The 10 Best PS Now Games

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Having spent all her life in the rainy PNW, Ashley knows the value of spending time inside with a good game. She developed a passion for the unique... Read more

Reviewed by Benjamin Barr

Not long ago, PlayStation lagged far behind its competitors when it came to monthly game subscriptions. But fast forward a few months, and PlayStation now boasts one of the best game passes in the business, AKA PS Now. For just $10 a month, you gain access to a library of over 800 titles, including remastered games from previous-generation consoles and iconic PlayStation exclusives.

Though the full game list is worth checking out, I combed through the available titles to identify the top 10 games for players who may still be on the fence about subscribing to the service. Feel free to read on for my recommendations on which titles (and series!) to check out if you’re interested in PS Now.

Top 10 Best PS Now Games

Let’s hop right into the list with a look at #10.

10. God of War

• Developer: SCE Santa Monica Studio, Ready at Dawn
• Genre: Action-adventure, hack-and-slash
• Release Date: March 22, 2005

I’ve been a fan of the God of War series for as long as I can remember. Though the franchise’s recent move into its Second Era has me excited for the future of Kratos’s character, there’s something very classically appealing about his earlier battles with the gods. With the exception of God of War (2018), which centers around Norse mythology, most of the series focuses on the Greek pantheon and the violent, vengeful man caught at the center of their selfish and traitorous machinations.

The gameplay doesn’t change much between the various installments, with the primary loop surrounding the indiscriminate culling of creatures and figures from the Greek mythos. Players can use Kratos’s blades (along with a number of special abilities and powers unique to each game) to execute violent combos amid the game’s ever-fluid combat.

The PS Now collection includes God of War HD, God of War II, God of War III Remastered, and the Ascension, Chains of Olympus, and Ghost of Sparta titles. If you’re new to the series, we recommend enjoying the games in order of release. But no matter how you choose to play, the God of War games are a delightful adventure through ancient Greek mythos.

9. Fallout

• Developer: Bethesda Game Studios, Obsidian Entertainment
• Genre: Action RPG
• Release Date: October 28, 2008

The post-apocalyptic landscape of the Fallout universe has become a familiar one, with four main series games and four spin-offs that have become just as (if not more) popular. Each of the games occurs in the United States following a massive nuclear fallout, ending society as we know it and giving rise to a world of mind-addling mutations, close-knit factions of survivors, and bottle cap currency.

The Fallout games can be played in first or third person, combining very light shooter mechanics with RPG customization. Combat is bolstered by VATS, a targeting system that allows players to pinpoint specific areas on their opponent’s body in a way that harkens back to the turn-based combat of Fallout and Fallout 2. The series also retains its character customization mechanics from the first two games, with a modified version of SPECIAL ⁠— a system of attributes and skills that players can unlock and use to upgrade their character as the game proceeds.

PS Now currently offers Fallout 3 and 4, as well as the popular spin-off Fallout: New Vegas. This series is our pick for the best RPG games on PS Now.

8. BioShock

• Developer: Irrational Games, 2K
• Genre: FPS
• Release Date: August 21, 2007

The BioShock series is an iconic FPS franchise set in a retrofuturistic dystopia inspired by the works of Ayn Rand. The story isn’t continuous across the three games. Instead, it follows a new protagonist in each installment and explores the world through various philosophical themes. The games are known primarily for their strong narratives, which encourage players to think about morality in a society based on utopias and dystopias.

The game combines FPS and RPG mechanics, with players using a wide range of physical weapons alongside superhuman abilities to defeat their enemies. Combat encounters can be overcome in various ways, and players can customize their character and weapons to fit their preferred playstyle.

The BioShock games on PS Now include BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite.

7. Borderlands: The Handsome Collection

• Developer: Gearbox Software, 2K Australia
• Genre: Action RPG, FPS
• Release Date: March 24, 2015

The Borderlands series has always been a favorite of mine, and I was thrilled to add it to this list as one of the best co op games on PS Now. The series’s colorful world, vibrant characters, and edgy (but largely inoffensive) sense of humor hold a unique appeal against other titles in the FPS genre. The series follows Vault Hunters on their quests to unlock ancient secrets hidden across the galaxy, thwarting the plots of a few megalomaniacal corporate tyrants along the way.

The gameplay of the Borderlands series is pretty standard for FPS games, with a few added mechanics that make the world come to life. Players can shoot and loot with procedurally-generated rewards, earning experience, and upgrading their characters with unique, class-based skill trees. Later installments introduce vehicles, low gravity mechanics, and O2 packs that can be used for double-jumps and damaging body slams.

With three of the main series titles included, Borderlands: The Handsome Collection is a great place to start if you’re looking to get into the series. It is easily the best multiplayer game on PS Now. We recently ranked all of the Borderlands games, so feel free to check out our list for more information!

6. Shadow of the Tomb Raider

• Developer: Eidos Montréal
• Genre: Action-adventure
• Release Date: September 14, 2018

Shadow of the Tomb Raider continues the story of its predecessor, Rise of the Tomb Raider, which follows Lara Croft on her journey to become the adventurous heroine we know and recognize from earlier installments in the series. In this game, Lara must learn the meaning of sacrifice in the face of corruptive power as she staves off the apocalypse with the help of the ancient relics of Ix and Chak Chel.

Gameplay builds off of the mechanics introduced in Rise of the Tomb Raider, which (like many of the games included later on in this list) combine action-adventure and stealth strategies for a more immersive experience. Lara can rappel down cliffs, spend extended periods underwater, and camouflage herself using her surroundings.

Overall, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is well worth checking out.

5. Uncharted

• Developer: Naughty Dog
• Genre: Action-adventure, TPS, platformer
• Release Date: November 19, 2007

The Uncharted series was Naughty Dog’s breakout franchise for the PlayStation 3, spanning four main-series games and three spin-offs. The main games follow Nathan Drake, a roguish treasure hunter and alleged descendant of Sir Francis Drake. He sets off into the uncharted wilderness to seek out legendary treasures and lost secrets.

Gameplay combines action-adventure with 3D platforming, making frequent use of jumping, climbing, swimming, and swinging to traverse environmental obstacles and solve puzzles protecting the often booby-trapped treasure. The game’s combat incorporates stealth tactics, encouraging players to simultaneously outmaneuver and overpower their enemies without turning every encounter into an intense shootout.

The titles featured on PS Now include Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. 

4. Hollow Knight

• Developer: Team Cherry
• Genre: Action-adventure, Metroidvania
• Release Date: February 24, 2017

Hollow Knight is easily one of the best indie games on the market, combining a haunting story with beautiful, hand-crafted art and animation. The story follows a little insect Knight on his journey through Hallownest, a ruined kingdom afflicted by a mysterious plague. Players must explore the abandoned reaches of the kingdom, saving and slaying its inhabitants in equal parts to discover its secrets and fulfill his ultimate destiny.

Hollow Knight’s gameplay revolves around exploration through platforming and melee combat (with the option for ranged spells). Players must traverse the colossal world of Hallownest, unlocking new sections of the map and discovering secrets hidden in the very walls of the kingdom. As the game progresses, players obtain items that become crucial for further exploration and more challenging combat encounters, like a quick dash obtained early on in the game.

Hollow Knight is certainly a cut above the rest, but PS Now offers many other Metroidvania titles as well. If you’re looking for alternatives in the genre (and aren’t necessarily picky as far as platform is concerned), feel free to look at our list of the best Metroidvanias!

3. Batman: Arkham series

• Developer: Rocksteady Studios, WB Games Montréal
• Genre: Action-adventure
• Release Date: August 25, 2009

The Batman: Arkham series was an incredible breakthrough for superhero games, transcending the curse of movie tie-ins with a compelling original story and iconic voice actors from across Batman’s animated history. The story spans all four of the series’ titles, following Batman’s eternal rivalry with the Joker as it takes a dark turn through the combination of Bane’s TYTAN drug and Scarecrow’s fear toxin.

Gameplay combines traditional third-person, open-world adventure mechanics with stealth game tactics. It allows players to use a combination of fluid combat and gadgets to incapacitate their enemies and solve various puzzles scattered around the environment. Combat follows a “freeflow” mechanic that relies on combos of attacking, stunning, and countering enemies for efficient takedowns. As players progress, they can unlock new tools and abilities for easier takedowns. The games also feature a tool called “Detective Vision,” which provides additional context clues to help players assess their environment and track enemies.

PS Now offers the first three games in the Batman: Arkham series, including Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Origins. If you’re looking to play through the series but don’t know where to begin, check out our breakdown of the Batman: Arkham games in order!

2. Marvel’s Spider-Man

• Developer: Insomniac Games
• Genre: Action, Adventure
• Release Date: September 7, 2018

Marvel’s Spider-Man centers around an older and more experienced Peter Parker, one who’s worn the mantle of Spider-Man for a few years, yet still struggles to balance his hero work with his increasingly hectic personal life. When a new villain threatens New York and puts loved ones from both sides of Peter’s double life in jeopardy, he must work with what few allies he has to defeat his enemies and keep the city safe.

Although the story revolves around a veteran Spider-Man, gameplay still offers players a lot to learn and master as they progress. For instance, players can unlock a variety of new gadgets and special moves, using improvisational combat and combos to defeat their enemies. The game also features a gallery of Spider-suits (including allusions to comic book arcs and other Spider-Man media, as well as a few suits unique to the game) that offer super moves for mixing and matching with your various abilities.

With Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales set to debut with the PlayStation 5, players can get a head start on the web-slinging action and familiarize themselves with the game’s expansive open world. It’s also one of the best PS4 games on PS Now, and one you should play regardless.

1. The Last of Us

• Developer: Naughty Dog
• Genre: Action-adventure, survival horror
• Release Date: June 14, 2013

The Last of Us is an older game, so it may be a surprise to see at the #1 spot on our list. As the years progress, though, I find that the game’s deeply personal story and intense, stealthy gameplay hold up against more recent titles. With the sequel having released earlier this month, it’s the perfect time for fans to immerse themselves in the story before delving into its continuation.

For those who don’t know, the story follows Joel, a grizzled survivor of the zombie apocalypse brought about by the Cordyceps fungus. He’s tasked to travel across the country with Ellie, a teenage girl with a mysterious immunity to the fungus that may be the key to saving the world. 

The gameplay of The Last of Us combines action with stealth, rewarding players for sneaky solutions while giving them a way out if they’re caught. Players must navigate environmental puzzles and rooms crowded with enemies, working to find the best way forward according to the respective challenges posed by the game’s human and infected opponents alike.

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Thanks for checking out our list of the best games on PS Now! If you’re looking forward to other games on the platform, please let us know what’s caught your eye in the comments below.

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