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The best RPGs for PS4

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PlayStation 4’s catalog is littered with quality RPGs. From Persona 4 and Monster Hunter to Skyrim and Horizon Zero Dawn, Sony’s aging system built up an incredible library of top-tier role-playing games throughout its life. Regardless of your gaming preference, PS4 is bound to have an RPG with your name on it.

Unfortunately, that stellar library means dozens of worthy titles didn’t make the final cut to be named among the best RPGs. Stardew Valley, Dragon’s Dogma, Pillars of Eternity, and many more aren’t mentioned on this list, but they’re no doubt worthy of your time.

In no particular order, here are the best RPGs on PlayStation 4.

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Bloodborne

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Bloodborne takes everything great about the Dark Souls franchise and kicks it up a notch. Faster combat, smoother movement, and a radically different setting all combine to make the haunting title one of the best RPGs in recent memory.

Underneath its complex combat lies a deep progression system. Grinding for gear, upgrading weapons, and leveling up your stats are just as intricate as you’d expect for a title made by FromSoftware. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those seeking a challenge, there’s not much else like it.

Read our full review of Bloodborne

Nier: Automata

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One moment it’s an RPG, the next it’s a side-scrolling shoot-em-up. Then it’s locking its camera in place, before setting you out into a massive open world. Nier: Automata has no problem reinventing itself throughout the lengthy adventure, but make no mistake — this is an RPG at heart.

While PlatinumGames heritage is clearly on display with Automata’s fast-paced combat, the tale it tells is more than enough to keep you plugging away through the 30-plus-hour adventure. It might take a few hours to get rolling, but once it does, you’ll be glued to your PS4 until the very end.

Read our full review of Nier: Automata

Monster Hunter: World

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Monster Hunter took things to new heights on PlayStation 4 thanks to the increase in processing power. Players are free to hunt without long loading times, and the action looks better than ever on a platform capable of producing HD graphics.

All told, Monster Hunter: World is arguably the best in series history. Better yet, it’s only become better over the years. Content updates and patches have introduced terrifying new monsters, giving you a constant flow of challenging material to work through.

Read our full review of Monster Hunter: World

Final Fantasy VII Remake

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The long-awaited Final Fantasy VII Remake didn’t disappoint. A reworked combat system, stunning HD graphics, and a surprising amount of new content gave fans both new and old a lot to love. The innovative combat system is a defining feature of the remake, letting you play through the entire game with real-time or turn-based battles.

Although Final Fantasy VII Remake takes about 40 hours to beat, it ends with Cloud and company just about to leave Midgar — in the original title, that only took about eight hours. That means you get to see a reimagined Midgar on PS4, one that’s shockingly detailed yet still faithfully recreated.

Read our full review of Final Fantasy VII Remake

Diablo III

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It may have started a bit rough, but Diablo III ended up as one of the best games on PS4. At its core, Diablo III is the same as Diablo II, offering up hordes of enemies to slay in a variety of horrific ways. However, it evolves on the core formula with improved graphics, a unique new skill system, and brutal new classes.

One big change from Diablo II came in the form of Health Orbs. These are dropped by defeated enemies, making it easy to plow through hundreds of demons without having to worry about running out of potions. Despite its age, Diablo III remains one of the most popular titles on PS4.

Read our full review of Diablo III

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age

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Frustrating long title aside, Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age is the latest and greatest installment in the long-running franchise. You’ll step into the shoes of the Luminary, a mysterious figure that is prophesized to protect the land from evil forces hell-bent on destruction.

The game is split into two distinct halves, although the turn-based combat and heartwarming characters remain stellar throughout the journey. While all the usual JRPG tropes are there, several modern conveniences — such as Auto-Battle for a bit of grinding — make it one of the most accessible Dragon Quest games yet.

Read our full review of Dragon Quest XI

Final Fantasy XIV

Square Enix

Final Fantasy XIV started its life as one of the worst MMORPGs on the market. More than a decade later, and it’s one of the most revered RPGs across all platforms. The usual arching, convoluted, but no-doubt incredible Final Fantasy storyline is here in spades, bolstered by the best MMO gameplay you’ll find on consoles.

With a wide variety of PvP and PvE content, a variety of viable character builds, and frequent expansions, Final Fantasy XIV deserves to be recognized among the best RPGs on PS4 — despite its MMO label.

Read our full review of Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers

Persona 5 Royal

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No discussion about the best RPGs is complete without mention of Persona 5 Royal. Arguably the best JRPG on PS4, Persona 5 Royal takes place in modern-day Tokyo and follows Joker — a high schooler who just transferred schools after being accused of assault. What follows is among the deepest narratives told on PS4, and a journey that will stick with you long after the final credits.

Persona 5 stands out from the pack due to its vibrant, cartoonish art style, but keeps you engaged with its turn-based combat system and emotional story. Royal takes everything great about the original Persona 5 and adds a bit of new content and gameplay tweaks, further perfecting the Persona formula.

Read our full review of the original Persona 5

Horizon Zero Dawn

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What more could you possibly want from your RPG than giant mechanic dinosaurs? Horizon Zero Dawn brings its futuristic world to life with a colorful cast of characters, superb graphics, and tense gameplay that constantly keeps you on your toes.

At the heart of Zero Dawn is Aloy, a charismatic protagonist who has been shunned by her tribe since birth. You’ll follow her journey as she discovers her past, questions her future, and figures out why she’s been an outcast her entire life.

Read our full review of Horizon Zero Dawn

Dark Souls III

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Without a doubt, Dark Souls III is the best in the series. The brutal action-RPG developed by FromSoftware brings the trilogy to its conclusion — and left a permanent mark on the RPG landscape.

What started as a niche title with Demon’s Souls ended with the ultra-popular Dark Souls III — breaking sales records for Bandai Namco just weeks after launch. The challenging journey became more difficult over time, as the developer continued to add DLC content and expand the bleak world of Lordran.

Read our full review of Dark Souls III

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

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Skyrim has been ported to every system under the sun — and for good reason. The open-world RPG remains one of the most popular games on any system, giving players all the tools necessary to run wild in a shockingly immersive world.

Become a thief, join the Mage’s Guild, delve into dungeons, and save the world from dragons. The only limit to what you can do in Skyrim is your own imagination. The impeccable freedom was later augmented by both a massive modding community and official DLC, giving players hundreds of hours of content to explore.

Read our full review of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

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Not only is it among the best RPGs on PS4, but The Witcher 3 might also be one of the best games of all time. Geralt’s story came to a stunning conclusion in The Witcher 3, with a variety of endings available based on your choices throughout the journey. Few other games can tell a tale as intricate as The Witcher, and any RPG fan owes it to themselves to give this one a go.

With a rich world to explore, memorable characters, and a mature story, all aspects of The Witcher 3 combine to make it one of the all-time greats. While Geralt’s adventures may have come to an end, his legacy won’t soon be forgotten.

Read our full review of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

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Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
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