This end of the year list was arranged somewhat differently than what we normally do for Metacritic averages. First of all, there are no remasters, remakes, ports, or indie games on this list. That is reserved for another piece in the works.
Secondly, this PS4 list was made in collaboration with going through the best games on Nintendo Switch as well. Third-party games, like Dragon Quest Builders 2, were divided evenly among both articles. This was done so that both lists didn’t have copies and in turn would create a more diverse and fun list to read. Going through twenty of the best games is better than just ten right? As a final note the order goes from the “worst” best game to the highest reviewed.
10 Death Stranding (82)
Death Stranding getting an 82 is pretty amazing considering the general buzz has been pretty divisive among fans and the press. Is it an artful masterpiece, or is it a complete waste of time and money? Considering the reactions one would think the score would have had a lower average. Scores aside, we fall somewhere in the middle.
Yes, a lot of the game could have been more refined. The open world is barren and it can get tedious, but despite those two gripes alone, we love how unconventional it is. It may be cliche to write this, but it is unlike anything else out there.
9 Kingdom Hearts III (83)
While there were spinoffs in-between, Kingdom Hearts II launched on PS2 in 2006 for North America. The wait was painful, but ultimately we were happy with the results. Some of the events with both the story and gameplay feel dated like someone trying to craft a PS2 game on PS4.
Fans will know exactly what we are talking about especially with the oddly directed scenes wherein characters take long pauses in-between sentences. Yet that’s part of the charm of this series. Hopefully we won’t have to wait as long for Kingdom Hearts IV.
8 F1 2019 (84)
F1 2019 is the twentieth title in the long running, official F1 racing series. Compared to its European fans where it is most popular in both game and real life forms, it’s a bit more niche in North America, but that shouldn’t diminish its quality. To those that love Codemasters’ other racing games, this is also a tour de force.
7 Dirt Rally 2.0 (84)
Speaking of Codemasters and their other racing games, they also released a more off-road experience for diving fans this year: Dirt Rally 2.0. Now sure, it may not be as mainstream as Forza, or Need for Speed, but again, these developers know how to make a good racing game be it on a track, or somewhere in the wilderness. This is just an easier recommendation than F1 2019 as its not just a simulation.
6 The Outer Worlds (86)
The Outer Worlds is exactly the sequel fans of Fallout: New Vegas wanted Fallout 4 to be except in space. Obsidian Entertainment’s spiritual successor doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does enough right that makes all the little flaws seem like small specs of dust in comparison.
The craziest thing is the lack of bugs. Well, compared to its other games this has a low bug count. Whether one plays it free on Xbox Game Pass, or one decides to venture into the PS4’s territory, players are in for one of 2019’s best RPGs.
5 MLB The Show 19 (86)
Sony should really just call this series We’re The Only Baseball Game In Town, because that is right on the money. Their San Diego team has been hard at work on this franchise for decades now and polish has never faltered. Since it is the only official game in town, one would think this would cause the developers to get lazy. It could be very easy for them to fall into a slump and think fans will buy it no matter what so why try. However, the team has remained dedicated and it clearly shows.
4 Dragon Quest Builders 2 (86)
The first Dragon Quest Builders was a good first step into putting more RPG elements into the standard Minecraft formula. Making characters start from level one in-between each chapter was a bust though. Thankfully all of that and more were fixed in the sequel. One of the biggest changes was the addition of co-op play with friends. This is something every Minecraft clone needs. It may not push any graphical boundaries on PS4, or Switch, but it’s a fun, loving letter to fans of the main franchise.
3 Devil May Cry 5 (88)
DmC: Devil May Cry was a nice reboot, but it was also great to see Capcom return in full force for a proper sequel. The action is just as fluid and flashy as it was in the previous games. The story has over the top nonsensical action and the music is on the same ridiculous level. Each hero had something new to offer, but we really fell in love with Nero and his new mechanical arm especially with the Mega Buster attachment.
2 Apex Legends (89)
Apex Legends was one of the biggest surprises of the year as it was literally announced a few days before it launched. That was a bold move on EA and Respawn’s part, but it paid off. On the surface one could simply call it a smaller scale Battle Royale mashed up with a hero shooter, but what sets it apart is Respawn’s tight gameplay and slick graphics. It didn’t quite reach the zeitgeist that Fortnite did, but overall it was still a huge hit. Plus it is free!
1 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (90)
As divisive as Sekiro was, the people that did love it, really went to town on it. The only real controversy and or “problem” with the game was its difficulty. This prompted a backlash and further discussion about difficulty and accessibility in Games among fans and the press. Did anything change? No, FromSoftware stuck to their product. It may be challenging and not for everyone despite it being number one, but that is ok. From a distance we can appreciate how cool it is.