The PlayStation 4 arrived in North America on 15 November 2013, followed by Japan and other regions several months later. Across its life, Sony’s console built an extensive library spanning almost every major genre. With the PS5 era now well established and the PS4 catalogue winding down, it is a good time to revisit excellent games that received less attention than they deserved.
Many remain playable through digital storefronts or the second-hand market, although a few require more effort to find. If you are exploring older hardware for a dedicated games room, our arcade machine buying guide may also help with planning your setup.
10. Infamous: Second Son
Released: 21 March 2014
The Infamous series had been a major PlayStation 3 property, yet its PS4 entry was surprisingly easy to overlook. That is a shame, because Infamous: Second Son is a polished open-world action game and a strong early showcase for Sony’s newer console.
Its relative obscurity is particularly odd given the affection many players still have for the first two games. Infamous: First Light arrived on 26 August 2014 as a spin-off expansion, but if it is not counted as a full sequel, Second Son effectively became the final main instalment of the series.
9. Gravity Rush 2
Released: 18 January 2017
Gravity Rush 2 is an imaginative action adventure built around manipulating gravity. Its comic-book presentation, colourful cast and unusual movement give it a personality few other games share, yet it attracted little attention despite Sony publishing and promoting it.
Most of the game’s appeal comes from the freedom of moving through open spaces in every direction. Missions that force Kat onto the ground or into narrow corridors can feel restrictive, but they also make the unrestricted sections seem even more exhilarating. It remains one of the PS4’s most distinctive experiences.
8. Summon Night 6: Lost Borders
Released: 10 March 2016
Media.Vision, known for the Wild Arms RPG series and later work associated with Digimon Story: Time Stranger, developed this colourful strategy RPG. Despite the studio’s history and the franchise’s cult following, Summon Night 6: Lost Borders never reached a broad audience.
The game combines approachable tactical combat with bright visuals and a large cast. It is also one of the less convenient recommendations here: it is not currently available through the PlayStation Store, so prospective players may need to search for an increasingly uncommon physical copy.
7. Erica
Released: 19 August 2019
Erica is an interactive live-action thriller centred on a young woman investigating her father’s murder. As the story unfolds, Erica discovers that the incident conceals much darker secrets, leading to a dramatic revelation.
The adventure is relatively brief, but its branching structure encourages repeat play. Different decisions open alternative routes and endings, making a second or third run worthwhile for players who become invested in its mystery.
6. Driveclub
Released: 7 October 2014
Driveclub had a difficult launch. Evolution Studios delivered striking visuals, but the early release was uneven and needed substantial post-launch work. Over time, updates added impressive weather effects and refined the underlying driving experience, turning the game into a much stronger arcade racer.
By then, many players had moved on. The game was later removed from the PlayStation Store, its multiplayer servers were shut down, and Evolution Studios became part of Codemasters. Physical copies can still provide access to the single-player content, while fans of driving games can compare the experience with dedicated racing simulators.
5. Zanki Zero: Last Beginning
Released: 5 July 2018
Spike Chunsoft and Lancarse created a game with no established franchise identity to support its marketing. That left Zanki Zero: Last Beginning with limited visibility, even though its unusual premise deserved a larger audience.
The story examines life after civilisation’s collapse, with themes of family and loss wrapped around dungeon exploration. Its survival systems and first-person dungeon-crawling structure offer familiar foundations, but the combination is unusual enough to make the game stand out. It is a worthwhile choice for anyone seeking an unconventional RPG.
4. The Tomorrow Children: Phoenix Edition
Released: 6 September 2022
Q-Games first released The Tomorrow Children on 25 October 2016 as an online action-adventure game. Its design used microtransactions to support ongoing play, but the cost of maintaining the servers eventually led Sony Interactive Entertainment to close them in November 2017.
Phoenix Edition returned years later with Q-Games self-publishing and revising the original design. The reworked version no longer depends on servers or microtransactions and is available again through the PlayStation Store, giving this unusual social-management game a second opportunity.
3. Exist Archive: The Other Side of the Sky
Released: 17 December 2015
Tri-Ace is best known for Star Ocean, but this collaboration with Spike Chunsoft took the studio in another direction. Several contributors had also worked on Valkyrie Profile, and that influence can be felt in the game’s mythological setting, character-driven storytelling and combat.
Exist Archive offers appealing characters and satisfying battles, although the later stages can become grind-heavy. Its most striking design choice is the side-on presentation of dungeon exploration, which gives the JRPG a platform-game flavour. It is an inventive option for players who want familiar role-playing foundations with a different structure.
2. Bound
Released: 16 August 2016
Plastic Studios’ Bound is a 3D platformer about love, life and self-expression. It follows a woman revisiting earlier parts of her life through a fantastical world shaped by memory and emotion.
Movement is expressed through dance, allowing the protagonist to glide through expansive environments while taking in the game’s striking visual design. It is a concise, artistic experience that treats games as a form of creative escape rather than simply a test of reflexes.
1. Concrete Genie
Released: 8 October 2019
Released in Japan as Ash to Mahou no Fude, Concrete Genie follows Ash, a young painter who brings his drawings to life. His creations help transform Denska, a small fishing town affected by neglect and darkness.
Its vibrant artwork and warm story make it accessible to a wide range of players. The game also supports PlayStation VR, offering an extra reason to reconnect the headset with compatible hardware. The main criticism is its short length, but its focused adventure remains easy to recommend when quality matters more than scale.
Why these games still matter
This list covers a broad range of PS4 design: gravity-based movement, tactical role-playing, live-action storytelling, arcade driving, experimental platforming and imaginative adventure. Some are readily accessible, while others now require a physical copy or a little patience.
For players who enjoy unusual formats, a compact bartop arcade can complement a wider home collection, while a custom build may suit those planning a dedicated games room. Browse RETROCADE’s arcade blog for more hardware and gaming coverage.
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