The PS5 might already be out (and enjoying great success), but thanks to backward compatibility, the PS4 and its vast library are getting a second life. Before salivating over all the great new games on the horizon, it’s time to look back at some of the best RPGs that defined the PS4, as well as its generation.
Fans of both Japanese and Western RPGs can all agree that the PS4 was an oasis for amazing role-playing games. It was a return to form for Sony, which has welcomed third-party companies and quality RPGs since the original PlayStation’s inception. fans owe it to themselves to play some of these excellent previous-gen titles.
10 Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition: The Definitive Experience?
While Diablo has traditionally been associated with PC gaming, the PS4 version of Diablo 3 might just be the definitive experience. It comes with all the expansion packs and an increased level cap. On top of that, the inventory system has been simplified to make it feel more like a proper console title.
If online multiplayer is a priority, the PC version still wins out. That said, a keyboard is not essential to playing Diablo 3. The extra content and features make this an easy sell for console owners who want a more streamlined experience. This is a win for players longing for that intimate local multiplayer experience, perhaps with that special someone who shares a love of dungeon crawling.
9 Tales of Berseria: Going Bad Feels Great
With all the available Tales games, it can be hard to know which to choose. However, Tales of Berseria is one of the best games in the series. Unlike a lot of its more light-hearted siblings, Berseria sees you playing as an anti-hero of sorts.
Velvet Crowe is a demon out for vengeance. Her collection of outcasts and tortured companions makes for one of the more interesting casts in a Tales game. The darker tone of Berseria mixes well with its gorgeously animated and colorful world, and the revamped battle system defies hack and slash stereotypes. With Tales of Arise coming soon, players shouldn’t miss out on one of the best Tales games ever made, and that is saying something.
8 Nier Automata: Sometimes Strange is Better
The distinctly old-school Nier Replicant may be out now, but Nier Automata is what really put the series (as well as its quirky mask-loving director, Yoko Taro) on the map. It’s bizarre, beautiful, and a total joy to play.
At its core, Nier is an android vs robot action RPG that also throws in emotional social commentary, as well as gameplay elements from other genres like puzzle games and shmups. Trying to sum up Nier is like trying to explain the universe itself (the series’ lore can be truly befuddling), but one thing is for sure: it’s one of Square-Enix’s best games on the PS4, and an experience that players will never forget.
7 Horizon Zero Dawn: March Against the Machines
This huge, open-world adventure seems to want to mix Beast Wars with traditional folklore into a giant apocalyptic mystery. Somehow, it all fits together perfectly. Aloy’s journey through this beautiful yet ominous world is nothing short of spectacular and remains a high mark for the open-world genre.
Combat is really where Horizon Zero Dawn thrives. It’s fast-paced, it requires innovation and strategy, and it’s just so hard to say no to creating your own mechanical army to march into battle with. This is a must-play before the sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, hits the Ps5 later in 2021.
6 Monster Hunter World: The Best of Both Worlds
Capcom’s long-running and beloved Monster Hunter series is almost unparalleled when it comes to addicting action RPG experiences. Players looking to jump into the series couldn’t find a better entry point than Monster Hunter World.
Thanks to an expanded story and revamped gameplay, beginners and veterans alike can jump in. Just grab a weapon and start slaying towering Wyverns. World offers a stunning open world with almost no loading times and hundreds of hours of gameplay. With Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, it also has an expansion that’s nearly as big as the base game itself.
5 Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir: Putting 2D Back in Fashion
Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir is a hidden gem, despite being released on the PS2, PS3, and the PS4. It’s possibly Vanillaware’s finest piece of work to date, and the PS4 version truly is the definitive way to play this game.
Drawing upon a lot of different mythologies, this 2D action RPG/beat ’em up is the real deal. The PS4 remake runs at 60 FPS at all times, has improved combat, and looks even more stunning than the original. Odin Sphere is proof that 2D RPGs still have a niche to fill. Interested parties should find a way to grab this game before copies become hard to get.
4 Bloodborne: Enter the Darkness
Bloodborne, which is exclusive to the PS4, is perfect for thrill-seekers and those who crave true Dark Souls levels of challenge. If exploring dark and creepy Lovecraftian environments and living out ghastly nightmares sounds appealing, Bloodborne is the right choice.
Bloodborne offers fast, fluid gameplay, monsters that are truly terrifying, and a lengthy journey with tons of optional side content. Since loading is really the biggest issue with Bloodborne, perhaps the PS5’s SSD drive will make it an even better experience. Nevertheless, this is one of the finest exclusives on the PS4, even if it is a little too tough for some players.
3 Final Fantasy 7 Remake: A Classic Reborn
Final Fantasy 7 Remake had big shoes to fill, but even being confined to Midgar couldn’t stop this game from becoming a phenomenon. It is somehow faithful to the original while forging its own identity as an entirely new game.
The combat system feels both familiar and new. This quality defines the whole game, which manages to walk the tightrope of impressing old fans while enticing a new generation of gamers. Players absolutely need to embark on Cloud, Barret, Tifa, and Aerith’s adventure through Midgar in part one of this massive remake, before the sequels bring the rest of the Final Fantasy 7 world to life.
2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: The New Standard
The Witcher 3 is available on just about every modern platform, but PlayStation owners have no excuse for skipping this game. The Witcher 3 raised the bar for the way open-world games should play and feel.
Geralt’s adventure to stop the Wild Hunt and find Circi is compelling, but so is literally every side quest and monster hunt on the way. This is as epic as Western RPGs get, and it complements every PS4 collection. The Witcher 3 will be tough to improve upon, if there’s ever a sequel. There is a reason why players just can’t get enough of it.
1 Persona 5 Royal: The Ultimate Modern JRPG
Persona 5 is the most stylish, meow-gnificent JRPG is recent memory. It’s dripping with outlandish style, offers an unmissable representation of everyday life in Tokyo. There was over a decade between entries in the Persona franchise, but the wait really paid off.
Time in Persona 5 is divided between exploring palaces and building social links with other characters in the game, in order to build stats and gain new abilities. Players will get their money’s worth for sure, since Persona 5 offers over 100 hours of gameplay. The amazing cast and varied palaces ensure that the experience never becomes tedious. This is an RPG that can definitely hold players over until more great RPGs hit the PS5.
NEXT: The 10 Best RPGs on PS4 So Far (According to Metacritic)
