PlayStation 4 buyer’s guide

The PlayStation 4 turned to be one of the most hotly anticipated goods of the 2013 Christmas season, and for good reason. Not only does it come with cutting edge technology and a revamped controller, it also comes filled with the rich gaming heritage that the PlayStation brand is renowned for.

In the wake of the PlayStation 4 launch, we had a chance to play though the major retail games to be released for the console. Here we tell you which ones are the best ones to get.

1. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag

The Assassin’s Creed series has made a triumphant return with the fourth instalment, which takes the series to the high seas during the age of piracy. We enjoyed the Xbox 360 version so much we bestowed it with the Editor’s Choice award. The added processing power of the PlayStation 4 ensures that the whole experience runs smoothly at a 1080p resolution, making it the definitive version of the game.

2. FIFA 14

A new FIFA game is faced with the difficult task of improving significantly over its previous instalment, and it's a challenge that FIFA 14 takes in its stride. Packed with a redesigned feel to the on-field gameplay and more intuitive AI on the current generation of consoles, the experience this time around is more sim-like and more authentic than ever before. Combined with a visual boost to 1080p, the PlayStation 4 version of FIFA 14 is the one that soccer fans will want.

3. Lego Marvel Super Heroes

The Marvel universe gets the Lego treatment, bringing a larger and more varied cast of characters than any past Lego game. In addition to the large cast of heroes and villains, the large and explorable game environments ensure that there is plenty to do beyond just combating evil during adventures. We had a lot of fun with the Xbox One version at 1080p, and for that reason the PlayStation 4 version also comes highly recommended.

4. Need for Speed: Rivals

The Need for Speed franchise has been going from strength to strength, letting you drive some of the most sought after vehicles in an open world environment. While purists looking for more of a simulation experience may prefer to look elsewhere for their racing fix, Need for Speed: Rivals comes with enough high speed thrills and excitement to keep most auto enthusiasts happy. As with most multi-platform titles, the jump to 1080p really does add to the overall sense of speed on PlayStation 4.

5. Call of Duty: Ghosts

When it comes to multiplayer gaming, Call of Duty: Ghosts shines like the past instalments. By taking the battle online, you are able to engage in tense battles with players around the world that make use of the game’s finely tuned engine and mechanics. The single-player campaign is fun but mostly unmemorable as it was on Xbox One, but the inclusion of the 1080p resolution ensures that the PlayStation 4 version is the definite one to go for.

6. Battlefield 4

Now in its fourth iteration, the modern day war series needs no introduction. The fast-paced and action-packed first-person shooter gameplay from past titles is intact, while the tuned multiplayer mode lets you take the fight online against players around the world. While Battlefield 4 packs an impressive level of visual detail, it is locked to 720p on PlayStation 4, just like the current generation and Xbox One versions, and it would have benefited from a 1080p resolution.

7. Injustice: Gods Among Us - Ultimate Edition

Injustice: Gods Among Us received praise in the middle of 2013 for putting famous heroes and villains from the DC comic universe into a satisfying fighting game. With 2011’s Mortal Kombat reboot acting as the foundation for the game, Gods Among Us overcame the shortcomings of 2008’s Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe for a highly polished and balanced fighting experience. By bumping the visual fidelity to 1080p, as well as including all of the downloadable content, the PlayStation 4 version is the one to get if you missed the game the first time around.

The rest

NBA 2K14 is a recommended buy for basketball fans as NBA Live 14 does not innovate significantly over its past instalments. Gridiron may not be well known outside of North American, though fans of the sport will find Madden NFL 25 enjoyable.

Angry Birds Star Wars is a fun puzzle title that is nonetheless cheaper and more accessible on smartphones, Skylanders Swap Force is a port of last year’s kid friendly platformer, and Just Dance 2014 is the fifth and latest dance title allowing people to stage dance-offs.

Killzone: Shadow Fall is a visual showcase that is sadly let down by a weak single-player campaign, while Knack is an antiquated platformer that is aimed at a younger audience.

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