The PlayStation 4 is no slouch when it comes to offering great gaming experiences. While it’s now officially a last-gen console due to the release of the PlayStation 5, the best story games on PS4 still have a lot to offer. In fact, PS4 owners are spoiled for games that are heavy on narrative and immersion, which is great for those who love to lose themselves in a fun story.
Some of these games are PlayStation exclusives, and may never pop up on another system, while others have simply seen a lot of success on the platform, thanks largely to the user base. Whatever the case, the PS4 clearly has a lot going for it in the story department, and it’s one reason to consider picking one up while the world waits for a new batch of PS5s to be shipped.
Journey (2012)
Though it offers essentially nothing in terms of narration, it’s the visuals that give Journey its enigmatic story. A classic on the PS3, this excellent sleeper hit has been remastered for the PS4, and it’s an emotional, magical experience that PS4 gamers don’t want to miss.
While its design might be more of an acquired taste, there’s a sense of zen-like serenity that comes from playing the game. Taking up the mantle of the Traveler means getting roped into one of the most engrossing and immersive experiences to come out of a developer studio in quite some time.
Firewatch (2016)
Firewatch proves how far a good story can go in keeping the player invested. A walk through a nature preserve might not seem particularly invigorating, but with the correct writing, performances, and presentation, it all adds up to an incredibly unique play experience.
The game offers a huge story focusing on just two characters. In the vast wilderness of Two Forks, players are armed with a radio and their survival skills, while uncovering the mystery behind ominous events in an otherwise tranquil setting. The art style alone is worth the price of admission.
The Dark Pictures Anthology (2019)
In the style of a choose-your-own-adventure novel, the horrific tales of the Dark Pictures Anthology allow players to guide the narrative of different tales of terror. With two entries currently available, and another soon to be released, players will definitely have their hands full of horror.
Man of Medan and Little Hope offer two different forays into the realm of madness. Face off against a ship full of undead horrors, or investigate a village plagued by a terrible curse. It might be hard to pinpoint whether it’s the rumble feature, or nerves making those controllers shake.
Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017)
The Assassin’s Creed series has one of the most enduring storylines of any action franchise, but Origins takes it even further. Every story needs to start somewhere, and this exploration through ancient Egypt is the one that gets the ball rolling.
Origins essentially laid the groundwork for the new direction that the franchise would follow - one focusing on refined combat and greater exploration. Stealth is still a prime directive, but the story involving secret societies, deities, and cloak-and-dagger drama is right at the forefront.
Ghost of Tsushima (2020)
Just as the iconic Akira Kurosawa’s works influenced the blockbusters of our modern age, so too have they influenced games like Ghost of Tsushima. Ninja and samurai elements aside, the story is definitely one of the most epic to have graced the PS4, and it continues to be a linchpin title in the console’s lineup.
Take up the blade against a ruthless Mongol invasion as a fallen samurai who must forsake his honorable code to bring villains to justice. It’s definitely a ninja epic for the ages, along with being one of the most gripping narratives to come out of video gaming in years.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning (2016/2021)
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was an action RPG that received the reputation of “the greatest game nobody played.” With a lore-rich world created by the legendary R.A. Salvatore, and character and monster design by Todd McFarlane of Spawn fame, it’s baffling how this title didn’t get a Skyrim-sized following.
There’s tons of story to discover, and rich characters to drive every quest. On paper, it has all the elements that should make for a great story-driven fantasy title, but it deserves a lot more recognition from the gaming community before it gets its proper due.
Celeste (2018)
Celeste will test the player’s platforming skills, timing, and patience before it hits them right in the feels. This game might appear to be another indie-darling platformer, but behind the quirky art style is a very emotional story that serves as the primary attraction.
Hidden beneath the bits is a tale of a foreboding mountain, personal struggles, and internal mental and emotional turmoil not often seen in games of this vein. In some ways, it leverages its non-threatening art style to touch on its subject matter very effectively.
Night in the Woods (2017)
A game stuffed full of cute and cuddly animal characters done in a paper cut-out art style might look deceptively shallow, but it’s important to look beyond the surface. With such an adorable appearance, the topics of mental health, depression, and mysterious cults don’t exactly fit the bill, yet here they are.
As Mae, players can explore the quirky yet eerie small town of Possum Springs as they unravel the dark secret hidden behind the suburban facade. Night in the Woods is another title that uses disarming graphics and a quirky art style to effectively deliver its subject matter to audiences.
Until Dawn (2015)
Until Dawn and its spinoff series, The Dark Pictures, rely on the player’s choices and timing to determine which way the story goes, and that’s a throwback to the classic “Choose Your Own Adventure” books of old. Branching pathway stories are some of the most interesting since they offer a lot of replay value.
Every move the player makes decides who lives, dies, and how the latter meet their fate. Is it possible to save all the victims, or will they fall prey to the Wendigos? That question can only be answered by the player, and the individual decisions they make along the way.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (2017)
It takes a certain set of skills to blend combat-heavy, hack-and-slash gameplay with a narrative that serves as an allegory for mental illness and grief, but the clever minds at Ninja Theory made it happen with this Norse-inspired action title. Fans of the TV show Vikings’ more heartwarming scenes will identify strongly with this game.
As the titular Senua, players slash their way through demons, monsters, and hellish landscapes to save the soul of her dead lover, all while dealing with a very frightening psychosis. The game attempts to put the player in her shoes and see things from her traumatized perspective while telling one amazing story at the same time.
Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)
2018 was one of the biggest years for Spider-Man fans. Venom and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse were released, Spider-Man got to fight alongside his favorite heroes in Avengers: Infinity War, and he was even given his own PS4 game with Marvel’s Spider-Man.
Peter Parker struggles with balancing his personal life with his superhero one, but things get worse when he’s forced to make several difficult choices to protect the world. Marvel’s Spider-Man tells a very emotional and humane story about Peter Parker, without losing any of the fun of the comic books.
Horizon Zero Dawn (2017)
Horizon Zero Dawn offers one of the most creative open-world experiences in all of gaming, and there’s a lot to accomplish before gamers truly get their money’s worth. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world in which machines and humans live together, albeit on unfriendly terms.
Players control the hunter Aloy as she defends the tribes and searches for answers while learning more about the catastrophe that befell the world and plunged it back into the stone age. The story is a number one priority in Horizon, and its sequel Horizon Forbidden West continues its engrossing story.
Bloodborne (2015)
Created by the same developers behind the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne allows players to customize characters to explore the city of Yharnam. Within the city is a mysterious strain of blood that can apparently heal any affliction.
To obtain blood and cure the city’s illness, the player has to battle monsters lurking about Yharnam. Not only does Bloodborne tell a gripping story about sacrifice, but it also provides engaging, yet brutal and challenging battles throughout the entire run.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
From the book series to the Netflix show, fans of The Witcher have been getting years of quality content that never seems to dry up. It is best known for being a longstanding video game franchise created by CD Projekt Red, and the most recent entry is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Many players still haven’t discovered everything the game has to offer, which is a testament to the franchise’s depth.
In that game, players control Geralt as he defends his loved ones from the infamous and predatory Wild Hunt. For fans of the franchise, Wild Hunt is sure to offer a fulfilling conclusion to Geralt’s story, though there’s already talk of a fourth game in the series from CD Projekt Red.
Persona 5 (2016)
Persona 5 is a game that takes full advantage of its anime aesthetic. It boasts energetic action, compelling characters, and an exciting story about the Phantom Thieves of Hearts that has made it something of a cult classic series.
It’s widely regarded as one of the most enjoyable games on the PS4, and it still remains a relevant topic of discussion today. The character of Joker is even a playable option in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, proving just how far the influence of this series goes.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (2016)
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End continues the exploits of treasure hunter Nathan Drake, who, after having retired, goes into the treasure hunting business one last time when he reunites with someone from his past. It’s another solid entry in the Uncharted series with a story that weaves its way through the gameplay mechanics and exotic, sprawling locations.
The series has always been about adventure in the style of Indiana Jones, which is why many fans of that franchise also play Uncharted, and other titles in the adventure genre. Even though the series has gotten a bit darker over the years, it’s still a lot of fun to play. The scripts are dynamite, and the way the characters interact as part of the larger story is positively cinematic.
The Last Of Us Remastered (2014)
Naughty Dog’s instant classic The Last of Us is one of the most iconic and influential story-based video games ever to have been released. It somehow manages to take the traditional zombie movie genre stereotype, and refresh it for a new audience. It’s the characters who truly drive the narrative, which is some of the most powerful material to come out of a game studio.
The Last of Us tells a moving story about people who have lost and sacrificed everything, and how they cope moving forward. It ends on a shocking and somber note, paving the way for its recently released sequel, which unfortunately earned the ire of longtime fans who were outraged by certain creative decisions regarding the beloved characters.
Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
Excluding Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto V has sold the most copies out of any video game, ever. That’s a testament not just to its open-world gameplay and consequence-free environment, but also a story that is ridiculously off the rails and wildly entertaining. The game has a number of unpopular opinions attached to it, including the nature of the story, but fans seem to disagree.
Though the world of Grand Theft Auto V is big, the stories of the main three protagonists are what bring it back down to Earth. The script is nothing but social satire from beginning to end, and these elements are weaved perfectly into the storyline, no doubt due to Rockstar’s built-up experience with narratives in previous GTA games.
God Of War (2018)
God of War is one of the most successful PlayStation exclusives to date, and it’s a major departure from the original series in both gameplay, and story. Kratos, now with his son Atreus, battles Gods and creatures from Norse mythology this time ‘round, which is a refreshing change of pace from the Greek-inspired mythos of past titles.
While previous God of War games were little more than blood-fests and carnage excursions with a brutal and merciless storyline to back them up, this one is far more human in tone. Kratos is no longer a raging madman, and now has responsibilities towards his son. He’s a changed man, and that allows for a much better story to be told, one that will soon be continued in God of War Ragnarök.
Red Dead Redemption II (2018)
Arguably the most ambitious project from Rockstar Games is Red Dead Redemption II. Being a prequel to the first game, it tells the story of how John Marston fell out with his gang, and for fans of the series, that’s one incredibly interesting story to dive into.
Red Dead Redemption II isn’t just perfect for fans of the Western gaming genre, but also for fans of stories about family, and the bonds of togetherness. Also, it’s an excuse to go rampage around the wild frontier and engage in all sorts of nefarious and noble deeds, depending on each player’s style.
The Yakuza Series (2005 – 2021)
The Yakuza franchise is a fun one to delve into knowing little to nothing about its wacky minigames and immersive story. Often featuring Kazuma Kiryu as the protagonist, the games’ narratives are inspired by yakuza films and Japanese crime dramas, lending them a unique atmosphere and environment.
While several of the stories often concern Kiryu teaming up with allies to stop conspiracies against their gang, the more poignant ones show his desire to leave the yakuza lifestyle to start fresh and become a civilian. The games may have wild aspects, but their narratives can be surprisingly hard-hitting and poignant.
Days Gone (2019)
The action-adventure game Days Gone is set in post-apocalyptic Oregon two years after a pandemic turned a large portion of the population into zombie-like Freakers. It follows the experiences of outlaw-turned-drifter Deacon St. John. After he finds out that there’s a chance his wife Sarah may still be alive, he embarks on a mission to find her and ends up learning more about the apocalypse in the process.
The game manages to stand out among other zombie-inspired titles with the depth of its story and its likable characters. It’s far too easy to feel attached to the protagonist and his allies, especially as they dive deeper into the shocking conspiracy behind everything.
Detroit: Become Human (2018)
In the near-future urban scape in Detroit: Become Human, Androids are doing human jobs and causing friction in the process. Players control three main characters, all Androids, each with their own storylines. Connor is a police investigator investigating cases of Androids’ curious behaviors, Kara is a housekeeper who protects a young girl from abuse, and Markus is a caretaker who develops free and organizes fellow rebels.
The narrative-heavy game encourages players to make decisions for the Androids that will affect short- and long-term events. It’s a title where gamers’ choices really matter, as there are multiple endings, and only a few of them are good ones.
Death Stranding (2019)
A cataclysmic event that caused dangerous “Beached Things” to be scattered across the United States shapes the dystopian future of Death Stranding. The game allows players to take on the role of a courier, Sam Porter Bridges. His perilous job is further complicated when he’s caught in a plan to unite the Knot Cities around the country.
The otherworldly gaming experience is not one to miss for those looking for a mind-bending narrative. Although patience and skill are required to see it through until the end, players who do will find that it’s a journey they won’t soon forget even after the credits roll.
Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)
It may have been a controversial failure when it was first released thanks to countless bugs, but after necessary fixes and improvements, Cyberpunk 2077 is better than ever. It’s now possible to enjoy its unique aesthetic and vibrant world, by first choosing a life path for V, who soon meets a long-gone rock star called Johnny Silverhand.
Set in the gorgeous Night City, the title is full of well-written characters and exhilarating side quests. Its overarching narrative is surprisingly deep, too, as it tells a story that raises smart questions about corporate greed and sacrifice.
