2015 was an absolute beastly year for great new PS4 games to play, and now that we’ve almost completed the first quarter of 2016, we’re blown away by the quality games that have already been released this year. Superhero romps, the best fighting game ever made, mind-boggling puzzlers and fantastic indie games have already filled up the first quarter’s release calendar, and our backlog is as thick as it has ever been.
With GDC this week, PAX East soon and E3 2016 right around the corner, the earlier games of the year might get lost in the hustle and bustle. But, believe it or not, there have been over 30 new games released on the PlayStation 4 so far this year, and we combed through them all to pick out our favorites. Here are the top 10 best PS4 games of 2016 so far (you can also check out the best new video games to play of April 2016 here).
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release Date: February 23, 2016
Ubisoft is known for rushing out incomplete games that upset the gaming community, but Far Cry Primal isn’t one of those games. Although it feels like it was a short time from its announcement to its actual release, the game is as solid as any of the Far Cry games of the past. We were admittedly worried when Ubisoft said that they were stripping away guns and vehicles for an experience set in 10,000 B.C., but to our delightful surprise, Far Cry Primal exceeded our expectations. Taking down mammoths with spears is as satisfying as anything offered in the previous games, and hunting and scavenging for crafting mats is an all-around great experience. The story is also unique, as there isn’t a single bit of English spoken in the game. The game is a well-thought out experience, and if it weren’t for another game on this list (The Division), we’d still be playing it. But we’ll get back to the stone age for more eventually, and we highly recommend that you jump into the game as well.
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Now that The Division has been released, it’s hard to imagine our lives without it — seriously, it’s THAT good. And, surprisingly so, being that Ubisoft has a track record of letting us down in the past. But it feels like a much better version of Destiny, minus the space sci-fi setting. Sure, it too has its problems, but they’re all minor. At its core, The Division‘s gameplay is incredible. It truly has an MMO feel, thanks to the upgrade mechanics, and its skill and ability trees. There’s virtually no loading, and you don’t have to venture to space on a spaceship, choose a planet to go to, fly to that planet, wait for it to load, etc etc etc like you do with Destiny. The game’s PvP zone, named The Dark Zone, is also unique and provides for incredibly fun and challenging gameplay. You’re going to want to play this one with a headset on so that you can communicate with your squad, so you might want to check out our list of the best PS4 gaming headsets. If you own a PS4 and you’re not currently playing The Division, you’re simply not doing the whole gaming thing right. You can check out The Division screenshots here, and know that in our opinion, The Division is THE best PS4 game 2016 has to offer.
Publisher: Thekla
Release Date: January 26, 2016
We were all waiting for Jonathan Blow’s follow-up to Braid, and now that The Witness is finally out on the PS4, we’ve been enjoying it for numerous reasons. It’s set in a gorgeous, stylized world, and it’s a puzzle game that will definitely have you scratching your head. Some of the puzzles contained within are truly frustrating, and we’ve spent more than an hour on a single puzzle in the game, trying different ideas and combinations until we finally struck the right solution. Is The Witness the most challenging puzzle game out there? We’re not quite sure, but it’s certainly a rewarding experience, and one that every puzzle game-lover should partake in.
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Devolver Digital already has tons of great games under their umbrella, including OlliOlli, Broforce, Titan Souls, and more. Now, they also have Not a Hero, which is not only on the PC, but it’s now on PS4 as well. It’s developed by Roll7 (OlliOlli). It follows an anthropomorphic purple rabbit BunnyLord as he travels back in time from the 2048 to become mayor in an effort to save the world. It’s a 2D, cover-based shooter with the player fighting his/her way through buildings, killing criminals along the way. It’s simple, high-octane fun that’s well deserving of your time, and it’s one of our favorite PS4 games of 2016 so far.
Publisher: Sony
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Every PlayStation console gamer was disappointed when the original Gravity Rush wasn’t published on the PS3, as it was a PS Vita exclusive. Earlier this year, Sony blessed gamers with a Gravity Rush Remastered, a remastered version of the game that is absolutely unmissable. It quickly became one of Sony’s best offerings for the PS4, and it’s now the quintessential version of Gravity Rush. In the game, players take control of Kat, a strong female character who has gravity-altering abilities that will help her protect her future. The gravity-controlling mechanics are incredibly cool, as you’ll use them to walk on walls, fly through the air, and devastate your foes with a gravity-powered kick. The Gravity Rush world is beautifully-designed, and we can’t wait for a sequel. It’s the second best PS4 games 2016 has to offer.
Publisher: WB Entertainment
Release Date: February 9, 2016
Dying Light flipped the zombie game genre upside-down, quickly becoming one of the top 5 zombie games of all-time. The game was great already, but its DLC titled The Following made it even better by adding new game mechanics, environments and challenges. Now, players are able to drive a buggy, smashing through zombies in their path from mission to mission. The car is fully upgradeable, which adds another element to the game. Although it takes damage quickly, it’s still incredibly fun to drive. The map is now huge, and there are tons of new areas for players to explore. So far, it’s the best zombie game of 2016.
Publisher: Panic Inc
Release Date: February 9, 2016
Firewatch sort of sneaked under the radar. Aside from its reveal in 2015, it didn’t get many updates in the time it took to release. But, surprise, it’s now on the PS4 (and PC). The game places you in the role of Henry, a man who leaves his life behind to work as a fire lookout in the Wyoming wilderness. Your job is to look for signs of fire, and keep the wilderness safe. Now, your only contact is a woman named Delilah, your supervisor whom which you’re only able to contact through a handheld radio. But it’s not as cut and dry as it sounds, as you’re quickly removed from your tower to explore a largely unknown environment. It’s landscape is beautiful, as you’re set in an 80s Yellowstone filled with gorgeous canyons and beautiful meadows. The story is what’s most interesting here, and it’ll keep you intrigued throughout.
Developer: ColdWood Interactive
Publisher: EA
Release Date: February 9, 2016
Unravel is another surprise hit of 2016, and despite the middling reviews, it’s one of the best games on PS4 so far in 2016. You’ll take on the role of Yarny, a cutesy doll created with yarn, and you’re tasked with playing through a hyper realistic world, solving puzzles along the way using unique mechanics only made possible by the fact that you’re made of yarn. It’s not the same mechanics you find in Yoshi’s Woolly World, as it has its own type of unique gameplay. The soundtrack is beautiful, the world is beautiful, and it’s an experience worthy of your time. You can read my Unravel review here for more information.
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: February 16, 2016
PS4 and PC exclusive Street Fighter V is what I call a slow-burner. The game is just mediocre when you first play it, but somehow, you find yourself wanting to go back to playing it more and more. Why? Because the fighting is so fantastic and balanced. Even though it’s missing an arcade mode and it’s currently a barebones experience, it’s still well-worth the buy-in, especially when we know so much more content is on the way. I’ve already put well over 40 hours into the game, and the online matchmaking now works flawlessly. It brings new characters into the Street Fighter franchise, each of which has their own unique style of fighting. It’s easy to pick up and play, but tough to master, and there’s a huge difference in the challenge of playing a casual match and a ranked match online. Although it has its issues (mostly along the lines of over sexualization), the gameplay, at its core, is what makes it one of the top PS4 games of 2016 so far.
Buy Street Fighter 5 here.
Publisher: WB Interactive
Release Date: January 26, 2016
For a mindless romp set in a LEGO world, you won’t find any better than Lego Marvel’s Avengers. Easy puzzles and some minor glitches aside, you’ll never want to stop smashing everything into tiny Lego pieces. The game contains a massive roster filled with Marvel superheroes, and some areas in the game require two specific characters to progress any further. Despite the fact that it’s a Marvel game, it takes the Lego route of being child-friendly. However, adults will find plenty of joy in it as well (especially if they enjoy smashing things).
Publisher: Versus Evil
Release Date: January 12, 2016
If you love a good viking story — and who doesn’t — The Banner Saga is an absolute gem. It’s a well-designed viking-themed RTS that has a well-written story, a beautiful soundtrack, and stunning visuals. Players take control of their own narrative, weighing the risks and rewards along the way. If you love story-driven games, The Banner Saga is a great choice.
With GDC this week, PAX East soon and E3 2016 right around the corner, the earlier games of the year might get lost in the hustle and bustle. But, believe it or not, there have been over 30 new games released on the PlayStation 4 so far this year, and we combed through them all to pick out our favorites. Here are the top 10 best PS4 games of 2016 so far (you can also check out the best new video games to play of April 2016 here).
1. Far Cry Primal
Developer: Ubisoft MontrealPublisher: Ubisoft
Release Date: February 23, 2016
Ubisoft is known for rushing out incomplete games that upset the gaming community, but Far Cry Primal isn’t one of those games. Although it feels like it was a short time from its announcement to its actual release, the game is as solid as any of the Far Cry games of the past. We were admittedly worried when Ubisoft said that they were stripping away guns and vehicles for an experience set in 10,000 B.C., but to our delightful surprise, Far Cry Primal exceeded our expectations. Taking down mammoths with spears is as satisfying as anything offered in the previous games, and hunting and scavenging for crafting mats is an all-around great experience. The story is also unique, as there isn’t a single bit of English spoken in the game. The game is a well-thought out experience, and if it weren’t for another game on this list (The Division), we’d still be playing it. But we’ll get back to the stone age for more eventually, and we highly recommend that you jump into the game as well.
2. The Division
Developer: Ubisoft MassivePublisher: Ubisoft
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Now that The Division has been released, it’s hard to imagine our lives without it — seriously, it’s THAT good. And, surprisingly so, being that Ubisoft has a track record of letting us down in the past. But it feels like a much better version of Destiny, minus the space sci-fi setting. Sure, it too has its problems, but they’re all minor. At its core, The Division‘s gameplay is incredible. It truly has an MMO feel, thanks to the upgrade mechanics, and its skill and ability trees. There’s virtually no loading, and you don’t have to venture to space on a spaceship, choose a planet to go to, fly to that planet, wait for it to load, etc etc etc like you do with Destiny. The game’s PvP zone, named The Dark Zone, is also unique and provides for incredibly fun and challenging gameplay. You’re going to want to play this one with a headset on so that you can communicate with your squad, so you might want to check out our list of the best PS4 gaming headsets. If you own a PS4 and you’re not currently playing The Division, you’re simply not doing the whole gaming thing right. You can check out The Division screenshots here, and know that in our opinion, The Division is THE best PS4 game 2016 has to offer.
3. The Witness
Developer: Jonathan Blow, TheklaPublisher: Thekla
Release Date: January 26, 2016
We were all waiting for Jonathan Blow’s follow-up to Braid, and now that The Witness is finally out on the PS4, we’ve been enjoying it for numerous reasons. It’s set in a gorgeous, stylized world, and it’s a puzzle game that will definitely have you scratching your head. Some of the puzzles contained within are truly frustrating, and we’ve spent more than an hour on a single puzzle in the game, trying different ideas and combinations until we finally struck the right solution. Is The Witness the most challenging puzzle game out there? We’re not quite sure, but it’s certainly a rewarding experience, and one that every puzzle game-lover should partake in.
4. Not a Hero
Developer: Rollingmedia LimitedPublisher: Devolver Digital
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Devolver Digital already has tons of great games under their umbrella, including OlliOlli, Broforce, Titan Souls, and more. Now, they also have Not a Hero, which is not only on the PC, but it’s now on PS4 as well. It’s developed by Roll7 (OlliOlli). It follows an anthropomorphic purple rabbit BunnyLord as he travels back in time from the 2048 to become mayor in an effort to save the world. It’s a 2D, cover-based shooter with the player fighting his/her way through buildings, killing criminals along the way. It’s simple, high-octane fun that’s well deserving of your time, and it’s one of our favorite PS4 games of 2016 so far.
5. Gravity Rush Remastered
Developer: Project Siren, BluepointPublisher: Sony
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Every PlayStation console gamer was disappointed when the original Gravity Rush wasn’t published on the PS3, as it was a PS Vita exclusive. Earlier this year, Sony blessed gamers with a Gravity Rush Remastered, a remastered version of the game that is absolutely unmissable. It quickly became one of Sony’s best offerings for the PS4, and it’s now the quintessential version of Gravity Rush. In the game, players take control of Kat, a strong female character who has gravity-altering abilities that will help her protect her future. The gravity-controlling mechanics are incredibly cool, as you’ll use them to walk on walls, fly through the air, and devastate your foes with a gravity-powered kick. The Gravity Rush world is beautifully-designed, and we can’t wait for a sequel. It’s the second best PS4 games 2016 has to offer.
6. Dying Light: The Following Expansion
Developer: TechlandPublisher: WB Entertainment
Release Date: February 9, 2016
Dying Light flipped the zombie game genre upside-down, quickly becoming one of the top 5 zombie games of all-time. The game was great already, but its DLC titled The Following made it even better by adding new game mechanics, environments and challenges. Now, players are able to drive a buggy, smashing through zombies in their path from mission to mission. The car is fully upgradeable, which adds another element to the game. Although it takes damage quickly, it’s still incredibly fun to drive. The map is now huge, and there are tons of new areas for players to explore. So far, it’s the best zombie game of 2016.
7. Firewatch
Developer: Campo Santo.Publisher: Panic Inc
Release Date: February 9, 2016
Firewatch sort of sneaked under the radar. Aside from its reveal in 2015, it didn’t get many updates in the time it took to release. But, surprise, it’s now on the PS4 (and PC). The game places you in the role of Henry, a man who leaves his life behind to work as a fire lookout in the Wyoming wilderness. Your job is to look for signs of fire, and keep the wilderness safe. Now, your only contact is a woman named Delilah, your supervisor whom which you’re only able to contact through a handheld radio. But it’s not as cut and dry as it sounds, as you’re quickly removed from your tower to explore a largely unknown environment. It’s landscape is beautiful, as you’re set in an 80s Yellowstone filled with gorgeous canyons and beautiful meadows. The story is what’s most interesting here, and it’ll keep you intrigued throughout.
8. Unravel
Developer: ColdWood Interactive
Publisher: EA
Release Date: February 9, 2016
Unravel is another surprise hit of 2016, and despite the middling reviews, it’s one of the best games on PS4 so far in 2016. You’ll take on the role of Yarny, a cutesy doll created with yarn, and you’re tasked with playing through a hyper realistic world, solving puzzles along the way using unique mechanics only made possible by the fact that you’re made of yarn. It’s not the same mechanics you find in Yoshi’s Woolly World, as it has its own type of unique gameplay. The soundtrack is beautiful, the world is beautiful, and it’s an experience worthy of your time. You can read my Unravel review here for more information.
9. Street Fighter V
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: February 16, 2016
PS4 and PC exclusive Street Fighter V is what I call a slow-burner. The game is just mediocre when you first play it, but somehow, you find yourself wanting to go back to playing it more and more. Why? Because the fighting is so fantastic and balanced. Even though it’s missing an arcade mode and it’s currently a barebones experience, it’s still well-worth the buy-in, especially when we know so much more content is on the way. I’ve already put well over 40 hours into the game, and the online matchmaking now works flawlessly. It brings new characters into the Street Fighter franchise, each of which has their own unique style of fighting. It’s easy to pick up and play, but tough to master, and there’s a huge difference in the challenge of playing a casual match and a ranked match online. Although it has its issues (mostly along the lines of over sexualization), the gameplay, at its core, is what makes it one of the top PS4 games of 2016 so far.
Buy Street Fighter 5 here.
10. Lego Marvel’s Avengers
Developer: Traveller’s TalesPublisher: WB Interactive
Release Date: January 26, 2016
For a mindless romp set in a LEGO world, you won’t find any better than Lego Marvel’s Avengers. Easy puzzles and some minor glitches aside, you’ll never want to stop smashing everything into tiny Lego pieces. The game contains a massive roster filled with Marvel superheroes, and some areas in the game require two specific characters to progress any further. Despite the fact that it’s a Marvel game, it takes the Lego route of being child-friendly. However, adults will find plenty of joy in it as well (especially if they enjoy smashing things).
Honorable Mention:
The Banner Saga
Developer: Stoic StudioPublisher: Versus Evil
Release Date: January 12, 2016
If you love a good viking story — and who doesn’t — The Banner Saga is an absolute gem. It’s a well-designed viking-themed RTS that has a well-written story, a beautiful soundtrack, and stunning visuals. Players take control of their own narrative, weighing the risks and rewards along the way. If you love story-driven games, The Banner Saga is a great choice.
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