Let it never be said that the PS4 is down and out. While Sony’s console may have been supplanted in technical terms by the PS5, that doesn’t mean PS4 owners are being left in the lurch. Plenty of great games are still coming out for what should now technically be known as “last-gen” consoles, with many modern games (including God of War Ragnarok, to name but one) also arriving on the PS4.
The reasons for this are manifold. Gamers still want to hang on to their old consoles, and the PS5 has, up until recently, been widely unavailable. PS5 availability is swiftly improving, but rising costs also mean that gamers aren’t buying new consoles with quite the same eagerness they were. With that in mind, December 2022 is still a good time to be a PS4 gamer, so without further ado, let’s take a look at the best PS4 games arriving in (or playable in) December 2022.
Gundam Evolution (December 1st)
This first-person hero shooter takes inspiration from games like Overwatch, letting you loose in a series of arenas where you must take control of mobile suits in order to score objectives alongside your teammates. Each mech suit has different abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, and you’ll need to take advantage of those strengths and weaknesses if you want to succeed. After a successful (if somewhat rocky) launch on PC, Gundam Evolution is almost ready to land on PS4, so make sure you’re equally ready to strap yourself into those mechs.
The Callisto Protocol (December 2nd)
Fans of classic survival horror and more modern interpretations like Dead Space should definitely be excited for The Callisto Protocol. It’s headed up by Dead Space co-creator Glen Schofield and takes place in a similar environment, although this time around you’re exploring a prison colony rather than a derelict ship. If you love Dead Space’s in-world HUD, limb dismemberment system, and abundance of old-school sci-fi scares, then The Callisto Protocol should be on your radar. Hopefully, it’ll live up to the enormous potential it’s shown prior to release.
Fortnite Chapter 4 (December 4th)
We’re cheating here a little, because Fortnite Chapter 4 isn’t technically a new game. Still, it’s bringing a whole host of brand new content to the battle royale game, and since Fortnite is still easily one of the world’s most popular multiplayer experiences, we think its fourth chapter still counts as a new game. Expect lots of map changes, gameplay tweaks, and new cosmetics, with plenty of crossover content likely to arrive as the season progresses. Will there be anything quite as game-breaking as the Dragon Ball crossover? We shall have to wait and see.
Hello Neighbor 2 (December 6th)
The original Hello Neighbor became something of a streaming sensation, with hundreds of thousands of streamers letting others watch their terror in the face of the unstoppable Mr. Peterson. As you might expect, the sequel will continue the PG-friendly scares of the original, taking you to a new town in order to discover Mr. Peterson’s dreadful secrets. The big draw this time around is a new neural network-driven AI script that means enemies will learn from what you’re doing and adapt, so you can never feel truly safe in the town of Raven Brooks.
The Rumble Fish 2 (December 8th)
If you’re a fan of classic arcade fighters like Street Fighter, Guilty Gear, or King of Fighters, then you owe it to yourself to check out The Rumble Fish 2. It’s a cult classic arcade battler that never made it to Western shores, but thanks to the magic of modern technology, you’ll soon be able to check it out on modern consoles, including the PS4. Quality-of-life improvements like rollback netcode and widescreen support should make it look even better than it did on release, and considering the acclaim it received for its visuals, that’s no mean feat.
Chained Echoes (December 8th)
Do you like classic turn-based JRPGs? If so, then you should definitely take a look at Chained Echoes. It’s an indie pixel art RPG indebted to the likes of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI, although it’s created by a Western developer. The world of the game is rather unusual, taking in both high fantasy and modern mech combat, but the gameplay is a little more traditional, so this should be a comforting experience if you’re an RPG lover. The dev is promising around 40 hours of content to enjoy, so this one should keep you busy for a while.
Wavetale (December 12th)
Thunderful is quickly marking itself out as one of the most important forces in the gaming industry when it comes to great indie experiences, and Wavetale looks like it’ll continue that trend. It’s a water-based exploration game with shades of Wind Waker and Solar Ash, and although it definitely has combat, it’s not really focused on that. Rather, Wavetale wants to be a serene, calming experience that lets you loose in a beautiful world and asks you to discover that world’s secrets. If you like more calm, contemplative games, then Wavetale is for you.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion (December 13th)
This is more than just a remaster. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion takes the PSP classic and updates its visuals, presenting all-new 3D models and environments for you to experience. The gameplay has been overhauled, too; while it’s faithful to the PSP original, it’ll be much smoother and more suited to modern consoles and controller setups, so if you found the original Crisis Core a touch awkward, this remaster should fix those issues. Otherwise, it’s still the same excellent story of Zack Fair and his search for the missing SOLDIER operative Genesis Rhapsodos.