My years with the PS4 proved my decision wise. Not only was the console powerful and reliable, but it got plenty of excellent exclusives. And Sony’s decision to embrace indie gaming gave me access to some of the best artistic creations since 2013. Its robust roster of games includes plenty of T-rated games, but I decided to rank some of the better games that take that rating to new heights (beyond Minecraft, Fortnite, and Fall Guys). So these are the best T-Rated games you can pick up on the PlayStation 4 right now.
15. Gravity Rush 2 (2017)
Even if you played the original Gravity Rush on the PSVita, you might have missed its sequel. Despite underwhelming commercial performance, Gravity Rush 2 is a fantastic title that polishes the original game’s engaging gameplay. If the first Gravity Rush was a proof of concept, this is the finished product. You could also start with Gravity Rush Remastered on the PS4 if you want to follow the story from the beginning.
14. Injustice 2: Legendary Edition (2018)
Mortal Kombat is a little bit too violent not to slap an M-rating on the cover… But if that kinda gameplay is what you’re interested in, Injustice 2 is the perfect T-rated alternative. This ode to DC features an all-star cast of super-heroes and villains ranging from the obvious to the utterly unexpected. You’ll get your Batman and your (evil) Superman, mixed with a little Swamp Thing and Dr. Fate. Get the Legendary Edition to get all the new DLC characters, including Starfire and Red Hood. You’ll also get Hellboy and even MK characters like Sub-Zero and Raiden.
13. The Talos Principle: Deluxe Edition (2015)
Why isn’t The Talos Principle E-Rated? There’s no blood, no suggestive themes… it’s just you, the puzzles, and the deep philosophical problems. Well, it’s probably because of that last bit. The Talos Principle likes putting your mind to work overtime by exposing you to existential issues like the meaning of life, death, and the nature of conscience that’ll follow you for a while even when you’re not solving puzzles in front of your PS4. Get this if you need intellectual stimulation from your games.
12. Shadow of the Colossus (2018)
Fumito Ueda’s genius as a game director has never shone brighter than in Shadow of the Colossus, a puzzle-platformer where you’ll hunt down, climb, and kill majestic beasts to bring your lover back to life. Exploring the grand landscapes of the ancient plains the colossi call home is a breathtaking experience, and this updated version looks better than ever. It even has a photo mode! Even if you already played Shadow of the Colossus on the PS2, it’s worth picking it up again for the PS4.
11. Transistor (2014)
If you liked Supergiant Games’ Bastion, then you’ll love Transistor – a futuristic sci-fi action RPG taking place in the digital city of Cloudbank. Everything about Transistor is remarkable – from the deep combat style customization to its gorgeous, sleek visuals and fantastic soundtrack. It also tells an emotional story full of interesting cyberpunk-ish characters, though the plot probably needed a bit more focus. This isometric action RPG’s combat system is a definite highlight, too, as it brings together satisfying strategic gameplay with incredible visual effects.
10. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (2016)
This T-Rated alternative to Tomb Raider follows ex-adventurer Nathan Drake as he’s pulled out of retirement to help his brother out of trouble. Lots of shootouts and lots of destruction of invaluable historical artifacts ensue. Naughty Dog seems to have brought a lot of the same energy they put into The Last of Us, over to Uncharted 4. The game’s tone is much darker than previous entries in the franchise, and it places a more significant emphasis on stealth than before. And if you’re new to the series, check out the Nathan Drake Collection which brings the first three games to the PS4 with some graphic retouching.
9. Soulcalibur VI (2018)
The sixth entry in the influential Soulcalibur series brings a satisfactory roster of 29 characters, but it places a bigger focus than ever before on its incredibly sophisticated character creator. Along with these characters, you’ll get room for 100 custom characters to fill with your creations or what others share online. Of course, the addition of The Witcher’s Geralt of Rivia as a playable character boosts this game up a lot in my personal ranking. I don’t think anyone could have thought of a better guest character – and it makes sense, unlike Darth Vader and Yoda on SCIV.
8. Tekken 7 (2017)
If what you’re looking for is a hardcore fighter that you can pour hours upon hours into as you memorize all the combos and learn to dominate the online scene, you can’t beat Tekken 7. This entry in the storied franchise is the ultimate Tekken experience. Not only does it look and sound incredible, but the combat system has been refined and polished to a mirror sheen. It also features a robust roster of 54 characters including classics like Jin and Kazuya, and guests like Akuma from the Street Fighter series and Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum from FFXV. Plus with modding support, Tekken 7 will keep you busy for weeks on end.
7. Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020)
Whether you love the classic Final Fantasy VII or just never got a chance to try it, the 2020 action-RPG remake is a great way to immerse yourself in the story and meet its iconic characters – all with ,pre modern and dynamic gameplay. Rather than pure turn-based combat, this remake features cinematic real-time battles. The classic PS1 combat is reflected in the usage of skills and magic in the slow-mo Tactical Mode. You can only use these skills once your ATB gauge fills up, similar to how the original game handled turns. The main cast is just as lovable this time around, plus the game looks gorgeous, and Nobuo Uematsu did a superb job with the music.
6. Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin (2015)
You won’t be playing the original Dark Souls or Dark Souls III if you’re avoiding M-Rated titles. But for some bizarre technicalities, Dark Souls II was deemed safe for teenage consumption. This action RPG brings a lot of the same challenging combat and context-based storytelling of its predecessor, though it lacks the same level of inter-connected world design. It’s also a bit easier than other Souls titles, so it’s a great place to start if you’re a newcomer to the series. If you can, get the Scholar of the First Sin version, which runs in glorious 60fps and almost looks like Dark Souls 2’s original trailers promised.
5. Dragon Quest XI: Records of an Elusive Age (Definitive Edition) (2020)
Here’s one of the best T-rated options if you’re looking for a game that’ll capture all of your attention for 80+ hours. The Dragon Quest series is always a great place to look for fun – and the PS4 has one of the best games in the franchise. DQXI is a love letter to a franchise that has shaped the JRPG genre for over 20 years. It’s a fantastic title for lovers of the series, and anyone who enjoys traditional turn-based RPG gameplay. The creature design is as charming as ever, all your party members are exciting and magnetic characters, and the graphics are just fantastic. The fact that the game also lets you play through the entire campaign in a 16-bit 2D style with no changes to narrative or events is just captivating.
4. Final Fantasy XV: Royal Edition (2018)
FF15 feels like Square-Enix’s love song to Korean boy bands and leather clothing. It’s all about cruisin’ through a fantasy landscape on your bad-ass royal car while your artsy friend takes dramatic pictures of the gang. So clearly we know the plot is solid. The battles are also just as epic as you’d expect from a major Final Fantasy release – but the game is about its characters, as shown by the DLC Episodes delving deeper into each of them. Even the main antagonist gets some love! It’s also about a group of friends sharing wholesome activities like campfire cooking and fishing in-between breaking into military bases and fighting colossal demons. This game is not only T-Rated, but also carries a positive message about companionship. What’s not to love?
3. Horizon Zero Dawn (2017)
Ah yes, HZD. The setting is cool, the protagonist is cool – hell, even the game’s name is cool! Horizon Zero Dawn is one of my favorite new intellectual properties born during the PS4’s run. The visually jarring clash between the game’s lush nature landscapes and the high-tech bio-mechanical beasts that inhabit them is captivating, as is the game’s world-building and lore. Combat isn’t really anything to write home about. But exploring every nook and cranny of this post-apocalyptic world that’s been thoroughly reclaimed by nature is exhilarating. The story is also a highlight, as is the protagonist’s cool factor. Did I mention that already?
2. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020)
If you haven’t yet played the sequel to the critically acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man, then you’re missing out. Big time. Miles Morales’ open-world adventure is more focused than its predecessor, and one of the better Spider-Man games out there. Many superfluous aspects of gameplay have been removed in favor of polishing the game’s main appeals. Traversing the city and kicking ass like only Spider-Man knows how is just as entertaining as before. And it’s nice that the game focuses on Harlem’s Spider-Man first and foremost.
1. Monster Hunter: World (2018)
It’s always a good time to get Monster Hunter: World – and this is true any day you read it. While the game’s main objective is to get you to play with your friends and participate in the fantastic MMO aspects of MHW, it’s also delightful as a single-player game. It’ll take skill and patience, but you can tackle almost anything this game throws at you, all by yourself. And once you’re done with that, the Iceborne expansion adds a whole new game’s worth of content, including new creatures and bosses to tackle alone or with friends. Defeating colossal creatures and using their parts to craft stronger gear is simply perfect from a progression perspective. It’s gratifying, rewarding, and addictive.
