The Ultimate Guide to Must-Play PS4 RPGs in 2025

Looking for a new adventure on your PS4? RPGs are still going strong in 2025, and there’s a huge list of must-plays that deserve a spot in your library. Whether you love exploring massive worlds, making tough choices, or just want to chill with some turn-based battles, there’s something here for everyone. I’ve put together a guide to the best PS4 RPGs you should check out this year. Grab your controller, clear your weekend, and let’s get into it.

Key Takeaways

• The PS4 is still packed with top-tier RPGs in 2025, from classics to fresh releases.
• You’ll find everything from huge open worlds to tight, tactical battles on this platform.
• Games like The Witcher 3, Persona 5 Royal, and Elden Ring keep raising the bar for storytelling and gameplay.
• There’s something for every RPG fan—whether you want action, strategy, or a deep story with real choices.
• Don’t sleep on the hidden gems; some lesser-known PS4 RPGs are well worth your time.

Classic PS4 RPG Experiences Redefining Storytelling

Some games come and go, but every now and then, a few RPGs set a new standard for how stories are told in games. On the PS4, three titles have stood out—not just for their gameplay, but for the way they pull you into their worlds and make you care about what’s happening. Let’s look closely at each one and see why players still talk about them years after release.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Its Enduring Legacy

When you play The Witcher 3, the first thing you’ll notice is how every choice, no matter how small, seems to echo in the world. The strength of this game is in its layered characters and stories that don’t shy away from showing harsh realities, all set against a world that feels alive.

• Every quest, even the side ones, tells a meaningful story.
• Characters feel like people, each with their own motives and problems.
• Your decisions can take hours to come back around, but when they do, you’ll remember them.

The Witcher 3 isn’t just about fighting monsters; it’s about picking your battles, thinking about the people around you, and shaping a story that feels like your own.

Persona 5 Royal’s Unique Blend of Life Simulation and Fantasy

Persona 5 Royal isn’t your average RPG. Instead of focusing only on battles or exploration, it combines everyday life with supernatural adventures, letting you form bonds, manage your daily routine, and face moral decisions, all while dealing with threats from another world.

• Time management is at the heart of the game—you balance school, friendships, and dungeon crawling.
• Relationships you build change both the story and your combat abilities.
• The game’s bright style and music make everything feel energetic.

Playing Persona 5 Royal sometimes feels like living a second life—each day is a puzzle of what to do, who to trust, and where to spend your energy next.

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age as a Modern Tradition

Dragon Quest XI stays true to its roots, but it updates the classic formula with a modern look and smooth mechanics. If you grew up on old-school RPGs, there’s a good chance this one will scratch a nostalgic itch, but even new players can jump in without missing a beat.

• The turn-based combat is simple to pick up but rewarding to master.
• Lighthearted characters and humor mix well with classic RPG drama.
• It’s long and full of surprises—perfect if you want a big adventure but don’t want confusing systems.

Notable aspects of Dragon Quest XI:

1. A world filled with secrets, treasures, and charming side characters.
2. A soundtrack that adds to every new city, cave, and battle.
3. Polished visuals that bring the classic art style to life on PS4.

If you want an RPG that feels like a warm blanket—familiar but fresh, simple but never dull—Dragon Quest XI hasn’t lost its charm even all these years later.

Groundbreaking Open-World Adventures on PS4

Open-world RPGs have become a defining feature of modern gaming, especially on PS4. These games pull you in with giant worlds, meaningful battles, and the promise that you can go anywhere, do anything, and become anyone. Let’s look at three that stand above the rest for players in 2025.

Elden Ring’s Expansive and Brutal Exploration

Elden Ring hit PS4 and immediately stood out. Its world is gigantic, and the map feels alive in a way that few games ever manage. You’re dropped into the Lands Between with little hand-holding, so everything feels earned—whether it’s the discovery of a hidden cave or survival against a towering boss. The freedom is real: want to dodge the story and just wander? Go for it. Prefer to chase every secret? That works, too.

Here’s what makes Elden Ring’s world so gripping:

• No set path: Go almost anywhere from the start
• Challenging enemies scattered everywhere, not just in dungeons
• Huge variety of weapons, magic, and builds to suit your style

The feeling of being lost and then suddenly finding the path is something Elden Ring nails. It’s tough, sure, but every win is your win because nobody’s holding your hand.

Skyrim’s Endless Freedom and Customization

It’s wild to remember that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim came out in 2011, yet it’s still drawing PS4 players. The magic comes from just how much you can do—be a sneaky thief, a heroic mage, a villain, or just chase butterflies if that’s your thing. Mods and re-releases aside, the core is about giving you a big fantasy world to live in.

Key features players love:

1. Flexible character creation — play your way
2. Hundreds of quests, big and small
3. Factions you can lead, betray, or just ignore

It’s sometimes buggy, sometimes clunky, but the freedom to do whatever you want keeps it on must-play lists, even in 2025.

Dragon’s Dogma 2’s Innovative World and Combat

Dragon’s Dogma 2 brings a bold twist to open-world adventuring. The world is massive, but it’s the way it reacts to you that sets it apart. Monsters roam in groups, the weather can suddenly get bad and ruin your plans, and your AI-controlled team—called Pawns—actually learn as you play.

What makes Dragon’s Dogma 2 unique?

• Dynamic combat: Grab huge monsters, scramble up their backs, and attack weak spots
• Smart companions: Pawns learn enemy moves and quest solutions
• Emergent events: Bandits, storms, and monster migrations make the road never safe

Dragon’s Dogma 2 offers that feeling of setting out with a plan—and having everything go wrong in the best possible way.

If you want an adventure where no two nights on the road are alike, this is one open-world RPG you can’t skip.

Tactical and Strategy-Driven PS4 RPG Titles

Strategic RPGs on PS4 stand apart for their focus on planning, measured decision-making, and letting players influence the course of a battle—sometimes even before the fighting starts. Each of these games prioritizes player agency and clever use of systems, making victory as much about your choices as raw power.

Divinity: Original Sin 2’s Deep Combat and Player Agency

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is all about options. You control a group of unique characters and tackle problems your way—approach a quest by persuasion, combat, or sneaking around. Its turn-based combat system lets you combine elements like fire and water, set traps, and use the environment to your advantage.

Key features include:

• Completely turn-based tactical battles
• Branching conversations and storylines
• Customizable party with distinct origins and backgrounds

The strength of Divinity: Original Sin 2 lies in its willingness to trust players with real control, even if it means breaking the usual RPG rules.

Every encounter in Divinity: Original Sin 2 feels like an invitation to experiment. Winning can be about clever improvisation as much as planning.

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Dungeons & Dragons Adaptation

Baldur’s Gate 3 brings the D&D tabletop experience to your console. With full dice rolls, in-depth class mechanics, and party banter, it’s a PS4 RPG for folks who like to strategize. Whether you tackle fights head-on or try to talk your way out of trouble, your choices carry weight both in gameplay and story.

Table: Core Strategic Elements of Baldur’s Gate 3

• Turn order and placement matter each round
• Environmental hazards can be weaponized
• You can attempt wild plans, like convincing an enemy to retreat

Final Fantasy XIV’s MMO Evolution and Social Experience

Final Fantasy XIV is an MMORPG, but it earns its tactical stripes through complex, choreographed boss encounters called raids. Party members must coordinate tightly, manage cooldowns, dodge attacks, and keep communication open for high-level content.

Main ways FFXIV emphasizes strategy:

1. Roles are clearly defined—tank, healer, damage dealer—all essential.
2. Boss mechanics often require memory, timing, and teamwork.
3. Social strategy—forming reliable groups and learning fights together.

Victory in Final Fantasy XIV’s hardest fights isn’t about reflexes alone—it’s about learning patterns, adjusting your plan, and working together.

For some, the thrill comes not from swinging a sword, but from leading a perfectly timed group action that turns a near-wipe into a stunning success.

Narrative RPGs with Consequential Choices

Some RPG experiences stick with you because of the choices you make. They give you agency—real power to shape the world and the people in it. In 2025, these narrative-driven PS4 RPGs still stand out for how they make every decision, big or small, feel like it matters.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition’s Intergalactic Decisions

BioWare’s Mass Effect trilogy in Legendary Edition form is still the go-to space adventure for anyone who loves role-playing with lasting consequences. Your choices ripple through all three games, influencing who lives, who dies, and even the fate of entire species.

The sense that your actions drive the events around you is the strongest feature of Mass Effect. Here are a few reasons it remains a favorite:

• A branching story with dozens of possible outcomes.
• Relationships that grow or break based on your dialogue and actions.
• Multiple endings shaped by your accumulated decisions across the trilogy.

Sometimes you’ll close the game and just sit there thinking: did I do the right thing? That’s the kind of storytelling that makes the Mass Effect trilogy unforgettable.

Dragon Age: Inquisition’s Political Intrigue and Strategy

"Dragon Age: Inquisition" is more than slaying dragons; it’s about managing allies, diplomacy, and tough moral calls. As the Inquisitor, you hold the fate of Thedas in your hands, commanding a party of memorable characters and making choices that shape kingdoms.

What keeps players coming back:

• A complex web of political alliances and betrayals.
• Customizable Inquisitor with choices in personal background and beliefs.
• Major quests with branching outcomes leading to different story progressions.

Three Essential Aspects:

1. Every alliance and betrayal impacts your path to power.
2. New playthroughs offer fresh storylines and endings.
3. Side quests can unlock or close off main narrative branches.

Political storylines can get messy. Sometimes you’re the hero, sometimes you’re the villain, all depending on one difficult call.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s Historical Immersion

Realism sits at the heart of "Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2." It drops you into medieval Bohemia, where there’s no magic—just hard choices and their real consequences. Your reputation, relationships, and even how you handle quests affect everything around you.

Why it feels different:

• NPCs remember what you do, and the world reacts.
• Dialogue and decision branches can lock or reveal quests.
• Realistic consequences—lying, stealing, or violence leave lasting scars on your journey.

There’s something special about a world where skipping a meal or picking the wrong fight can haunt you for hours. If you want authenticity, this one leaves a mark.

These RPGs prove that story is more than cutscenes—it’s what you do that changes everything. Whether you want to save the galaxy, lead a royal inquisition, or survive medieval life, PS4 has narrative RPGs that will make you think about your choices long after the credits roll.

Challenging Action RPGs for Hardcore Players

There are action RPGs, and then there are action RPGs that refuse to play nice. If you’re after games that test your patience and skill, these PS4 titles are as tough as they come—but the sense of achievement you get is unmatched.

Dark Souls III’s Mastery of Difficulty and Reward

Dark Souls III stands as the perfect example of what happens when tough combat is done with care. Every enemy feels dangerous. Every boss is a roadblock. Players have to pay attention to movements, learn attack patterns, and accept that failure is just part of learning.

• Combat relies more on patience and timing than reflexes
• Every death teaches something; progress feels hard-earned
• The game’s atmosphere oozes mystery and dread

Defeating a boss here isn’t just a win—it’s a personal breakthrough.

Sometimes, it feels like the whole world is against you when you play Dark Souls III. But sticking with it makes every little victory feel massive.

Bloodborne’s Haunting Gothic Atmosphere

Bloodborne is fast, mean, and full of horrors waiting around every corner. You don’t get much time to plan. Instead, the game wants you to react quickly and stay aggressive, which goes totally against the habits you might bring from other RPGs.

• Speed-focused combat pushes you to stay on offense
• Health regained by hitting enemies back encourages boldness
• Cursed Victorian city and monsters make every step tense

Here’s a comparison between Dark Souls III and Bloodborne:

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’s Precision and Pace

Sekiro steps away from RPG stats and expects pure skill from the player. Every fight feels like a tense duel. If your timing is off, you pay for it quickly. The game is strict about practice—mastering its parry system is a must.

• One-on-one sword fights with exact timing required
• Vertical movement and stealth are huge here
• Little room for error; quick reflexes are needed

If you’re looking for a game that refuses to hand out wins, Sekiro is ready with a tough lesson.

You might see the "Game Over" screen hundreds of times. But when you nail that perfect counter, it’s hard not to pump your fist in the air.

Challenging action RPGs on PS4 keep players coming back because winning actually means something. These games are tough, but the sense of progress is real, and there’s nothing else quite like it.

Japanese RPG Classics and Modern Icons

No conversation about PS4 RPGs is complete without mentioning the influence and impact of Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs). These titles blend imaginative worlds, strategic battles, and stories that stick with players for years. Some are decades-old legends, others redefine what modern RPGs can do on PlayStation.

Persona 5 Royal’s Emotional Depth and Style

Persona 5 Royal is a JRPG that feels both familiar and totally new. You manage student life while secretly acting as a Phantom Thief, entering bizarre dungeons shaped from the hearts of corrupt adults. The turn-based combat is quick and flashy, each character has a unique personality, and the Tokyo setting feels alive even between big missions.

• Mix of daily routine and supernatural battles, letting players bond with friends and upgrade powers.
• Complex social simulation—the calendar system means each decision shapes relationships and skills.
• The story isn’t afraid to tackle personal issues, creating a strong link between the player and the characters.

Persona 5 Royal shines because every action—whether fighting a demon or visiting a café—feels like it matters, both in the story and your character’s growth.

Final Fantasy XIV’s Community-Driven Evolution

Final Fantasy XIV started rough but is now a massive online RPG with a strong player community. While technically an MMO, its PS4 version draws in those looking for both solo adventures and teamwork. The constant updates keep it fresh, and the main story regularly matches even single-player RPGs for scale.

Key pillars of the experience:

• Deep story arcs with cinematic moments, spread across multiple expansions.
• Flexible job system—switch roles (healer, tank, damage, etc.) on one character.
• Social and cooperative gameplay: join guilds, run dungeons, take on massive raids.

Chrono Trigger’s Timeless Influence

Even though it didn’t begin on PlayStation, “Chrono Trigger” has become a benchmark for JRPGs of any era. Its time-traveling adventure, lovable cast, and layered battle system still feel unique. PS4 players often find a way to access this classic, and its design continues to inspire modern RPG mechanics and branching storylines.

Consider what makes Chrono Trigger special:

1. Multiple endings that respond to your in-game choices—a rarity when first released.
2. Seamless, non-random battles, emphasizing speed and teamwork.
3. Memorable sprites and a soundtrack that is still discussed today.

Playing Chrono Trigger for the first time (or the tenth) is like meeting an old friend—familiar, comfortable, yet full of surprises.

Japanese RPGs remain a cornerstone for any player looking to combine thoughtful decision-making, imaginative settings, and stories that actually stick. If you want to understand why RPGs have the reputation they do in 2025, these games are where you start.

Emerging and Underappreciated PS4 RPG Gems

While blockbuster RPGs often get the spotlight, many unique and creative titles on PS4 may have flown under your radar. These games push boundaries in design, storytelling, and gameplay, offering experiences that feel fresh even in 2025.

Greedfall’s Colonial Aesthetic and Morality System

Greedfall stands out for its setting—a fantasy world driven by colonial ambitions, magic, and political alliances. As De Sardet, you are sent to explore an uncharted island, balancing loyalties.

• Moral Choices: You make impactful decisions, swaying factions or risking betrayals. Every quest outcome changes relationships with allies.
• Flexible Combat: Mix gunplay, magic, and blade. Builds are adaptive, so you are never locked into one playstyle.
• Atmosphere: The 17th-century colonial look and feel are rare among RPGs and give the game a special sense of place.

Even if it doesn’t have the recognition of bigger RPGs, Greedfall regularly surprises with its player-driven outcomes and worldbuilding.

Ni no Kuni II’s Charming Visuals and Kingdom Building

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom mixes a classic JRPG framework with kingdom management and a visual style straight out of an animated feature.

• Art and Animation: Cozy and vibrant, the graphics remain engaging on PS4, appealing to fans of animated adventures.
• Accessible Systems: Combat is real-time and friendly for newcomers, while town management adds a strategic layer.
• Building Your Kingdom: You recruit over 100 citizens, craft new facilities, and expand your influence—these changes actually reflect in your story.

Tales of Arise’s Dynamic Combat and Narrative

Tales of Arise refreshed the long-standing JRPG series with an action-oriented combat system and mature storytelling.

• Action-Packed Encounters: Battles are fast, flashy, and reward perfect timing. You can swap between party members on the fly.
• Character Bonds: Conversations and shared events deepen the camaraderie between your team, unlocking new abilities and story beats.
• Strong Themes: Struggles for freedom and identity are central in its engaging story.

A few reasons these games are worth your time in 2025:

1. They each introduce original mechanics—whether it’s political intrigue, city building, or inventive combat.
2. Their artistic direction stands apart from more conventional high-fantasy RPGs.
3. Community buzz around these titles is growing, so it’s never been a better time to try them before they become mainstream favorites.

Picking up one of these underappreciated RPGs often leads to an experience you’ll want to recommend to others, especially if big releases have started to feel formulaic.

Conclusion

So, that’s the lineup of must-play PS4 RPGs for 2025. Whether you’re into exploring huge worlds, making tough choices, or just want to get lost in a good story, there’s something here for every kind of player. These games keep proving why RPGs are such a big deal—they let you step into someone else’s shoes and shape your own adventure. If you haven’t tried some of these yet, maybe now’s the time to pick up your controller and see what all the fuss is about. There’s always a new quest waiting, and you never know which game might end up being your next favorite. Happy gaming!

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes an RPG game great on PS4?

A great RPG on PS4 usually has an engaging story, characters you care about, and a world that feels alive. Good RPGs let you make choices that matter, offer fun combat, and give you lots of ways to play your character.

Are these PS4 RPGs still worth playing in 2025?

Yes! Many of these games are classics that hold up well because of their deep stories, fun gameplay, and huge worlds. Some even get updates or new content, so they stay fresh and exciting.

Can I play these RPGs solo, or do I need friends?

Most RPGs on this list can be played solo and are designed for single players. However, a few, like Final Fantasy XIV, are online games where you can team up with friends or other players if you want.

Do I need to play earlier games in a series to enjoy these titles?

Not always. While some games are part of a series, most are made so new players can jump in and understand what’s going on. It can help to know the backstory, but it’s not required for most games.

Which RPG is best for someone new to the genre?

Games like Dragon Quest XI or Persona 5 Royal are great for beginners. They have easy-to-understand stories, helpful tutorials, and friendly gameplay that make them good starting points.

Are these RPGs suitable for younger players?

Some RPGs on this list are fine for teens, but others have mature themes or violence. It’s a good idea to check the game’s rating and read about its content before letting younger players try them.