Gaming has come a long way in the last 20 years, and one of the best things about the new generations of gaming is how far graphics have moved forward to allow developers to push consoles to their absolute limits and create truly visually stunning environments.
Now with the release of the PlayStation 5, developers can do even more. But it was during the PS4 era, we really saw visuals take a giant leap forward. Here are the top 10 most visually stunning games released on PlayStation 4.
Journey
Despite being released in 2012, Journey's art style keeps the game current. In this small indie adventure game, the player traverses desert-like environments and mountains as they immerse themselves in a non-combat, emotive narrative.
As a wordless game, Journey relies heavily on its art style as a visual guide and received high praise from critics for both its art style and unique direction. Although technically multiplayer, the gamer cannot interact with other players they come across, other than to wordlessly charge each other's cloth, before continuing on their way.
The Outer Worlds
Upon crash landing on a strange planet in The Outer Worlds this is the first image the player sees after stepping out of their spacecraft. Throughout the game the protagonist travels the galaxy, visiting multiple brightly-colored, beautiful worlds with moons and planets hanging in the sky.
Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, The Outer Worlds is a first-person, open-world action-adventure that toes the line between humor and seriousness. Although the planets of The Outer Worlds are far more visually striking than the dystopian environments of Fallout 4, other gameplay elements were favorably compared to the popular game. A sequel was announced earlier this year, although The Outer Worlds 2 will be a PC and Xbox exclusive.
The Last Guardian
The Last Guardian is a beautiful game set in the heart of abandoned Asian-inspired temples, where a small boy works his way through riddles and puzzles with the help of Trico, a mythical and strange creature he discovered and freed from the temple's depths.
The setting of the game is visually stunning and it is physically impossible not to fall in love with Trico, whose animation wonderfully and carefully brings the creature to life. The Last Guardian took director and creator Fumito Ueda over 9 years to complete, finally coming out in 2016.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End was the first of the series to be released on PlayStation 4 and immediately received critical acclaim, becoming the sixth highest-rated PlayStation 4 game of all time on Metacritic.
This final game in the Uncharted series follows Nathan Drake on a linear jungle adventure when his brother Sam turns up unexpectedly asking for his help. Set amid ancient ruins in a tropical jungle, critics described the game as a graphical beauty, praising its minute details and stunning environments.
Bioshock Infinite
Although originally released on PlayStation 3 in 2013, Bioshock Infinite was remastered and re-released 3 years later for PlayStation 4 receiving critical acclaim for its art design and style. This striking image is what first assails the player as they enter the main setting of the game; the steampunk city-in-the-sky, Colombia.
Although set in 1912 with NPCs wearing Victorian styles of clothing, the environments have a futuristic feel as the player finds themselves in the prophet-led, cult-like city. Bioshock Infinite is a first-person shooter, where the protagonist named Booker can propel himself through the clouds using sky-hooks on sky-lines, with the city spread out below them.
God Of War
God of War is the first in the series to feature Norse mythology, instead of Ancient Greek. As the protagonist, Kratos, the former Greek God of War, the player travels with their son, Atreus, on a journey to fulfill his wife's final wish.
Throughout the game, the player journeys through stunning, snowy mountain ranges, across valleys and rivers to reach their destination. God of War received critical acclaim for its groundbreaking visuals and heartbreaking story.
Witcher 3
Despite being published in 2015, Witcher 3 continues to hold up graphically against newer games of the generation. As Geralt of Rivia, a member of the hated and feared Witcher race, the player journeys across multiple lands to find and save his adopted daughter, Ciri.
The detailed environments, well-rounded characters, and immersive story have led to The Witcher 3 being considered one of the greatest games of all time.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Set in the Wild West, amidst sprawling mountain ranges and barren valleys, Red Dead Redemption 2 follows the story of Arthur Morgan as he encounters a series of moral choices that determine his eventual fate.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is listed as the number one greatest PlayStation 4 game of all time on Metacritic with its open world visuals receiving praise from critics. The high level of detail in the game is visually impressive, with intricate weather systems and some of the most advanced facial expressions gamers have seen on the PS4 system.
Ghost Of Tsushima
Set in feudal Japan, in Ghost of Tsushima, the player encounters stunning poppy fields, sakura trees, hot-springs, and architecturally beautiful pagodas as they travel through Tsushima to confront Mongol invaders led by the terrifying Khotun Khan.
Released in 2020, with additional DLC and a Director's Cut released in 2021, Ghost of Tsushima received critical praise for its striking environments and undeniably beautiful setting. Small touches like the changing weather and the animals and birds that litter the landscape add to the overall immersion of this stunning game.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Assassin's Creed Odyssey is set in the beautiful world of ancient Greece. Playing as Kassandra, or Alexios, gamers can experience the temples, acropolis' and real-life figures of the Ancient Greek world as they complete their Odyssey, learning the truth behind their broken family.
A departure from the older games in the series, Assassin's Creed Odyssey is a huge open world, with a much larger focus on traditional RPG elements than its predecessors. The attention to detail, bright colors, and stunning displays of history mark this game as the most visually satisfying game of the PlayStation 4 era.