20. Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix (PS4)

Stuffed with extra content, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix (try saying that three times fast) features not only two of the most beloved action RPGs in history, but also Re:Chain of Memories from the Game Boy Advance, and Birth By Sleep from the PSP. The game hasn’t aged as gracefully as others on this list, but there is undeniable magic here and, of course, a huge sequel to dive into.

19. NieR: Automata (PS4)

NieR: Automata's complete and utter disregard for your time pays off in so many ways. Yoko Taro's android-based adaptation of Hamlet may seem like anime schlock for the first 20 hours or so, but stick with it and you'll be rewarded with one of the richest narratives in games today. This character action title revels in subverting your expectations, and it crescendos with a mind-blowing climax that will leave your jaw on the floor.

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18. Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)

Square Enix actually did it. It actually remade Final Fantasy VII, and the result isn't a complete disaster. In fact, Final Fantasy VII Remake is a fantastic action RPG. It may not cover the whole story of the original, but it greatly expands on characters, themes, and plot points included in the Midgar arc. Its crowing achievement is its outstanding combat, which blends real time movement and action with time-pausing command menus. It feels like the evolution of Final Fantasy's classic Active Time Battle system, and it's amazing. What a time to be alive.

17. Dark Souls III (PS4)

From Software's punishing format may have been old hat by the time Dark Souls III deployed, but even three entries in, the studio's stranglehold on great level design remains as strong as ever. The final part of the trilogy, this uber-polished action RPG possesses the same stunning art and deliberate combat as its predecessors, but it's the abundance of fanservice that will most please those who've prayed at the altar of the sun since the series' very start.

16. Grand Theft Auto V (PS4)

A game so popular that it’s existed through three console generations, GTA 5’s unstoppable commercial success makes Los Santos the most iconic open world game ever made. Its ambitious multi-pronged campaign – starring downbeat middle-aged gangster Michael, witty wannabe Franklin, and bonafide psychopath Trevor – is littered with memorable moments, including a bank heist and a jewellery store robbery. But it’s online where the title has earned its longevity, offering a multiplayer suite unlike anything else available.

15. Horizon Zero Dawn (PS4)

A role-playing game with action more fulfilling than most corridor shooters, Guerrilla Games’ heritage with first-person shooters means that Horizon Zero Dawn’s sizeable quest list is one you’ll actually enjoy clearing. The real surprise here, though, is the richness of the post-apocalyptic world that protagonist Aloy inhabits; this is a science-fiction story set against a tribal backdrop, and it marries these incongruent themes masterfully. An incredible effort from the Dutch developer.

14. Horizon Forbidden West (PS4)

With Horizon Forbidden West, Guerrilla Games had to deliver something pretty special to top the beloved first game. Fortunately, by improving on its weakest areas and tightening the design, the sequel more than lives up to Aloy's debut adventure. A huge, varied open world is home to not only brilliant new machines to fight, but also some of the series' most interesting and fleshed out human tribes. Between beautiful settlements, old world ruins, and natural environments, the world is a pleasure to explore with Aloy's new traversal methods. The main story manages to pack in some big surprises while the supporting characters and missions are vastly improved, and there's more than ever to do outside of some of the best combat in any open world title. It's, somehow, a better game than Zero Dawn in almost every way.

13. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PS4)

Sekiro is a slight departure from the rest of FromSoftware's output this generation, but it's no less impressive. Dropping some RPG elements from the Souls series and focusing on intense swordfights, the game has a much more action oriented flow, and it's excellent. Every fight is a knife-edge battle of wits as you aim to parry every strike, and it makes for an adventure that's thrilling from start to finish. With some insanely good boss encounters, a beautiful world to explore, and a uniquely challenging combat system, Sekiro is among the best action games on PS4.

12. Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection (PS4)

It's hard to fault the Uncharted PS3 trilogy — especially when all three games have been neatly compiled into one remastered package. Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is a no-brainer if you're on the market for cinematic action. While the first Uncharted is a bit shaky by more modern standards, it's still interesting to revisit the adventure that started it all. Meanwhile, Uncharted 2 and 3 remain genre-defining in a lot of ways, which is a testament to Naughty Dog's commitment to quality.

11. Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut (PS4)

Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut repackages one of the greatest open world games of the PS4 era. A breakout hit for first-party developer Sucker Punch, this expanded re-release includes a new idyllic samurai sandbox named Iki Island, and forces protagonist Jin Sakai to face some painful memories. This is the definitive version of one of PlayStation Studios’ crowning PS4 achievements.