We already published the list of best PS4 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS4 action games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the PS4 definitely has a great library of action games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the PS4 and action games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. Ratchet & Clank
- Release Data: Insomniac Games/SCEA, 2016
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
Since the PlayStation 2 days, Ratchet & Clank has been a great source of action entertainment.
This game is a re-imagining of the original game, and although it contains some reused environments, everything has been brought up to modern expectations.
Overall, the entertaining action combined with amazing graphics gives players a nonstop thrill ride of explosions and platforming.
#24. Beat Saber
- Release Data: Hyperbolic Magnetism/Beat Games s.r.o., 2018
- Genre: Action » General
This addictive PSVR title is great for fans of Star Wars, getting a workout, and improving your hand-eye coordination.
Through a mixture of original and licensed songs, players must slash their sabers up and down, creating a fast-paced offensive dance.
There’s also a great variety of game modes, including solo play, party play, a level editor, and practice mode.
#23. Rogue Legacy
- Release Data: Cellar Door Games, 2014
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This game popularized the roguelike genre by creating an entirely new gaming experience.
When you die in Rogue Legacy, your character dies permanently.
Using gold and experience that you’ve collected during your run, you unlock permanent upgrades for your next character.
Also, the characters have unique abilities and weapons, which changes your approach when fighting enemies and exploring the randomly changing castle.
#22. Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition
- Release Data: Capcom, 2018
- Genre: Action » Fighting » 2D
This updated entry in the Street Fighter franchise packs together the original game, twelve downloadable characters, two new game modes, and loads of other enhancements.
Players can now fight in various single-player modes, including Arcade Mode and Extra Battle Mode.
Not only that, the total roster of characters has expanded to almost 30, containing fighters of all styles and personalities.
#21. Dragon Ball FighterZ
- Release Data: Arc System Works/Bandai Namco Games, 2018
- Genre: Action » Fighting » 2D
This fighting game provides incredibly quick team-battles with flashy graphics that look indistinguishable from the Dragon Ball Z cartoon.
Before each fight, you’ll choose 3 fighters from a roster of almost 25, forming your dream Dragon Ball team.
And with tons of unlockable content and an addictive gameplay formula, this is one fighting game you won’t be able to put down.
#20. Apex Legends
- Release Data: Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts, 2019
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Tactical
In this fast-paced shooter, squads of three players drop onto a high-tech island, scavenging for gear and weapons as they eliminate other players.
The game is set in the same world as the Titanfall franchise and borrows gameplay features like wall-running, sliding, and gunplay from Titanfall 2 as well.
#19. Sonic Mania
- Release Data: Sega, 2017
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This time around, developer SEGA focuses on returning to the series’ roots.
This game plays just like the Sonic games of old, blasting characters through gorgeous environments at high speeds.
At times, it feels like an expertly crafted roller coaster ride.
Moreover, the game’s pixel-art visual style is stunning, and adds a nostalgic boost to an already fantastic game.
#18. Velocity 2X
- Release Data: FuturLab, 2014
- Genre: Action » General
Although the story isn’t much to write home about, the gameplay of Velocity 2X is.
The game switches between two distinct forms of play; running through levels as a female protagonist and controlling a futuristic spaceship.
These two forms of play combine to create a cohesive experience that is sure to satisfy any player with the skill to play it.
#17. TowerFall Ascension
- Release Data: Matt Thorson/Matt Makes Games Inc., 2014
- Genre: Action » General
The simplistic controls make it easy to pick up and play, while the variety of game modes are great for quick sessions.
You can battle your friends on a variety of maps in classic multiplayer, try to survive against waves of enemies in the cooperative Quest mode, or collect power-ups and beat your high score in Trials mode.
#16. Injustice 2
- Release Data: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, 2017
- Genre: Action » Fighting » 2D
This sequel makes incredibly improvements upon the original game, adding a plethora of characters and modes for players of all types.
Single player offerings include a lengthy story mode with branching paths, and a constantly changing challenge mode.
Not only that, the game also pulls interesting characters from properties like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and notable horror films like Alien.
#15. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
- Release Data: MachineGames/Bethesda Softworks, 2017
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Wolfenstein is known as the “grandfather” of first-person shooting gaming, as the series pratically invented the genre in the early 90’s.
In this alternate history, Hitler has won the war, and our hero BJ aims to stop the nazi war machine.
Through a mix of stealth and pure action, players will overtake the horrendous nazis and continue BJ’s path of revenge.
#14. Battlefield 1
- Release Data: EA DICE/EA Games, 2016
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Tactical
This entry in the Battlefield series changes things up in the story mode, giving us a unique and interesting experience.
You play through six different self contained stories, each one focusing on a soldier with a different specialty.
And throughout the story, you’ll control tanks, planes, and put your feet on the ground as you repel enemy opposition.
#13. Dead Cells
- Release Data: Motion Twin, 2018
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This challenging platformer blends tough combat with branding upgrades, Metroid-style exploration, and awesome visuals.
Players must travel through dirty and dangerous levels, slaying monsters and discovering new weapons, traps, and equipment.
All in all, the exceptional level of difficulty and intense boss fights make this game perfect for veterans of side-scrolling action.
#12. Fez
- Release Data: Polytron Corp., 2014
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Playing as Gomez, players can shift the camera to four different angles, uncovering new parts of the environment and secret areas.
To complete the game, you’ll need to collect hidden cubes scattered throughout the world.
And besides simple riddles, Fez makes use of decryption, augmented-reality, and other inventive mechanics within its puzzles.
#11. Nex Machina: Death Machine
- Release Data: Housemarque, 2017
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Top-Down
Similar to games like Geometry Wars, Nex Machina delivers colorful and explosive visuals via a flurry of bullets.
You control a ship, simply dodging enemy shots and returning fire.
And like most arcade-like shooters, this game is all about getting the highest score possible.
PS4 players can also compare their scores to PC players, thanks to the cross-platform leaderboards.
#10. Steins;Gate Elite
- Release Data: Mages./5pb, 2019
- Genre: Action » General
Steins;Gate Elite is definitely the best way to get into this property.
It has all the charm of the anime, all the narrative excellence of the original, and a refinement that hasn’t existed in either up until this point.
For new fans or veterans alike, Steins;Gate Elite is well worth playing.
#9. Rez Infinite
- Release Data: Enhance Games, 2016
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Rail
This game revives the cult hit Rez, which gained popularity when it first released on the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2.
Besides updating the levels and graphics for the PS4, this game also features virtual reality options.
Players will enjoy the hypnotic visual style and accompanying selection of catchy beats, all while tracking wire-frame enemies and blasting them with style.
#8. Titanfall 2
- Release Data: Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts, 2016
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
While the original Titanfall game was best known for its multiplayer offerings, this sequel amps up the single-player campaign to incredible levels.
The single-player mode has been praised for its fun and exciting controls, snappy shooting mechanics, and overall execution.
Add in a giant robot mech that you can hop in, and you have one of the most impressive shooters ever.
#7. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
- Release Data: Nicalis, 2014
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Shoot-‘Em-Up » Top-Down
In this highly replayable action game, players guide Isaac through a series of randomly-generated dungeons, defeating enemies and discovering new items.
As you defeat bosses and explore, you’ll find various power-ups that bestow Isaac with awesome abilities, improve his health, and generally make the game easier.
With hundreds of unlockable items, characters, and enemies, this roguelike title is endlessly entertaining.
#6. Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition
- Release Data: DrinkBox Studios, 2014
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
The success of this game is mostly due to its fantastic controls, excellent world design, and smart use of mechanics.
The bright and colorful visuals echo the feeling of Mexican festivities, which gives a great punch to the already hard-hitting gameplay.
Fans of old school action/adventure games will definitely enjoy this visually loud and entertaining romp.
#5. Rayman Legends
- Release Data: Ubisoft Montpellier/Ubisoft, 2014
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
An abundance of content and amazing music and graphics make this entry in the Rayman franchise one of the best platforming games ever.
Up to four players can join in on the fun, running through over 120 levels of intense jumping and kicking action.
Extra challenge modes and multiplayer modes provide bonus fun, including a one-on-one soccer mini-game called Kung Foot.
#4. Overwatch
- Release Data: Blizzard Entertainment, 2016
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Tactical
Responsible for introducing the “hero shooter” genre, Overwatch is as unique as it is successful.
Instead of focusing on weapon load outs and kill counts, this game offers a full roster of characters all with their own weapons and abilities.
Whether you’re teleporting and reversing time as Tracer, or rollerblading and blasting sound waves, the combat is incredibly fun.
#3. Shovel Knight
- Release Data: Yacht Club Games, 2015
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This modern adventure pays homage to the retro games of the 90s, playing like an original Nintendo game.
In addition to the original Shovel of Hope campaign featuring Shovel Knight, the game also contains three additional campaigns with other playable characters.
With four campaigns in one package, this is a great bargain for any fan of retro games.
#2. INSIDE
- Release Data: PLAYDEAD, 2016
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This foreboding and dark game mixes story-driven gameplay with environmental puzzles.
Playing as the boy, you’ll explore a dreary black and white world full of danger.
Your progress is often blocked by obstacles in the environment, forcing you to solve logic puzzles to continue.
#1. Journey
- Release Data: Tricky Pixels/SCEA, 2015
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
Journey earns its high rank on this list not due to an enormous amount of gameplay options or an incredibly rich amount of characters, but rather an inherent feeling of persistent magic throughout the entire experience.
By the time you reach the end of the admittedly short experience, you’ll feel like you’ve witnessed something truly special.
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Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which PS4 action game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
