Games Top 10 PS4 Picks: Must-Play Classics and Hidden Gems for Every Gamer

The PlayStation 4 has been around for over a decade, but it’s still packed with games worth playing. Whether you’re new to the system or just looking for something different, there are a ton of great choices—some are blockbusters, while others flew under the radar. This list of games top 10 PS4 picks includes both the classics everyone talks about and some lesser-known gems that deserve your time. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your shelf, not sure what to play next, this list should help you out.

Key Takeaways

• The PS4 library is huge, with both big hits and hidden surprises.
• You’ll find something for every mood—action, adventure, horror, and even party games.
• Some games stand out for their story, while others are all about the gameplay.
• Not every great game is a best-seller; some of the most fun titles are the ones people miss.
• It’s never too late to try something new, even on an older console.

1. Bloodborne

If you ever wondered what it’d be like to roam the foggy, sinister streets of a city that’s crawling with monsters and secrets, Bloodborne has you covered. FromSoftware pulled out all the stops, shifting from their usual medieval fantasy to full-on gothic nightmare. You play as a Hunter, freshly arrived in Yharnam, hoping for a cure to a strange sickness. Things take a sharp left turn pretty fast, and suddenly you’re knee-deep in terrifying creatures and one of the oddest (and most engrossing) stories on the PS4.

What really sets Bloodborne apart isn’t just its Lovecraftian horror vibe. The game keeps you on your toes with fast, aggressive combat. Forget hiding behind a shield all day—here, you heal by attacking right after you take damage, which only makes the boss fights more intense. And let’s talk about those trick weapons: they swap forms with a button press, so one second you’re swinging a cane, the next you’ve got a whip. It never gets old.

A huge part of what keeps players coming back for seconds (or even thirds) are:

• The intricate level layouts that wrap back on themselves, rewarding exploration.
• Cryptic, creepy lore hidden in item descriptions and environmental details.
• Some of the wildest monster and boss designs you’ll ever face.

It can be tough—no doubt about it. But honestly, a little persistence pays off big time. Whether you’re a Souls veteran or brand new, Bloodborne is a must-play for anyone looking to see what the PS4 can do with atmosphere and challenge.

2. Marvel’s Spider-Man

It’s wild, but I never thought a superhero game would pull me in the way Marvel’s Spider-Man did. What really makes this game stand out is how it captures the feeling of swinging through New York City—effortless, thrilling, almost like you’re Peter Parker himself. This isn’t some basic introduction to Spider-Man, either. Peter has been at it for eight years, so there’s none of that amateur-hour web-slinging. He’s a hero who’s seen some stuff and still tries to balance a job, friends, and, you know, crime-fighting.

These are some of the things that make Marvel’s Spider-Man a top PS4 pick:

• You get a huge, open-world Manhattan with tons to do. Random street crimes pop up all the time, so you’re always on your toes.
• The story doesn’t just toss in villains for fun. Mr. Negative and the Sinister Six actually make things complicated for both Spidey and Peter.
• There are challenges and collectibles all over the city. You’ll have plenty to keep you busy between main missions.

The combat deserves its own shout-out. It mixes old-school beat ‘em up vibes with enough gadget tricks and web abilities to keep things interesting. If you love swinging high above city traffic, the movement blows most open-world games right out of the water.

Here’s a table with some quick details if you’re curious:

What really gets me, and plenty of other folks, is that the city feels alive. Even just cruising for side quests keeps you hooked for hours—and you can rescue random people too. So if you’re looking for one game to grab for your PS4, letting Spider-Man loose in Manhattan pretty much nails it. Plus, for lots of folks on laptops or lower-powered systems, there are some surprising top games for laptops that offer a different kind of superhero fun.

3. Shadow of the Colossus

Shadow of the Colossus isn’t your ordinary action game: it’s quiet, a bit lonely, and somehow full of heart. Players step into the world as Wander, a young man on a single-minded mission to revive a girl named Mono. The catch? He’s got to defeat 16 massive colossi, each one like a living puzzle, in a land that feels both empty and alive at the same time.

Few games pull you into their worlds the way Shadow of the Colossus does. The quiet ride across wide open fields on your horse, Agro, is almost meditative. Then, out of nowhere, you’re clinging to the fur of a towering beast, adrenaline pounding. What gets me every playthrough is how the only enemies are the colossi themselves—no filler, no small monsters, just you and these giants, and sometimes even that makes the battle feel almost tragic rather than heroic.

If you’re the type who loves games that stick with you long after the credits, this is it. The story is simple but leaves a ton of room for your own thoughts about right and wrong.

Some standout reasons to check it out:

• Each boss fight is a unique puzzle. No two colossi go down the same way, and you really need to study their behavior.
• The almost complete lack of dialogue lets you fill in the emotional blanks, so it feels personal.
• Even with some camera issues and Agro being—you know—an actual horse who doesn’t always listen, the world pulls you back in.

And yes, the PS4 version smooths out a lot of the technical bumps from the original. Plus, it’s wild to see how far gaming has come, like the evolution of portable gaming devices over the years. For anyone who cares about gaming history, Shadow of the Colossus isn’t just a must-play—it’s basically a rite of passage.

4. Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V is that rare game you can keep coming back to, years after release, and there’s still something wild and new to do. Switching between Franklin, Michael, and Trevor isn’t just a gameplay gimmick—it’s the best part of the whole crime-filled story. Los Santos feels alive, with NPCs that actually surprise you sometimes, random events on every corner, and all these crazy ways to pass the time when you’re not on a heist.

If you’re not sure if GTA V is worth playing on the PS4 in 2025, check out this quick overview:

Three things that really stand out about GTA V on PS4:

• Story missions are just bonkers—bank jobs, wild car chases, and scenes that feel ripped straight from a blockbuster movie.
• GTA Online is practically its own separate game, letting you build your own criminal empire or just mess around with friends endlessly.
• There are so many ways to get side-tracked, whether it’s buying outfits, stunt jumping, or just causing mayhem trying to outrun the LSPD.

Plus, if you’re someone who’s planning to transfer saved progress between consoles, it’s really handy to back up your PS4’s hard drive beforehand.

All in all, GTA V is the sort of game you can play your own way, no matter what kind of gamer you are.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain turns the whole series on its head. You wake up after a nine-year coma, missing a limb, shrapnel stuck in your forehead, and everything about your old private army in pieces. It’s not just about revenge, though—you’re rebuilding from scratch, and that’s at the heart of almost every mission. You play as Venom Snake, sneaking through huge, open areas in ’80s Afghanistan and Africa while chasing down the villain Skull Face.

The wildest part is how much freedom you get in how you play. You can storm every base, sneak past enemies without a sound, or do something completely off the wall—fans love the fact that the game rarely punishes you for being creative. If you like experimenting and tinkering with different ideas, this is your game. Just about any plan works, and that keeps things feeling fresh every time you try a mission. As many will agree, it’s just fun pushing the game and seeing what funky solutions you can come up with (player freedom, allowing creative problem-solving).

Here’s what stands out most about Phantom Pain:

• Open-world structure with sandbox-style objectives
• Recruitment and management of your Diamond Dogs private army
• Mix of stealth and action gameplay—your choice, every time

Even if you usually skip cut scenes, the game gives a more down-to-earth, personal story compared to earlier games in the series. Near the end, things get a bit rushed, but the rest is so gripping you might not even care. Whether you want a long-haul stealth adventure or just want to cause chaos and see what happens, MGSV is a real classic for the PlayStation 4.

6. Journey

Journey is one of those games that sticks with you, long after you see the credits. You step into the shoes of a mute, robed figure sliding through endless dunes, always aiming for a shining mountain in the far distance. It seems simple at first, but the moment you bump into another anonymous player, things change. There’s no voice chat, no usernames, nothing to break the quiet spell the game casts. Yet somehow, you end up working together, helping each other fly further and find hidden paths. It’s an odd kind of comfort—knowing someone else is out there with you, just as lost, just as curious.

The magic of Journey is how it brings players together in total silence, making human connection feel powerful without ever spelling anything out. The scarf mechanic—letting you soar if you keep it charged—almost begs for cooperation when you meet those silent companions. No hand-holding here, just quiet moments of teamwork. That’s a pretty rare thing in games.

A few things that make Journey stand out:

• The soundtrack by Austin Wintory, which reacts to everything you do and sets the mood perfectly
• Visual storytelling—no words, just beautiful animation and little environmental cues
• Short playtime (around 2 hours), making it easy to experience in one sitting and perfect for replaying

If you like experiences that have left a real mark on PlayStation fans over the years, Journey deserves a spot on your PS4 list. It’s less about traditional gaming challenge and more about the feeling you’re left with by the end—hope, connection, even a bit of awe. Don’t be surprised if you finish and want to run through the sand again, just to see who you might meet next.

7. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

If you haven’t played Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, let me just say this—it’s not your typical action game, and honestly, it might just test your patience like never before. Crafted by FromSoftware, the team famous for tough games, Sekiro takes what you might know from their other titles and flips it on its head. At its heart, Sekiro is all about mastering precision and timing—every battle feels like a tense standoff. There’s no hiding behind big shields or experimenting with tons of weapons; you can’t create a build to cover up sloppiness. In Sekiro, it’s you, your sword, and your skills versus everything else.

Here’s what makes Sekiro so special on the PS4:

• Focuses on parrying and deflecting instead of traditional block-and-strike combat. If you mess up the timing, you’re toast. If you get it right, you’ll feel like a samurai legend.
• Set in a fictional take on Sengoku-era Japan, it’s grounded in real-world inspiration, but with deadly twists (giant snakes and supernatural bosses, anyone?).
• The game has a bigger focus on movement thanks to the grappling hook, letting you leap, swing, and sneak your way around.

It’s not just about surviving; Sekiro wants you to achieve mastery. That sense of accomplishment after overcoming a brutal boss fight? Pretty unmatched.

For those always looking for the next big leap in gaming, big leaps in technology sometimes start with a new idea like Sekiro’s approach to action.

And be warned: you will fail—a lot. But dust yourself off and try again, because overcoming the impossible is the whole point. If challenge and style draw you in, Sekiro is something you shouldn’t skip on PS4.

8. Overcooked

If you’ve ever wanted to know what it feels like to juggle a dozen things at once in a kitchen—without actually burning your house down—Overcooked is the game you should try. It’s local co-op chaos at its best, where you and up to three friends become chefs scrambling to put dishes together before the orders pile up. The fun here isn’t just in finishing meals, but in the way conversations quickly turn into frantic shouts and laughter as your team tries to avoid disaster.

Here’s what sets Overcooked apart on the PS4:

• Quick rounds that are just long enough for things to go wrong—and even more satisfying when you clean up the chaos.
• Pure couch co-op, so it’s all about working together side-by-side (there’s no online play, which actually makes it kind of special and old-school).
• Each kitchen gets more ridiculous: one minute you’re making soup in a normal restaurant, the next you’re dodging moving trucks or fighting fires in space.

Want to know why Overcooked fits in with the other best party games from the PS4 era? It arrives right after classics from the Xbox 360 closed its chapter as a multiplayer favorite, reminding us how fun it is to shout instructions to your friends on the same couch. If you’re looking for a game that’ll test your friendships—and your ability to chop onions under pressure—Overcooked is a must-play. Don’t be surprised if you end up stuck at level three for an hour, laughing the whole time.

9. Until Dawn

If you get a kick out of horror movies, you’ve probably always wondered what it’d be like to make those big life-or-death decisions for the cast. Until Dawn is basically a playable scary movie, tossing eight teenagers into a night they’ll never forget on the icy slopes of Blackwood Mountain. Every choice you make changes who lives and who becomes a ghost story.

The best part? You can’t just muscle your way through – you have to think fast and try to outsmart whatever’s lurking in the dark. Sometimes, trying to help someone comes back to bite you (hard), and sometimes staying quiet is the best idea you’ll have all night. It’s honestly wild how wildly things can change from playthrough to playthrough.

Some reasons why Until Dawn stands out:

• Brilliant cast – Rami Malek and Hayden Panettiere are here and feel more like people than pixels
• Clever use of branching paths and quick decisions – not just a single ending
• Makes you jump more than once, but it’s not all just mindless scares; there’s a mystery twisting through every chapter

It’s not a long game, but you’ll want to come back just to see how badly (or brilliantly) you can mess things up when you rethink your choices. Horror fans and party gamers both have a lot of fun comparing their crazy stories afterward. Until Dawn is one of those PS4 games you don’t forget, especially if you play it with friends and snacks and the lights out.

10. Valkyria Chronicles Remastered

If you missed Valkyria Chronicles the first time around, the remastered edition for PS4 is worth your time. This game is a solid blend of turn-based strategy and third-person action that’s hard to find anywhere else. The story places you in Europa, a fictional setting inspired by World War II, where you command a quirky squad of soldiers facing wild odds.

What really sets Valkyria Chronicles Remastered apart:

• Unique combat: You get an overhead view to plot moves, but also direct control over units when it’s time to take the shot or run for cover.
• Tactics over twitch: Charging in usually means failure—planning and smart positioning matter way more than aiming skills.
• Distinct art style: The visuals are presented in a hand-drawn, watercolor-like look, which still stands out years later.
• Challenging but fair: The game expects you to think things through, but it’s never random or impossible if you’re paying attention.

It isn’t loaded with new features compared to the original, but the bump to 1080p and 60 fps makes battles smoother to watch and play. The story can sometimes feel uneven, maybe not reaching the emotional punch of other war dramas, as some have pointed out in its story and cast. But when you’re right in the heat of a mission, that stuff fades into the background.

For anyone who enjoys strategy or wants a different kind of war game on the PS4, Valkyria Chronicles Remastered is a quiet classic that deserves a spot on your shelf.

Wrapping Up: Why These PS4 Games Still Matter

So, there you have it—my top 10 PS4 picks, a mix of big names and a few that might’ve slipped under your radar. Whether you’re after something with a deep story, a wild multiplayer session, or just a game that’s plain fun, this list should have you covered. The PS4 has been around for a while now, but it’s still packed with games that are worth your time, even as new consoles take the spotlight. If you’re looking for something new to play or just want to revisit some old favorites, give these titles a shot. You might end up finding a new favorite, or at least a good reason to dust off your controller again. Happy gaming!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are new games still coming out for the PS4?

Yes, even though the PS4 is over ten years old, new games are still being released for it. Some of the latest big titles might only be available on PS5, but you can still find plenty of new and exciting games for PS4.

Can I play PS4 games on a PS5?

Most PS4 games work on the PS5 thanks to backward compatibility. In fact, many PS4 games run smoother and load faster when played on a PS5.

What makes a game a ‘hidden gem’ on PS4?

A ‘hidden gem’ is a game that didn’t get a lot of attention or sales when it came out but is actually really fun or special. These games are often overlooked but can become favorites once you try them.

Which PS4 game sold the most copies?

Marvel’s Spider-Man is one of the top-selling PS4 games, with over 20 million copies sold worldwide since its release in 2018.

Do I need to be online to play these top PS4 games?

Most of the games on this list can be played offline, especially the story-driven ones. However, some games, like Overcooked, are more fun with friends in local co-op, while others might offer online features.

Is the PS4 still worth buying today?

Yes, the PS4 is still a great system with lots of awesome games. It’s also more affordable now, and you can play hundreds of classics and new releases without needing the latest console.