Despite Microsoft's earnest endeavors to close the gap, Sony's console has comfortably outperformed the Xbox One. Commercial success should never be used as a marker to determine a product's quality, but the PlayStation 4 is home to some of the most highly rated console exclusives of the current generation. The Nintendo Switch might be gradually amassing a solid line-up, but the handheld hybrid exists within its own bubble. As of the moment, Metacritic lists more than five Sony console exclusives with an average in the 90s. Obviously, a couple of duds have been published along the way, but the PlayStation 4 is batting a solid average.
God of War, Persona 5, and Bloodborne demonstrate that integrity need not be sacrificed to attract a wider audience. While none of these titles are shipping Call of Duty numbers, these types of games justify the existence of the hardware. The Last of Us served as another reason to purchase the PlayStation 3, and Microsoft's lack of exclusives diminishes the overall console's appeal.
In an ideal world, quality would dictate quantity. Unfortunately, brand recognition tends to be the driving force behind a product's commercial viability, therefore, the top of the charts are nearly always dominated by the likes of FIFA and Grand Theft Auto. To a certain degree, Rockstar's game warrants the hype, but the studio's blockbuster series is an exception to the rule. The PlayStation 4 boasts more than a handful of awesome first-party exclusives, but quite a few fantastic titles fell through the cracks.
Here are the 15 best PS4 games no one played (and 15 bad games everyone did)!
30 Quality: The Evil Within 2
Prior to Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, The Evil Within 2 delivered the classic Resident Evil adventure that many horror fans have been demanding. Debuting at number three, Tango Gameworks' atmospheric survival game struggled partially due to its predecessor's mixed reaction. A far superior game to 2014's original, The Evil Within 2 blends action and horror to create a minor masterpiece that should satisfy those yearning for a new Resident Evil 4. Putting aside the publisher's own properties, Bethesda has distributed many well-received games that have failed to return much of a profit.
29 Quantity: Destiny
On release, Destiny was little more than a proof of concept. From the studio behind the Halo franchise, Destiny's gunplay was never going to be anything short of brilliant, but Bungie essentially launched a tech demo. Yes, Destiny looked and played good, but the story was practically non-existent. The multiplayer-focused shooter needed more than a year to fulfill its potential, but The Taken King should have been the starting point. Despite hailing from a prominent studio, gamers seem oddly willing to disregard Destiny's present state and believe that things will ultimately work out.
28 Quality: Tales From The Borderlands
Telltale Games' recent closure points towards a history of underperforming titles built on an unvarying formula that gradually overstayed its welcome. Witty and packed with likable characters, Tales From The Borderlands serves as a testament to the inherent potential of interactive games. Unfortunately, the hilarious adventure was considered a failure within Telltale's offices, so much so, the last two games were handled by a skeleton crew. For those unfamiliar with the Borderlands series, this spin-off requires little prior knowledge of the franchise. Do you appreciate an entertaining story? Yes? Okay, this game is for you.
27 Quantity: FIFA
Is it too early to describe FIFA 19 as terrible? With every annual incarnation, EA and fans go through the same song and dance. Critics bestow FIFA with a solid average, but the public's opinion gradually deteriorates over the subsequent months. By the end of the season, forums will be packed with customers showing outright disdain for the product and claiming they will never buy another iteration. Apparently, nobody likes FIFA but everybody plays it. When Ultimate Team begins to feel more like a job, it might be time to hand in a two-week notice.
26 Quality: Assassin's Creed Syndicate
During the introduction, we stated that monetary profit should not be employed as a stamp of quality; however, that is not entirely true. A sequel's commercial success tends to paint a rather accurate account of its predecessor's quality. Assassin's Creed Unity was a broken mess at launch. As a result, Assassin's Creed Syndicate failed to ship the same amount of units. A rotten egg can ruin the entire pack, and Ubisoft's franchise had to take a break to allow the wounds to heal. While not the most groundbreaking entry, Syndicate is a fun romp through London and, arguably, the last authentic Assassin's Creed game.
25 Quantity: Final Fantasy XV
Stuck in development purgatory for over a decade, it is a minor miracle that Final Fantasy XV saw the light of day. Square Enix has updated the base game numerous times since its release, but the JRPG was a beautiful mess at launch. Ditching the turn-based combat for real-time action, Final Fantasy XV presents players with an expansive but chiefly barren world to explore. Eos is stunning, but there are precious few side-quests that reward diverting from the beaten path. Boiling down to mostly one button, the combat asks almost nothing from the player and lacks even a semblance of Final Fantasy Type-0's depth.
24 Quality: Kingdom Come: Deliverance
An indie game overflowing with enthusiasm and promise, Kingdom Come: Deliverance occasionally comes across as too ambitious for its own good. Published earlier this year, the historical RPG buckled under the weight of numerous technical difficulties, resulting in a relatively low aggregate score. Time has proven Warhorse Studios' property to be among the more prosperous indie licenses, but Kingdom Come: Deliverance's initial stink continues to ward off potential customers. Frequently available for barely the price of a cinema ticket, Kingdom Come: Deliverance deserves a second glance.
23 Quantity: Killzone Shadow Fall
Basking firmly within the blinding glow of Guerrilla Games' Horizon Zero Dawn, Killzone Shadow Fall might prove to be the shooter's last hurrah. Sadly, Sony's answer to Halo went out with a whimper rather than a bang. A launch title, Killzone Shadow Fall showcased the hardware's power and potential, but Guerrilla Games failed to replicate the magic of the PlayStation 3's trilogy. Alongside the bland story and completely forgettable characters, Killzone Shadow Fall is simply not an enjoyable experience. For the most part, the shooting is responsive, but the directionless levels and repetitive missions quickly take their toll.
22 Quality: Gravity Rush 2
The announcement that Gravity Rush 2 would be a PlayStation 4 exclusive signaled the end for the PS Vita, but the gorgeous sequel made the most out of the console's extra juice. Boasting unique gravity-based mechanics and a distinctly anime aesthetic, Gravity Rush 2 was a far bigger hit across the sea than in the West. If it were not for a fan campaign, Sony would have closed down the servers within a year. Creativity tends to be a far more common trait of the indie scene, but Gravity Rush 2 demonstrates that Sony's exclusives are not all third-person shooters set in a post-apocalyptic world.
21 Quantity: Knack
Five years later, the PlayStation 4's line-up is nothing short of mouthwatering, but that was not always the case. In retrospect, Sony's console stumbled out of the gate. Looking back at the 12 launch titles, the only worthwhile next-generation release was Resogun. Released at any other time, Knack would have instantly plummeted to the bottom of the barrel, but the beat 'em up benefitted from the lack of competition. Built on an interesting but shallow gimmick, Knack is not some underappreciated gem that was treated unfairly by critics. No, it is just bad.
20 Quality: Zero Escape: The Nonary Games
Visuals novels are designed for a niche audience, and it would be unreasonable to expect any representative to ship huge numbers. As illustrated by a quick search on Steam, this genre is not short of entries. For those unaccustomed to these particular types of games, Zero Escape is a fantastic place to start. Split into novel and puzzle sections, each story drops nine individuals into a perilous game that will determine who gets to live another day. Bundling together the first two entries, Zero Escape: The Nonary Games is an unforgettable thrill ride!
19 Quantity: Call Of Duty: WWII
Steadying the ship after Infinite Warfare smashed into an iceberg, Call of Duty: WWII earned all the money in the world. Fans had grown tired of the futuristic campaigns and rewarded Activision's decision to return to the franchise's roots. At the end of the day, WWII is merely another safe entry in a stagnant series. Call of Duty used to set the pace; nowadays, Activision is happy to chase trends. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 has a battle royale and no single-player campaign, while WWII's multiplayer features tiny maps and little to no innovation.
18 Quality: Titanfall 2
Over the last couple of years, EA has been repeatedly put to the sword for its anti-consumer practices. These criticisms are completely justified, but EA's biggest recent failing was Titanfall 2. Without exception, Respawn Entertainment produced the best FPS of the current generation. Short but sweet, Titanfall 2's campaign boasts an intriguing storyline, tight gameplay, and enough set pieces to entertain anyone. Nowadays, shooters are sold on their multiplayer component, and Titanfall 2 is no slouch in this area. In a move that was equally stupid and arrogant, EA sandwiched Titanfall 2 between Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.
17 Quantity: Fallout 4
Fallout 4 is not bad. Actually, Bethesda put together a pretty decent action game. The improved gameplay was more than welcome, but Fallout has never been about the combat. Restricting the role-playing mechanics to an afterthought rather than the main focus, Fallout 4 progressively worsens as the campaign chugs along. At first glance, the perk system seems fine, but it is poorly integrated into the role-playing systems. These shortcomings are further exasperated by the uninspired narrative and disappointing quests. As an open-world shooter, Fallout 4 makes the grade.
16 Quality: Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir
A remake of 2007's PlayStation 2 exclusive, Odin Sphere Leifthrasir is a side-scrolling beat 'em up with role-playing elements sprinkled on top. Simply put, this is a masterpiece. Allowing players to pick between the classic and new versions, Vanillaware ironed out the technical issues that plagued the original. Crucially, the combat and RPG systems received an overhaul, elevating a once solid experience into the realms of godhood. A must-buy for action and RPG fans, Odin Sphere Leifthrasir should be cited as an example of how to properly remake a classic.
15 Quantity: Star Wars Battlefront
Predating its successor's controversy, Star Wars Battlefront sold a ludicrous amount of copies. Merely being associated with George Lucas' brand tends to be enough to guarantee a profit. While the sequel is not particularly great and deserved to be lambasted for its microtransactions, Star Wars Battlefront II improved upon many components of the original. Shipped without any single-player content and an extremely limited set of modes, 2015's multiplayer shooter reeks of cynicism and complacency. If fans are willing to buy anything with Star Wars slapped on the cover, why bother producing something of actual quality?
14 Quality: Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
Square Enix is unequivocally holding Western players accountable for the chances of future releases earning a localization. Regularly cited as the godfather of JRPGs, Dragon Quest is regarded as a national treasure in Japan. Sadly, Western ports have not always met expectations, but Echoes Of An Elusive Age was deemed worthy of an English translation. A traditional turn-based JRPG with charming visuals and an insane amount of content, history cannot be allowed to remember Dragon Quest XI as the franchise's Western swan song.
13 Quantity: Watch Dogs
Hype is only a positive when expectations are matched. Hailed as the next big open-world action series, Watch Dogs wrote a cheque that simply could not be cashed. As a game, Ubisoft created an enjoyable package with really solid gameplay, but there was no looking past the fact that the visuals were downgraded from 2012's reveal. Commercially, Watch Dogs was a success, but this came at the cost of the property's integrity. If the marketing was more accurate, Watch Dogs would have sold less but the franchise might still be going strong.
12 Quality: Dead Cells
Nintendo marches to the beat of its own drum, but the Switch's portability is tailor-made for certain genres. Developed and published by Motion Twin, Dead Cells is a stylistic 2D action-platformer with incredibly satisfying combat. Due to the procedurally-generated levels, this Metroidvania game is endlessly replayable and the difficulty is punishing but fair. Available on all platforms, Dead Cells seems to have found its real home on the Nintendo Switch. Best enjoyed in small bursts than hour-long sessions, the console's handheld mode adds an extra incentive to opt for Nintendo's version.
11 Quantity: Assassin's Creed Unity
Spoiler: Assassin's Creed Unity has a couple of glitches.
Lurking beneath the disfigured faces and the nightmarish bugs, Unity masks Assassin's Creed II's true sequel. France proved to be a fruitful era to explore, while the combat showed a slight improvement over its predecessors. Today, Assassin's Creed Unity is recommendable, but that was not the case during the launch period. Serving as Ubisoft's real next-generation debut, Unity's glitches totally overshadowed the rest of the package. A couple of bugs are acceptable, but selling such a broken title is unforgivable.