Best PS4 Games On PS Plus Extra & Premium | Games Rants

In 2022, Sony reshaped PlayStation Plus, combining the original subscription with PS Now. Ever since then, PS5 and PS4 owners have been able to commit to three subscription tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. While the former is required for most multiplayer experiences and provides a few free giveaways per month, the latter two feature game libraries that number in the hundreds. PS Plus Extra contains PS5 and PS4 games, while Premium adds classic PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSP titles to the mix, along with some PS4 remasters.

As the PS5 has been out for a number of years, that console’s games tend to hog the spotlight when it comes to PS Plus; however, the service has a massive selection of PS4 titles, most of which hold up well. Due to the PS5’s backward compatibility, owners of that system can also play the best PS4 games on PS Plus​​​​​​.

Dragon Ball FighterZ

PS Plus Extra subscribers can jump into two Dragon Ball games: Xenoverse 2 and FighterZ. While they might share a franchise, they are wildly different experiences. An arena fighter with light RPG elements, Xenoverse 2 is probably the better pick for Dragon Ball fans searching for a single-player title; however, FighterZ is overall the superior project.

Crafted by Arc System Works, FighterZ is a deep fighting game that does a fantastic job of bringing to life the source material’s over-the-top battles. Arc’s own properties have a reputation for being overwhelmingly complex, but Dragon Ball FighterZ is far more accessible than Guilty Gear or BlazBlue.

Kingdom Hearts 3

PS Plus Subscribers who have never dipped into Kingdom Hearts have more than 150 hours of gameplay at their fingertips, a figure that easily doubles if each game’s side content is taken into consideration. Newcomers should start from the first game found in Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix and steadily work their way through the story, especially since Kingdom Hearts 2 and Birth by Sleep are often cited as the franchise’s highest points. As those titles debuted on the PS2 and PSP respectively, they cannot be classified as full-blown PS4 releases.

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A long-time coming, Kingdom Hearts 3 finally debuted in 2019, garnering a generally positive reception. While not perfect, the action RPG delivers highly enjoyable fast-paced hack and slash combat and gorgeous visuals that bring to life a few of Disney and Pixar’s recent movies. The story has pacing issues, but it does end on a high note.

Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus

Joining The New Order on PS Plus Extra, Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus and The Old Blood were added to Sony’s service as part of its April 2023 lineup. These two games automatically rank among the tier’s best first-person shooters, and they are easy recommendations for fans of The New Order or anyone who enjoys titles like DOOM. In the grand scheme of things, The New Colossus sticks very close to The New Order‘s blueprint; however, it opts to go down the “more is more route”, a decision that pays off spectacularly.

MachineGames’ reboot series offers corny but largely entertaining stories with awesome villains, tightly designed levels that allow for some player agency, and satisfying gunplay that comes with a side of stealth. None of these elements are particularly unique, but The New Colossus executes them to near perfection. The campaign is simply a fun and over-the-top romp that contains nothing resembling a dull moment. Forget the FPS genre, Wolfenstein 2 is simply among the best PS Plus PS4 games.

Two Point Hospital: Jumbo Edition

PS Plus Extra only has a couple of simulation games, and they cover quite a wide range of subgenres. Two Point Hospital is, at the bare minimum, a top contender for the service’s best sim, and the title is a good pick for both beginners and veterans. While business sims have earned a reputation for being unapproachable and dense, quite a few modern projects have sought to ease the barrier of entry for casual players, and Two Point Studios’ efforts rank among the most successful in this area. Two Point Hospital also runs well on PS4, which is hardly a given for a genre known for its micromanagement and data-heavy gameplay.

Inspired by Theme Hospital, Two Point Hospital is surprisingly funny and lighthearted, rarely taking itself too seriously. However, this mentality does not stretch to the gameplay itself, which offers players plenty of options and decisions. The game throws out quite a few sites and scenarios as players will have to build different hospitals to suit a location’s needs. If someone prefers a more free-flowing approach, they can also try sandbox mode.

Dreams

Media Molecule’s Dreams is unlike any other PS4 game on PS Plus Extra. Designed as an entry-level video game creator, the 2020 release gives users all the necessary tools to produce experiences of their own, a goal very few developers have tried to deliver for the console market. Obviously, Dreams is fairly limited compared to other applications of this type, but it works brilliantly as a way to ease children or fledgling developers into the industry. Even if someone has no intention of pursuing a career in this field, they might still enjoy messing around with the project’s features.

Dreams also allows players to surf experiences created by other users, along with a few games designed by Media Molecule. Most of these options are short novelties rather than fully fleshed-out titles, but they are still impressive considering they were conceived specifically using the PS4.

Tekken 7

With its sequel on the horizon, Tekken 7‘s PS Plus February 2023 debut came at the perfect time. Releasing in 2015, the fighting game garnered primarily positive reviews for its core gameplay and presentation. As always, the story revolves around Mishima family drama, with Heihachi and Kazuya taking center stage. The single-player campaign is a bit polarizing, but it should be a fun distraction for a couple of hours.

More importantly, the story essentially acts as a replacement for a standard tutorial mode, so newcomers to the series will need to play through it before attempting to jump online. Tekken 7 does not have an especially high barrier for entry, but it does not lack depth either.

Horizon Zero Dawn – Complete Edition

As Aloy, players traverse a post-apocalyptic world overrun with robotic dinosaurs and featuring pockets of humanity who are less than welcoming to the protagonist. Horizon Zero Dawn is a gorgeous open-world game, a technical masterpiece that pushes the PS4 to its limits and seldom falters in the process.

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The combat is exceptional, particularly when it involves Aloy taking on metallic behemoths that could rival quite a few towering beasts from the Monster Hunter franchise. The story takes a while to pick up steam, but once it gets going, Horizon Zero Dawn doesn’t let up.

Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

Dragon Quest 11 brought the series back to home consoles in the West after a long hiatus, and the wait was worth it. At its heart, this is a traditional turn-based JRPG, and that extends to both the gameplay and story. The latter is a straightforward but charming “good vs. evil” narrative, one that is elevated by a decent roster of characters.

The combat system should not hold too many surprises for anyone familiar with the franchise or JRPGs from the ’90s and 2000s, and that is not a criticism. DQ11 wisely opts to stick to the formula that has proven successful for over three decades, all the while modernizing just enough elements to not come across as dated. The “S” version is the definitive way to experience this game, and it even comes with a 16-bit mode.

Life Is Strange Complete Season

Split into five episodes, Life is Strange is a character-driven game centering around Max, a woman who can rewind time. This power defines the gameplay, as many puzzles require players to use this ability to move forward. Throughout the campaign, Max will need to make decisions or pick dialogue options that can change the story’s direction, potentially resulting in a good or bad ending.

In January 2023, Life is Strange and its prequel, Before the Storm, were added to PS Plus Extra. Regardless of its in-universe timeline, Before the Storm is better left for after the original Life is Strange; if nothing else, the latter is generally regarded as the better game.

Undertale

An argument could be made that Toby Fox’s Undertale was the most successful indie release of the 2010s, and not for a lack of stiff competition. Taking inspiration from classics like Mother, the isometric RPG pays homage to its ancestors through its antiquated but charming aesthetic, along with its mature and experimental storytelling. Undertale adapts to the player’s actions, all the while challenging them to think about their behavior and the in-world consequences they produce.

A child finds themselves in the Underground, and their main goal is to simply make their way back to the surface. Naturally, this journey is not a solitary one, and the child meets a wide range of colorful personalities along the way. While they do not always have a choice, more often than not, players get to decide how they would like to interact with the creatures that populate the Underground.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle For Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated

SpongeBob SquarePants has produced roughly a billion games, most of which are barely worth recommending to even the most die-hard fans of Nickelodeon’s eternal series. Battle for Bikini Bottom is an exception, with the 2003 original generally being regarded as one of the better licensed games of its era. While not the most original 3D platformer, the GameCube and PS2 title gets the basics right, delivering a fun fanservice-laden experience that can proudly carry the SpongeBob name.

A full-blown remake, Rehydrated douses the cult classic with a fresh coat of paint, producing vibrant and lively visuals that are genuinely fantastic. Outside its spiritual successor, The Cosmic Shake, SpongeBob, Patrick, and Bikini Bottom have never looked better than in Rehydrated, at least when it comes to video games. Gameplay-wise, the remake sticks very close to the original, to the point that the title does feel antiquated at times; that said, it should be enjoyable to most people who enjoy old-school 3D platformers.

Dishonored 2

PS Plus has quite a few of Arkane’s projects, including the full Dishonored series. While a Premium subscription is required to play the first game, the Extra tier provides access to its sequel and that title’s standalone expansion. Subjective opinion dictates which entry is the strongest since they all present very convincing cases; however, Dishonored 2 gets the nod since it is native to the PS4 and, arguably, has the best gameplay range. That said, newcomers should start with Dishonored​​​​​​.

The sequel features two playable characters, Emily and Corvo, who come with their own abilities but generally follow the same storyline. Dishonored 2 emphasizes player choice, primarily in its gameplay. Players can decide whether they want to kill everyone who stands in their way or opt for no bloodshed whatsoever, resulting in two wildly different experiences. This freedom extends to the missions themselves, which largely take place in open areas and try to avoid railroading players into a specific approach.

Slay The Spire

Slay the Spire has firmly established itself as one of the best roguelikes on the market, and it is also among the genre’s most mainstream additions. The game has enjoyed a successful run on most platforms, and it is an easy recommendation for anyone with a PS Plus subscription.

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For the uninitiated, runs revolve around battling through floors while collecting cards to gradually build a stronger deck. While reasonably accessible, the gameplay has a lot of depth, particularly since each of the playable characters comes with their nuances. The combat system is turn-based, with players having to carefully pick their ideal cards since their hand is shuffled each turn.

The Evil Within

A third-person shooter created by Shinji Mikami of Resident Evil and Dino Crisis fame, The Evil Within is a tough-as-nails project that harbors back to the horror genre’s yesteryear. As Sebastian Castellanos, players explore the nightmarish Beacon Mental Hospital, an area that is more than worthy of standing alongside horror’s scarier gaming settings.

The gameplay adheres to an old-school rhythm and control scheme that, while not for everyone, helps create a sense of vulnerability. Although far from perfect, The Evil Within‘s positives outweigh its negatives. The game is also genuinely scary, largely thanks to its creative enemy designs.

Rise Of The Tomb Raider

PS Plus Extra has the full Tomb Raider Survivor trilogy, which covers Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Serving as a reboot for the franchise, these titles present a more “grounded,” for the lack of a better word, take on Lara Croft’s adventures. All three games are worth playing, to the point that newcomers should start with Tomb Raider to get the full story; however, the first sequel is the best of the bunch.

Rise of the Tomb Raider finds Lara heading to Siberia in search of a lost city, and the frozen landscape brings with it plenty of challenges for the legendary explorer. The game balances platforming, exploration, puzzles, and combat extremely well, crafting a well-rounded package filled with memorable set pieces and characters.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

While Ace Combat was a fixture of the 2000s, the license only produced one main entry during the last decade. 2019’s Ace Combat 7 is a combat flight sim that is light on the “simulation” part of that equation. Just to be clear, the gameplay is nuanced and fairly complex, but the controls themselves lean into arcade-style accessibility rather than realism. Over the course of a reasonably lengthy campaign, players step into a range of cockpits as they head to the skies and engage in dog fights and complete bombardment missions.

Ace Combat 7 looks gorgeous and plays well. Although some mission types are more enjoyable than others, the campaign does try to regularly shake things up to stave off boredom. Ultimately, Skies Unknown is a niche title that will not appeal to everyone; however, if someone is specifically searching for a combat flight sim, this is the best PS4 game on PS Plus Extra.

A Hat In Time

While no longer in vogue, 3D platformers have not completely gone extinct either. Most years tend to produce a handful of throwbacks to the days when gaming was run by colorful jumping mascots, and some titles even release on non-Nintendo hardware. A Hat in Time is a prime contender for the best PS4 platformer, and the game should not only entertain die-hard fans of the genre’s classics but also engage newcomers who did not grow up with Banjo-Kazooie, Bugs Bunny: Lost in Time, Super Mario 64, and Rayman 2: The Great Escape.

Needing to return home, Hat Girl has to travel through a few creative worlds in search of Time Pieces, which serve as A Hat in Time‘s main collectible. Rather than focus on linear and self-contained stages, the game centers around open and expansive zones that players are encouraged to thoroughly explore. Boasting a stylish aesthetic and fantastic controls, A Hat in Time looks and plays great, while also featuring an abundance of personality in its world and characters.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

It has been too long since Square Enix released a Deus Ex game, but at least the available projects hold up well and promote repeat playthroughs. Mankind Divided builds on Human Revolution‘s strong foundations, crafting an experience that is just as rewarding as its predecessor. Adam Jensen finds himself going undercover, although his behavior and actions are largely determined by a user’s preferred play style.

Even if the 2016 release is not quite as immersive as the original Deus Ex, Mankind Divided‘s gameplay is nevertheless flexible and designed around player choice. One person could find themselves playing a stealth game, while someone else enjoys a more classic first-person shooter; either way, they should have fun.

Days Gone

Even though Days Gone did not receive a reception as glowing as some other PS4 exclusives, the open-world zombie game is pretty great in its own right. Set in a post-apocalyptic version of the United States, players are Deacon St. John, a biker who goes on a quest to try and save his wife. So far, so ordinary; however, the story does pick up quite a bit of steam as it goes along, particularly once it starts to flesh out Deacon a bit.

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Days Gone lets players build their own bikes, which will stay by their side for the entire campaign. This customization process is perhaps the most enjoyable part of the whole package, although the game handles most things well.

Hollow Knight Voidheart Edition

Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight has firmly established itself as a modern classic, so much so that its sequel, Silksong, is one of the most highly anticipated projects currently in development. The 2D side-scroller takes place in Hallownest, a haunting underground world that is deceptively massive. As is custom with Metroidvanias, Hollow Knight emphasizes exploration and backtracking, and the game demands that players explore and immerse themselves within its world.

Packed to the brim with powerful enemies and boss fights, Hollow Knight can be very punishing for the ill-prepared. The hack and slash combat system controls like a dream, and it is complex enough to remain interesting throughout the lengthy campaign.

Inside

Originally released in 2016, Inside garnered near-universal praise for its art direction, challenging puzzles, and clever world-building. Players control a boy as he travels across a haunting world filled with mind-controlled people.

Inside keeps its story quite vague, allowing players to come to their own conclusions on what exactly the ending(s) mean. This makes for a satisfying and thought-provoking experience that encourages discussion. PS Plus Premium subscribers can also try Playdead’s previous game, Limbo, which is likewise fantastic.

South Park: The Fractured But Whole

While turn-based RPGs are primarily associated with Japanese developers, the Western market has produced its share of awesome titles. Both of Ubisoft’s South Park games are a blast, not only for fans of the legendary cartoon but also for people who are just looking for a well-written RPG with an irreverent sense of humor. Newcomers to these games should start with The Stick of Truth as it is short and sweet; however, The Fractured but Whole is one of the best PS Plus PS4 games.

The sequel improves on its predecessor in nearly every area, including the combat system. This time around, there is a bit more strategy involved in battles, even if the game is rarely all that difficult. The story directs its satire at the superhero movie explosion, and the humor’s focus is on the production of these projects rather than the stories themselves.

Soulcalibur 6

While its name might not be as inescapable as Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter, Soulcalibur has consistently delivered some of the most enjoyable fighting games on the market, and 2018’s sixth entry is no exception.

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Soulcalibur 6 builds upon the franchise’s brilliant combat system by introducing a couple of new ideas that add even more strategy to encounters. The gameplay is as fluid, fun, and complex as always, all the while still being reasonably accessible permitting a new player is willing to dedicate some time to learning the basics. Soulcalibur 6 comes with two story modes that cover the same timeline in wildly different ways. Even if a PS Plus Premium subscriber never touches the multiplayer portion of the game, Libra of Souls and Soul Chronicle should keep them busy for a good while.

Death Stranding

Kojima Productions created a game that has walking as its central mechanic and largely tasks players with acting as a delivery service. In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Sam sets out to travel from colony to colony, delivering supplies while setting up a communication system. While the protagonist will face a handful of strange creatures along the way, he primarily dedicates his energy to ensuring that he does not drop his packages.

Slow-paced and unapologetically weird, Death Stranding is an acquired taste that anyone interested in open-world games should at least sample.

Celeste

Celeste is a tough-as-nails platformer with a heart-wrenching story about perseverance and self-discovery. The game follows Madeline as she climbs Mount Celeste, a trip that will test even the most seasoned platformer players.

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Celeste is a PS4 indie game that deserves to be played, however, its high difficulty means that the title will not be for everyone. A rewarding experience, Celeste seamlessly blends gameplay and story to produce a journey that refuses to be forgotten once it is endured.

DOOM

After something of a dry spell, DOOM returned in a big way in 2016. Frantic, challenging, and extremely satisfying, id Software’s shooter is a tour-de-force of visceral brutality. Modernizing the run and gun approach of classic ’90s shooters, DOOM uses the past to create an adventure that feels timeless.

When it comes to games that are just pure, unfiltered adrenaline, DOOM is the standard-bearer and practically no game comes close to matching it. So, pick up a shotgun and get ready to blast hundreds of demons in the face while moving at a million miles an hour.

Tetris Effect: Connected

Tetris has been around since 1984, and it is still flawless. Ultimately, Tetris Effect: Connected does not alter too much about the core gameplay since improving upon perfection is a futile endeavor; however, the game adds enough modern twists to deliver perhaps the most complete iteration of this iconic property. The big change is that the player’s actions are synched to the music.

Originally released as Tetris Effect, the Connected version focuses on multiplayer and co-op, both of the online and local varieties. Whether someone is looking for a solo experience or to play with friends, Tetris Effect: Connected is one of the best PS Plus games.

Desperados 3

The great thing about PS Plus Premium is its variety. Action, racing, platforming, and every other type of genre are covered on Sony’s service, and that includes real-time tactics. Desperados 3 offers a polished revenge-fueled trip through the Wild West. Boasting a complete roster of outlaws who each bring a unique spin to combat, Desperados 3 blends complexity with accessibility through its allowance for a flexible approach to situations.

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Stealth is the main focus of the game, but that doesn’t mean someone cannot blast their way through an army of enemies and become a legend in the process.

The Escapists 2

The Escapists 2 is a strategy game centering around an inmate trying to escape prison. While behind bars, players are asked to bide their time as they search for a route to the outside world, an endeavor that grows progressively harder each time they are caught.

The Escapists 2 executes its unique premise quite well, all the while offering a lighthearted tone and supporting multiplayer. Although mainly for strategy fans, this title is not a bad pick for people who are not that familiar with the genre.

Frostpunk

City-building sims are not synonymous with consoles, but the PS4 era did start to challenge this perception. While PC remains the main platform for these types of releases, Frostpunk and Cities Skylines show that the simulation genre can work using controllers. Frostpunk is a brutal survival game set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland as players try to create something in a frozen hellscape.

Every decision matters in Frostpunk, and most of them are not without consequences. Like most sims, Frostpunk largely comes down to managing resources, although the game does emphasize the human element. Keeping people alive is difficult enough without taking into account their happiness, and the former often comes at the cost of the latter.

Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire – Ultimate Edition

Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity 2 has come to PS Plus Extra and Premium, somewhat surprisingly considering the developer is owned by Microsoft. Be that as it may, the RPG is a fantastic addition to any library, automatically ranking among the genre’s greatest titles on Sony’s subscription service. The isometric title adopts a pirate-themed presentation, and that extends to a world map consisting of a sea punctuated by small islands.

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Narratively, Deadfire‘s story takes a while to pick up momentum, although the writing itself is consistently strong. Obsidian has a near-unparalleled talent for crafting fluid worlds, and this RPG sits among the studio’s greatest achievements. The combat system is also deep and addictive.

inFAMOUS: Second Son

In the grand scheme of PS4 exclusives, inFAMOUS: Second Son tends to be overshadowed by titles released later in the console’s life. Sucker Punch’s sequel is not a significant departure from the PS3 entries in the series, even if it introduces a new city and hero. That said, the game’s fundamentals are incredibly strong.

Like many of the studio’s releases, inFAMOUS: Second Son is simply fun. As players unlock more abilities, the gameplay blossoms into something special, and even just traveling from one place to the next is exciting. inFAMOUS: First Light is also on PS Plus and, in some ways, is even better than the main game.

Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War are both on PS Plus Extra, presenting subscribers with two expansive open-world games to sink their teeth into. Even though the sequel improves upon its predecessor in a variety of ways, Shadow of Mordor is the best place to start for new players. Set in The Lord of the Rings universe, Monolith’s action RPG centers around Talion, a ranger who fuses with an Elf wraith, gaining powerful abilities in the process.

The story is decent, but Shadow of Mordor‘s claim to fame is its Nemesis System. Enemy orcs remember their previous actions and develop accordingly, even becoming stronger if they defeat Talion. This creates a world that seems to be constantly evolving due to the player’s actions.

Rage 2

2019’s Rage 2 garnered a relatively unspectacular reception, with its open-world being especially divisive. An unexpected sequel to 2011’s release, Rage 2 basically takes Doom‘s punchy combat and drops it into a Mad Max-style world; if that sounds good to someone, then they are likely to enjoy what this game has to offer. The gunplay is, unsurprisingly, the best part of this package, although it is aided by a decent selection of special abilities that players should look to unlock as soon as possible.

Rage 2‘s barren landscape fits its story, but the world is not particularly interesting to live within or explore. That said, the map does its job as a canvas for blood to be spilled courtesy of over-the-top first-person mayhem.

Bloodborne

Bloodborne is a contender for the best PlayStation 4 game ever. Stepping into the shoes of a Hunter who must survive the Hunt and bring to an end a deadly plague, FromSoftware’s gothic masterpiece takes players on an unrelenting and challenging journey through Yharnam’s unforgiving streets.

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Bloodborne‘s combat is fast, difficult, and incredibly smooth. Compared to Dark Souls, the weapon selection is limited; however, each item feels unique and comes with a transformation. Bloodborne is a masterpiece of environmental design, gameplay, and atmosphere. It is arguably FromSoftware’s greatest game, which is not a statement that can be made lightly.

Far Cry 3: Classic Edition

In 2012, Ubisoft dropped Far Cry 3 to resounding applause from critics and players alike. Set in a gorgeous open-world that is big but not overwhelmingly so, the first-person shooter proved to be such a success that the publisher has been generally trying to recreate its magic ever since. While each subsequent game introduces improvements, none of them have managed to strike gold quite like this 2010s classic.

Far Cry 3‘s strong points have not weakened at all over the last decade. The gunplay is still addictive, Vaas is still an awesome villain, and Rook Islands can still throw out a few surprises.

Untitled Goose Game

A charmingly chaotic indie project, Untitled Goose Game revolves around a feathery menace. Like a miniature kaiju, the titular waterfowl flaps its way into a village that is ill-prepared to handle such an intruder. While granted a few “goals” to work toward, players will generally spend most of their time annoying the locales, to the point of ruining the entire village’s day. It is hilarious.

Gameplay-wise, Untitled Goose Game is effectively a puzzle title that challenges players to figure out how they can use the bird’s “skills” to complete objectives. If someone is looking for a project that does not take itself too seriously, then House House’s release is one of the best PS4 games on PS Plus.

PS Plus Premium and Extra have a wide spectrum of genres when it comes to PS4 games, and XCOM 2 covers a couple on its own. Blending strategy and tactical elements, this sci-fi sequel provides complex, adaptive gameplay that puts players into challenging situations with dire consequences for failure.

Throughout the long campaign, players put together teams of soldiers who serve as humanity’s last resistance against the alien invaders who have taken over Earth. If these soldiers die in battle, they are gone for good, a mechanic that turns every move in each encounter into a nail-biting decision. Great console strategy games used to be in short supply, but XCOM 2 helped change that.

Chicory: A Colorful Tale

Picnic is a world that tasks one citizen with coloring everything. It is an important and demanding role, one that Chicory decides to step away from after the world is stripped of all its color. Now, the player must pick up the brush and fill in the blanks, a journey that brings plenty of challenges and raises quite a few fascinating questions.

Chicory: A Colorful Tale is about the process of creating art, including its reception. Picnic is filled with intriguing personalities who have their own desires, preferences, and frustrations. The gameplay largely consists of solving puzzles and exploration, both of which are handled well by the indie title.

Shadow Of The Colossus (2018)

Team Ico’s Shadow of the Colossus is a masterpiece, and its PS3 version is part of PS Plus Premium’s Classics Catalog. For members of the Extra tier or Premium subscribers who want to avoid streaming, Bluepoint Games’ 2018 remake is also on Sony’s subscription service, and the PS4 game does justice to the original release.

Shadow of the Colossus (2018) tweaks the controls and updates the visuals, but otherwise remains true to Team Ico’s vision. Consequently, the remake is also a masterpiece of storytelling, one that takes players on an emotional journey that sticks in the mind long after the credits roll.

Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age

A remaster of the PS2 classic, Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age is the definitive way to experience this RPG, and it is also based on the International Zodiac Job System version of the game that was originally released only in Japan.

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FF12 tends to be a polarizing entry in the franchise due to its divisive protagonist and a real-time combat system that marked a significant departure from its non-MMO predecessors. While the game might take some getting used to, FF12 is an incredible JRPG that features an engrossing narrative, a brilliantly realized world, and a huge amount of content.

Until Dawn

One of the earliest exclusives to put the PS4 on the map, Until Dawn drops a group of characters in the woods and then asks players to weave their way through a terrifying story to decide who lives and dies. An interactive drama, Until Dawn‘s gameplay generally amounts to making choices and some light exploration, so this is not a horror game in the vein of Resident Evil or Outlast. Basically, this title is a must-play for people who always wanted to get more hands-on with a slasher film.

Until Dawn would fall completely flat if it failed to craft interesting or likable characters that players genuinely care about; thankfully, the game more than manages to deliver in this area.

Outer Wilds

Outer Wilds is an open-world game unlike any other as “playthroughs” come with a time limit. In this universe, the sun is about to go boom in roughly 20 minutes, causing everything to come to a swift end. Luckily for the player, they happen to be astronauts who are stuck in a time loop, causing them to revive with a few minutes to spare.

Each run involves visiting one of a handful of planets in search of new information that might shed some light on what exactly is going on. However, Outer Wilds does not just deliver an engaging central mystery but also a myriad of side content that injects this adventure with personality and heart.

Neo: The World Ends With You

After roughly 15 years, the Nintendo DS’s The World Ends with You finally received a sequel. Neo: The World Ends with You is both very similar and a significant departure from its precursor. On the one hand, the story once again revolves around the Reapers’ Game, which pits teams of the recently deceased in daily battles to determine who will be granted a wish. The sequel also takes place Shibuya like its predecessor, although the former’s shift to 3D gives the setting a new lease on life.

Neo‘s battle system is entirely different from The World Ends with You, which makes sense considering the games were created for very different hardware. While the actual combat is rather simple, the action JRPG finds depth through a pin/skill system that allows for a fair amount of loadout options. With a lengthy campaign, memorable characters, a great soundtrack, and fun gameplay, Neo is an awesome ride.

God Of War (2018)

What more needs to be said about 2018’s God of War? With Olympus completely mined for gods to slay, Santa Monica opted to shift focus to Norse mythology. More importantly, this new setting coincided with a change in gameplay style, including an over-the-shoulder third-person camera and a visceral combat system with some well-implemented customization options.

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The result is one of the best PS4 console exclusives and a great first entry into – hopefully – a new trilogy. This time around, Kratos has someone to protect, which adds depth to a character that had grown to be solely defined by a single emotion.

Detroit: Become Human

Detroit: Become Human continues Quantic Dream’s mission to combine movies with games, and this 2018 release is arguably the studio’s strongest effort to date. Players take control of three androids who serve very different roles in society, and the choices made throughout the campaign will determine the fates of these (and other) characters.

Detroit: Become Human tackles some well-worn sci-fi themes like human agency and AI, and while it might not introduce anything particularly new to the genre, the game handles these elements well. The acting is also great throughout, making it very easy to become invested in the lives of Connor, Kara, and Markus. Detroit: Become Human‘s world and visuals are immersive, while its writing tells a captivating narrative.

Gravity Rush 2

Along with the PS4 remaster of the first game, Gravity Rush 2 is one of the most underappreciated PS4 games on PS Plus Extra and Premium, and it is awesome. While beloved by a select audience, these games never quite transcended their cult statuses, which makes them perfect fits for a subscription service. Gravity Rush 2 improves upon everything that worked in the original, delivering a larger and more diverse world, expanded gameplay, and a more interesting storyline.

Charming, stylish, and fun, both of these games are a delight and collectively should keep someone entertained for a good few weeks.

Batman: Arkham Knight

Rocksteady achieved superhero perfection with the Arkham trilogy. While Arkham Asylum and Arkham City are probably held in slightly higher esteem, Arkham Knight is comfortably among the best games on the PS4. Expanding its map to Gotham City, the 2015 game brings to life DC’s legendary metropolis with style and depth. Even nearly a decade later, Arkham Knight still looks fantastic, to the point that it puts to shame many newer releases.

Combat-wise, this entry marks the franchise’s peak. Batman has an impressive range of tools at his disposal, and they combine to create a seamless and satisfying rhythm. The Batmobile sections are divisive since an argument could be made that they overstay their welcome, but it is still cool to be able to step into the vehicle.

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