The best PS4 games for 2023

Serving as an enhanced version of arguably the PS3’s best game, The Last of Us Remastered tells the harrowing tale of survival following an outbreak. It’s easily one of the greatest zombie games ever made due in part to its fantastic storytelling, wonderful performances and writing, and satisfying stealth action gameplay. It also has one of the most gutwrenching openings ever made, rivaling some of the best films out there. This version includes better visuals, performance, and the Left Behind DLC, coming together as a dense package full of things to do. We recommend playing the PS5 remake of this game if possible, but otherwise, the PS4 remaster is still worth playing. 

Developer Yacht Club Games knows exactly what its audience wants, as evidenced by the immaculate Shovel Knight. This modern 2D action platformer pays homage to classic NES games while implementing modernizations that make it feel much better than its inspirations. Its gameplay is tough, but once you figure out how to overcome its challenges, Shovel Knight is easily one of the most satisfying action games out there, offering fun boss battles and lots of things to unlock. Plus, its music is incredible, keeping you immersed in the action throughout. 

For decades, one of the most highly requested games was a remake of Final Fantasy 7. It is finally here, and it delivers on everything fans wanted — and more. Not only is it possibly the best-looking game on PS4, but it tells the tale of Cloud, Aerith, and the Avalanche group in the most well-written and sensible way ever. Everything about Final Fantasy 7 Remake has been modernized to fit today’s culture while not leaving behind what made it great in the first place. Even crazier still, it somehow made a full-on JRPG out of only a fraction of the original game without ever feeling undercut or hollow. Trading the turn-based format for fast-paced, complex, action-based gameplay, this is the best way to experience one of the greatest games ever made.

When it was revealed, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard caused a bit of a stir among the community due to its change to a first-person perspective. After all, the series has always been presented in the third-person, so why fix what isn’t broken? In hindsight, this is one of the best decisions Capcom could have made, as it served as a refresh the series so desperately needed. When you first start playing, this doesn’t exactly feel like a Resident Evil game, but after about an hour or so, it clicks, and in many ways, feels more like a core title than some of the recent entries. This is due to doubling down on the survival horror mechanics — which is lacking in Resident Evil 5 and 6. The constant threat of the Bakers chasing you around the spooky house is akin to Nemesis from Resident Evil 3, while the puzzles are smart and keep you on your toes. The shift in perspective makes the game feel more personal, which adds to the horror. It’s easy to disassociate when you can see your character being stalked, but when it’s in first-person, it feels like it’s you. This idea is even more in PlayStation VR. That’s right, the entire game is playable in virtual reality, though we only recommend doing so if you plan on making your way through one of the most frightening experiences in video game history.