The PS4's life is nearing its final years as the PS5 and Xbox Series X start to become the focus. It's been a long road and the PS4 has seen phenomenal success over the years, both in terms of hardware and software sales. Sony has released a slew of exclusives, and on top of that, there are some truly unforgettable third-party titles.

With the generation coming to a close it's the perfect time to look back on the very best PS4 had to offer. Despite a shift to multiplayer and games-as-a-service, Sony has continued to focus on the single-player experience, which also pushes story to the forefront.

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Storytelling in video games has evolved in leaps and bounds this generation, as developers try new ways to tell narratives. These are the games that truly exemplify the unique ways video games can tell a story.

Persona 5 Royal

Persona 5 Royal

Persona has always been a heavily thematic series, but Persona 5 Royal's themes feel more applicable today than ever before. The protagonist of Persona 5 is exploited by a devious politician and wrongly convicted of a crime. Similarly, the entire cast of Persona 5 are adolescents who are misunderstood, struggle to accept themselves, or feel like they don't have a place in the world. It's a coming of age story, but it's also about the corruption in society and politics, and working to reform society. The Phantom Thieves are all flawed people, but they're a lovable bunch of misfits who find a family in each other. As the Phantom Thieves steal people's hearts and reform them, the game constantly calls into question the morality of their actions.

It's fascinating to see Persona 5 make both the player and main characters question if what they're doing is right. The social simulation elements of Persona 5 are stronger than ever before, and the game masterfully balances everyday high school with supernatural battling. The original Persona 5 tells an unforgettable story with some fascinating twists, but Persona 5 Royal is really just the cherry on top. Royal adds on a lengthy new epilogue and a phenomenal villain that players can easily sympathize with. New characters fit right into the narrative with ease, and some of the most emotional moments happen right near the final boss battle. Persona 5 is one heck of a ride and one that players will need 100 hours to see through. Still, the experience is well worth it.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Geralt with his back turned and Ciri facing front in the video game The Witcher 3

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt completely redefined the open-world genre, and other titles have followed its example in the years since. Widely regarded as one of the best games of the generation, The Witcher 3 excels not in its main narrative, but how it makes everything feel important to the overall narrative. There is a through-line for players to follow, but the Witcher 3's best content lies in going off the beaten track and following the hundreds of side quests that pop up along the way. A ton of sidequests tie back into the main story in smart ways, even letting players recruit extra allies for a massive battle. However, the quests that don't tie into the main story have their own engaging stories to tell.

The Bloody Baron questline is one of the most memorable in the game, and it shows the human heart at the core of all The Witcher 3's storytelling. Players are introduced to an incredibly nuanced character, that they're supposed to both love and hate at the same time. This ultimately comes down to an agonizing decision that comes down to whether or not they can forgive the past atrocities the Baron has committed. Humanity and warmth are the core of Geralt's character, even as his exterior is rough and grim. Choices matter in The Witcher 3, and the emotional tale to find Geralt's adopted daughter is unforgettable.

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Red Dead Redemption 2

players in red dead redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a dramatic tale of loyalty and betrayal, with a phenomenal main character at the heart of it all. Serving as a prequel to the first Red Dead Redemption, the game chronicles the downfall of the Dutch Van der Linde gang, which John Marston was a part of. Players take on the role of Arthur Morgan, Dutch's right-hand man, and get to experience the gang in its heyday.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is definitely a slow-burn, as players go through dozens of hours with the gang before things take a turn. However, it's truly astounding how well the game develops each member of the gang, making players care for them all while they know their eventual fate. Arthur Morgan is a fascinating hero, a cowboy split between his life as an outlaw and a desire to do the right thing. Rockstar crammed the game with small details and mannerisms that bring everything to life, from the way Arthur's journal shows his artistic talent, to the way he reacts when seeing himself in the mirror. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a story that players know will turn tragic, and the game does something truly unique by having Arthur's tuberculosis interfere with gameplay. As Arthur gets sicker it becomes harder for him to run, or he might not be able to aim as well when his vision blurs. Red Dead Redemption 2 shows that it truly is about the journey and not the destination.

God of War

God of War is a series known for its insane violence and overly aggressive hero. It's not every day a game completely redefines its series to the extent that God of War did on PS4. The new God of War fast-forwards years ahead to a much older, and wearier, Kratos. After the death of his wife, Kratos now lives alone with his son Atreus, who knows nothing about Kratos' past as the Ghost of Sparta. God of War doesn't start as a quest to kill the gods, even though that does happen by the end. Instead, it's a simple journey to scatter the ashes of Kratos' wife.

God of War is a surprisingly emotional tale, even when juxtaposed against its extreme violence. Kratos isn't the ideal father figure and both him and Atreus struggle with their relationship throughout the game. The most interesting aspect of the story is seeing Kratos try to come to grips with his violent past, and his failure as a father. The change from Greek to Norse mythology lets Sony Santa Monica take an entirely different tone for the game, and it works. God of War is still filled with all the intense action fans could want, but making the story more grounded and relatable seriously benefits the game.

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Marvel's Spider-Man

There are dozens of superhero games out there, and even dozens of Spider-Man games. The fact that Marvel's Spider-Man stands out so distinctly is a testament to the game's quality on both the gameplay and story front. Spider-Man creates an entirely new Marvel universe, separate from anything in the comics and films, and that gave Insomniac a lot of freedom to craft their own narrative. The game completely skips any kind of origin story, instead showing an older Peter Parker at the prime of his crime-fighting career. Peter and Mary Jane have broken up, and Peter struggles to find any time to be himself amidst all the work as Spider-Man. Insomniac Games simply gets what makes Spider-Man tick, and they told a fantastic story filled with equal parts heartbreak and hope. The game focuses on Peter's relationship with the people close to him and liberally takes time to flesh out other characters like Miles Morales, Mary Jane, and Doctor Octavius. Marvel's Spider-Man is one of the best Spidey stories yet, and that's really saying something in a franchise as long and storied as it is.

While these games sit near the top of video game narratives, there are still countless others that provide equally memorable experiences. There's a reason these games sit with players for years and continued to be talked about to this day. As gaming moves on to the PS5 and Xbox Series X, it'll be interesting to see what new devices developers come up with for storytelling.

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