headset. Like most racing games, Gran Turismo Sport is suitable for gamers of all ages and doesn’t revolve around a specific storyline. It focuses on cool cars, beautiful views, and driving physics, which we can’t complain about as these objectives are on point.

What makes Gran Turismo Sport different from other racing games such as Forza or Need for Speed? The core distinction of this game is its enhanced realism. It isn’t a racing arcade but rather a driving simulator. Every vehicle feels very distinct. You can truly feel the difference in brake quality, tire wear, and motors. Gran Turismo is a game for those who prefer to manage every tiny detail for driving rather than simply collecting expensive vehicles in fancy colors.

While simulators aren’t always fun, Gran Turismo is anything but boring. With the multiplayer mode, you can join other races or go for a relaxing drive with friends and explore amazing new locations. The catalog has plenty to choose from, with over 400 vehicles from 51 manufacturers. Imagine the tuning possibilities – the options are endless.

Pros

• Wide range of vehicles
• Realistic driving
• Possibility of driving micromanagement
• Online or offline
• Beautiful sceneries

Cons

• No plot
• Players who prefer arcade racing games may quickly become bored

Yakuza is a famous game series that was first released back in 2005. Since then, it’s gained a large fan base. The sixth part was introduced for PS4 in 2016 for the Japanese market and in 2018 worldwide. This isn’t a game for anyone.

Players unfamiliar with other Yakuza series games may not understand the plot unless they decide to read the synopsis of all previous games. However, it’s a worthy sequel that features the same open-world adventures mixed with arcade-style combat. Sometimes silly and hilarious, Yakuza 6 also feels dramatic, introducing an engaging plot and relatable characters – even if you aren’t a mafia member.

It’s because the main protagonist’s actions are well-reasoned and always align with his personality. Unlike previous games in the series, Yakuza 6 only features one playable character, Kiryu, and one fighting style. However, the game introduces a new setting, the city of Onomichi.

Pros

• Engaging and thought-through storyline
• Lovable characters
• Good blend of drama and comedy
• Detailed world

Cons

• May be confusing to players unfamiliar with previous Yakuza games
• Only one combat style and playable character as opposed to other games of the series

Horizon Zero Dawn was released in 2017 and introduced a completely new, extraordinary post-apocalyptic world overrun by machines. The protagonist is a young hunter named Aloy who follows an adventure path to discover her past. This simple premise follows nearly all rules of an epic literary, and the plot is well thought out and engaging.

This game has it all: striking, detailed open-world scenery, plenty of side quests, and different gameplay options. You can fight enemies using a wide range of weapons and combat styles or complete the whole game relying solely on stealth. The skill tree enables you to progress in essential characteristics and receive unique perks.

While Horizon Zero Dawn may sound like a perfect game, the dialogue and melee combat received some criticism. The game may also sometimes seem like a mashup of other popular titles, like Far Cry’s setting and The Witcher’s storyline. Nonetheless, Guerrilla Games developers blended the best aspects from other franchises into a new and engaging game.

Pros

• Amazing open world
• Great plot
• Suitable for grown-ups and teens
• Different gameplay and skill development options

Cons

• Dialogue isn’t the best
• Stealth may be shallow

Who doesn’t know Spider-Man? Spider-Man has starred in many game titles as one of the world’s most famous superheroes. However, the 2018 Marvel’s Spider-Man stands out with its high-quality gameplay and can be called one of the best Spidey games ever introduced.

As a game about Spider-Man should, this release features web-swinging through the New York City landscape and fun acrobatic tricks. The game also features a wide range of side quests that will entice most players, including stealth, combat, and movement-based challenges to suit any preference.

The combat is one-of-a-kind, challenging even in standard difficulty settings, and highly diverse. Spidey fights local criminals and villains known from comics, including Rhino, Scorpion, and Kingpin. Although the game offers fantastic scenery and advanced combat, what sets Marvel’s Spider-Man apart is its storyline. The reimagined character’s origin plot and familiar characters in new original roles are reasons enough to put this on your “must-play” list.

Pros

• New Spider-Man origin story
• Beautiful graphics of the city
• Advanced combat
• Diverse side quests
• Fun swinging through the city and acrobatics

Cons

• Collectibles bring nearly no rewards