The eighth generation of consoles was such a transformative period for the gaming industry, and looking back, the PlayStation 4 was right at the heart of it all.
That’s because it wasn’t only the birthplace for brand-new hits and the perfect stage for known franchises to reinvent themselves. It was also where Sony really found its stride for its upcoming titles and hardware, building up a powerhouse line-up of first-party studios and a library of exclusives that we still talk about today.
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The sixth generation spearheaded many gaming revolutions.
One of the things I find most interesting about its success is how it handled the baton pass from its predecessor. During the final years of the PlayStation 3, we actually got some pretty incredible titles, but because they arrived so late in the life cycle, many of these gems didn’t truly bloom until they were re-released on the PS4. These polished versions allowed those games to finally reach their full potential, proving that Sony’s main console at the time was the definitive place to experience the best the industry had to offer.
So it was during this era that Sony really won a legion of passionate fans by balancing powerful hardware with a stellar lineup of games, which actually also shaped the very way we play.
In the end, the PlayStation 4 became the second-best-selling PlayStation of all time, a title it still holds today, sitting behind only the legendary PlayStation 2. And that is why we have decided to look back at its legacy and dive into 10 games that didn’t just define a generation but also became important references for the modern gaming experiences we enjoy today!
This list isn’t strictly limited to PlayStation 4 exclusives, and it also celebrates the multi-platform titles that defined the console’s era and left a lasting mark on the community in their own unique way.
10
It Takes Two
Bridging the Gap Between Hardcore and Casual
With a design that innovates at every single level, It Takes Two took everything the industry knew about cooperative gaming and elevated it to a whole new level. And its greatest achievement is creating an experience that appeals to both hardcore and casual gamers alike, proving that these two worlds can be shared!
Because of this, the game became an instant modern classic and is practically synonymous with local multiplayer today. I mean, my last Uber driver even started chatting with me about games and mentioned it was the only title he’d ever gotten his non-gamer girlfriend to absolutely love, which shows the massive reach and impact this game has achieved.
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Besides that, Hazelight Studios’ title was also a historic milestone when it took home the Game of the Year award in 2021, proving that co-op titles can reach the very top of the industry – and it is no coincidence that we see so many more games in the genre following in its footsteps today.
9
Overwatch
The Cavalry’s Here
Back when it first launched, Overwatch was pretty much everywhere! It was an absolute fever, and almost every player who enjoyed multiplayer games was simply obsessed with it.
Many felt the game was the absolute best at what it did, pushing the potential of its hero shooter genre with its vast cast of playable heroes and incredibly varied gameplay, since the same button layout could make every character feel unique. Even as someone who usually prefers single-player experiences, I have to admit I was completely swept up in the fever at the time.
So, to this day, its influence is quite undeniable (despite all the controversies along the way), as seen by the wave of titles that tried to capture that same magic, from Paladins to the more recent Marvel’s Rivals. And we can’t forget that Blizzard’s hit is also responsible for one of the most heated debates regarding Game of the Year awards involving multiplayer titles. Whether you agree with its win or not, its impact is impossible to ignore.
8
Persona 5 Royal
Stealing Hearts with Style
Persona 5 was originally released at the very end of the PlayStation 3’s lifecycle, meaning that most players (myself included) actually ended up experiencing Joker’s journey as a Phantom Thief on the PlayStation 4.
Because of that, its legacy became permanently linked to the console, especially with the Royal edition, making it an impossible title to ignore for this list! It is a stylish and addictive JRPG that won everyone over with its iconic soundtrack, character development, engaging social simulation, and, above all, visuals that basically set a new standard for turn-based combat.
For many, it was their first time truly paying attention to how important a well-crafted and eye-catching UI and HUD can (or should) be. It may sound too poetic, but it is true: Persona 5 proved that menus could be just as much a part of the art as the characters themselves! Or do you really think Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, for instance, would have that shiny look if P5 hadn’t existed first to pave the way?
7
Titanfall 2
Yes, We Do Need a Trilogy
Titanfall 2 is often cited as one of the best shooters ever made, and for some pretty good reasons! It is an FPS title packed with awesome, dynamic levels that make full use of its excellent movement abilities, featuring a fast-paced rhythm that perfectly fits the genre.
It successfully blended high-speed parkour with heavy-hitting mech combat in a way that felt balanced and fresh, and we also can’t forget the iconic “Effect and Cause” time-shifting level, which is a prime example of stellar level design. I think that I may not be speaking only for myself when I say that I’m still speechless at that level!
So it is hard for an FPS fan not to mention Respawn’s masterpiece when it comes to the shooter genre nowadays. It is just so good that, naturally, we notice its presence (and even absence, since we still don’t have a Titanfall 3, sad beep) in the gaming industry.
6
Resident Evil 2
A New Era for Remakes
When Capcom launched the remake of the classic Resident Evil 2, it basically triggered two immediate side effects. First, the Resident Evil developers realized that modernized remakes that felt like a fresh experience were exactly what the fans were craving. And second, the rest of the gaming industry realized that, too!
By intentionally leaving “remake” out of the title and delivering a brand-new experience rather than something merely recycled, the team found the perfect formula. Because yes, the game successfully paid homage to the 1998 original, but that didn’t stop it from also introducing new mechanics and a modern level of polish to pretty much everything.
So it is no surprise to see the 2019 version of Resident Evil 2 mentioned as one of the greatest success stories in the remake subgenre with frequency among players and critics, since it set a benchmark that is still being chased by competition (even other horror franchises, by the way).
5
The Last of Us Part II
Challenging What You Know About Sequels
Whether you love it or hate it, there is no denying that The Last of Us Part II is the game that stirred the strongest emotions (and the most heated debates) in the entire PlayStation community.
It is a bold sequel that refuses to stay in the shadow of its predecessor, choosing instead to push the boundaries of what a blockbuster game is allowed to say – and also what the player must feel. By introducing ambitious narrative ideas, such as having Abby as a second protagonist, it became a polarizing journey that forced players to confront difficult themes of revenge, empathy, and loss in an uncomfortably personal way.
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And we still see the impact of this story on the gaming industry as a whole, especially when discussing how video games can be much more than “just” fun, serving as a powerful medium for complex, mature storytelling, and a true work of art that can spark multiple feelings.
4
God of War (2018)
More Than It Looks
By shifting from the Greek pantheon to Norse mythology and turning the rage-filled Kratos into a much more empathetic father figure, Santa Monica Studio managed to pull off one of the most successful soft reboots in history with 2018’s God of War.
And the game also impressed everyone with its contained yet incredibly deep semi-open world and its technical no-cut camera, where the entire experience plays out in one continuous shot. This choice took immersion to a whole new level, making you feel every step of the journey as if you were right there alongside Kratos and Atreus.
Not to mention the combat, which introduced a brand-new weapon for the protagonist and a brilliant companion dynamic. In short, God of War went from being an iconic hack-and-slash reference of the past to a new benchmark for a whole new generation, especially in terms of performance and narrative depth.
3
The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt
Setting Standards for Open Worlds
When The Witcher 3 hit the shelves back in 2015, it essentially divided the history of open-world games into before and after, since CD Projekt Red took the philosophy of a world packed with side quests, secrets, and interconnected systems to heart, making every corner of the map feel like it actually mattered.
With a world that treats the player as an active participant (to the point where interacting with something specific before a mission can actually change how that mission plays out), the game raised the bar for writing and world-building so high that we are still measuring new RPGs against it today.
What is even more impressive is that its two expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, were so substantial that they actually competed against full-priced games during their awards season, also making The Witcher 3 prove that DLCs can be a complete, high-quality experience.
2
Bloodborne
A Masterpiece That Still Haunts Our Dreams
Even though it shares the same Soulsborne DNA with Dark Souls and Demon’s Souls, I think most PlayStation 4 players will agree with me that Bloodborne simply hits differently for having an incredibly unique atmosphere that sets it apart from almost everything else FromSoftware has ever created.
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FromSoftware’s ability to worldbuilding is immaculate, but even perfection has its scales.
It starts, of course, with that haunting Gothic visual style, presenting a world heavy on cosmic horror and a decayed Victorian aesthetic. Then, add an iconic soundtrack that is capable of giving you goosebumps and a well-crafted level design, and the result is an unmatched atmosphere filled with grotesque bosses (I mean that as a total compliment), small secrets hidden in the scenarios, dark side quests, and multiple endings.
Oh, and it probably holds the record for the game PlayStation fans ask for a sequel or remake the most – and I’m included in that group! It is a testament to a game that didn’t just define a console era, but truly captured the hearts (and fears) of its players.
1
Red Dead Redemption 2
The Peak of Digital Realism
Rockstar Games really took things to a whole new level with Red Dead Redemption 2, pushing the boundaries of what we can expect from a digital world.
The level of detail is just absurd, from the way Arthur’s beard grows over time to the realistic snow deformation to seeing a lightning strike in the distance before the thunder reaches your ears. And all of this is intensified by a slow and deliberate pace that makes you truly live the outlaw life in the Old West – and also deeply feel Arthur Morgan’s journey, which certainly requires a few tissues.
In the end, the game raised the bar for the entire industry regarding production values and environmental storytelling, since every corner of the map feels like it has a history, and every NPC seems to have a life of their own. It stands as a monumental achievement, showing just how far the PlayStation 4 hardware could be pushed when pushed to its absolute limit.
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