The PlayStation 4 generation is drawing to a close, as the PS5 due to be released in just a few weeks. The PS4 system was home to some incredible RPGs, including some which redefined the genre as we know it.
The PS4 is one of the best-selling video game systems of all time, and it achieved this feat with the help of a killer lineup of exclusives and some amazing third-party support. The first-party outings on the PlayStation 4 focused more on action games than RPGs, but throughout the system's lifespan the genre was held up by third-party studios and indie developers on the PS4.
The era of the PS5 is about to begin, so the time has come to celebrate some of the best titles of the PS4. This was the system that brought us the story of the Luminary, the horrors of Yharnham, the war of the Witchers, the songs of the Underground, and the adventures of the Phantom Thieves of Heart. Below are some of the best RPG experiences available on the PlayStation 4.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age On PS4
The Dragon Quest series has struggled to attract an audience outside of Japan, but Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age might be the game that finally brings the series to mainstream attention in the west. Games like Persona 5 Royal and Undertale might have redefined the turn-based RPG, but Dragon Quest XI mastered the existing formula and turned it into an epic experience.
Dragon Quest XI follows the Luminary, who is the destined hero of legend with the power to stop the end of the world. So far, so Final Fantasy, but Dragon Quest XI has enough twists and turns in its story to differentiate itself from its contemporaries. Dragon Quest XI has beautiful visuals, an incredible soundtrack, and a gameplay style that is accessible while still being challenging for veterans. The game has memorable characters and hours worth of side quests that reward the player with awesome gear and satisfying story moments. The Definitive Edition of Dragon Quest XI adds a ton of content, and it's worth playing through the game again to experience the new story chapters. Dragon Quest XI could give the Mortal Kombat series a run for its money in terms of reusing assets, but that doesn't stop it from being the best game in the series to date.
Bloodborne on PS4
FromSoftware took everything it learned from Demon's Souls and the Dark Souls games and perfected it in Bloodborne. The slow, defense-oriented gameplay of the past was replaced with high-speed action, as the player has to meet enemies head-on in some of the most viscerally pleasing battles in video game history.
Bloodborne is a masterpiece of visual design, with its Lovecraftian gothic world telling a story without ever saying a word. The player takes on the role of a hunter in a world driven mad by otherworldly blood, a curse which has corrupted its inhabitants and transformed them into monsters. Bloodborne is one of the best action RPGs of all time, with an incredible aesthetic, a combat system that rewards dedication and skill, and some of the greatest boss battles in a game to date. The weapon selection is incredible, the soundtrack is haunting, and players can't wait to experience it again on PS5 through the PlayStation Plus Collection.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt On PS4
One of the most impressive aspects of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the beauty and scale of its world. It doesn't take long for the game to thrust the player into the role of Geralt, the titular Witcher whose mission to find Ciri is quickly derailed by an ever-growing list of side quests. Ciri is going to be waiting a long time, as The Witcher 3 has some of the best side quests in video game history, which are propped up by well-written characters, fast-paced combat, and a number of interesting choices for resolving dilemmas.
The Witcher 3 is a true epic in every sense of the word. It matches The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in terms of enjoyment in exploration. It's just fun to mount a horse and go riding through The Witcher 3's gorgeous world, or to take down anyone foolish enough to test Geralt's mettle in battle. If all of this talk is enticing another playthrough of The Witcher 3, then hold off a little while, as the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of the game are free to people who own them on earlier consoles.
Undertale on PS4
Undertale started out on PC before making the jump to consoles, starting with the PS4. There are few games that people develop as much of an emotional connection with as Undertale, the title that changes all of the tropes of classic 16-bit RPGs in order to tell a truly special story. Undertale is the story of a human boy who falls into an underground kingdom full of monsters who were sealed away long ago. The story of Undertale can go in a number of directions, depending on how bloodthirsty the player is, but they must experience every path to fully understand the tale.
The gameplay of Undertale mixes traditional turn-based JRPG battles with R-Type style shooting sections. What really makes the game stand out is its attempt to make every fight seem unique, and to give each enemy their own characterization. Undertale has stellar writing and some of the best gags in modern gaming. The songs in Persona 5 Royal might be catchier and more fun to yell while drunk, but no other game on this list can match Undertale's phenomenal soundtrack, which will stay with players long after the credits have rolled.
Persona 5 Royal on PS4
One of the greatest PlayStation exclusives of the past decade is Persona 5, which later received a PS4-only upgrade in the form of Persona 5 Royal. The traditional turn-based JRPG has been refined to a point never seen before in Persona 5 Royal, as waiting for the next round in battle has never felt so stylish, nor so satisfying, as it does when it involves the Phantom Thieves of Heart. Persona 5 Royal follows a gang of high-school students who gain the ability to enter the minds of evil-doers and alter their personality. What starts out as a journey of revenge against those who wronged them becomes a battle against the rotten core of society itself.
Persona 5 Royal has an amazing story, engaging characters, a fast-paced and satisfying battle system, and a soundtrack that will never leave your head. The new content added in the remaster adds hours of gameplay that ties up the loose ends from the original story, while adding that extra layer of post-game challenge that was lacking in the original. The original Persona 5 ended with the player wanting so much more, and Persona 5 Royal offers that final moment of closure. There is no better time spent on a PS4 than it is with the Phantom Thieves of Heart.
The PlayStation 4 era might be over, but that doesn't mean these games will be forgotten. The backwards compatibility and Game Boost features of the PS5 means that these games will continue to live on and win over fans for years to come.