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 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.
Updated on September 30th, 2022 by Hannah Saab: As more players continue to look for the best story-driven games on the PS4, fanbases for classic and contemporary narrative-heavy titles are still growing. There's no shortage of these best PS4 story-heavy games to choose from, with some even getting recent major improvements that make them worth checking out.
Journey (2012)
Though it offers essentially nothing in 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 ission.
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 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.