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A titan among the eighth generation of console gaming, the PlayStation 4 has shipped over 117 million units since its release in 2013 (and counting). That’s enough consoles to put it firmly in fourth place among the best-selling consoles of all time. While it will likely be surpassed by the Nintendo Switch in the near future, that doesn’t take away from the influence the PlayStation 4 has on the video game industry at large.
Critically acclaimed as a console and as a media entertainment center, there are more than 3,200 games available for owners to play. With that many games, choosing from the best first-person shooters for PlayStation 4 was a challenge but, in the end, there can only be a few.
Let’s dive in!
What is a First-Person Shooter?
One of the video game genres that helped boost the success of the PlayStation 4 since its release, first-person shooters (FPS) remain one of the most popular game types.
With this style of game, you often play as a single protagonist and view the game solely from their field of view. In other words, you are only able to see whatever your character sees. When they look left, you look left, and so on. If you see any part of their body, it’s generally just the lower half of the arms and they are almost always holding some type of weapon.
Was the PlayStation 4 Known for First-Person Shooter Games?
Absolutely, the PlayStation 4 is not just known for its first-person shooter games, but also for the idea that many of them are console exclusives.
Games like Killzone: Shadow Fall didn’t make the list of the top-ranked titles according to Metascore, but as a console exclusive, it sold 2.1 million copies, firmly placing it as one of the best-selling games for the console. That’s on top of games like Star Wars Battlefront, which wasn’t well received critically but still sold more than 8 million copies.
There’s clearly an appetite for FPS titles on the PlayStation 4 and gamers often line up at retail stores to pick them up on the day of release.
#7: emWolfenstein II: The New Colossus/em
- As BJ Blazkowicz, protect your family and friends, forge new alliances and face the demons of your troubled past as you rally pockets of resistance to overthrow the Nazi occupation
- Blast Nazis to Bits With High-Tech Weaponry Such As the Laserkraftwerk, the Dieselkraftwerk, or Get Up Close and Personal With Advanced Pistols, Submachine Guns, and Hatchets
- Unleash Your Inner War Hero As You Annihilate Nazis in New and Hyper-Violent Ways. Lock and Load Futuristic Guns and Discover BJ’s New Set of Abilities As You Fight to Free America
The eighth entry in the Wolfenstein series, emWolfenstein II: The New Colossus/em is the sequel to a previous PlayStation 4 release and was released in 2017 for the console.
Taking place in an alternate history in 1961, the Axis won the second World War and conquered the United States. The game was largely praised for its take on current events, even though the developers did not mean for the game to come off as such. Even so, it’s hard to ignore the narrative theme that players discover throughout the game relating to political figures.
During the game, players will use stealth, melee attacks, explosives, and firearms to take down a slew of enemies. Want to engage in direct combat? The run-and-gun approach works here, but be on the lookout for enemy reinforcements.
All of this gameplay combined to earn an 87 Metascore even if Wolfenstein lacks multiplayer, which is one of the only disappointments about the overall game. Otherwise, it’s a game all about excess and reveling in causing as much mayhem for the conquering army as possible.
Pick up your copy of emWolfenstein II: The New Colossus/em on Amazon here.
©T1m0b3 HSV, Bethesda Softworks/ID Software / public domain – License
#6: emDOOM Eternal/em
- Direct sequel to DOOM 2016
- Slay demons across dimensions with new weapons and abilities
- Developed by id Software
- All new soundtrack composed by Mick Gordon
Like Wolfenstein, DOOM is another staple of the first-person shooter world, and this marks the sixth entry in the series. Released in 2020, DOOM games always seem to rise to the top of Metacritic, and emDOOM Eternal/em is no exception with an 87 Metascore.
The game once again focuses on a return to hell as you fight across different dimensions and against increasingly powerful demons, all of which seem to have really powerful weapons. In the year 2063, Earth has been taken over by demons and the Doom Slayer, aka your protagonist, must fight to rid the Earth of the demonic forces once and for all.
All said and done, this game is very much the DOOM you remember as a kid but with vastly better graphics and improved gameplay. Speaking of gameplay, the game also comes with two additional campaigns offering up at least 20 hours worth of gameplay and more than double that if you are a true completionist.
On top of that, you also have multiplayer games for up to three players to keep emDOOM Eternal/em alive for as long as you want.
emDOOM Eternal/em awaits you on Amazon here.
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#5: emQuake/em
- Developed by the award-winning id Software, Quake is the ground-breaking, original dark fantasy first-person shooter that inspires today’s retro-style FPS games.
- Now, experience the authentic, updated and visually enhanced version of the original.
- Experience the original game, enhanced
- Original & new expansion packs
- Multiplayer and co-op with crossplay
So far, the list of the absolute best first-person shooters on PlayStation seems like a remix of 1990s PC gaming, and for very good reason. The next entry on the list is emQuake/em, which was released in 2021 on the PlayStation 4 but also was released back in 1996.
This remastered version takes everything about the original and gives it a fresh new look for the PlayStation 4. Arguably one of the best shooters of all time is right at home on modern-day consoles, so it’s no surprise it earned an 87 Metascore.
Everything about emQuake/em captures the essence of its initial version, from the single-player mode where you face monsters and explore levels. Just beware, if you die at any point, you go right back to the beginning of the level.
Playing at a crisp 1080p at 60 frames per second (4K/60 on the Pro) is a great way to relive this classic title. The game includes the original two map packs plus the two additional map packs that were released for the game’s 20th and 25th anniversaries.
Relive your youth by picking up emQuake/em emRemastered/em on Amazon here.
#4: emBattlefield 1/em
- Epic 64-Player Multiplayer Battles - Squad up with your friends and join in the most epic multiplayer battles in FPS history with up to 64 players. Fight as infantry, lead horse charges or take...
- Experience the Dawn of All-out War - Be a part of the greatest battles ever known to man. From the heavily defended Alps to the scorching deserts of Arabia, war is raging on an epic scale on land, air...
- No Battle is Ever the Same - Dynamic weather and intuitive destruction create an ever-changing landscape. Make your mark on the world with earth-shattering destruction, whether you're blasting craters...
- Push the Frontline in Operations - Take part in a series of inter-connected multiplayer battles spread across multiple maps in the new Operations. Attackers must break through the lines of defenders,...
Don’t let the name fool you as this is actually the 15th installment in the Battlefield series, but emBattlefield 1/em just as excellent as the previous 14 titles.
The single-player campaign is solid albeit short as you battle against various armies from around the globe in the year 1918. There are plenty of WWI weapons at your disposal and it shows as the largest single-player environment in the history of Battlefield titles. Of course, it’s not the single-player campaign that helped emBattlefield 1/em get a fantastic 89 on the Metascore scale.
Multiplayer is the shining aspect of the game as it features numerous game types, some of which have been carried over from previous Battlefield titles. All totaled, up to 64 players can take part among the many different game types all while utilizing a diverse set of locations including deserts, forts, bunkers, and cities.
There’s no telling how busy today’s servers are but this game is so classic, it still has a dedicated user base that loves competing in one of the dozen multiplayer modes.
Get ready for battle by picking up emBattlefield 1/em on Amazon here.
#3: emApex Legends/em
- Welcome to APEX Legends - Master a growing roster of powerful legends, each with their own personality, strengths and abilities that are easy to pick up but challenging to truly master
- This is a special edition game that comes with:
- Legendary guardian angel Lifeline skin
- Legendary chooser of the slain Flatline skin
- Winged guardian banner
It’s battle royale time, first-person shooter style with emApex Legends/em, which remains one of the absolute best multiplayer games on any platform.
Up to 60 players can take part in this massive title where characters, all with various abilities, must master their environment and get really good at gunplay, fast. emApex Legends/em has more than earned its 89 Metascore with players teaming up in three-player squads where you can choose from one of 21 different characters (more coming soon).
With every new season, like Fortnite, there are different playable characters, purchasable items, and battle passes that can all be earned or purchased. Apex might not yet be pulling crowds from the Fortnite or PUBG group, but there’s room for everyone on the PlayStation 4.
That said, emApex Legends/em is really the ideal way to handle a squad-based battle royale and, now that it’s available cross-platform including mobile devices, it’s only going to grow in popularity on the PlayStation 4. Considering the game is already said to have around 10 million daily players across different platforms, that’s still room for plenty more PlayStation 4 owners to discover this title.
Are you ready to try your hand at emApex Legends/em? It’s on Amazon here.
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#2: emTitanfall 2/em
- Advanced, Action-Packed Gameplay – Whether fighting as a Pilot, the apex predators of The Frontier, or as a Titan, 20-foot tall war machines, Titanfall 2 provides an incredibly fun, fluid, and...
- Captivating Single Player Campaign – Step on to The Frontier as a Militia rifleman with aspirations of becoming a Pilot. Stranded behind enemy lines, and against overwhelming odds, you must team up...
- Deeper Multiplayer Action – With six brand-new Titans, a host of deadly new Pilot abilities, an expanded customization system, new modes and much more, Titanfall 2 gives players the deeper MP...
- Play with Friends, or Make New Ones – The social tissue of Titanfall 2, Networks makes it fast and easy to play with friends old and new. Whether Social or Competitive, players will be able to...
Released in 2016, emTitanfall 2/em is a well-deserved entry on this list, and that’s not just because of its 89 Metascore.
Whereas the original Titanfall didn’t have a single-player campaign, the sequel makes up for that mistake in spades with a fantastic campaign storyline. The only downside to the campaign is that it’s really too short, but its design is just awesome.
The gameplay is based on mechanized-style robots that can jump, run, and use special abilities to outclass and outsmart their opponents. The campaign itself focuses on two different Titans, both of which force you to solve puzzles to keep gameplay moving along.
Between all of the various emTitanfall 2/em multiplayer modes, up to 16 different players can take part. One of the best aspects of the multiplayer is that emTitanfall 2/em will ensure you can quickly find a new match after your current one ends.
The huge positive critical reception to the multiplayer component was due to the developers listening to feedback from the first game and really focusing on ensuring that feedback was not only addressed but surpassed expectations.
Your Titan awaits you so pick up emTitanfall 2/em on Amazon here.
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#1: emOverwatch/em
- Experience the extraordinary
- Play as heroes, not classes
- Fight for the future together
- The world is your battlefield
- Overwatch legendary edition includes 5 Epic and 5 legendary skins
A dedicated online multiplayer first-person shooter title, emOverwatch/em is the only game on this list to hit a 90 Metascore, and for good reason.
There’s no single-player campaign but this is the developer Blizzard’s gaming at its finest. The deep roster of players, maps, and team-centric style help emOverwatch/em stand out in the first-person genre against the fantastic competition.
With support for up to 12 players in a match, this six-versus-six game style ensures that players of all types will be critical to the team’s success. emOverwatch/em doesn’t offer the deepest selection of maps or different mode types which doesn’t even matter because it’s just so much fun to play. Every character offers something different and none are perfect, so it’s up to you to figure out who best fits your playstyle.
The good news is that this isn’t your typical run-and-gun battle royale; you have to truly consider your strategy and set up ambush opportunities. Factoring in the layout of a map and what you can use to your advantage is part of what makes emOverwatch/em so fun to play. Just know that you have to do more than just shoot, you have to think and shoot, and it’s a winning combination in every sense.
Experience emOverwatch/em today by picking it up on Amazon here.
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Final Thoughts
There is no question this list is going to disappoint some fans as their favorite FPS game isn’t listed. Questions will arise as to why Far Cry 5 didn’t make the list or why any of the 300+ (okay, not that many) Call of Duty games don’t appear.
These are valid concerns and equally valid questions, but the reality is that games like Overwatch and Titanfall 2 are just better. They don’t adhere to the same first-person shooter style that has existed over the last few console generations. They try something different by aiming for something better and fortunately, they work so well!
