Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe best choice depends on the kind of story and action you want: pick UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection for cinematic globe-trotting, Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut for samurai combat and open-world exploration, Horizon Forbidden West for a far-future machine-filled world, God of War Ragnarök for a mythic family journey, or The Last of Us Part II Remastered for a darker survival story. These are different kinds of adventures, not a universal ranking.
How to choose a story-driven PlayStation adventure
Start with the experience you want, rather than a supposed overall winner. The games below vary in tone, world structure, combat and platform support. Their official PlayStation descriptions establish their settings, formats and features, but do not amount to a comparative review.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Days Gone - Playstation 4 | $28.48 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Ghost of Yōtei PS5 | $53.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Red Dead Redemption - PlayStation 5 | $24.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Sackboy: A Big Adventure – PlayStation 5 | $31.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection - PlayStation 5 | $29.45 | Buy on Amazon |
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- Cinematic adventure: UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection
- Open-world samurai story: Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
- Far-future exploration: Horizon Forbidden West
- Mythic character journey: God of War Ragnarök
- Darker survival story: The Last of Us Part II Remastered
Best story-driven action-adventure games on PlayStation
UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection — cinematic globe-trotting
For a story-led adventure built around exploration, traversal, puzzles and combat, this PS5 collection brings together remastered versions of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. PlayStation emphasizes both stories and characters, alongside cinematic action. The collection is also listed for PC, so it is not a PS5-exclusive release. PlayStation’s collection page describes the stories as combining drama, humor, combat and wonder. It also says Uncharted 4 received “over 150 Game of the Year awards”; the page does not state the count’s cutoff or year, so treat that as an undated publisher claim rather than a current annual statistic.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut — samurai combat and open-world exploration
Choose this for an open-world samurai story in which exploration and combat are central. PlayStation describes options including katana fighting, bow use and stealth, as well as meeting characters across Tsushima. The PS5 Director’s Cut includes the full game, the Iki Island story expansion and Legends online co-op. A physical PS5 disc edition is listed by PlayStation Direct.
#1 Best Overall
- Harsh Open World: Using the power of PlayStation 4 and unreal engine 4, days one offers an incredibly realistic and detailed open world experience. But be careful— day and night cycles, all affect gameplay and enemy behavior
- Brutal Sandbox Combat: Perfect your gameplay with an endless combination of strategy and play in every situation. Craft customized items using pieces and parts found in the field, from brutal melee weapons to traps and more
- Compelling Story: At its core, days gone is about survivors and what makes them human: desperation, loss, madness, betrayal, friendship, brotherhood, regret, love and hope. It’s about how hope never dies
- Play as Deacon St.John, a bounty hunter facing a brutal struggle for survival while searching for a reason to live
Horizon Forbidden West — far-future exploration and machine combat
This is the pick for a continuing character story set in a far-future open world. PlayStation frames Aloy’s journey around investigating threats to a dying land, reconnecting with allies and uncovering the ancient past, with combat against machines. The official page describes it as an open-world action RPG adventure and lists versions for PS5, PS4 and PC. Check the store listing for the platform and edition you intend to buy: availability can differ by version. See PlayStation’s Horizon Forbidden West page.
God of War Ragnarök — a mythic journey centered on Kratos and Atreus
PlayStation presents God of War Ragnarök as a journey through the Nine Realms focused on Kratos and Atreus. It suits readers drawn to mythic stakes and a character-centered story. PlayStation’s page records the game’s wins at The Game Awards 2022 for Best Narrative and Best Action / Adventure Game. Those awards are useful context, not a guarantee that its tone or gameplay will suit every player. Read PlayStation’s game description and awards listing.
Rank #2
- Stunning graphics and gameplay, explore the wild and striking lands around Mount Yotei on foot or horseback. Travel picturesque parts of northern Japan through grasslands, snowy ridges, fields of wildflowers, and more.
- Discover renegade combat, engage in lawless katana combat and battles with adversaires. Train with various sensei as you find and learn to use each new weapon.
- An unconventional story and journey, take in the cultural beauty of Japan, bathe in an onsen, visit shrines to pray, try Sumi-e painting, and so much more.
- Choose your weapon, battle Atsu's opponents as you see fit, with levelled-up dual katanas, odachi, kusarigama and other new weapons.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered — a darker survival story
For a more somber, survival-oriented story, consider The Last of Us Part II Remastered. PlayStation’s promotional page features the PS5 remaster and frames the series around Ellie’s and Abby’s stories. Separately, its PS4 catalog describes The Last of Us Part II as an action-survival adventure; that catalog entry is for the PS4 game, not evidence of specific remaster features. PlayStation’s promotional page and PS4 catalog provide those respective descriptions.
At a glance: story, gameplay and platform
| Game | Story and tone | World and gameplay emphasis | Platform and edition noted by PlayStation |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection | Two character-led, globe-trotting adventures | Cinematic set pieces, traversal, exploration, puzzles and combat | PS5 collection with two remastered games; also listed for PC |
| Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut | Samurai story set on Tsushima | Open-world exploration; katana, bow and stealth approaches | PS5 edition includes the full game, Iki Island story expansion and Legends online co-op; PS5 disc edition listed |
| Horizon Forbidden West | Aloy investigates threats to a dying land and its ancient past | Open-world action RPG adventure and machine combat | PS5, PS4 and PC versions listed |
| God of War Ragnarök | Kratos and Atreus journey through the Nine Realms | Mythic action-adventure; specific comparative mechanics not established here | Platform and edition details not stated on the cited page |
| The Last of Us Part II Remastered | Darker story associated with Ellie and Abby | Survival-oriented; the cited PS4 catalog calls the original an action-survival adventure | Featured in PlayStation PS5 promotional material; cited PS4 catalog details the original PS4 game, not remaster contents |
Two other story- and atmosphere-oriented options
PlayStation also features Days Gone and Alan Wake II among its story- and atmosphere-oriented recommendations. The available official material here is not detailed enough to compare their mechanics, platforms or editions, so check each current store listing before choosing. PlayStation’s featured-game page is the relevant starting point.
Rank #3
- When federal agents threaten his family, former outlaw John Marston is forced to hunt down the gang of criminals he once called friends.
- Experience Marston’s journey across the sprawling expanses of the American West and Mexico as he fights to bury his blood-stained past in the critically acclaimed predecessor to the 2018 blockbuster, Red Dead Redemption 2.
- Also included is Undead Nightmare, the iconic horror story that transforms the world of Red Dead Redemption into an apocalyptic fight for survival against a zombie horde.
Check the exact platform and edition before buying
These recommendations span PS5, PS4 and PC support, as well as collection, remaster and Director’s Cut editions. Read the product listing carefully to confirm it is the version you want and to see what it includes. Prices, promotions, subscription access and retailer stock can change; no current price or catalog availability is established here. For platform and catalog context, consult the official PlayStation PS5 games and PS4 games pages.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Seek your fortune and leave your mark on the map in the UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection.
- Uncover the thrilling cinematic storytelling and the largest blockbuster action set pieces in the UNCHARTED franchise
- Delivered by award winning developer Naughty Dog, the UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection includes the two critically-acclaimed UNCHARTED 4: A Thief's End and UNCHARTED: The Lost Legacy.
- Each story is filled with laughs, drama, high octane combat, and a sense of wonder - remastered to be even more immersive.
- Live the adventure like never before with the features and incredible speed of the PlayStation 5 console.
Rank #4
- Face thrilling, unpredictable challenges as you explore distinctive hand-crafted lands through deeply immersive and expressive controls.
- PERILOUS PLATFORMING EXPERIENCE - Explore here, there and everywhere as you utilize Sackboy’s cool, diverse move-set to face a huge variety of thrilling challenges, fierce enemies and startling surprises.
- RE-STUFFED. RE-STITCHED. RE-ZIPPED - Sackboy returns to the big time stuffed with fresh moves and game-changing gadgets in an awe-inspiring and downright fun 3D adventure in this new, but familiar world.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
