This year saw a number of outstanding releases for the PlayStation 4 from both Sony and third party companies, from indie offerings that became a phenomenal success to highly expected sequels that lived up to the hype.
Here’s the rundown of our favorite PS4 games for 2015 – and here’s looking forward to more big titles, like these, in 2016!
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection
While we wait patiently for Nathan Drake’s last hurrah, Uncharted 4, to arrive in April, we have this worthwhile compilation, which features his first three original adventures in stunning 1080p, running at a smooth 60 frames per second. Each of these adventures is worth reliving, especially Uncharted 2, as you begin to climb up a train car that’s hanging over the edge of a cliff. Of course, that’s just one of our favorite scenarios – this Collection is full of ’em.
The Order: 1886
Argue all you want about whether the actual game could’ve used more gameplay to go with it, but The Order: 1886 certainly goes down as one of this year’s most beautiful PlayStation 4 efforts. Ready At Dawn, trying its hand with a console game for the first time, definitely delivered with a game filled with ambience and atmosphere, while at the same time packing in some action-filled scenarios as you battled mysterious monsters and tried to uncover a bigger conspiracy. It’s going for about $20 these days, and is well worth the purchase.
Just Cause 3
This long-awaited sequel from Avalanche Studios and Square Enix certainly didn’t disappoint, as Rico returns once again, this time to liberate an even larger country from a tyrannical general. Of course, how you rescue the villagers is completely up to you, whether you rappel two helicopters together in one fiery explosion, ride a plane right into an enemy camp, or any other number given scenario that lets you cause massive destruction within a matter of seconds. We can’t get enough of this game.
Star Wars: Battlefront
The Force is strong with DICE’s long-awaited return to the dormant Star Wars franchise, and enriched with plenty of multiplayer action. Featuring a slew of modes to choose from – including the surprise favorite Fighter Squadron, where you engage in the best kind of aerial combat – Battlefront didn’t disappoint, and its single player missions helped prep you for the battles ahead. Sure, a single player campaign – even one involving characters from The Force Awakens – would’ve hit the spot, but there’s no arguing the sheer fan service this game includes.
Bloodborne
Considering that the game came from From Software – those crazy developers behind the Dark Souls series – there’s no question that Bloodborne is painstakingly difficult. In fact, you’ll probably die well over a few dozen times before you begin to make progress in the game. That said, it’s time well spent, thanks to ambient visuals that draw you into a world of darkness, along with sharp gameplay that will keep you on your toes, especially when it comes to boss battles. Good luck!
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt
The return of Geralt has been a long time coming, but players have found that it was certainly worth the wait. CD Projekt Red’s hit sequel really comes through on all fronts, whether it’s with its various missions, its visceral combat, its unique role-playing elements and its wow-worthy visuals, which really throw you into a fantasy world filled with danger. It’ll be a while before we see the next developer’s effort, but considering what The Witcher III has done, it’s sure to be awesome.
Rocket League
One of this year’s biggest indie hits is clearly Rocket League, a game that neatly ties together elements of fast-paced racing and soccer to create an eSports phenomenon that we can’t stop playing. Filled with multiplayer action aplenty, along with new gameplay variants that have been added via DLC for no additional charge, Rocket League also packs solid visuals and neat tricks that both veterans and newcomers can master in no time. That doesn’t mean you’ll be able to beat us at it, though…
Guitar Hero Live
We haven’t seen a new Guitar Hero game for five years, so it was about time we got one. Thankfully, the team at FreeStyle Games didn’t disappoint, reinventing the formula we’ve come to expect from the game and creating a whole new experience worthy of our rock skills. With live streaming channels and a huge supply of on-demand music that won’t set you back an arm and a leg, Guitar Hero Live also features a sharp new peripheral design that old and new players alike will get into with ease. This is the kind of encore we can get used to.
Until Dawn
Horror movies have been a bit stale as of late, but the team at Supermassive Games have taken such a typical formula and turned it around to its benefit with Until Dawn. In this interactive adventure, you fight to stay alive in a cabin with a number of teens, while fending off a strange killer throughout the course of the evening. Every decision plays into an overall “butterfly effect,” which could make all the difference between staying alive and death. This one’s definitely worth a look for fans of the genre, as well as adventure fans. Turn off the lights for maximum effect!
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
Last but definitely not least, we have the long-awaited follow-up to the Black Ops saga from Treyarch, one that fires on all cylinders. Not only is there a great new single player campaign with support to up to four people in co-op, there are also a number of advancements in multiplayer, including new maps, weapons and Specialists to master. On top of that, Dead Ops Arcade is back with a whole new rendition, and Shadows of Evil, the latest Zombie mode to be introduced with the series, is the best yet, featuring the likes of Jeff Goldblum, Ron Perlman and more. This is easily one of the best sequels of the year, so don’t miss it!
