The Best Action Games You Can Play On PS4

Summary

• Step into the minds of warriors and superheroes with PS4 games, blending action with masterful storytelling and intense combat.
• Explore Celtic mythology in Hellblade, join the Keyblade wielders in Kingdom Hearts, or unravel crime mysteries in Yakuza 0.
• Immerse yourself in stunning worlds, strategic combat, and compelling stories with titles like Elden Ring, God of War, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

Throughout history, we have all been drawn in by the thrill of virtual combat, the tales of intense narratives, and the power of superheroes. Participating in such adventures is made possible through the impressive game library of the PlayStation 4, which allows us to fully explore these fictional worlds and fantasies.

The games Sony’s PS4 brings us are not only filled with heart-pounding action but also blend masterfully crafted stories with interesting characters. Whether you’re swinging your trusty sword in an epic battle or exploring a post-apocalyptic bloodbath, each game allows you to step into a whole new world of excitement and offers a different intensity.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

To The Brink Of Madness

In Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, you step into the mind of a Celtic warrior who is plagued by her own demons. The Norse-inspired world surrounding you is as beautiful as it is dark and eerie, becoming the arena where you face intense melee combat and psychological horrors.

While Senua’s story is a unique narrative based on the effects of mental health, the game’s action lies within its brutal swordplay as you slice open your foes and leave them a gory mess. The experience is completely unforgettable, and it’s one that will challenge not only your reflexes but your understanding of the human mind.

Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far

Master The Keyblade

The Kingdom Hearts series combines the beloved anime-style Square Enix is known for, with some of Disney’s most iconic characters. When you dive into the game, you get to swing around different versions of the Keyblade as you team up with Donald Duck and Goofy to save familiar worlds from enemies known as The Heartless.

If you’re looking for hours of content, then you’ll be happy to know that Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far takes you from the very beginning of the story all the way to just before the third numbered title in the series.

There are nine games to play through in total, including titles that originally launched on other consoles such as the Nintendo DS and PSP, meaning you’ll be more than busy with hundreds of hours of content packed into these two discs.

Yakuza 0

Not Your Typical Beat-Em-Up

Yakuza 0 puts you right in the middle of a complex crime story you must uncover by blending exploration, combat, and storytelling seamlessly, creating a balanced gaming experience. The game offers a brawler-like combat system, where you’ll engage in street fights against many enemies and be tasked to utilize combos, grapple throws, and use whatever you can find in the environment to your advantage.

Each boss also serves as a climactic moment in the storyline, making for dramatic encounters that require strategy and skill to overcome. Beyond the warfare, you’ll be stunned by the neon-lit streets of Tokyo and Osaka as you participate in various side activities, like playing arcade games or managing your own business.

Though Yakuza 0 is one of the best entries in the series, recent entries such as Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth are just as good (or better). And if you’re wondering why they dropped the ‘Yakuza’ title branding in recent years, it’s simple: it was never part of the series’ name in Japan, and they’ve decided to stick with the “real deal” going forward!

Horizon Forbidden West

The Machines Fight Back

Horizon Forbidden West will have you put your stealth skills and the many weapons offered to good use as you battle for survival against mechanized enemies. The game’s dynamic combat system allows you to target specific parts of your foes to break them down before you deliver the finishing blow.

The action blends perfectly with the open-world nature of Horizon, meaning you can use the environment to play a huge part in your battles. Whether that means setting up some traps or utilizing a height advantage, there are many ways to get the upper hand on your opponents and to keep the experience engaging.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake

A Look Back At A Classic

In Final Fantasy 7 Remake, you’ll start and end your journey in Midgar, as Cloud and his Avalanche buddies look to save the world from the evil Shinra empire. If you were a fan of Final Fantasy Seven, you’ll be pleased to know the Remake takes a lot from the original game, but with a fully voiced cast, modern graphics and an expansion of key story moments that perhaps felt a bit rushed in its original 1997 version.

With a completely revamped battle system, roughly 40 hours of both new and old content, and a re-imagined story awaiting you, you can expect to get lost in all the action Final Fantasy is known for providing. So, whether you’re figuring out what your connection to Sephiroth is or slicing through enemies with your trusty Buster Sword, you’ll always be on the edge of your seat with anticipation.

As much as we love FF7 Remake on PS4, it’s best to grab it on PS5 or PC if you can. The added Yuffie DLC, Intergrade, is excellent. The uptick in visual pop and polish is welcome, too, of course. But it’s Intergrade that really sets it apart.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Prepare To Die, More Than Twice

Set in Japan during the Sengoku period of the late 1500s, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an action-adventure known for its fierce combat and souls-like gameplay. There’s no denying that Sekiro is difficult, and for that reason, you’ll need to master its mechanics and possess strategic thinking and precise timing when it comes to battling bosses.

Stealth is vital in eliminating your foes and not becoming too overwhelmed. Luckily, your grappling hook offers a chance to gain height, enabling strategic positioning and allowing you to perform aerial takedowns. Despite having a steep learning curve, Sekiro offers a rich world with stunningly crafted environments and a compelling story – if you can survive long enough to see it.

Dragons, Snow, And A Civil War

If Skyrim was the first Elder Scrolls game that you had the pleasure to experience, it’s worth mentioning that they’ve been an RPG cornerstone for many platforms. Although unlike Skyrim itself, through its various updates, they don’t look as beautiful on PS4 as this one does.

Learning new shouts in dragon-speech, exploring the frozen tundra, or just becoming the stealth archer of your dreams, there’s something for everyone in the world of Skyrim. Don’t feel put-out if you aren’t big on RPGs; it has plenty of first-person adventure elements to keep fans of multiple genres happy.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

A Monster Hunter’s Plight

In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you’ll take on the role of Geralt of Rivia, a legendary witcher of the School of the Wolf. When playing you can tell how much attention to detail has been given to the story, the game’s characters, and its open-world environment.

Collectively, all three of these things come together over the course of this 50-hour title. You’ll find a lot of your action comes when defeating the large variety of enemies and monsters, of which you have both weapons and magic at your disposal. But if the combat and story still isn’t enough action for you, there are two expansion packs, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, ready for you to download and sink your sword into.

The Last Of Us: Part 2

A Revenge Story Like No Other

If you’re looking for a blend of beautiful storytelling mixed with the brutality of revenge, The Last of Us Part 2 offers this and so much more. You’ll engage in cold-blooded, lifelike confrontations with both human enemies and the Infected, where murder has never felt both emotional and sadistic.

The game emphasizes its post-apocalyptic setting by limiting resources, forcing you to scavenge for supplies to craft weapons to survive the onslaught of enemies waiting to tear you to pieces. If you run out of bullets, you’ll have to resort to stealth or melee combat to subdue those who oppose you on your blood-filled journey, shaped by a moral dilemma at the hands of retaliation.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

With Great Power…

You’ll be swinging headfirst into the action in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. New York City has never looked so stunning on the PS4 hardware, and the impressive visuals only enhance the immersion into the life of Peter Parker.

The action couldn’t be more fulfilling either, as you’ll be battling supervillains and completing side missions, all the while unraveling a well-crafted story. The best part, though, is the way the game captures the essence of being the popular superhero, with the web-slinging mechanics, acrobatic combat, and the use of the open-world design. Whether you’re a fan of Marvel or not, Spider-Man 2 is an incredible title worth playing.

God Of War

The Rule Of The Gods

God of War: Ragnarok continues the journey that Kratos and Atreus had set out on in the earlier installment. It’s quite a fun and more narrative-focused experience from the previous titles in the series, but one that is a rollercoaster ride of action and emotions.

Some old faces return, both good and bad, as well as some new ones that mythology fans will instantly recognize. Kratos stays a powerhouse of the PlayStation lineup of protagonists, and it’s interesting to see him develop his role as a father too.

Elden Ring

Rise Up Tarnished

The PS4 has plenty of great RPGs for you to choose from. That being said, few are as impressively in-depth as Elden Ring manages to be. It somehow balances a lot of different aspects that bring RPG fans new and old into the role of the Tarnished.

Impressive amounts of lore, a nail-biting amount of challenging boss battles, and a world unlike you’ve seen in any RPG so far; no matter what it is that connects you to the genre, you’ll find it. The open-world aspect also makes it easier for those who haven’t previously honed their soulsborne skills.

As of this writing, Elden Ring’s major upcoming DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, is right around the corner. We can’t wait to play it – if you enjoy the main game, make sure you pick it up, too!

Red Dead Redemption 2

A Gunslinging Adventure

Red Dead Redemption 2 puts you in the Wild West as the outlaw Arthur Morgan. Within the open world landscape, many feats of action are waiting to be explored. Whether engaging in heists, stand-offs, or gunfights, you’re bound to be caught up in some nefarious activities as you traverse the beautiful locations of the United States of America.

The narrative of a rapidly changing world will keep you invested, as Red Dead Redemption 2 blends storytelling and high-stakes action exceptionally well, no matter if you’re taking in the views on horseback or stuck in the middle of a shootout.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Nathan’s Story Continues

Naughty Dog’s ability to create realistic and movie-like games is a testament to its ability as a game development company. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is no different, as we join Nathan Drake on his final adventure in a gripping narrative.

As you explore the globe in search of history’s long-lost treasures, you’re met with breathtaking landscapes and witty dialogue from fleshed-out characters while engaging in various shoot-outs that even James Bond would be jealous of. Uncharted’s way of mixing hand-to-hand combat, cover shooting, and all guns blazing makes for exceptional experiences throughout the series.

Shadow Of The Colossus

The Bigger They Are

While it was first released for the PS2, Shadow Of The Colossus has come back again and again with each of the new iterations of the PlayStation console, and it’s easy to see why. If you have never heard of it, the plot starts when a silent protagonist goes about the perilous journey of defeating various giant monsters.

Why? To bring back to life a girl who he has connections with. The game doesn’t tell you much out of the gate, but despite it, you’ll be hooked on the story. There’s nothing quite like climbing up a mountain of an enemy and watching it fall with the careful application of your sword.

Ghost Of Tsushima: Director’s Cut

A Samurai Of Legend

In Ghost of Tsushima, you play as a samurai who wages a one-man war against Mongol invaders. Stealth and tense swordplay take center stage as you explore the open world of Tsushima Island. The combat system places you in epic duels that will have you adapting your tactics to each situation and enemy.

Ghost of Tsushima is like a katana to the chest — heart-stopping with its impressive attention to detail, gorgeous life-like visuals, and fluid combat mechanics; when combined, it creates an action-packed masterpiece that will transport you back to a historical era.

The Director’s Cut version only amplifies this experience by introducing new content and features for you to enjoy.