As the gaming landscape becomes more competitive each day, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo vie for the attention of fans by enticing them with free games, innovative features, and impressive hardware. Though each funds the development of exclusive software for their respective platforms, Sony has managed to consistently deliver critical and commercial hits for the PS4 nearly every year since its debut in 2013. The following are the best PS4 exclusives that can be played on the console right now.
Best PS4 Exclusives | Bloodborne
From Software’s terrifying action RPG Bloodborne melds the gameplay fundamentals of the Souls series with an aesthetic inspired by H. P. Lovecraft. Players must navigate through Yharnam in order to wipe out a mysterious blood-borne disease infecting most of the city’s inhabitants. Shocking secrets can be discovered along the way should fans be lucky enough to survive against the bestial townsfolk that lie at every corner.
The game’s meticulously designed bosses are just as challenging as one might expect and manage to evoke some of the aforementioned author’s most imaginative creatures. It’s no wonder why PS4 players have demanded a sequel to the title since its release in 2015, as many regard it as the all-time best exclusive one can play on the console.
Best PS4 Exclusives | God of War
God of War is the highest-rated PS4 exclusive on Metacritic for good reason. It acts as both a sequel and a reimagining of the franchise, with protagonist Kratos embarking on a journey through Norse mythology with his son, Atreus. As the pair attempt to spread the latter’s mother’s ashes atop the highest peak of the realm, they’ll encounter gods and creatures native to the vast world of Midgard. These dragons, Valkyries, elves, and trolls test players in ways that they may not expect given the series’ heavy emphasis on hack and slash gameplay up until this point.
The game is incredibly cinematic, as it utilizes a one-shot camera that seamlessly transitions into cutscenes. Sony’s Santa Monica Studio managed to reinvigorate an aging franchise without ignoring its legacy, which is no easy feat to accomplish in the entertainment industry. God of War sold over five million copies in just its first month on the market, so there’s reason to believe that the developer is working on a sequel for the next generation of consoles.
Best PS4 Exclusives | Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Nathan Drake’s story comes to an emotional close in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. It sees the retired treasure hunter venture out on one last expedition with his estranged brother Sam and his former partner Victor Sullivan. In between dodging highway explosions and exploring semi-open world environments, the party uncovers shocking secrets surrounding English pirate Henry Avery’s lost treasure.
At the same time, Nate has to manage his responsibility to his wife, Elena Fisher, whom he had promised to never put himself in harm’s way ever again. Uncharted 4 is about family and the sacrifices we make for those we love which is emphasized in its beautiful, unforgettable conclusion. Though it’s sad to see Nathan go, Naughty Dog couldn’t have come up with a better swansong for this charming PlayStation mascot.
Best PS4 Exclusives | Marvel’s Spider-Man
Marvel’s Spider-Man is lauded as one of the best superhero games ever created. It stars everyone’s favorite web-slinger as he attempts to foil Mr. Negative’s plans to unleash a lethal virus across Manhattan. While Spidey is taking down foes like Kingpin, Shocker, Rhino, and more, he must also learn to handle his feelings for Mary Jane and take good care of his Aunt May. This dichotomy wonderfully shows the balance between Spidey and Peter Parker’s unique responsibilities and is shown throughout the story and gameplay.
Spider-Man presents fans with satisfying navigation mechanics that feel smooth and natural. Running up the Empire State Building or swinging up to the Avengers Tower never felt so good in a video game starring Mr. Parker. There’s a good chance that Insomniac Games is already working on a sequel, seeing as this title sold over 9 million copies only four months after its debut.
Best PS4 Exclusives | Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn is Guerrilla Games’ first new intellectual property since 2005’s Killzone. It introduces PS4 fans to a charming young huntress named Aloy, the likes of which is tasked with uncovering the secrets of her world’s past in order to protect human civilization from a new robotic threat. Players are given expansive post-apocalyptic environments to explore that vary from snow-capped mountains to dense jungles. Different types of machine “species” inhabit these lands, and their behaviors evoke some of Earth’s modern and prehistoric beasts.
Encountering these mechanical creatures entices fans to delve deeper into the game’s plot to discover their origins. Some of these automatons, like the formidable Thunderjaw, the burrowing Rockbreaker, and the persistent Stormbird, are fascinating on their own. It’s a surprise that Guerrilla Games didn’t make Horizon sooner, as it’s hard to imagine the PlayStation ecosystem today without this franchise’s influence. Here’s hoping the developer has more plans for Aloy in the future.
Best PS4 Exclusives | Until Dawn
Supermassive Games’ Until Dawn plays on teen horror movie tropes while introducing PS4 fans to a unique gameplay mechanic called the Butterfly Effect. As users try their best to survive, they’ll encounter instances that may have unforeseen consequences. For instance, finding a weapon early on may help a character out when he or she is being chased by a madman later in the narrative. This system encourages players to explore the possibilities in subsequent playthroughs and learn about Blackwood Mountain’s mysterious history in the process.
One can’t help but feel like they’re part of the newest Scream or Halloween movie as they play through Until Dawn, moving pieces around each time in order to craft the best possible ending for each of the game’s eight characters. It’s truly a phenomenon that can only be experienced on PS4.
It remains to be seen whether or not Sony Bend’s upcoming exclusive Days Gone will join the software above when it arrives on April 26. No matter how it turns out, fans have a bunch of other first-party studio games to look forward to including The Last of Us Part 2, Ghost of Tsushima, and Dreams. As the PS4 enjoys its last years as Sony’s flagship console, fans should be curious to find out what studios like Guerrilla Games, Santa Monica Studio, Insomniac, and more have in store for the company’s next generation of hardware. If this list serves any indication, the future looks bright.
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