The 7 Greatest Playstation 4 Games Released in 2020

Hot damn, 2020 has been one hell of a year. The Covid-19 pandemic has left me stranded in my dingy basement apartment, smoking lots of weed and trying to pass the time with frivolous activities. But one thing that has helped keep my sanity intact as I adjust to my new life as a hermit is my Playstation 4 and their extensive library of downloadable video games. While so much of society has felt like it’s been put on hold, it seems gaming has only become supercharged, releasing a handful of new games this year that have truly pushed the envelope.

Much like streaming movies through services like Netflix, video game systems now offer their own services where players can simply download entire games in just a few hours instead of having to throw on your gasmask and wander into the wasteland to pick up a new release from Game Stop. This new way of gaming is quickly becoming the future, so much so that Sony has released two versions of their new Playstation 5, one of which is a disc-less “digital edition”.

While I do miss the experience of going into a game store and sifting through a plethora of titles and admiring the box art, I have become a bit addicted to downloading games through the Playstation store. Their prices rival that of Game Stop (which has been known for ripping of gamers), and they are constantly putting games on sale, including some of the most popular titles. I’ve been using the app “PS Deals” on iPhone to track prices of games I want and get notifications when their prices drop which has allowed me to game like crazy without breaking the bank.

So as this crazy year comes to a close, I’d like to give a list of 5 games released this year on Playstation 4 that have truly left an impression on me. And if you are too broke like I am to splurge on a Playstation 5, these epic games might just be able to hold you over.

Final Fantasy VII Remake

The original Final Fantasy VII, released on the first Playstation back in 1997, is still considered by many (myself included) to be one of the greatest RPGs ever created. I was honestly a bit annoyed that this Playstation 4 “remake” isn’t an actual remake of the original in its entirety, but it’s still an ambitious effort for the beginning of what seems like it will be a lengthy project. With beautifully update graphics and gameplay, it provides players a new experience without straying too far away from the old. A must have for RPG lovers.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon

This reboot of the popular Yakuza series, Like a Dragon introduces a new protagonist, a new story, and takes the beat ’em up style battle system of the old and replaces it with a new turn-based RPG style system. While change can be scary sometimes, this title achieves it with style and grace, creating a game that many critics are rightly raving over. It’s fun, story driven and presents an open world with hours and hours of exploration and gameplay.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2

As if the nostalgia gifted to us by the FF7 remake wasn’t enough, the first 2 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games were also remade this year. With all of the skaters, levels and music you love from the originals, it’s also packed with tons of new content and more extensive online content like an impressive skatepark creator. If you grew up on THPS like I did, this is a blast to the past that you wont regret splurging a bit on.

Nioh 2

If Dark Souls and Bushido Blade had a baby, it would look something like Nioh 2. Similar to the first with many improvements (such as a new character creation), you play a samurai set in a fantastical, feudal Japan, fighting all kinds of demons and enemies that could only come from nightmares. Much like Dark Souls, the gameplay is incredibly difficult and sometimes frustrating, but rewarding beyond words as you feel yourself actually get better and be able to take on the toughest foes. Definitely not a game for the faint of heart or those that don’t like a challenge.

Watch Dogs: Legion

The Watch Dogs series continues to improve, especially so with this third installment to the series. This time the game is set in London and allows players to take control of multiple characters instead of one main protagonist as they hack their way to a better future. It’s gameplay and story are sure to suck you in and offers way more than fans have come to expect from the series. If you decide to wait for this title, it has been rereleased on the Playstation 5.

Doom Eternal

The Doom games are easily becoming the greatest action/shooter series out right now. This follow up to the 2016 game, Eternal takes all of the in-your-face action and bad-assery of the Doom Slayer and gives it cocaine. The gameplay keeps you on the edge of your seat while also presenting a lot of side challenges and new online gameplay that will surely keep you engaged. If shooters are your thing, the Doom games are a must have.

The Last of Us Part II

If I were given the responsibility of claiming a game to be “game of the year”, the Last of Us Part II would probably be it. While it is not perfect, it is absolutely impressive in its execution. The graphics push the limits of what the Playstation 4 is capable of, the gameplay is fun and engaging (but does admittedly become a bit repetitive at a certain point), but above all the story and acting have created a whole new standard for what gamers should expect from big titles like this. You absolutely feel as though you are in a movie, as you play through characters’ stories that you begin to empathize with and feel for. It’s a story of love, loss and vengeance with enough layers to keep you intrigued throughout. For those that were fans of the first, I can’t recommend this one enough. It’s an experience you have to play to truly believe.