Highlights

• Sony's dedication to single-player campaigns is evident in its catalog of quality titles that don't require internet connection.
• Yakuza: Like a Dragon successfully switches gameplay gears to become a turn-based RPG and pleases both old and new fans of the series.
• Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain provides hours of fun content and a technically impressive experience without the need for an internet connection.

In the modern gaming landscape, most games either focus heavily on a multiplayer component or require some sort of internet activity. Sony's dedication to beefy single-player campaigns shows in its large catalog of quality titles where one doesn't need to connect to a network for enjoyment.

While it has been surpassed by its successor, the PlayStation 4 is still a relevant console, providing many games that allow users to unplug from the world and still get the complete package. Of course, beforehand, an update may be necessary, but after that, it is smooth disconnected sailing. What are the best offline PS4 games?

Updated on January 16, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The PS4 might be outdated hardware nowadays, but the console has plenty of single-player campaigns to offer owners who have yet to upgrade to the PS5.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Metascore: 84

It is not easy keeping fans excited about a game series after six main entries and numerous spin-offs. The Yakuza franchise was doing alright for itself all these years as an open-world brawler utilizing RPG elements. The seventh entry in the series dropped the numbering and completely switched gameplay gears.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is a turn-based RPG. Though it still utilizes a modern-day setting, players can expect everything they have come to adore about traditional RPGs in this title. Genre shifts are not always well-received, but Like a Dragon managed to please longtime fans and attract a whole new legion of players.

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Metascore: 93

Konami's fifth (numbered) release for the long-running Metal Gear Solid franchise brought more of the same, but that's exactly what fans want. Players suit up as Big Boss as he infiltrates the searing sands of Afghanistan on a quest for vengeance against the Soviet forces that were responsible for almost killing him in the stand-alone prequel titled Ground Zeroes.

Along with stealth missions, Big Boss will have to overcome many strong bosses that will challenge him, recruit new forces and companions to aid him in quests, and even capture animals to add to the zoo on Mother Base. All in all, MGSV provides many hours of fun content, all without the need for an internet connection.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Metascore: 87

Square Enix made dreams come true in 2020 after Final Fantasy 7 Remake surpassed even the highest of expectations. The next chapter in this remake saga is quickly approaching and is set to release exclusively on the PS5, so PS4-only owners will, unfortunately, need an upgrade to experience the rest of the story. The DLC episode starring Yuffie Kisaragi, INTERmission, is also not available on PS4, but the main game is massive enough to occupy dozens upon dozens of hours. While it runs better on PS5, players are still getting a comprehensive and technically impressive experience on PS4.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake takes the 1997 classic and gives it a real-time action makeover, while also implementing slight changes to the narrative that will likely be capitalized on by its sequel. Although containing some turn-based mechanics, the combat leans into hack-and-slash territory, all the while offering variety through a solid selection of playable characters. Narratively, the game follows a fairly linear structure, albeit one that provides some room for exploration.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Metascore: 97

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a prequel to the first game, meaning newcomers can jump into the franchise without much risk of spoilers. They will play cowboy Arthur Morgan at the end days of the cowboy culture in America, with him and his posse making enemies of a historical detective agency called the Pinkerton.

Though RDR2 has a multiplayer mode, Red Dead Online, the single-player campaign is undoubtedly the star of this show; in fact, the online portion is largely done at this point. The story takes many twists and turns and will tug at even the most stoic player's heart, and it ties in perfectly with the first game. RDR2 takes place in a vast open-world that pays very close attention to historical accuracy, both in its presentation and the minute-to-minute gameplay. Rockstar prioritized the minor details to enhance immersion, creating a grueling but fantastic experience that should stand the test of time.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2

Metascore: 89

Though there is online functionality and leaderboards for this majestic remake, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 is fully enjoyable offline. It perfectly recreates the levels from the first two entries of the franchise while including the best gameplay enhancements from the later entries, such as reverts, spine transfers, and wallplants.

Split-screen multiplayer works excellently in this version as well, letting fans recreate those same memories from the late 90s and early noughties when the originals came out. It is rare to find a PS4 game with such extensive offline options, but this remake has it. Even though the game was so critically and commercially successful, it appears that publisher Activision has no plans to continue the legendary series.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Metascore: 83

As Media Molecule has moved on from Little Big Planet to Dreams, Sumo Digital picked up the series' torch and created Sackboy: A Big Adventure. The 3D platformer removes the creation aspects of the series in favor of a more fleshed-out, creative campaign.

It came out on the PS5 as well, but the PS4 version runs smoothly too. The entire campaign is playable with up to four players cooperatively offline, making the game a great choice for a get-together with some friends who are experienced in the platforming genre. Otherwise, this release is a charming throwback to classic 3D platformers, and it retains the creative visual design of LittleBigPlanet.

Ratchet And Clank

Metascore: 85

When the movie adaptation of Insomniac's long-running Ratchet and Clank franchise hit theaters, a remake of the first game came to PS4. It also serves as a companion piece to the film, using scenes from it during cinematics. The game saw far better reception than the film, which came and went at the box office. The series dabbled with multiplayer in the past, but it is noted for its jolly single-player experience. Few mascots from the early 2000s persist today, and the two characters deserve praise for that fact alone.

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is one of the few PS5 exclusives, and it truly feels like a next-generation title. All the same, the 2016 remake for the PS4 is still worth playing. It received a PS5 patch letting it run at 60 frames per second on the new console. Once the patch is downloaded, it can still be played offline on the PS5.

Bloodborne

Metascore: 92

Another entry into FromSoft's infamous Soulsborne series, Bloodborne delves into the Gothic fictional world of Yharnham that is plagued by all manner of fell beasts, creatures, and the series staple of punishingly hard bosses that will see players die again and again. Learning new tactics and gathering the scant resources made available to players is the essential key to success.

Still stubbornly remaining a PS4 exclusive, Bloodborne is a must-have title for anyone remotely interested in Soulslikes, particularly if they crave quicker gameplay than the Dark Souls games. While it does have some internet-required features such as summoning another hunter or invading another's realm, players can still enjoy the brooding and Gothic world of Yharnham without connecting to Wi-Fi.

Marvel's Spider-Man

Metascore: 87

Along with the recent Batman games, Marvel's Spider-Man stands as one of the best comic book video games ever released. Dealing with such a revered character was no small feat, but Insomniac managed to knock it out of the park in every way. Movement is perfect, the combat is engaging, and the story is a surprisingly heartfelt tale.

A remaster for the PS5 came out alongside the semi-sequel, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and its upgraded graphics almost make it look like the game was made for the PS5 in the first place. That said, the game is still a triumph on the PS4, pushing the console to its limit. While the story is generally great, Spider-Man's crowning achievement is its addictive web-swinging, allowing players to effortlessly travel across Manhattan's skyline as Marvel's legendary character.

Persona 5 Royal

Metascore: 95

In typical Persona fashion, years following the release and success of Persona 5, Atlus released Persona 5 Royal, which is an extended and improved version of the base game offering new content, quality of life changes, new characters, and an entire extra semester at school and a Palace. Palaces act as the dungeons of this game's world, where they enter the consciousness of a corrupt adult in order to change their heart, so they can better their ways.

Persona 5 Royal is undoubtedly one of the best offline games with hours of content to enjoy. The balance of school, part-time work, socializing, studying, and infiltrating dungeons sounds daunting and not a lot of fun, but Atlus nails the formula when it comes to their flagship franchise, and is what Persona ultimately owes its success to.

Until Dawn

Metascore: 79

Supermassive Games' narrative-driven horror experience, Until Dawn, sends chills through players from start to finish. One playthrough alone sits between eight and ten hours, but the myriad of possible outcomes and twists throughout the story begs for multiple replays.

One time the player will try to get everyone out alive, and other times they will do their best to send them all to the grave. The company recently split from Sony and is working on an anthology series, The Dark Pictures. This new series is on multiple consoles, giving more people the opportunity to experience the developer's unique games.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Metascore: 89

Guerrilla Games made a name for itself with the Killzone series. While the franchise never reached the same heights as its FPS competitors like Halo, they are great in their own right. After leaving it behind, the developer went on to make Horizon Zero Dawn, a massive open-world single-player game set in a beautifully unique landscape.

The enigma surrounding the mixture of stone-aged aesthetic and robotic dinosaurs was more than enough to get people on board, and the experience was delivered in full. The sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, came out on both PS4 and PS5 in 2022. Even though many might want to play it on the updated hardware, the PS4 version still feels complete.

Shadow Of The Colossus

Metascore: 91

Looking back at the original PS2 Shadow of the Colossus, the game was likely held back by the system's limitations. Thankfully, Bluepoint Games remade the classic from the ground up, taking full advantage of the PS4 hardware. It is a faithful recreation, instilling the same feeling of wonder and loneliness while traveling the barren earth hunting these gargantuan beasts. Riding Agro throughout the adventure creates a wordless bond between the player and their equine companion, making for one of the most memorable relationships in gaming.

Bluepoint Games outdoes itself with each of its remakes. For the launch of the PS5, it was at the ready with Demon's Souls. Even though it is a remake, it managed to be one of the most beautiful games of 2020 and a great reason to own a PS5 from day one.

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

Metascore: 93

Naughty Dog had a great run during the PS4 era, producing a few of the console's most highly-anticipated and well-regarded projects. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is arguably the developer's most universally beloved PS4 game, and it serves as an exciting and moving conclusion to Nathan Drake's story.

Blending exhilarating action set pieces with clever puzzles, an engaging story, improved gunplay, and streamlined but enjoyable platforming, Uncharted 4 tells a near-pitch-perfect adventure. The game launched with a decent multiplayer mode as well, although it is fairly inactive in this day and age (although, not completely dead either).

If available for a similar price, players should pick up Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection since it also includes the fantastic The Lost Legacy.

Resident Evil 4 (2023)

Metascore: N/A

The remake of Resident Evil 4 took the beloved title, shaved off all the cheese, and added a truly unsettling and eerie atmosphere. With Capcom returning to their survival horror roots, it only made sense that RE4 was given a grim-dark makeover, but the game benefits from these changes. With alterations made to certain scenarios and characters such as Ashley and Luis, the game is much more serious than the original, which only intensifies the horror factor.

Though players will not be able to indulge in the Mercenaries mode without an online connection, the phenomenal single-player campaign will remain unaltered, allowing players to enter the survival horror unhindered. While obviously better on PC or modern consoles, RE4 runs fairly well on the PS4 too.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

Metascore: 80

Like Spyro, this Crash Bandicoot trilogy is on multiple consoles, but the originals were PS1 exclusives, making the character a part of the PlayStation lineage. These remakes take the gameplay almost exactly as it was more than twenty years ago and simply remake the levels with a new coat of paint. The jumping mechanic sees slight alteration, putting the movement from Crash Bandicoot 3 into the whole trilogy, but their faithfulness to the level design shows just how well the series holds up.

In October 2020, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time came out to rave reviews. It was billed as the first proper sequel to the original Naughty Dog trilogy. Crash 4 feels different in some ways but is a worthy successor to the original classics that is also a joy to play while unplugged from the internet.

God Of War

Metascore: 94

No one was sure how anybody could ever top the original God of War games, but Cory Barlog and the team at Santa Monica Studios managed to bring an already legendary franchise to new heights. The new camera and weapons changed everything fans thought they knew about the games while also retaining the same spirit.

The plot and relationship between Kratos and Atreus shine a new light on the character, who was admittedly unlikable in the old games. After God of War: Ascension's mediocre reception, people were unsure about the series' status in modern gaming, but the 2018 title re-established Kratos' relevance and made the brand stronger than ever. God of War: Ragnarok, a sequel, came out on November 9, 2022, for both PS4 and PS5.

Ghost Of Tsushima

Metascore: 83

What may end up being the console's swan song, Ghost of Tsushima is a gorgeous open-world journey through thirteenth-century Japan as a lone samurai defends his home from a Mongol invasion. Players less interested in large open worlds will still find a solid fifteen hours' worth of content with the story missions. Those who like clearing off those checklists will easily spend between thirty-five and fifty hours exploring the beautiful landmass and experimenting with the numerous tools at Jin Sakai's disposal.

Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut came out for both the PS4 and PS5. In addition to a new expansion taking place on a different island, it also provides proper lip-syncing for the Japanese voice track.

The Last Of Us Part 2

Metascore: 93

Naughty Dog consistently outdoes itself with each subsequent release. Just like the first game looked like it could have come out on the PS4, The Last of Us Part 2 could fool someone into thinking it was a PS5 launch title. This is only half the game's appeal, however. The narrative is a brutal journey following two characters on their quest for vengeance, which connects to the first game in a surprising way.

While garnering some criticism, the overall game is still regarded as one of the best PS4 projects, particularly in its technical department. The Last of Us Part 2 is genuinely gorgeous, and the sequel improves its predecessor's gameplay quite a bit too.