There will always be a place for single-player games, mainly because there's something special about being gripped by an interactive story designed to thrill and delight you. The PlayStation 4 swiftly became one of the best platforms for these types of game, offering up a variety of high-quality experiences for those who like investing in cool characters or exploring a new world. And with the PS4 now having passed the story-centric baton to the PS5, we thought it worth running through our picks for the 10 best single-player PS4 games currently available.
From alternate history first-person shooters to post-apocalyptic open world games where you must wrestle with robot dinosaurs, the following is a meticulously chosen list of the 10 best single-player PS4 games. We've really pulled out the boat here, not just featuring exclusive PS4 games, but multi-platform titles that are geared towards the tastes of solo players. Let's take a look...
10. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
The follow-up to MachineGames modern reboot of the Wolfenstein series came out guns blazing, setting players in the blood-laden shoes of BJ Blazkowicz on a Nazi-slaying ride that felt slick and fresh.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus successfully advanced the formula by having you fight on US home shores, introducing a whole host of creative weaponry for you to deal death with. All of this done while progressing through a meaty campaign that further explores BJ's mindset and a bleak alternate history.
The game is not only one of the best single-player PS4 games, but one of the best modern first-person shooters ever. It seamlessly balances tight gunplay and level design with a gripping narrative that pulls you in, further bolstered by an eclectic mix of characters that you develop genuine relationships with. No micro-transactions, no live-service model just a good old-fashioned historical first-person shooter with plenty of bite to it.
9. Resident Evil 2
The advent of PlayStation 4 and Xbox One meant the time was ripe to revisit certain classic video games through a modern lens, and arguably the best example of this done right was the remake of Resident Evil 2.
Originally released for the PlayStation One in 1998, this new adaptation takes the same story, characters and setting but retrofits it onto the skeleton of a 21st century third-person shooter. The result is an intensely creepy survival horror experience where you must explore a zombie-riddled police station, uncovering the secret behind the outbreak.
Resident Evil 2 succeeds in scaring you thanks to the dankly grim atmosphere and mood it sets in the environments, brought to life more so by Capcom's impressive RE Engine which portrays zombies gooier than ever before.
Much like the original there are two campaigns in total to complete, with the same events playing out from both Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield's perspective. Can you stomach this chilling story twice? That's the question.
You should, because it's one of the 10 best single-player PS4 games!
8. Control
Remedy's first game since its break away from Microsoft as a first-party studio, Control surprised everyone with its wacky premise and merging of gunplay with the supernatural.
The entire game takes place within one location, The Oldest House, a brutalist building that plays home to a weird organisation responsible for investigating the Earth's mysteries. You enter this place as Jesse Faden in the attempt to track down your missing brother, navigating the spiralling halls and progressing deeper into madness.
Control stands out from the sea of single-player shooters these days simply because it isn't worried about being strange, pulling away from the gritty aesthetic of many to keep on surprising you. Jesse acquires new power-ups and abilities as the narrative goes on, changing up the gameplay so much that the Control you first load up at the beginning is nothing like what you'll be playing towards the end. Lynchian, bold and gripping all the way through, Control is a great solo PS4 game.
7. Uncharted: Lost Legacy
While Nathan Drake's story was neatly tied up into a bow in Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, his legacy lives on in this perfectly paced spin-off adventure with side characters Chloe and Nadine sharing the lead role.
Uncharted: Lost Legacy is great because it's a refined version of all the Uncharted games that came before, seeing you undertake thrilling puzzle set pieces and shootouts all while still finding the time to expand the format with a new open-ended area.
Rather than set you on an adventure that takes placed across the globe, Uncharted: Lost Legacy is a more laid-back affair. The majority of the game, for example, takes place within India's Western Ghats, as Chloe and Nadine attempt to track down an object important to the former's family history while hot on the heels of an evil warlord named Asav. This is one of the best single-player PS4 games because it's a healthy dose of Uncharted action that doesn't outstay its welcome.
6. Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Just when you think that Ubisoft’s fan-favourite stealth RPG series couldn’t get any better, they kicked off the new generation of consoles with easily the most ambitious and polished Assassin’s Creed games yet. But don’t worry, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla also looks and plays great on PS4, letting you sink your teeth into 9th century England as a rampant Viking. You can choose to play as Eivor as male or female, but one thing’s for certain: you’re always guaranteed a grand adventure as you attempt to take down the latest Templar plot.
The version of England Ubisoft has created is luscious with vibrancy and variety, making it all too easy to venture off the beaten track and undertake interesting side missions. The main plot of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will easily take you a good 50+ hours, but now there’s even more to sink your teeth into thanks to countless post-release DLCs and free updates. Whether you’re a fan from way back or someone wanting to jump in for the first time, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is one of the most comprehensive single-player games on PS4 out there.
5. The Last of Us: Remastered
In many ways there are only two types of gamer on the planet: Those that have already experienced The Last of Us and those that are yet to play The Last of Us.
While originally released at the tail-end of the PS3 generation, this poignant narrative-driven game was quick to make the jump to PS4. Players take on the role of Joel, a smuggler past his best, attempting to survive in the infected post-apocalypse. Eventually, however, a girl called Ellie enters his life offering hope of a cure.
Gameplay is a mix of stealth, gunplay and exploration, in what is best described as an ambitious road trip story where Joel and Ellie must rely on each other to avoid the nightmarish Clickers' and thwart them when required.
Surrounding this is games' strong emphasis on narrative which sees it rival the best of stories told in books and cinema.
If you needed proof that video games can be emotionally affecting, look no further than one of the best single-player PS4 games in The Last of Us: Remastered.
4. Red Dead Redemption 2
Having already created one of the most realistic renditions of modern-day life with Grand Theft Auto V, Rockstar quickly returned to the time of The Old West to deliver players a fully developed cowboy simulator.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is actually a prequel set before the events of the first Red Dead Redemption released in 2010, offering interesting context to a period when the time of The Frontier was rapidly dying. Rockstar's sequel is notable for its much slower pace compared to a lot of other open-world games, truly letting players inhabit the role of Arthur Morgan.
As a member of Dutch's gang of outlaws, missions range from having you undertake train robberies to simply surviving drunken bar fights. All this you do while becoming increasingly invested with this eclectic ensemble cast of characters.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the best single-player PS4 games simply because it places more emphasis on story than most open-world games, surrounded by an incredibly faithful Wild West set to transport you to a whole new period of history.
3. Horizon Forbidden West
Having previously been tied to the perfectly fine but still not great Killzone series for 10+ years, developer Guerrilla Games finally achieved its first breakout hit with the original Horizon: Zero Dawn. The 2022 sequel improves the futuristic open-world experience in almost every way, giving Aloy a whole new area of war-torn America to explore and even more luscious sights to see. This is a world where nature is claiming back the Earth, and it’s up to you to help it along by ridding the landscapes of all enemy robot dinosaurs in any way you can.
The simple act of getting around is always delightful in Horizon Forbidden West thanks to the excellent traversal systems, which in this sequel are even better thanks to the addition of a glider. It’s easily one of the most stunning and vibrant open-world games ever created, automatically rendering it a real treat for single-player games on PS4 who want to get lost in a new location. Going toe-to-toe with the various new robotic enemy types is always guaranteed to keep you alert, making every triumph feel all the more fulfilling as you pepper them with several different cool weapons. If you’re an open-world game fan, Horizon Forbidden West is a must play for PS4 fans.
2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CDProjektRed's modern fantasy epic is a masterclass in RPG design, setting players off within a vibrant location rife with monsters and miscreants with you being the only person able to combat both.
Geralt of Rivia is a Witcher, a genetically altered human that's purpose is to slay creatures. However, it's the relationships and sprawling map filled with stuff to do that makes this third chapter into the acclaimed series well worth a look for anyone seeking a great single-player PS4 game.
At your disposal is a suite of magical abilities and weaponry for Geralt to master, letting you approach every combat scenario much differently from the last. Couple these unique gameplay aspects with top-notch voice acting and an incredibly well told story, then you have one of the best fantasy RPGs ever created.
Think of the Witcher 3 as Skyrim but so much more. There's up to 200 hours worth of content and world to get lost in while playing the game, with many considering it the greatest game of this console generation.
1. God of War: Ragnarok
By far the best single-player PS4 game is the latest and greatest God of War instalment from Santa Monica Studio. Ragnarök picks up just a couple years after the 2018 soft reboot, following father-and-son duo Kratos and Atreus as they try to prevent the prophesised end of days. Their mission sees them undertake another epic quest where they get to rub shoulders with even more Norse gods, exploring every single one of the nine realms while gaining new traversal abilities and combat skills. It’s about as personal and introspective a story as you can experience on PlayStation, with God of War Ragnarök even rivalling the likes of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us.
The revitalised over-the-shoulder combat was already great before, but in Ragnarök is even more capable using his frosty Leviathan axe and heat-laden Chaos Blades. Single-player enthusiasts will feel the weight of every swing, punch, and throw, combining it with light and heavy runic abilities that sees Kratos unleash his full Spartan fury. PlayStation exclusives on PS4 don’t get any more sweeping or epic than God of War Ragnarök. It smartly improves upon the original while building off its foundation, hence why it tops our list of the 10 best single-player PS4 games.
Honourable mentions
If you're a stories single-player PS4 player that needs even MORE recommendations on what to play, you'll find a handful of further games below that act as our honourable mentions. These solo-centric gems just barely missed our official top 10, but are still worth diving into should you have room in your game to make for them.
Marvel's Spider-Man
Marvel's infamous wall-crawler had been lacking a strong video game adaptation for so long, Insomniac's reinvention felt like a breath of fresh air by the time it swung its way exclusively to PS4. Packing in a wide range of familiar villains, a fully detailed version of New York to explore and one of the best Spider-Man stories ever conceived, Marvel's Spider-Man serves as the ultimate open-world superhero simulator on PlayStation 4.
Detroit: Become Human
If intriguing stories in video games are your thing, this latest character-driven drama from Quantic Dream is well worth a look. Set in a future version of Detroit where androids are considered second-class citizens by the human populace, you'll take on the role of three unique characters that experience this thinking differently, making difficult choices that will have major story ramifications. Detroit: Become Human is paced like a TV show, and as such is a great single-player experience.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Just when you think Ubisoft couldn't make a world more engrossing than the Ptolemaic Egypt it presented in Assassin's Creed Origins, the Triple-A developer outdid itself once again with the release of Assassin's Creed Odyssey. This is a living, breathing rendition of Ancient Greece you can explore at your own pace, tracing back either Kassandra or Alexios' family history while undertaking the role of a stealthy assassin.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
After what felt like a lifetime of waiting, Final Fantasy VII Remake finally hit PS4 this year to deliver players with a modernised, reimagined version of the game's opening Midgar portion. The result was a take on the classic story that's a lot more fast-paced, as you switch between Cloud, Barrett and Tifa in real time and use unique abilities to keep the pressure on enemies. This remake is an ideal single-player PS4 game for new and old players alike.
Ghost of Tsushima
Developed by the same folks behind Sly Cooper and InFamous, Ghost of Tsushima is comfortably one of the best Samurai action games ever made. You play as the island of Tsushima's sole defender, taking down the evil invading Mongol forces while helping the Japanese locals rise and take back their home. Doing this involves learning new stances, improving your swordsman skills, and exploring this ravaged but beautiful setting. If you're a solo PS4 player craving a cinematic adventure, Ghost of Tsushima will do just the trick.
Bloodborne
To some the very pinnacle of the Souls-Borne genre, Bloodborne is a much smoother action-RPG experience that may give you greater control over your character but is still hard as nails. An emphasis on dodging attacks and a wide suite of weapons encourages players to play more aggressively than in any Dark Souls game, making it one of the most thrilling single-player PS4 games out there. Bloodborne isn't for everyone, yet those who don't mind a challenge should love it.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order arrived in late 2019 to everyone's surprise, serving as a solid single-player action game that really doubled down on being a Star Wars-fuelled adventure. You play as Order 66 survivor Cal, exploring a handful of planets to find a new way to resist the Empire's dark reign. Mastering the ways of the jedi and learning how to use a lightsaber is crucial in doing this, as you eventually learn to dodge, parry and attack with skill. Single-player PS4 gamers shouldn't miss out on Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Resident Evil 3
Though much leaner and less innovative than the Resident Evil 2 remake released only a year before, the 2020 reinterpretation of Resident Evil 3 is still a scare-fest worth experiencing. This time the horror comes to the streets of Raccoon City, with STARS member Jill valentine pursued by the hulking Nemesis creature as she does her best to escape. Craving a jam-packed action-horror adventure? The Resident Evil 3 remake on PS4 is well worth a look.
God of War
Picking Kratos out from the world of Greek Mythology and setting him within a Norse environment, God of War centres on the relationship between the former god of war and his son as they traverse this rich and detailed setting. Primarily a third-person action game with RPG elements, the entire game takes place using a one-shot camera meaning that there are never any breaks in the narrative.
Horizon: Zero Dawn
Guerilla Games is a first-party developer previously known for creating the Killzone series of games. However, when let off the leash by Sony to work on something new, the studio got a chance to flex with a brand-new open-world RPG set in the far future, where machines and man roam the Earth together. Experience an America unlike our present day and fend for your life by surviving in the beautiful but dangerous landscapes of Horizon: Zero Dawn.
