20. 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.

19. Final Fantasy IX (PS4)

Many a Final Fantasy fan would tell you that Square's series peaked with Final Fantasy IX. An indisputable PlayStation classic, it first released as an utterly outstanding swansong for Sony's first console. A masterfully crafted world is inhabited by excellent characters, and it's all placed alongside more traditional RPG mechanics, refined to near perfection. With superb story pacing that whisks you from one gripping scenario to the next, it's still incredibly hard to fault Final Fantasy IX.

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18. 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.

17. Persona 4 Golden (PS4)

Considered to be one of the most memorable Japanese RPGs of all time, Persona 4 Golden is an excellent video game. Set in the sleepy town of Inaba, you strive to solve a series of strange murders, all while exploring an abstract world that exists inside of TVs. Initially released on PS Vita, the excellent turn-based combat and a brilliant cast of characters will engross you just as much on PS4. The sheer style of Persona 4, along with its outstanding soundtrack, are just the icing on this deliciously golden cake.

16. Final Fantasy X HD Remaster (PS4)

Final Fantasy has always had love stories, but few of them have resonated stronger than the one featured in Final Fantasy X. While the writing hasn't aged especially well — along with some of the voice acting — Final Fantasy X helped define the PS2 generation for a lot of people. It was something of a revolution for Square's series — a new combat system! Voice acting! Realistic looking characters! — and it remains a highly regarded fan favourite. Just don't get bogged down in trying to dodge 200 lightning bolts on your first try, okay?

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. Persona 5 (PS4)

Persona 5 is the game responsible for catapulting Atlus' role-playing series into mainstream success. Unparalleled in terms of style, it's a landmark RPG that perfectly fuses its various gameplay elements together. It's worth noting, however, that the original Persona 5 has been made pretty much redundant by Persona 5 Royal — a greatly enhanced re-release that turns an already superb title into a true masterpiece.

11. Stardew Valley (PS4)

If you're in the market for some peace and relaxation, Stardew Valley is well worth a look. A pixelated sandbox that lets you play at your own pace, you're left to revitalise the family farm, interact with a cast of cheery characters, and explore your new home. It's a laid back life sim that's perfect for some stress-free PS4 sessions. A dedicated multiplayer update even allows you to sow the seeds of friendship and farm it up together.