Cyberpunk 2077. Final Fantasy VII Remake. Ghost of Tsushima. The Last of Us: Part II. 2020 could be the best year of the PlayStation 4 generation thanks to those four games, but the best thing about the next set of 12 months is that there is so, so much more to be excited about. The battle for Game of the Year will never be more hotly contested, although it's the titles that you may not have on your radar just yet which could do the vast majority of the surprising. Video games that would normally warrant a great degree of anticipation are being left by the wayside simply due to how packed 2020 is, but that's not about to happen here at Push Square. These are the 10 PS4 games you need to be looking out for across 2020 which are currently slipping below the radar.
Disco Elysium
Released to rave reviews on PC which lead to a handful of Game of the Year wins last year, Disco Elysium is a computer RPG that takes place within a single city block. A murder has been committed and while it is your job to solve it, that premise is just the tip of the iceberg. A PS4 port has already been confirmed for 2020, bringing with it a huge amount of narrative paths, deep and meaningful dialogue options, and the ability to truly shape your character into what you see fit. On the other hand, you could always take that in the opposite direction as you fashion a truly awful persona. The game lets you take it either way and anywhere in-between.
Control their thoughts, political viewpoints, and outlooks on life to influence the people you meet and the world around you -- solving the murder as a detective in the process. Disco Elysium is already proven to be something rather special, so let's hope the console port doesn't take anything away from that with fiddly controls or unintuitive UI.
Dying Light 2
We've already said it a couple of times now, but if it can live up to the promises developer Techland is making then Dying Light 2 is a dark horse contender for Game of the Year 2020. Building off the intricate and dynamic gameplay of the 2015 original, this sequel is set to expand on its parkour and melee-focused action and marry it with a story which dramatically changes and evolves the world around you. The choices you make can uncover entirely new parts of the map and introduce new enemies in the process, or condemn one of the few communities left to a life without water.
Along with even more dangerous threats at night, hordes of the undead that are more ferocious than ever, and a whole host of new weaponry to take them out with, Dying Light 2 is primed to take the living world by storm. It is going to have to live up to those expectations in order to do that, but we have faith that it'll manage the feat and then some.
Empire of Sin
The age-old gangster lifestyle of the 1920s has been a little bit played out by now, and that's why we're looking forward to Brenda and John Romero's spin on the time period. Empire of Sin is a strategical title set in Chicago where recruiting criminals to do your bidding is the name of the game while the businesses you take over bring in the cash. It seems to play a lot like XCOM 2 -- character upgrades, movement grids and all.
It looks like you'll be working to gather an illegal line-up of mobsters within the criminal underbelly of the Illinois state, and that's something we're happy to be a part of. It's sizzling under the radar for now, but Empire of Sin could represent a welcome change from the 100-hour RPGs and emotional narratives 2020 is set to tell when all is said and done.
Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers
We can't quite believe that we're living in a world where what is basically the sequel to Persona 5 isn't getting anywhere near the attention it deserves. Our metrics prove that, although we're not entirely sure why this is the case. Sure, the turn-based battle system has been replaced with more action-heavy combat, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers really does get the whole band back together. Various trailers and two hours of gameplay footage has been enough to prove to us that this is so much more than a Dynasty Warriors-esque Musou game, so it looks like some folks haven't gotten the message just yet.
It's launching in Japan next month on PS4 with a western release date yet to be decided so the title still has more than enough time to convince Persona lovers in the US and Europe before it hits the market -- meaning the odds of mainstream success are still somewhat high. It's floating under the radar for now, but we reckon Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers will dominate the conversation when it finally heads west. It looks that good.
Remothered: Broken Porcelain
Besides Resident Evil 3, 2020 seems to be almost completely devoid of noteworthy horror games. Remothered: Broken Porcelain is the exception to that, however, and it looks like it'll build upon the promising original experience to deliver a sequel packed full of terror and frights. Playing similarly to the likes of Outlast and SOMA, you'll need to avoid the ghoulies making the bumps in the dark to solve environmental puzzles and work to unravel the tale developer Stormind Games has in store for us.
Its predecessor might feel slightly outdated less than three years since its release, but it provides a fantastic basis for what's to come should its mechanics be iterated upon alongside new ideas to make for an experience it can call its own. Remothered: Broken Porcelain most certainly shows potential and we have faith that it can deliver the goods.
Tales of Arise
You could say that the Tales of franchise has been getting slightly stale as of late. Despite every entry being of a fairly high quality, there's not that much to actually differentiate them. Then comes along Tales of Arise at E3 2019 sporting a wonderfully different art style and what looks like a spin on its combat system. It's a breath of fresh air for the series, and amongst a year seemingly lacking in JRPGs, one that warrants more attention than its currently getting.
A recent age rating in Korea could suggest that a release date is coming sooner rather than later, so let's hope that is accompanied by more gameplay. Should it impress then we're surely looking at one of 2020's best Japanese RPGs.
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
One of the biggest indie hits of the last decade is coming to PS4 this year so make sure to clear your schedule whenever it lands. Bringing with it new content and more endings, The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe will be a humourous distraction to the more serious titles planned for launch in 2020 that we honestly can't wait to play for ourselves. It's probably not going to hang quite as much as it did more than six years ago upon its official PC release, although that doesn't mean it won't be worth checking out.
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is a known quantity to those who have already played it on the personal computer, but there's nothing quite like it on consoles. Make sure you add it to your wishlist and let's celebrate the oddity when its PS4 launch rolls around.
Twin Mirror
Very little is known about Twin Mirror. Another project from Life Is Strange developer Dontnod Entertainment, it's one more episodic-based experience which tells the tale of a man who believes he might have committed a murder while drunk. It appears to very quickly give way to supernatural dealings, so hopefully, the plot does stay somewhat grounded in reality at the end of it all.
We can understand the lack of excitement for this one, we've seen quite literally nothing of the game ever since its E3 2018 announcement. However, that reveal trailer was a fascinating one indeed. Hopefully, once Twin Mirror decides to show its face again at some point in 2020, it'll look better than ever and turn some doubters into believers. Luckily, we're already in the court which considers itself interested.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2
A sequel 16 years in the making, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 is an RPG with a thirst for blood. As a vampire, you'll need to consistently satisfy that hunger while making deals and forging relationships with the clans of Seattle. Each comes with its own set of perks, traits, and bonuses which will aid you in a story said to fully react to your actions with different paths and conclusions shaping the narrative as you progress. It's an ambitious game indeed, and one that could surprise a lot of people should it manage to capitalise on what it's promising.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 remains unproven for now, we haven't seen too much gameplay following a delay to later in 2020. However, when it does choose to reveal itself once again, make sure you're aware of your surroundings. A human neck is a target for those seeking blood, and developer Hardsuit Labs could be about to drink fruitfully.
Witchfire
Besides its two-year-old announcement trailer and a grand total of 45 seconds of gameplay footage, we don't know a whole lot about Witchfire. It's the next game from The Vanishing of Ethan Carter developer The Astronauts and we're not even sure it'll make it to release in time for 2020, but it looks rather interesting all the same. If it does turn into a PlayStation 5 game, however, then we're only more excited.
It looks like you'll be set the task of taking on and defeating hordes of devilish monsters with outdated revolvers and one-shot carbine rifles. With various abilities to boot, some have theorized Witchfire to be more Destiny than DOOM, but that has yet to be proven. We're on board no matter which way it goes, making for one experience that'll warrant much more discussion as further footage makes its way online in the lead up to release -- whenever that may be.
These are the 10 PS4 games we think you need to be paying attention to as they sink below the radar. However, is there a title we missed? Which game do you think deserves to be talked about more in the lead up to its release? Share your hype in the comments below.
Comments 35
This is a PSA. Play Disco Elysium at your earliest convenience. It’s the greatest traditional RPG in years.
I'd like to say Biomutant too but who even knows what's going on with that game now; the game's twitter account hasn't been update since August and the last news article on the game's own site is from 2018!
@nessisonett I'm looking forward to checking it out on PS4!
I’m so stoked for Witchfire and Dying Light 2. Can’t wait to see more of them.
To me this list is a lot more interesting than the other one.
@LiamCroft Within the first couple of hours, I tried to punch a Liverpudlian 12 year old, fell on my face and died. It’s that good.
I’ve been wanting to play Witchfire ever since it’s reveal years ago. I’m looking forward to Dying Light, too. The first game is severely underrated. I’m also interested in Disco Elysium. I highly doubt it, but I hope it comes to the Switch. Regardless, I’ll definitely pick it up for the PS4.
I’d 100% pick up The Stanley Parable. I’ve never played it, but what I’ve seen is pure genius in creativity.
The only way I’d give Dying Light 2 a chance is if they let you re-bind the buttons. I can’t quite remember but I bought the first one on major sale and something about the button layout kept me from enjoying the game.
Holy smoke, Tales of Arise looks beautiful if that screenshot is of any indication. Pretty vast improvement over Berseria (which tbf was also on PS3 in addition to PS4/PC release). Alongside Disco Elysium and Persona 5-2, one of my most anticipated games from this list.
There’ll be a lot to choose from this year!
It's going to be a very strong year for video games, I'm going to have a hard time chosing which games to play!
Nice list, Disco Elysium sounds rather special.
I have a feeling witchfire is a ps5/pc only. Xbox will be holding back next gen 3rd party games.
What about Nioh 2?
I have no hopes for the persona game because even when they look different the Team developing all these Mosou tie ins makes the same game reskinned with tweaks
Dying Light 2 will be a massive time sink for me. The first was just fantastic. Like Dead Island x10 lol (i loved Dead Island and hope brief updates still point on an eventual new entry release). The Disco looks like it'll be right up my alley. My laptop could play it but i really only use mine for DosBox and my love of mid 90s strategy games lol
@NimrodNation20 I think that game has just enough going for it to avoid this list. I'm hyped for Nioh 2!
Great list. Im interested in loads of these. Particularly Twin Mirror and Persona. Id not heard of Disco Elysium before which sounds great too.
Not sure if they were on your other list, but disintegration has been getting some hype (sci-fi shooter from devs who worked on halo), and Psychonauts 2 seems to be getting forgotten too
Iron Man VR is the first VR title in awhile I've been excited to get.
@Ken_Kaniff I haven't played VR in a while, but this game might get me back into VR. I honestly keep forgetting about Iron Man VR.
Vampire: The Masquerade and Empire of Sin are looking real strong purchases for me.
The only one of the above of interest to me is Witchfire, because of its fantasy elements, but I really question whether it will make it out this year.
Of the "Big Four", I am interested in FF7 and Ghost of Tsushima. I think Resident Evil 3 (which I am also interested in) should probably be included to make it a "Big Five", tbh. No interest in LoU2 and Cyberpunk at the moment.
Never heard anything about Empire of sin before but any time I hear there is a game similar to Xcom I’m interested. I will keep an eye out for this one.
@NimrodNation20 Yea I havent bought a VR title in awhile, but baring horrible reviews it's a day one buy for me.
@lukey-luke98 yes i am also looking forward to gods and monsters!
@Thrillho i wish biomutant would get a solid release date, that game looks very promising. I dont know if it will ever come out.
Takes Of Arise looks great from that shot. Hadn’t even heard of it before this.
@ellsworth004 Yeah, I'm interested in both of those, as well.
Dying light was so great and I hope they improve the mechanics even further. Looking forward to it for sure. So entertaining to mess with a bunch of zombies, setting them on fire and impaling them with environmental traps.
Also Remothered was great.
@LiamCoft "and amongst a year seemingly lacking in JRPGs"
Lacking?
Persona 5S, Persona5R, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered, Yakuza Like A Dragon, DragonBallz Kakarot, Death End Request2, Digimon Survive, Trials of Mana, Tales of Arise, Edge of Eternity, possible Trails of the Cold Steel IV, Arc of Alchemist, RPG Maker MV, Akiba's Trip. And that's not all.
not particularly interested in any of these. one of the "under the radar" games that showed a lot promise for me was Atomic Heart - the russian fps set in alternative USSR where robots have rebelled. there was a 10-minute gameplay demo released early last year. though there are reports (and denials) that the game has fallen into development hell... it was originally scheduled for late 2019, now it's just "TBD". it was being developed for PC and PS4, but it's supposedly being built with ray-tracing and dlss (you can download the rtx demo from their site) so perhaps a PS5 release is not out of the question.
Cannot wait for Disco Elysium. Loved the demo I played at EGX.
What about two point hospital, looks good loved theme hospital was so funny. Although 35 at release will try and hold off untill sale and i emphasise TRY lol.
Hardly any of these games are "under the radar" most of them are highly anticipated titles.
Disco Elysium is genre-defining. It's more than a game. It's multiple essays and papers, meditations and ruminations. The music, the writing, the dark existential pit of humour - all brilliant. It takes an approach to skills that is ingenious, original and quite simply unlike anything anyone has ever tried. I really hope people play it. For a relatively unknown band of artists to create something like this...it's the type of game I'd buy on pc and ps4 to show the developers how much I appreciate the effort they put into it. It should come to influence RPGs the way the classics have. I really hope it's successful. That said, I can't wait for VMTB2 either. Great year for RPGs
Ever since I read about Disco Elysium, I have been HIGHLY anticipating it coming to PS4.
Witchfire is definitely a next-gen game.
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