It’s nearly here. It’s about time! The PS4 launch is almost upon us, and while we’ve already gone through everything you need to know regarding the new console in our handy PS4 buyer’s guide, now it’s time to look at the real reason gamers buy a PlayStation: the games.
There are 28 launch titles in total, and in the gallery below we’ve detailed all of them to give you some insight into which ones you should download or drop your hard-earned cash on.
All 28 PS4 Launch Games Detailed: What Should You Buy?
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Angry Birds: Star Wars
The Angry Birds are back... again. This time they're lampooning Star Wars, because why not?
Should you buy it? No. Angry Birds: Star Wars is already available on iOS and Android, so if you absolutely have to own another Angry Birds game, then those are the formats to get it on.
Available: Retail
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Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
Sail the seas of the Carribean in the latest Assassin's Creed game, which places players in the scuffed shoes of privateer-turned-pirate Edward Kenway.
Should you buy it? Yes. After the middling reviews Assassin's Creed III attracted, its successor has been received much more favourably. Also, there are sharks in this one, and you can never go wrong with sharks.
Available: Retail
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Battlefield 4
EA and DICE's squad-based tactical FPS series makes the leap to next-gen and looks suitably good whilst doing so.
Should you buy it? Yes. Battlefield 4 is looking like one of the best-looking launch titles for the PS4, and aside from showing off the new console's technical strengths, it's also a pretty darn fun multiplayer game.
Available: Retail
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Blacklight: Retribution
The well-received free-to-play FPS Blacklight: Retribution makes its way from PC to PS4, being one of the first in a new wave of console F2P titles.
Should you download it? Yes. While it may be a hefty download size and take up some room on your PS4's 500GB hard drive, Blacklight: Retribution is a solid FPS.
Available: PSN (F2P)
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Call of Duty: Ghosts
Call of Duty: Ghosts may have received the worst reviews in the series, but there's still no denying that its core multiplayer gameplay has an odd hold on people.
Should you buy it? Maybe. If you're a Call of Duty fan, then you've likely already got it preordered. If not, Ghosts won't convince you otherwise.
Available: Retail
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Contrast
Contrast is a gorgeous indie platformer with art direction inspired by the film-noir genre, and will be for free PlayStation Plus subscribers.
Should you buy it? You don't need to! Considering you need to buy PlayStation Plus to play with your PS4 online, you'll be getting it for free!
Available: PSN (PS+ free download at launch)
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DC Universe Online
The free-to-play MMO DC Universe Online will actually share the same servers as the PS3 version of the game, meaning that you'll still be able to play with your friends who haven't made the jump into the next-gen, which is pretty cool.
Should you download it? Maybe. If you liked DC Universe Online on the PS3, then obviously you'll be downloading it again on the PS4. It's not an exceptional MMO, but it makes good use of the Batman license and can be a lot of fun.
Available: PSN (F2P)
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Divekick
This unique 2D fighter only features two moves - dive and kick - and has an oddball sense of humour that pokes fun at the fighting game community.
Should you buy it? No. It's fun for an hour or so, but considering you're likely already cash-strapped after purchasing the PS4, you'd be better off saving your money here.
Available: PSN
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FIFA 14
EA's annual football/soccer series returns with a few new bells and whistles attached to it, and looks rather splendid on the next-gen consoles.
Should you buy it: Maybe. If you're a FIFA fan, then the definitive version of the latest entry in the series is on the PS4 and Xbox One. If you enjoy football/soccer then this is an easy recommendation. Otherwise, try it out before you buy it.
Available: Retail
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Escape Plan
Another PS Vita game makes its way to the PS4, and Escape Plan's distinct art style and classical soundtrack ensures it stands out from among a large crowd.
Should you buy it? Maybe. Voted one of the best Vita games thus far, Escape Plan is a safe bet, but it's a bit pricy for its length. It's not a must-buy, but is definitely one to pick up if you're looking for something a little different.
Available: PSN
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FlOw
The annoyingly titled flOw was thatgamecompany's first release before they went on to create the magnificent Journey, and it makes its way to the PS4's launch.
Should you buy it? No. Go with Journey instead.
Available: PSN
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Flower
After flOw, thatgamecompany developed Flower, which made use of the PS3's six-axis controller in order to help guide a petal through the wind. Not a particularly thrilling game, but certainly a relaxing one.
Should you buy it? No. While it's certainly interesting, thatgamecompany had yet to really hit their stride with Flower. It was a great game for its time but Journey does the same thing much better.
Available: PSN
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injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition
The heroes and villains from the DC Universe collide in this fighting game developed by Mortal Kombat's creators.
Should you buy it? Maybe. If you didn't pick it up on the current-gen consoles, then you might want to consider giving it a try on the PS4. It's a solid fighting game with a decent story mode, and the Ultimate Edition contains all the previously released DLC.
Available: Retail
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Just Dance 2014
The new PS4 Eye camera gets some love with Just Dance 2014, which now allows you to shake what your mother gave you along with an entire room of your embarrassed friends.
Should you buy it? No. But if you've invested in the PS4 Eye then you're likely the kind of person who already knows they're going to buy it.
Available: Retail
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Killzone: Shadow Fall
Sony's divisive FPS series makes its way to the PS4 as one of the two first-party titles from the developer. It looks great, but we still struggle to trust a game with a title as obnoxious as Killzone.
Should you buy it? Yes. Killzone: Shadow Fall will likely be the best example of what the PS4 has to offer technologically at launch. Even if its reviews haven't been stellar, it's Sony's flagship launch title, so it deserves a look.
Available: Retail
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Knack
The second first-party Sony title is a platformer that features Pixar-esque animation and an adorably vicious-looking protagonist.
Should you buy? No. Reviews aren't good on this one, branding it a disappointingly generic platformer.
Available: Retail
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LEGO Marvel Superheroes
The LEGO games show no signs of ever stopping, and the good reviews of LEGO Marvel Superheroes make this a good thing.
Should you buy? Maybe. It's definitely one for the kids, so if you are the parent of any fledgling gamers, or are one yourself, then you should probably pick this one up. For everyone else, you likely have bigger fish to fry.
Available: Retail
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Madden NFL 25
While Madden 25 received average reviews, there is said to a markedly large improvement in terms of the games visuals in the PS4 version than its PS3 counterpart. So if Madden games are your thing, you'll likely want to check it out.
Should you buy it? Maybe. This one's for Madden fans only.
Available: Retail
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NBA 2K14
Gameplay footage suggests that this could be the best-looking multiplatform game in the PS4's launch line-up, and while its gameplay may not differentiate all that much from NBA 2K14, it's still an essential purchase for basketball fans.
Should you buy it? Maybe. NBA fans likely already have their preorders in, and while it may not be too accessible for newcomers, it's still the best b-ball game out there.
Available: Retail
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NBA Live 14
After 6 years on the bench, the NBA Live series returns in attempt to take the NBA crown from 2K.
Should you buy it? No. NBA 2K14 looks the more polished game both visually and gameplay-wise, and is definitely the more attractive option for basketball fans.
Available: Retail
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Need For Speed: Rivals
While it's disappointing that Driveclub won't be making it to the PS4's launch, the Need For Speed series has been going from strength to strength recently, and Rivals looks set to be a fast and frenetic arcadey racer.
Should you buy it? Yes. It's the only racing game in the PS4's launch lineup, but despite it being slim pickings, this still looks like a fun game to play on day one.
Available: Retail
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Playroom
The PS4 Eye's bundled game is basically just a demo of the technology featuring cuddly robots and a pong mini-game.
Should you buy it? No. The PS4 Eye will likely become obsolete within a year due to it not being supported by software, and Playroom isn't the reason to buy it.
Available: PSN
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Resogun
Like Contrast, this side-scrolling shoot 'em up will be free to download for PlayStation Plus members. It looks hugely addictive.
Should you buy it? Yes, and you're getting it anyway. Prepare to lose many hours to it.
Available: PSN (PS+ free download at launch)
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Skylanders Swap Force
Not dissuaded by the success of Disney Infinity, Skylanders Swap Force allows you to swap the Skylanders' bottoms around. That probably makes more sense if you're a fan of the series.
Should you buy it? No. If you're a Skylanders fan this is more of the same, but for everyone else it's too pricey to warrant a purchase considering the amount you've already splashed out on the new console.
Available: Retail
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Sound Shapes
Musical platformer Sound Shapes impressed many on the PS Vita, and now it's making its way to the PS4. As its Cross-Buy, if you already own it on the Vita you will also own it on the PS4, and vice versa.
Should you buy it? Yes. If you've got a Vita, you should really already have this. If you haven't, then yes, this is still a definite purchase.
Available: PSN
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Super Motherload
Another exciting PS4 indie game, Super Motherload is a "dig 'em up", and will have you digging for resources on Mars' surface.
Should you buy it? Maybe. There are a lot of indie games on the PS4, but this one has an interesting strategy element that piques our interest.
Available: PSN
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Trine 2: Complete Story
The magical platformer Trine 2 is coming to the PS4 on a wave of glowing reviews. This one's the 'Complete Story', too, whatever that means.
Should you buy it? Maybe. Knack reportedly doesn't live up to the hype as the PS4's premier platformer, so maybe you'll find that Trine 2 fits neatly in its place?
Available: PSN
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Warframe
Another free-to-play game for the PS4's launch, Warframe is a co-op third-person shooter that was relatively well-received on the PC when it launched in beta earlier this year.
Should you download it? No. Get Blacklight: Retribution instead. Then again it's F2P, what's the harm in just downloading it?
Available: PSN (F2P)
