The PlayStation 4 was one of the most successful consoles in history. It helped propel Sony to new heights with irresistible exclusive games and a massive catalogue that suits all tastes and needs.
Hideo Kojima’s apocalyptic delivery man tale Death Stranding oozed mystery and delivered a captivating story to match its mind-blowing gameplay. From Software’s spooky Yharnam was another PS4 games highlight, with grotesque monsters and drool-worthy art design.
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
The fifth instalment in Hideo Kojima’s acclaimed Metal Gear series is a remarkable showcase of the last-gen consoles. It’s not without its shortcomings – notably its performance and the inclusion of a PvP mode that isn’t quite up to speed with the main game – but the overall package is a tour de force.
You’re put in the boots of Big Boss – the disgruntled leader of the mercenary army known as the Diamond Dogs – who awakens from a nine-year coma after the destruction of Mother Base and takes his band of mercenaries into Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan War. There’s enough campy bad guys and ludicrous confrontations to fill a dozen films, but The Phantom Pain also tells an epic anti-war story that rivals Citizen Kane and 1984.
It’s massive, ambitious and continually adds new wrinkles to its central conceit. It even adapts to you – rush into bases and outposts with guns blazing and soldiers will often shoot first and ask questions later, while focusing on stealth means troops may change shift patterns and wear body armour.
Uncharted 4
Uncharted 4 is a must have for all fans of the series. It’s an amazing game with great graphics and a lot of action. Naughty Dog really outdid themselves on this one. It’s the perfect way to end the adventures of Nathan Drake.
The remaster for the PS5 is very good and it’s even better on PC. The graphics are stunning and it’s hard to believe that a console can create that kind of detail. It’s also very smooth to play and the multiplayer is a lot of fun.
The game takes place a few years after the events of Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, but it is not a sequel to that game. Instead it focuses on Chloe Frazer, a fan-favorite treasure hunter and mercenary, as she and her partner Nadine Ross search for an ancient treasure in India. It features a grittier story and more realistic combat, but many of the elements that make the Uncharted series so popular are still present.
Spider-Man
With a huge map of New York to explore, Spider-Man is one of the best web-swinging games ever made. A highlight is the epic Green Goblin boss fight, which still feels as satisfying today as it did back in 2004.
Developed by Insomniac Games, Marvel’s Spider-Man is an action-adventure game that takes place in the open world of New York City. The game is played from a third-person perspective, and the main story can be progressed by completing quests or side missions.
The player can use superhuman strength, agility, jumping, reflexes, balance, and inner’spider-sense’ to defeat criminals and other superheroes in hand-to-hand combat. The character also has superhuman stamina and heals faster than a normal human. He can also empower his anger to increase his fighting strength levels even further. His speed and leaping abilities allow him to travel long distances in seconds. His spider-sense gives him an accurate sense of direction, enabling him to pinpoint the location of an enemy.
Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima’s open world is a beautiful place to explore and take in the scenery. Those who prefer a more immersive experience can choose to play the game in Kurosawa mode that changes the lighting and color palette to match classic black and white films by Akira Kurosawa.
Combat is a bit more basic than the Assassin’s Creed franchise, but it still manages to feel deep and satisfying. Taking down enemies involves a mix of attacking, blocking and dodging. When enemies block attacks, it’s possible to break through with heavy strikes that stagger damage, allowing for deadly counterattacks.
While players will need a PS5 to enjoy the new graphical enhancements, the Director’s Cut also improves load times, making it easier to jump back into the action. The DLC also adds two new Mythic Tales to Iki Island, which will net players new armor for Jin and his horse. It’s not clear how the new Iki Island content will be incorporated into the base game, but Sucker Punch promises that first-time players will have access to it after completing the Director’s Cut.