Console exclusives are one of the major reasons to own any particular console over another. With that said, what does the PS4 bring to the table in 2018?



I should probably start this off by saying that of course not all of these games are 100% confirmed for a 2018 release. Most of them are, and yet more have been teased or even outright said they will release in the calendar year while not begin given a firm date. However, as is common in the video game industry, titles are likely to slip past their initial release dates and potentially fall into the 2019 timeframe. These, however, are likely to release and are ones you should consider putting onto your playlist. Something I should probably note is that just as the title says, these are console exclusives. Not necessarily platform exclusive. Which means one or more of these titles may release on PC or even mobile in the extreme case, but not for one of the other 2 systems. It will also include timed exclusives if those games have yet to be confirmed for a different platform. We’ve already broken down the exclusive games lineup for Xbox One and Nintendo Switch in 2018. Now, we turn to PS4, which is currently the leading force in the industry, with sales already topping 73.6 million units, and according to Sony had it’s best Black Friday in PlayStation history and selling almost 6 million units in the holidays alone. 2017 has been a stellar year for big and small games alike on the console, and 2018 is looking to keep up that momentum. If you’re worried Sony might start to back off in favor of the oft-rumored PlayStation 5, you’d be wrong. So what can you look forward to?

13 Sentinals: Aegis Rim This is likely to have gone under your radar. It is a new side-scrolling hand-drawn game from Vanillaware, the makers of Dragon’s Crown, Muramasa, and Odin Sphere. It is set in 1980, the game follows the themes of surging despair and the demise of everyday life following a destructive catastrophe.

Ashen Rift Ashen Rift has had a troubled start coming to life, failing a Kickstarter campaign or two. It finally got funded and is now on it’s way to PS4. It follows a bearded man and his dog off to save the world from a destructive portal. It is a first-person survival game that sees you constantly seeing your death in a vision.

Boundless Boundless is an MMO voxel based game similar to that of Minecraft. It has been in early access since 2014, and was originally announced for PS4 a year later. When it’s released it will have cross-play between PC and PS4.

Catherine: Full Body Catherine: Full Body is a remake of the PS3/360 cult classic that brought the fears of relationships to your dreams… This time, it is coming to PS4 and Vita exclusively and has a host of additional content. Check out our recent coverage here.

Chasm Chasm is a procedurally generated action adventure platformer that has the main character trapped in a rural town by paranormal forces. Explore 6 huge areas in this pixelated adventure where no playthrough is ever the same.

Concrete Genie This was a surprise game that sadly looks like it is going to be looked over by most people. It was announced at the Paris Games Week and is a game about a bullied teenager named Ash, who escapes his troubles by painting spectacular living landscapes and mischievous creatures throughout his abandoned hometown of Denska.

Crossing Souls Crossing Souls tells the incredible story of a group of friends who will live the summer of their lives after uncovering a mysterious artifact whose powers they don’t fully understand but will change their lives forever. You can look to play this game February 13th.

Days Gone Days Gone is a huge new title from the makers of Syphon Filter. This is their first console game in over a decade and looks to take inspiration from the likes of another PlayStation exclusive, The Last of Us. Set in a post-apocalyptic open world that sees the protagonist Deacon trying to survive from hoards of “freakers”, or zombie-like enemies. Update: Sadly, this game has been pushed into 2019.

Death Stranding A new series created by the famed Hideo Kojima. Do we know much about it? Not really, it’s a Kojima game, so everything you think you know about it is likely wrong. He loves deception in his trailers, and likes to lead you along a path just to reveal what you thought you knew was actually way off. The game features Norman Reedus.

Deaths Gambit Deaths Gambit is another side-scrolling action game with an old-school aesthetic to it. In it, you will explore an alien medieval planet filled with beasts, knights, and horrors as an agent of Death, bound to his service.

Detroit: Become Human This is the next game from famed developer Quantic Dream, known for Heavy Rain and Indigo Prophecy. They are yet again pushing the envelope with graphics in games, and player choice. Following Kara, an android who has human-like sentience, which is abnormal for the machines, there just may be a robot uprising. Will you be part of it?

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory The next turn-based RPG in the Digimon games for PS4. If you like monster-collecting RPG’s, this is the game for you. Releasing January 19th.

Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Dissidia is a 3D fighting game featuring Final Fantasy characters from all over the FF universe. Originally released as PSP games, it eventually went into silence. When this game was announced, it was announced as an Arcade game only… but being built with PS4 hardware. So everyone knew it was coming to the console eventually, and finally is.

Distance Distance is a survival racing game that combines the intense action of arcade racing with the exploration of an atmospheric world. You control a unique car that allows you to boost, jump, rotate, and even fly through a chaotic and mysterious city.

DJMax Respect The first decidedly Japanese game on the list. It is a rhythm action game and is a reboot, and apparently the final installment of the DJMax series.

Donut County Play as a mysterious growing hole in this physics adventure game. Donut County is a whimsical physics toy that explores negative space by giving players control over a hole in the ground. The game is clearly inspired by Katamari, and that alone is enough to get our interest.

Dragon’s Crown Pro This is a game that initially released on PS3 and Vita and is now getting an HD release for PlayStation 4.

Dreams This is the latest game from Media Molecule, the developer behind LittleBigPlanet. It is a new sandbox game that allows players to create anything they can imagine and has a heavy emphasis on player generated content. Just like LittleBigPlanet, you will be able to share and download what others have created to experience all new creations.

Drifter Drifter is an open-world sandbox space trading game with a procedurally-generated galaxy 100,000 light years across made up of tens of thousands of star systems to explore. Care for another epic space adventure?

Earth Defence Force 5 EDF5 is the next installment of the ridiculous franchise that has you fighting to save the world from giant alien bugs. Originally planned for a mid 2017 release date, it just released in Japan last month. While no official US release has been confirmed, every game before it has released in the US, so it’s only a matter of time.

Earth Defence Force: Iron Rain This is sort of a new direction for the EDF franchise. Taking on a more serious and dark tone, although keeping what makes the franchise great intact. The first thing you will notice is the vastly improved graphics, while not necessary, are nice to see. Again, as with EDF5, no US release has been confirmed but it’s likely to be announced before too long.

Erica Erica is a unique take on interactive media. A live-action video adventure that is a PlayLink exclusive, featuring a branching narrative where every choice can have a profound effect on your game.

Fantasy Strike Currently available in early access on PC, Fantasy Strike is promised for PS4 sometime in 2018. It is a world of fantasy and martial arts. Its diverse characters use wind, fire, ghosts, gambling, paint, and even time itself as their weapons.

Fighting EX Layer Fighter EX Layer is a new one-on-one fighting tournament from Arika, makers of the Street Fighter EX series. It was originally revealed back in July, although, it was first an April Fools joke. If you enjoy Street Fighter, you will sure enjoy this one.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Everyone knows what this is, so what can be said? The game features the same characters and story while being expanded upon for modern times. It will feature an entirely new combat system. The game will be broken up into 3 full installments and has been confirmed to not be a PS4 platform exclusive. But no word yet about platforms.

Fire Pro Wrestling World The return of Fire Pro Wrestling is almost here. Currently in early access on PC, with a full release sometime next year on PS4.

Fist of the North Star Fist of the North Star is one of the greatest anime of all time. Known for its inspiration from Mad Max, but also decidedly Japanese in its approach it’s about time this series gets a game it deserves. From the creators of Yakuza, and also featuring the same talent behind the main character.

Frantics Frantics is a Playlink exclusive that is focused on minigames, similar to games like Warioware. With 15 whacky mini-games for up to four players, where you’re competing in everything from frenetic action arena brawls to strategic turn-based competitions.

Futuregrind FutureGrind is a game all about skill, tricks, and speed. The game is played on a track made of rails that run through a 3D environment.

Ghost of Tsushima This new game from Sucker Punch took us by surprise. Set during the Mongol invasion on the Tsushima island of Japan in 1274. The main protagonist is a born Samurai who must abandon his training and discipline to have a fighting chance against the Mongols. Featuring a living open-world where your actions have consequences.

God of War Kratos, the God of War, the man who really shouldn’t be liked because of all the hate and destruction he stands for yet we love him anyways. Only this time, returning with a softer tone, a new kid, and a beard! In this new game, every aspect of the game is being changed. This is easily one of PS4’s biggest games of the year.

Granblue Fantasy Project Re:Link This project is still only confirmed for Japan, but there are signs it will release outside of the territory. Considering it’s made by Platinum Games and the fact information on the game can be found on the official English Platinum Games Website are good signs. Based off of a cellphone game, and featuring PG’s signature fast-paced action.

Gray Dawn Gray Dawn is a first-person horror game with adventure elements, exploring both real and unreal universes.

Guacamelee 2 Return to the ring for some luchador beat-em-up action! Guacamelee! 2 brings back the non-stop fighting and multi-dimensional platforming action that made the original game a breakout hit. It still isn’t confirmed if this one will remain a PS4 exclusive, but so far that is the only system for which it is announced.

Guns of Icarus Alliance Guns of Icarus Online is a steampunk multiplayer first-person shooter that focuses on airship combat. Each airship is controlled by up to four players, with each member of the crew taking on a specific role. Players can choose three different classes; gunner, engineer, or pilot, which will allow them access to different tool sets.

H-Hour: World’s Elite H-Hour is the story of an unfolded tactical, team-based military shooter in which cooperation between players is necessary for progress. A run-and-gun lone wolf mindset would very quickly result in a difficult outcome; only by cooperating with the team will you reach your goal.

Home Free Home Free is an open-world action-RPG starring a dog lost in a sprawling, randomly generated city. Use your canine abilities to explore this strange, sometimes hostile environment and find your place in the world.

Iconoclasts The Iconoclasts is about Robin, a mechanic, in a world where her hobbies are considered illegal. Find out why as you traverse the world with the friends you meet while coming across big battles and puzzles.

Left Alive This is a new survival action shooter that is interestingly set in the Front Mission universe. It was first revealed by Sony in a press conference just before TGS 2017, and looks rather stellar. With the artwork looking like it came straight from Metal Gear, and the senior talent behind the game, we’ve no doubt this will be something special.

Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time Another anime based video game, this time based on Little Witch Academia as an Action RPG. It is a side-scroller that will let players control the anime’s protagonist, witch-in-training Akko, accompanied by her friends Sucy and Lotte, as she explores her magical academy.

Lost Soul Aside This is an incredibly special game, mainly because it was originally created by 1 man who took inspiration from games like Devil May Cry and the newer Final Fantasy XV. It’s simply gorgeous. His work before being contacted by Sony is impressive and makes many big studios look like amateurs. Because Sony is helping out, it is a timed exclusive.

Manifold Garden Manifold Garden is an exploration-puzzle game that imagines a universe with a different set of physical laws. Set in an Escher-esque world filled with secrets and mysteries, you utilize a unique gravity-manipulation mechanic to turn walls into floors.

MediEvil Remake In the vein of the Crash Bandicoot remake, Sony has announced that MediEvil will get a full, from the ground up remake for PS4. If you haven’t played this classic, you’re in for a treat.

MLB The Show 18 Home runs, steals, and epic catches — get deep into the action and experience your favorite parts of baseball with MLB The Show 18. With the most exciting and personal baseball gaming experience on console, The Show 18 delivers condensed, but authentic games in classic and current stadiums that may feel so real, you can smell the grass.

Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom Developed by famed Japanese video game studio Level-5, Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is the second game in the acclaimed, anime-inspired RPG franchise and features an all-new cast of charming characters, an emotional storyline, and innovative gameplay design that will delight and challenge players.

Patapon 2 Remastered The beloved second entry in the Patapon series is marching its way to PS4 in resolutions up to 4K! Separated from their Zigaton compatriots, the Patapon tribe arrives on a strange new island, fighting through mysterious new enemies and creatures as they search for Earthend!

Project Phoenix Project Phoenix is an RPG with a squad-based realtime-strategy game design, brought to you by veteran developers for an adventure inspired by both Japanese and western game design philosophies. Throughout the adventure, players will piece together the mysteries of an angel with amnesia and travel through the land of Azuregard.

Remothered: Tormented Fathers Remothered: Tormented Fathers is a psychological survival horror game with strong cinematic inspiration and extreme gameplay. The story is full of unpredictable plot-twists but is touching at the same time. Psychology plays a huge role within the game: heroes and enemies are atypical and the line between good and evil is blurred.

Savant: Ascent A malicious orb has cast Savant out of his tower and transformed his surroundings into dangerous enemies! Dodge and shoot your way back up the tower, and blast down waves of enemies as you make your way towards the top! As you progress, you unlock CDs that give you new tracks to play to that also grant powerful new abilities!

Shenmue III This long-awaited third entry in the Shenmue saga continues Ryo Hazuki’s epic adventure. While it was originally supposed to release in early 2018, it has since been delayed to the second half of the year.

Secret of Mana The classic game Secret of Mana is remastered with 3D graphics for a new generation of games in this remake of Squaresoft’s action-RPG hit. Users can look forward to playing this February 15th.

Seven Deadly Sins: Knights of Britannia We’ve been following this one for some time. This is the first game based on of the popular Netflix original Anime that follows the exploits of Meliodas and friends on a journey to find the remaining Sins. The game releases for PS4 February 9th.

Shadow of the Colossus Experience the wonder and magic of one of the most beloved video games of all time, recreated from the ground up for PlayStation 4 to provide gamers a stunning reintroduction to this masterpiece.

Skytorn Skytorn takes place in a crumbling and decaying world in the sky. Survivors hold on to the remnants of technology left behind by the fading old society, searching for clues to reunite what was lost. Forgotten dungeons deep within the islands of the sky, now overrun with dark and dangerous creatures, hold the secrets to what once was.

Spelunky 2 Spelunky 2 is the sequel to the cave exploration treasure-hunting game Spelunky.

Spider-Man Sony, Insomniac, and Marvel have teamed up to bring a brand-new and authentic Spider-Man adventure exclusively to PS4. This isn’t the Spider-Man you’ve met or ever seen before. This all-new story stars an experienced Peter Parker who’s experienced at fighting big crime in New York City who has sheer mastery of his powerful abilities.

The 25th Ward: The Silver Case I’m going to be honest, I had no idea this game even existed before creating this list. However to find out that Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda 51 is working on this game has me instantly excited. This visual novel adventure game will see you reading through scenarios and issuing commands to advance the story as you go.

The Forest The Forest is another first-person early access game that’s awaiting its PS4 release. You and a young child are the only survivors of a plane crash on a heavily forested island filled with hostile indigenous people that just aren’t normal.

The Gardens Between The Gardens Between is a surreal puzzle adventure that follows best friends, Arina and Frendt, as they fall into a mysterious world of beautiful garden islands. The player can traverse back and forwards in time to discover each garden’s secrets and, along the way, reveal a story about friendship, childhood and growing up.

The Hong Kong Massacre The Hong Kong Massacre is a vicious top-down game set in Hong Kong filled with guns, bullets, slow-motion and blood. It looks a lot like Hard Boiled (the movie) or its video game sequel Stranglehold, except in a top-down view. It has my attention that’s for sure. It’s one of the prettiest top-down games I’ve ever seen as well.

The Inpatient The Inpatient is a horror game with psychological elements that places you in the role of a patient with amnesia in the Blackwood Sanatorium, over 60 years prior to the events of the frightening events of Until Dawn. You can look forward to playing this horror VR prequel on January 23rd.

The Last of Us: Part II Sequel to perhaps one of the greatest achievements in game storytelling, not much needs to be said. Taking place a few years after the first game, seeming to be about Ellie and her hatred for the Firefly. Not much is known, but judging by the most recent trailer, Naughty Dog has managed to push the envelope forward on game graphics.

The Persistence A new PSVR game set on a science and research vessel, The Persistence, which is out of control and heading for disaster. Following a failed teleporter experiment, much of the crew have become mutated, roaming about the ship, and killing the last of the human survivors.

The Swords of Ditto The Swords of Ditto is a compact action RPG that creates a unique adventure for each new hero of legend in the relentless fight against the evil Mormo. Explore a delightful but dangerous overworld, brave menacing dungeons, and improve your hero in a charming village, during your quest to overcome the evil that plagues the island.

The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2 Follow the Hundred Knight in its journey through a witch-ravaged world. Young girls are contracting a strange illness and awakening as witches, causing mayhem across the region of Kevala.

Vane Vane is a single-player game being developed by a few ex-members of The Last Guardian team. The game focuses on unraveling the mysteries of an unknown land via exploration, puzzle-solving, and other features yet to be revealed, in an atmospheric and powerful setting.

Way of Redemption A game designed for players with a passion for eSports and for those who want to test their skills, their game has arrived.

WiLD WiLD is a survival adventure game that takes place in a Celtic landscape set 10,000 years ago. This one ist tough to add to the list because it’s gone silent for so long. However, Dreams was announced around the same time and that getting a recent re-reveal it’s bound to get more information soon. Assuming it isn’t canceled.

Without Memory Without Memory is an interactive thriller, which main concept is based on the idea of three parallel worlds and your actions in one of them affect events in the two others. The story springs from the dystopian world, and its main character, the policeman Leo Evans, epitomizes consumer society.

Yakuza 6 This is the sixth mainline entry in the blockbuster Yakuza franchise, which continues the story of Kazuma as it tells a hard-boiled tale of gang life in downtown Tokyo.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 While this game doesn’t have a concrete U.S. announcement it’s safe to assume this one will get released this year. When you look at the first and how it released in the states after the Japanese launch. Especially after Yakuza 0. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about with this one. Kazuma should be on your consoles soon enough.

Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner – Mars Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner – Mars is an HD remake of the high-octane, big robot, super-fast action that defined a genre. This is a second revival that expands upon the PS3/360 enhancements with a completely new VR mode, expanded sound, and further improved graphics.

If you missed our Xbox Exclusives list, check it out here. You can also find the Nintendo Switch list here.