Top 45 BEST Anime Games On PS4 & PS5

Anime is a form of media that has evolved heavily throughout the past couple of decades. There have been numerous shows that have become iconic with their gripping storytelling and animation that continue to live inside the hearts of many people, including gamers. So to further explore their passion for the media, they have the option of playing Video Games that are designed based on anime or are direct adaptations of their favorite shows.

So let’s take a look at the Best Anime Games that fans can play on their PS4 or PS5:

Best Anime Games On PS4 And PS5

Most of the popular anime that fans have gotten to adore throughout the years include shows like Dragon Ball Z and even the ongoing One Piece, which is slowly reaching its climax. You can find that there are tons of other games like amazing JRPGs and Visual Novels that follow the unique anime style in design and presentation.

They may vary from genre to genre in gameplay and other elements, but they are just as enjoyable if you are a fan of their original shows. The fan service can also be somewhat of a deal-maker for fans to invest in these titles.

It is all thanks to the different anime communities that were able to provide their feedback so we could make a list of these fantastic games. These titles are all backward compatible with the PS5 and may even provide boosted performances too. So without further delay, let’s discuss all of the Best anime games on the PS4.

• Before we Begin: Best Open World Xbox Series X Games

Steins Gate Elite

• Developer: Mages Inc
• Publisher: Spike Chunsoft
• Genre: Visual Novel

Steins Gate Elite is a remake and updated release of the original VN that was released back in 2009. The main key difference is that it now features completely new cutscenes taken straight from the beloved anime series that began airing in 2011, as well as new footage for its routes.

If you are not aware of routes in Visual Novel games, they are essentially different paths or stories that players can choose for each ending of the game. You can opt to choose a single route each time, so it adds a sense of replayability, especially for games like these which can have multiple endings.

Steins Gate follows the story of our protagonist Okabe Rintaro, who also has an alt personality under which he calls himself the Mad scientist, Hyounin Kyouma, who is eccentric and full of energy.

The game is full of complex themes that tackle the Cause-and-Effect theory, which is based on Time Travel. Players will mainly be traveling back in time to alter the course of events in the story. Along the way, you will meet characters such as Makise Kurisu and Mayuri, two central figures of their respective routes.

Pros:

• Steins Gate Elite is a great way to experience the story if you have not seen the original anime, as it contains some extra scenes.
• There are also various tips in the game that explain some of the Japanese terms or slang you may not normally understand.

Cons:

• Steins Gate Elite generally does not contain much gameplay, if any at all. You will be spending most of your time just watching, what is basically a retelling of the original anime. 
• While there may be some differences between the anime and the game, like hearing the thoughts of the protagonist during conversations, these ultimately do not affect the overall story. 
• Steins Gate Elite is a very slow game, even hours into the game, you may find yourself not even getting to the main part of the story. 
• It may not be worth playing if you have already watched the original anime.

Naruto To Boruto Shinobi Striker

• Developer: Soleil Limited
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: Arena Fighter

The Naruto Anime series has been widely popular for the past two decades. They are one of the most legendary shonen shows that continue to live on inside the hearts of fans around the World. The franchise had a continuation called Boruto: Next Generations, which features Naruto’s son, Boruto. The game is an Action-Arena Fighter that allows you to battle using your custom-created characters as well as the ones from the show.

Despite the game mainly being PVP-focused, you can partake in several PVE missions in either solo or co-op with your friends to gather more XP and earn other cool rewards. In addition to that, the combat is extremely fun as you can equip your custom characters with iconic special moves, ninja tools, and abilities from the show.

The game encourages micro-transactions to progress more freely, but you should have no problem earning the best rewards and upgrading your character’s aesthetics if you are patient enough. There are a handful of customization options that allow you freely make your own unique Shinobi or Ninja.

The battles themselves can get chaotic at certain times, but no doubt, if you have friends willing to join you, then Naruto to Boruto Shinobi Strikers is one of the few best arena fighter anime games ps4.

Pros:

• Naruto To Boruto Shinobi Striker is a brand-new mode that has never been seen before in a Naruto game called capture the flag. You must capture your enemy’s flag while engaging in combat and protect your own flag.
• It features character creation, which may not be the most in-depth character creation ever- but it still does its job and is overall very fun. 
• The online modes can be incredibly fun to play with your friends.

Cons:

• The gameplay modes can get stale very quickly, especially if you play with strangers online. You may find yourself having a lot of fun with it at first- but then it might eventually feel very repetitive.
• There is not much else to do in Naruto To Boruto Shinobi Striker, there is no story mode or anything to do besides the PvP modes and character creation. This may lead to burnout very quickly.
• There is some PvE but the missions you get to do offline are, again, very repetitive and you do not have much of an incentive to complete them.

Soul Hackers 2

• Developer & Publisher: Atlus
• Genre: Turn-based JRPG

The original Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner was followed up by Soul Hackers and released on the SEGA Saturn. Over more than two decades later, Atlus has finally developed a sequel, Soul Hackers 2, with much a broader emphasis on implementing modern gameplay elements.

The game is highly accessible this time around as compared to previous SMT spinoff titles. It was designed like that solely to encourage and usher in a brand new audience to the series and fans who can easily learn more in-depth about its mechanics via our Beginner’s Guide and Combat Tips for the game.

The story follows a group of hackers who are recruited by our heroine, Ringo, and Figue, two beings born from the collective information data stream. Together you must bring a stop to a catastrophe that can doom humanity. The gameplay is purely Turn-based and features an extensive array of elements such as overcoming the tough bosses of dungeons such as the Gate Guardian and Ash using the Best Demons of the game.

You will frequently be visiting dungeons to progress the main story as well as exploring the subconscious of your party members to learn more about their backstories.

Pros:

• Each of the characters in the game is really engaging.
• The graphics in Soul Hackers 2 are absolutely pristine and beautiful.
• Especially for those who are unfamiliar with the SMT series, it is very approachable for newcomer players to the franchise.

Cons:

• There are countless dull, unimpressive dungeons with little to no actual engagement.
• Compared to its predecessors, the combat lacks a lot of depth.

Psycho-Pass Mandatory Happiness

• Developer: Mages Inc
• Publisher: NIS America
• Genre: Visual Novel

Psycho-Pass Mandatory Happiness is a fantastic retelling of the original anime, and in some ways, it does a lot better than many would imagine in its storytelling. The game was originally launched exclusively in Japan on the Xbox One, which seemed like an odd choice, but later on, it was soon launched for PS4 and PS Vita in 2016 in NA.

The game is a fitting choice for Visual Novel and anime fans as the show is one of the best sci-fi crime drama series out there, and now it has a VN adaptation for the PS4 and PC. The game takes place in a futuristic and dystopian setting of Modern Day Tokyo, Japan.

The general public can be apprehended for any crime that they commit under the jurisdiction of the “Psycho-Pass”. It is an Artificial Personality technology that can scan and detect these cases of crimes. You as play as either Nadeshiko Kugatachi or Takuma Tsurugi in hopes of beating Alpha, a rogue artificial intelligence.

The game is highly replayable thanks to its many different endings. It is relatively short that covers 12 episodes of the anime, with the only exception that these three characters do not appear in the original show.

Pros:

• Very good replay value.
• A lot of different endings and directions you can go using choices made by you.
• Very good cast of relatable characters that are hard to forget.

Cons:

• Psycho-Pass Mandatory Happiness can be a bit overwhelming as a beginner since a lot of the information is given to you at once.
• The story of the game does not stretch too far as it is held back by the fact that it is a visual novel.

Chaos Child

• Developer: Mages Inc
• Publisher: PQube/Spike Chunsoft
• Genre: Visual Novel

Chaos Child is loosely interconnected with the events of the Steins Gate in that it happens to take place one year prior to the events of the game. It is made by the same creator and is a complete visual novel that focuses on yet another twisted and complex Sci-fi storytelling experience.

The main difference to note when you jump into the game is that Chaos Child fully expands the freedom to choose routes once you complete the game once. You will only have access to the main narrative for your first playthrough, so do not worry about missing anything since you can jump back in soon enough.

The players will have the option to choose between a positive or negative delusion which will greatly impact the consequences and actions of the story and characters. It will determine most of the routes that are available in Chaos Child.

Furthermore, the game will also change the viewpoints and mindset of the protagonist depending on the choices you pick, so be wary of that. The game is one of the best anime games on PS4/PS5 that also surpasses the anime.

Pros:

• Chaos Child has a lot of hours of content that can be very fun to explore.
• It features multiple endings with very interesting stories.

Cons:

• Chaos Child is very slow.
• The majority of the time is spent talking to other students or fantasizing about various heinous things.
• You may find typos in the subtitles or the game sometimes.
• Your choices do not matter at all in the first playthrough.
• The non-consensual sexual fantasizing can be very off-putting.

Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star

• Developer: Marvelous Inc
• Publisher: XSEED Games
• Genre: Action, Hack n slash

Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star is an action, hack and slash game developed by Marvelous and published by XSEED. It is the direct sequel to Fate/Extra, another action RPG game that uses the same mechanics as Extella.

The story is written by Kinoko Nasu, who has also written the rest of the Fate series. The game takes place in S.E.R.A.P.H, which is a digital realm created by a mysterious servant named ‘BB’. The story takes place after the events of the Holy Grail war in Fate/Extra. You play as Nero, the Saber Class from the last war, and fight against Tamamo-No-Mae, the caster, in S.E.R.A.P.H to gain control over it.

The gameplay is your simple hack and slashes with a few original elements. The game has very good art direction and great jaw-dropping cinematics. The music of the game is incredible and compliments the single-player battles gracefully with the high-encore performances.

The main star of Fate has always been its story and character writing which is the case in this game as well. Kinoko Nasu puts his all into writing his stories with great integrity and logic, and it shows. So before you play Extella, it is recommended to play Extra and Fate/Stay Night to enjoy the experience to the full extent.

Pros:

• Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star does a great job of being a hack and slash game as it allows you to do 100s of hits of combos with non-stop action.

Cons:

• The story makes no sense and can be very confusing, especially for people completely unfamiliar with the fate series. It is nonsensual even for veteran fans.
• The characters are not very well fleshed out.
• The gameplay can feel clunky and repetitive.

Melty Blood: Type Lumina

• Developer: Type-Moon, Tamsoft, French-Bread
• Publisher: Delightworks
• Genre: 2D Fighting

Melty Blood is a fighting game that is based on all of the best Type-Moon anime franchises combined into a single fighting game for the PS4 and PC. The game had a few issues on launch, which were fixed later on, the community online is fairly weak in matchmaking, but you should be able to find players to it willing to duke it out in some matches on the game’s Discord and Reddit communities.

Related: Melty Blood Type Lumina

You can essentially call it a reboot of the original Melty Blood released in the early 2000s. The roster is huge as you can also play as fan-favorite characters from the popular Type-Moon series, such as Saber from the beloved Fate anime and, of course, Arcueid from the Tsukihime series.

The game experience is enhanced as it offers rollback netcode, which is a highly beneficial element in fighting games as it basically allows for stable online battles against players without any delay or latency interruptions. 

Pros:

• Melty Blood: Type Lumina features auto combos that help give beginner players a chance to play before they can start learning all the high-level combos.
• It features additional characters that are free DLC.
• The online mode for this fighting game is very good, as it uses Rollback Netcode which is superior to the majority of the online fighting games that use delay-based netcode.

Cons:

• It can be very frustrating to fight top tier characters as the game balance is not the best.
• The core mechanic known as “Shield” can be incredibly frustrating to deal with.
• The player base has dwindled throughout Melty Blood: Type Lumina’s release, which has made finding an online match a complete chore.

Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet

• Developer: Dimps
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: Action RPG

The Sword Art Online universe has expanded much more than its original anime. The main setting of Fatal Bullet takes place in Gun Gale Online, another branch of the main universe inside the anime. SAO Fatal Bullet is the fifth title in the gaming franchise, and it features detailed MMORPG elements mixed with a complex progression system, just like the anime.

Players can create their custom characters with a variety of options to choose from, including being able to equip iconic weapons from the show, like Kirito’s Photon Sword.

Furthermore, you will be able to explore an entire hub where you can partake in missions in linear or sandbox-typed maps. You can complete these missions and be rewarded with cool-looking gear that will undoubtedly help you with the extremely long grind.

It gets better, though, as players can optionally engage in cooperative missions that support up to 4 different players, or you choose to fight each other in PVP via the classic Deathmatch mode. SAO is an ever-growing anime with a hardcore audience that adores the show, so if you have a console, then the titles are undeniably the best anime games On PS4/PS5.

Pros:

• The combat is very fun, allowing you to pick several weapons with distinct strengths and weaknesses.
• Characters have good development.

Cons:

• The pacing is very dull and slow.
• Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet makes you go through the same dungeons and sidequests that get very repetitive.
• The programming for your party’s AI is very bad.
• The character designs of the enemies are identical and have no unique aspects.

Black Clover Quartet Knights

• Developer: ILINX Inc
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: Arena Fighter

The Balck Clover anime began airing in October of 2017 and instantly was a hit as the Manga was pretty popular at the time, and the serialization only brought in more fans. The story is mostly centered around Asta, who has no knowledge about Magic but vows to become the Magic King and win against his friend and rival, Yuno.

The game offers a fantastic blend of multiplayer arena fighting with 4v4 PVP modes that are all topped off with a short but entertaining storyline that takes place right inside the universe of the show. The game has a few options to choose from when it comes to competing in matches, such as the classic rendition of Capture the Flag or King of the Castle types.

There are a total of 10 missions that each coincide with you either picking the villain or the hero. You can replay these missions using new heroes to try and experiment with each of their classes. The only downside that players may face is that the player economy is almost non-existent at this point.

Thankfully, you can look up different communities for the game on Discord and Reddit, which will have active players ready to play with you, so if you are looking for the best arena fighters alongside Shinobi Strikers, consider checking this excellent Black Clover game adaptation out on your PS4/PS5.

Pros:

• Good adaptation for the anime or manga fans of Black Clover.
• The online netcode is very good and smooth.

Cons:

• Black Clover Quartet Knights has a lot of balancing issues that can frustrate you.
• It suffers from a very low player base and the offline modes do not make up for it.
• Not very appealing to people that are not fans of the original Black Clover anime or manga.

Attack On Titan 2

• Developer: Omega Force
• Publisher: Koei Tecmo
• Genre: Action, Hack n Slash

Attack on Titan became one of the most popular action anime with the most controversial endings, as seen by its conclusion in the manga. The show is centered around Eren Yaeger as his world is turned upside down by the Titans, who doom the last remaining civilization of mankind.

AOT had a tremendous fan-following during the last arcs. The Rumbling Arc specifically became one of the most appraised phenomenons in the entire media, earning Attack on Titan as one of the best-written stories in the industry.

The Attack on Titan 2 Video Game on the PS4 covers the first two seasons of the anime, which is roughly about 50 chapters from the manga. Players can create their own character, which will join the ranks of the Scouts Regiment, where most of the main cast from the show is assigned, like Eren and Mikasa.

Pros:

• The combat and killing Titans is incredibly fun. There is a skill ceiling and a learning curve.
• The multiplayer modes are also very fun, especially the co-op 

Cons:

• The story is not very enjoyable.
• Your custom character has no personality and the interactions of the character with the main cast have no significant impact on the overall story.

Captain Tsubasa: Rise Of New Champions

• Developer: Tamsoft
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: Sports, Action

Captain Tsubasa is a classic sports anime and manga that originally first aired back in the late 1980s. It has since received a lot of new shows that continued to capture the core spirit and charm of the series. It has also received quite a few game titles, With Rise of New Champions being the latest one yet.

There are two main campaigns that players can participate in Episode Tsubasa and Episode New Hero. The former lets you experience the original key moments of the show that faithfully adapts most of the pivotal points without altering anything in it. Meanwhile, New Hero mode spices up the experience by allowing users to create their own custom player and witness their rise to glory, similar to the MyCareer Mode in NBA games.

Pros:

• Captain Tsubasa: Rise Of New Champions is very accessible and fun even for players that are not fans of the original Captain Tsubasa series.
• The gameplay is clean and very fun, especially with friends.
• The online mode allows you to make your own team.
• The story itself is amazing with great visuals throughout.

Cons:

• Captain Tsubasa: Rise Of New Champions can be a bit bugged sometimes.
• The scoring mechanic can be frustrating sometimes.

One Piece Pirate Warriors 4

• Developer: Omega Force
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: Beat-em-up, Action-Adventure

One Piece is one of the longest-running episodic anime to exist right now and is gearing up to enter its final sagas pretty soon, according to renowned Author Eiichiro Oda. The series is sometimes criticized for its long runtime, but on the deeper spectrum, One Piece has one of the best World-Building in the anime industry.

The main setting of Pirate Warriors 4 takes place during the widely popular Wano Arc. Players will explore the Island of Wano, the lands of the Samurais run by the Kozuki Clan. They are soon overthrown by Kaido and the Kurozumi Orochi clan. The entire island is then closed off by its people to the World Country.

One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 alters some course of events in the story and add its own charm and style. You play as the different members of the Strawhats crew, such as Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro, who fight to take back the lands from Kaido, Big Mom, and the rest of the iconic enemies that you will face throughout the game.

Pros:

• The music in One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 is amazing.
• The combat is very fast-paced, destructive, and satisfying.
• It has a lot of replay value due to the multiplayer aspect of One Piece Pirate Warriors 4.

Cons:

• The camera is very bad as it will sometimes be sluggish when locking on to your target or completely lose focus.
• A lot of the story arcs and potential playable characters are not in One Piece Pirate Warriors 4.
• The character balance is not the best.

Berserk And The Band Of The Hawk

• Developer: Omega Force
• Publisher: Koei Tecmo
• Genre: Action, Hack N Slash

Berserk in today’s media has cemented itself as one of the most legendary forms of fiction by many fans and critics around the world as the late great author Kentaro Miura’s passion continues to live through it. The Video Game Band of The Hawk has some rough edges, but it’s an overall great adaptation of the beloved series.

The game covers about 30 or so volumes of the manga spanning from the very starting moments of the Golden Age arc all the way to the Hawk of the Millenium Empire arc. Players will play as Guts as he slashes and brutalizes his way through fights with grueling and epic action-packed Musou gameplay.

The Musou gameplay mainly originated from Koei Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors Series and features a fast-paced Hack-n-slash against various waves of enemies, occasionally topped off with a boss fight.

Band of the Hawk perfectly encapsulates the feeling of playing as Guts. It is satisfying and fun to cut through your enemies using his iconic Dragonslayer sword and various other moves taken straight from the anime. The boss battles might give you a fair bit of trouble, but if you’re a hardcore fan of Berserk, whether it’s the classic anime or the current manga, then this is easily the best game for you to play on the PS4/PS5 right now.

Pros:

• The accessory customization in Berserk And The Band Of The Hawk is very intricate and fun to explore.
• The cutscenes are pieced together very well.

Cons:

• You barely get to play as any other character besides Guts in the entire story mode.
• A lot of the boss fights are unnecessarily easy and get boring very quickly.
• The story mode can be very repetitive.
• Not a lot of replay value, if any at all.

Genshin Impact

• Developer & Publisher: Mihoyo
• Genre: Action-Role Playing

Genshin Impact launched back after a much-anticipated release and took the gacha gaming industry by storm. The game is ranked at the top of the most-downloaded charts across the IOS and Android Play stores.

Players can enter the world of Teyvat and freely explore the lands with a huge roster of characters that they can earn by spending Primogems on character banners or earning amazing legendary weapons to add to their armory. The possibilities are endless, but you can get away with most of the early progression by optimally using the Free Characters in Genshin Impact.

The game provides a massive world to explore, and it is chock-full of side quests, puzzles, and various other interactives that will distract you from your main quest progression. There is also the case of successfully completing the world bosses that refresh every week or so and the Daily Commissions that reward you with plentiful items, so be sure not to miss out on these freely earnable rewards.

However, most players might find the possibility of the Spiral Abyss’s completion a dubious task. You are thus tempted to spend your earnings on either of the available legendary male or female characters. You can learn a lot more about them in our Tier List for Genshin Impact, as well as the Best Artifacts for each of them. Overall, Genshin Impact is one free-to-play anime game On PS4/PS5 that shouldn’t be missed by anyone.

Pros:

• Players can play Genshin Impacy for free.
• The graphics of the game are outstanding considering it’s supported by mobile devices as well.
• The combat mechanism is extremely rewarding and enjoyable.
• Cross-play in Genshin Impact allows you to play with players from other platforms.

Cons:

• You might need to spend money because Genshin Impact is a gacha game.
• There may be a lack of co-op features that let you play with your friends.

Va-11-Hall-A

• Developer: Sukeban Games
• Publisher: Ysbryd Games, AGM Playism
• Genre: Visual Novel

Va-11-Hall-A, or simply ‘Valhalla’ is an action bartender game that mostly centers around a bar located in a Cyberpunk dystopia where civilization is on the verge of collapse. The gameplay is mostly centered around serving drinks to customers as Jill, our main heroine, as she listens to the daily oddball stories of customers.

The city infrastructure in Valhalla is ruled by mega-corporations that have overruled most of the economy and ecosystem of the population. Nanotechnology has taken over most of the minds of the humans living in this world, and The White Knights continue to disrupt and ensure everyone follows the new rules.

Valhalla features pixelated graphics, which are eerily comforting to the eyes. The dialogue choices you choose will not traditionally alter the story, but more so, you can alternate the mood or personality of the customers by blending them with a different drink than the ordinary one. The game is luckily available on the PS4 and if you’re looking for the best comfiest games to play with anime-like visuals, then give Va-11-Hall-A a shot!

Pros:

• The characters are very well-written and memorable.
• It has a very relaxing and calming atmosphere.

Cons:

• Va-11-Hall-A is an acquired taste and can be off-putting for a lot of people as the tone can get very sexual and creepy.
• The dialogue can drag on for a long time and it can become boring.

AI: The Somnium Files

• Developer & Publisher: Spike Chunsoft
• Genre: Visual Novel

Out of most Visual Novel games, AI The Somnium Files managed to amaze fans and including me, the most with its twisting and over-arching narrative. At certain times, the storytelling doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is a good thing since the creator is the same guy behind the highly appraised Zero Escape series, Kotaro Uchikoshi.

The game takes place in the near-future setting of modern-day Tokyo, where you play as Detective Kaname Date, who is knee-deep in investigating a murder that, later on, spans out of control. Together with his AI companion, Aiba, you will be led down a rabbit hole where you explore and piece together the relevant information of each crime scene via the Somnium data found in the world.

The duo of Date and Aiba will keep players glued to the screen as the humorous banter and gossiping between them is amusing and entertaining. The somnium exploration allows you to control Aiba and solve complicated puzzles while racing against time, which isn’t too difficult as long as you focus accordingly on the details.

Just like any other Visual Novel, players can opt to explore several new routes in the game by either manually choosing a branch from the flowchart once they complete a route or by simply experimenting by choosing new dialogue events during the key story moments.

Pros:

• The story is very well written and not predictable at all.
• The voice acting in AI: The Somnium Files is exceptionally good.
• It can make you emotional at times, which goes to show how well-written it is.
• AI: The Somnium Files has amazing music.
• Your decisions actually have an impact on the story and can change drastically depending on what option you pick.

Cons:

• AI: The Somnium Files can get a bit too sexual sometimes which may not be to a lot of people’s taste.
• The puzzle solutions can feel very frustrating sometimes.

Sakuna Of Rice And Ruin

• Developer: Edelweiss
• Publisher: XSEED Games, Marvelous USA
• Genre: Action, Farming-sim

Sakuna of Rice and Ruin is a unique game for anyone who might happen to discover it for the first time as it mixes up two gameplay elements that work brilliantly. You, as the spoiled Princess Sakuna, who is exiled from her throne and now must work together with humans in the mortal realm to rid demons and grow rice to earn her place back in the divine realm.

The first of these special gameplay elements is that you spend the majority of time growing a rice paddy field to perfection; it adds in many realistic factors making it a true farming-sim experience.

Secondly, you can partake in various missions where players control Sakuna in a side-scroller-type manner and battle different enemies to clear the levels successfully in order to earn plenty of useful items. The animation perfectly resembles the traditional slice-of-life genre in anime, thus perfect for its fans who have a PS4.

There are some slight RPG mechanics that you may need to keep in mind as you play the game, such as the Day/Night cycle, managing and upgrading Sakuna’s weapon techniques and abilities. Most importantly, you will need to consistently monitor your rice fields in order to receive the most bountiful harvest each month. It is a fun game if you are willing to look past the complex farming-sim aspect and enjoy a fun, action-packed game.

Pros:

• The gameplay can be complicated but it is very engaging.
• The visuals are aesthetic and the music is very catchy.

Cons:

• The battles can be a bit too simple at the start of the game.
• Farming can be incredibly repetitive.
• The story is very dull and bland.
• A lot of the dungeons lack excitement and are very small.

Valkyria Chronicles Remastered

• Developer & Publisher: SEGA
• Genre: Turn-based Strategy, RPG

When it comes down to the most popular strategical and tactical JRPGs, a few come to mind, but Valkyria Chronicles is certainly one that shouldn’t be missed at all. The game is beautifully remastered in full 1080P glory and is an absolute treat if you’re a fan of anime or excellently designed strategy games on the PS4 and PS5.

The game takes place in the fictional era of the 1930s, where the military powerhouses of the Empire and the Federation are at war with each other as both opposing parties battle it out in no man’s land.  You play as the Squad 7 heroes from the Federation who fight for the freedom of their Gallian forces.

Valkyria Chronicles packages its intuitive combat and gameplay elements into the “BLiTZ” system. It is comprised of Real-time strategy elements that encourage players to correctly maneuver their Squad 7 units across the battlefield and take out enemy troops and other militia artillery. These units are all customizable and can be swapped out with over hundreds of different soldiers that you can assign before you begin each mission.

Pros:

• The gameplay is very unique and fun.
• The art and the visuals in Valkyria Chronicles Remastered are incredible.

Cons:

• The English translation of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered has a lot of unnecessary dialogue with bad translations.
• The story does not have any depth to it and can feel very predictable.
• Valkyria Chronicles Remastered does not have any exclusive content.

Jump Force

• Developer: Spike Chunsoft
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: Fighting

Jump Force is the pinnacle of anime fighting games that feature multiple characters across the shonen and action anime, being collectively a part of a single game. Unfortunately, the game has since been delisted from all digital stores, including PSN, Xbox Store, and Steam on PC, and the servers have gone offline forever. But with any luck, you should be able to play the game’s campaign mode if you can find the physical version from anywhere.

Jump Force is every anime fan’s dream come true for a video game on the PS4 as it boasts a huge roster of characters across from different shows like Gon from Hunter X Hunter, Goku from Dragon Ball Z, and even the beloved Stand User, Jotaro Kujo from Jojo’s Bizzare Adventures makes an appearance.

The primary delisting of the game was due to the lack of sales it received on launch, and the reception was mixed overall as it had a lot of polishing to do in its core gameplay. But as of now, it is still pretty enjoyable, and you can even spot some fans in the communities on Discord and Reddit who adored every minute of it.

Pros:

• Jump Force combines our favorite shonen anime characters into 1 game.
• It has unique dialogues between characters from different anime.

Cons:

• The combat and gameplay are horrible with no depth or learning curve to it.
• The story mode is bland, the missions are repetitive and a lot of the great potential for a story mode is buried.
• There are way too many loading screens.
• The animations of the characters are very stiff and unnatural.
• The online servers have been shut down which makes Jump Force entirely unplayable besides the repetitive story mode.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus

• Developer: Team Salvato
• Publisher: Serenity Forge
• Genre: Visual Novel

Doki Doki Literature Club or ‘DDLC’ initially launched back in 2017 and shockingly rose through the charts and became the most downloaded game on Steam. The game is the perfect class act of not judging a book by its cover as creator Dan Salvato reels you in for the usual romance adventure but filled with a terrifying twist.

DDLC Plus is the definitive edition of the game that launched almost a year ago with updated visuals, new mini storylines to progress as well as having access to cool-looking unlockables such as concept artwork and music. Moreover, this was the game’s first launch on Console platforms, which would usher in a new audience for it.

The game is about our protagonist, who meets four girls in the Literature Club at his High School; Sayori, Yuri, Natsuki, and Monika, who each have different and colorful personalities. But slowly, players will get reeled in for the most jaw-dropping moments as each girl will have more to say than what meets the eye. Without spoiling anything, the game has one of the most ominous and shocking twists with a 4th Wall break to jaw-drop you.

Most fans who didn’t own a PC at the time couldn’t access the game, but now that the Plus edition is out on PS4 and PS5, it is one such anime game that throws aside any expectations that you may get from its sunshine and rainbows-filled opening hours.

Pros:

• Doki Doki Literature Club Plus has a very shocking and unique story.
• It keeps you engaged to the very end and builds your relationship with the characters.
• Each girl has her own unique personality which will keep you attached to them throughout the entire game.

Cons:

• The first couple hours of Doki Doki Literature Club Plus can sometimes feel dragged out.

NEO: The World Ends With You

• Developer & Publisher: Square Enix
• Genre: Action RPG

NEO: The World Ends With You is the sequel to the original game that was released back in 2007 for the DS. The former now serves as a great entry point for newer fans, especially given the fact that the original game now has an anime adaptation that you can watch to get up to speed with the storytelling and characters.

NEO: TWEWY takes place in the modern-day Shibuya, a suburban district of Tokyo. Players take the role of a teenager, Rindo Kanade, who is suddenly thrown into the fray of competing in the Reapers game. Along with his classmate and friend, Tosai Furesawa, he must survive the odds and defeat other teams in menacing battles.

The gameplay is quite different this time around as compared to the previous entry. The game is fully 3D, and you can freely explore multiple sections and streets of Shibuya outside of the combat. Speaking of which, the combat is unique in the sense that you control all characters in your party at once and attack using various pins.

Each of these pins can be used in quick succession to chain attacks, and your party members can further help you out by unleashing their special abilities, such as Rindo’s Replay power and being able to rewind time. We highly recommend checking it out as it is easily one of the most underrated anime games PS4, one that you will probably appreciate too if given the proper attention.

Pros:

• NEO: The World Ends With You has a very unique setting compared to most other RPGs.
• The characters have their special quirks and are very well written.
• The story is incredibly intriguing and keeps you engaged.
• NEO: The World Ends With You has its own unique aesthetic and amazing art.
• The soundtrack is great.

Cons:

• The combat can seem very confusing and repetitive sometimes.
• It can feel dragged out at some points of NEO: The World Ends With You.
• The world is not very big and there is not much to explore.

Sakura Wars (2019)

• Developer & Publisher: SEGA
• Genre: Action RPG, Life-sim

Sakura Wars (2019) acts as a soft reboot of the franchise, which was originally a tactical JRPG. The games were extremely niche in the Western audience, but thankfully, with the game’s release, it reinvigorated the reputation it had for being SEGA’s finest games in their beloved classics.

The game incorporates various genres to spice up the core gameplay in comparison to past entries, such as featuring entire exploration sequences as well as Dating-sim moments, similar to the Persona Games.

These are coupled with the fact that you can romance up to any of the mainline female characters and achieve their ending. The Canon route is, of course, Sakura, but you can opt to choose romance with any one of the girls without having any major consequences affect you.

The combat is based on the Musou games, allowing you to take on different types of missions as you battle against large waves of foes or take on demonic boss battles, using your mech robots to tear through them.

In addition to our main character, Sumire Kanzaki, he can command and lead the different female characters into battle as well as use their different powers and abilities to change the tides of battle in a matter of seconds. It even has an anime adaptation, so if you enjoy the game on the PS4, you might as well check that out too for more fan service.

Pros:

• Sakura Wars (2019) is a very good adaptation of the original.
• The story is very good.
• The characters are very well written with great voice acting.
• The visuals are incredible.

Cons:

• The camera can sometimes glitch out, causing issues with movement.
• The combat can feel repetitive and not very engaging.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of Dana

• Developer: Nihon Falcom
• Publisher: NIS America
• Genre: Action RPG

The Ys JRPG series are the few valuable games that stand against the test of time and co-exist alongside the powerhouse rivals in its genre, like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. However, what separates it from those titles and makes it special is that the Ys games opt for the more nuanced Action-based combat and mechanics.

YS VIII Lacrimosa of Dana is a brand new adventure, which is fantastic for newcomers to the franchise. You play as the red-haired Adol who awakens on a mysterious Island. Together with characters that you meet along the way that will form your party, you will discover the ancient buried secrets of the island and its forgotten past.

The combat and gameplay revolve around exploring parts of the island as you take on dangerous creatures and foes that inhabit the treacherous parts. It will constantly keep you on the edge of mixing up various moves and special abilities that will keep the flow of the battles fresh and intuitive every minute of the way. The game is set to have a PS5 upgrade soon in the future, but for now, it is easily the best action-anime game to play on the PS4.

Pros:

• The story is excellent with enough deep elements to keep you engaged throughout.
• The world is big enough to keep you exploring.
• The combat is fast-paced making it very fun and satisfying.

Cons:

• The graphics are not as good as they could have been.
• It might take you a good few hours to reach the really good parts of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of Dana.
• The protagonist of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of Dana is not very engaging.

Trails Of Cold Steel Series

• Developer: Nihon Falcom
• Publisher: XSEED Games, Marvelous USA
• Genre: Turn-based JRPG

One of the most prized franchises of Falcom is the Trails of Cold Steel games. These games are the successor to the Trails in the Sky series and are generally appraised for their longevity in storytelling that is spanned across the four different titles, not to mention the Kuro No Kiseki games and Trails in the Sky, which are fairly optional.

The story and setting of each game start from the first one as you follow the journey of Rean Schwarzer and the Class VII of the Thors Military Academy unfold one of the most epic episodic narratives in the genre. It is primarily the reason why Trails of Cold Steel 4 sets the penultimate stage where it has the biggest roster of characters yet, including the protagonists of the other Trails’ games joining alongside you too.

All of the games use the ever-evolving grid combat system, which is enhanced by the Link Mechanics. It essentially encourages players to combine their attacks on party members on the grid in conjunction to dish out synergized special moves to enemies.

It is inherently tactical at first glance, but it grows more and more as you upgrade and level up your party members. With each follow-up game in the series, there are new aspects to explore too, which is why there is no better time than now to pick up First Trails of Cold Steel, as it is one of the greatest JRPG series and the best anime games PS4 that can easily be missed by many gamers.

Pros: 

• The combat is exceptionally fleshed out and extremely engaging.
• The world-building and character development are great.

Cons:

• The pacing can slow down a lot at certain points in Trails Of Cold Steel Series.
• The Dungeons in the game are incredibly repetitive and get stale quickly.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

• Developer: CyberConnect2
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: 3D Arena Fighter

Naruto is a shonen anime that instantly won over the hearts of the world when it first came out. The show followed the story of the young Naruto, who trained among the best of the best Ninja Clans to become the Master Hokage in the future. There were a variety of games that were adapted on the show, one of which was the Ultimate Ninja Storm games, which focused on the Shippuden series, with UNS4 being the penultimate one.

Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 serves as the conclusion to the series as the game adapts the last arcs featuring Naruto and his arch-rival, Sasuke Uchiha, reuniting once more to defeat the greater evil of Madara and Kaguya so they can restore peace once and for all to the Shinobi world.

The gameplay is fairly similar to past entries with the new addition that you can swap out and use three different characters in a team that allows for all new assist attacks in combos. The campaign is fairly lengthy, and for those looking for a challenge, you choose to achieve the highest rank possible in these missions. They are cohesively laid out for the player, with new branching side missions that can unlock too.

Furthermore, the game also includes the Road to Boruto Expansion pack, which adds more story content that explores the adventures of Naruto’s Son, Boruto. It is an excellent title to play with friends, too, since it is relatively cheap now and undoubtedly the best anime game PS4 for Naruto’s fans.

Pros:

• Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 adapts the original manga and anime story in the best way possible with exceptional graphics and cutscenes.
• The story mode is incredibly engaging with unique boss battles spread throughout.
• The combat has a perfect balance of being easy to get into and hard to master, with a great learning curve and depth.
• A huge roster of characters with unique animations and abilities, including DLC characters.
• Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 keeps the aesthetic of the original anime’s soundtrack and puts its own spin on it, making incredible new original music for the game.
• The online multiplayer is huge with different game modes.
• Several offline modes for people who do not want to play multiplayer.

Cons:

• Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 does not have the best PC port.

My Hero One’s Justice 2

• Developer: Byking
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: 3D Arena Fighter

My Hero Academia is yet another shonen anime series and Manga that has made quite the impact over the past few years as it has a well-diverse cast of characters with uplifting storytelling as the cherry on top of it. You follow the story of Izuku Midoriya, a boy who isn’t born with any superpowers in the world of superheroes and villains.

My Hero One’s Justice falls in the same category of games as Naruto UNS4 as it provides robust 3D Arena Fighter gameplay, which it thankfully improves over the previous entry. The game offers a lot of favorite characters and villains to choose from as well as additional characters in the form of paid character packs or DLCs.

The 2nd game’s campaign is well over 8-10 hours long as it starts off right at the end of Season 2 in the anime and covers the majority of the Third Season, which is where a few pivotal story beats happen. However, the game doesn’t truly capture the spirit of the anime, as the cutscenes are mainly comprised of simple animation stills.

The online is pretty active for the most part, and you will have a lot of fun playing the game with a friend for a couple of matches. You can also jump into the new Missions Mode, which is basically a gauntlet mode that pits you against AI-controlled opponents until you are exhausted or die. 

Pros:

• The combat looks very flashy and feels very satisfying.
• The roster is very big and has a lot of unique characters.
• My Hero One’s Justice 2 gives the option to play as different characters throughout the story mode.

Cons:

• My Hero One’s Justice 2 is almost identical to its predecessor.
• The character balancing is horrible.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle

• Developer & Publisher: Arc System Works
• Genre: 2D Fighting

BlazBlue is a 2D fighting game that is most well-known for the crossover elements it has amongst famous Japanese gaming franchises such as Persona 4 and RWBY. The game was heavily praised on launch without any major flaws, as expected from Arc System Works, which is masterful at crafting 2D fighter games.

The game is pretty much the perfect entryway for anyone looking to experience what Arc System has to offer from their brilliant fighting games, especially since Blazeblue Cross Battle Tag is designed for casual play. The online multiplayer is barren aside from again; meeting up with players across the communities of the game should help you better in playing an online match in it.

The storytelling is quite simple enough as it only exists to establish the logic of the different characters appearing in the game as the Phantom Field mixes the reality of the world with other universes. The combos of the characters themselves aren’t too complicated, and anyone should easily be able to get the hang of their favorite ones to play with a friend or two in the awesome tag team battles of Blazblue Cross Battle Tag.

Pros:

• BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle has incredibly deep gameplay mechanics that are hard to master but easy to get into.
• It has a fleshed-out cast of characters with unique character designs.
• Rollback netcode is being added to BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle, making the online experience very smooth.

Cons:

• BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle is very old and there are not many players online, making matchmaking almost non-existent.
• Not a lot of offline modes to play.
• The battles can feel too fast and one-sided sometimes.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

• Developer: Arc System Works, P-Studios
• Publisher: Atlus
• Genre: Action Fighting

Persona 4 Arena was originally released on the X360 and PS3, and it was followed up by Arena Ultimax, which served as the direct continuation and the conclusion of the story as it combined the cast of both Persona 3 and 4 together as well as added new characters to create a diverse cast of characters to play in the roster.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax was remastered and released this year back in March. It has also recently received a fantastic update that allows for rollback netcode, which, as we previously mentioned, allows for smooth battles with online players without any sort of interruptions. There are also modes like the Golden Arena that will help you raise the stats of fighters and, most importantly, a dedicated hub mode for multiplayer lobbies.

The game features a fully voiced and stylishly animated story mode which is an absolute treat for Persona fans. Whether you have played the game or watched the anime of P4 and P3, it is one anime game that you should not miss playing on your PS4.

The general rule of thumb to remember is that there are two different campaigns for each cast of Persona 3 and 4 that are canon to their JRPG counterparts. So dive into the fighting frenzy fray of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax and see why it’s one of the rare great spinoff anime games PS4.

Pros:

• The gameplay is great and very deep with a big skill ceiling.
• The visuals and the music is exceptional
• The Netcode for online battles is great.

Cons:

• Persona 4 Arena Ultimax suffers from a very little player base, making the online matchmaking almost useless.
• The multiplayer part of the game does not contain many modes.

Gravity Rush 1 & 2

• Developer: Japan Studio (Team Gravity)
• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Genre: Action-Adventure

The original Gravity Rush game launched on the PS Vita at its earliest stages in 2012. The game has since then been remastered for the PS4 console, alongside a sequel that was released in 2017. The game follows the adventures of a girl named Kat told through the exuberant art style of the game, closely mimicking an anime or manga to an extent, making it one of the best and, quite frankly, underrated anime-like games on the PS4.

 The first game will introduce players to our heroine, Kat, who mysteriously wakes up having no recollection of her past and realizing she has gravity-shifting powers. So together with her ominous cat, Dusty, she must save the world of Heksville from the evil abominations known as the Nevi. You will also meet a lot of charming characters, such as Raven, another girl with the same powers as Kat, having a much major role during the 2nd game.

Both of the Gravity Rush games are well-versed when it comes to combat and exploration. They are unique in comparison to most other games as you use the power of Gravity to manipulate the traversal properties of Kat to freely explore the beautiful boroughs of Heksville.

Pros:

• The artwork and visuals are exquisite and have a very own vibe.
• The characters are extremely varied and each has a distinct personality.
• Features a very large world with a variety of things to do.

Cons:

• At certain points, Gravity 1 & 2 can seem a little dragged.
• The writing of the story is quite average.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu No Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles

• Developer: CyberConnect 2
• Publisher: Aniplex, SEGA
• Genre: 3D Arena Fighter

Taking advantage of the commercial success of Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, CyberConnect was back to adapt a video game on Demon Slayer, a new modern shonen anime that has taken the world by storm as of late. The Hinokami Chronicles is one of the rare anime games done right with the best fanservice for fans and newcomers, whether it’s on PC or PS4.

The gameplay is similar to most 3D Arena fights we discussed previously, like Shinobi Strikers and Quartet Knights. But this time, you are easily able to distinguish the effort and polishing that went into The Hinokami Chronicles, as the combat is immensely satisfying with jaw-dropping visuals faithful to the show’s art style.

Players can enter Adventure Mode, which allows them to experience the entirety of the first season of the anime, all the way to the critically acclaimed movie Mugen Train.

There is no shortage of characters in the roster as included with the DLC, and you can just about play as anyone from the show, like Nezuko and even the beloved Rengoku. You can also jump into Versus Mode, which is your typical two-versus two modes through which players can battle it out with their friends online or in local multiplayer. So give it a try, as it still reminds us to this day why it is one of the best puzzle anime games PS4.

Pros:

• The visuals and art are utterly gorgeous.
• The story mode is amazing, with a spread of huge battles, brilliantly executed cinematics, and things to explore.
• The gameplay is great with fast-paced action and has a certain amount of depth to it.

Cons:

• Focused more on people who are already fans of the anime and manga.
• Not a huge world to explore.

Catherine Full Body

• Developer & Publisher: Atlus
• Genre: Puzzle, Adventure

Catherine is one of the unique titles by Atlus that many wouldn’t have expected, especially for those who mostly know them for their high-quality JRPGs. It is a puzzle-based game that incorporates a soap-opera love triangle drama into the mix as Vincent Brooks and our main character struggles to balance his romantic affairs.

The gameplay is seemingly complex and multi-layered with mechanics as players must use blocks to form pathways and reach the top of each level as time races against them. The game introduces players to several different ways that they can solve these blocks and fixate in such a creative manner that they flow through your inputs, like solving a Rubix cube.

Players will need to complete these puzzles inside Vincent’s nightmares to progress the story. Not to mention at the end of each level, you will have the chance to make a confession which will gradually affect the various different endings you can achieve with the three female characters; Katherine, Catherine, and Rin.

The storytelling has no shortage of twists and turns that will have you second-guessing Vincent’s questionable choices and consequences. Most Importantly, the Full Body version is exclusive to the PS4 and Nintendo Switch, making it a must-buy for anyone who owns the consoles and is fond of anime-styled puzzle games.

Pros:

• The puzzles in Catherine Full Body are difficult but that is what makes them fun, as they feel just as satisfying to complete.
• Several endings you can explore.
• The story is engaging with a good cast of characters.

Cons:

• A lot of the really good content is locked behind DLC.
• Catherine Full Body suffers from a lack of player base, making the online mode useless.

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures: Eyes Of Heaven

• Developer: CyberConnect2
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: 3D Arena Fighter

Jojo’s Bizzare Adventures is a show that is easily recognizable to any anime fan who has seen some of its comical moments or is well aware of the profound art style of renowned Author Hirohiko Araki. In today’s pop culture media, both the anime and the Manga of the Jojo Series have become insanely popular with the world.

Eyes of Heaven is a game that is tailored made to provide the best fan service for fans of The Jojo anime on the PS4 as it is exclusive to the console. The roster comprises almost every single main character from the franchise and each part, such as the dynamic duo of Gyro Zeppeli and Johnny from Part 7, Steel Ball Run.

The story is designed and written from the ground up while being overseen by Araki’s guidance. It takes place directly after Part 4, Stardust Crusader’s events, when Jotaro Kujo defeats the undead Vampire, Dio. The alteration here comes that Jotaro is soon thrown on a time travel collision course to prevent a greater threat from occurring, which can destroy the Universe.

The game is filled with different modes that you can play. Unfortunately, the online multiplayer is barren, but the game is still fantastic to play in Arcade mode or free play. The main highlight that fans come to enjoy the most from Eyes of Heaven is the hilarious and wholesome interactions between various characters of the franchise.

Pros:

• Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures: Eyes Of Heaven has unique interactions between characters from different JoJo parts in the story mode that are very intriguing.
• The gameplay is very fun with some very satisfying mechanics.
• A lot of playable characters and costumes you can unlock.

Cons:

• The graphics are very old and not very appealing.
• The online multiplayer died after only a month of release.
• The music is not the best.
• The AI in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures: Eyes Of Heaven is not programmed well.

Code Vein

• Developer: Bandai Namco Studios
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: Souls-like, Action RPG

When we look at Code Vein, the immediate reaction is that it’s an Anime Souls-Like. It is true for the most, as Code Vein provides the best of both worlds for anime and Souls Borne game fans on the PS4. The game has an intriguing narrative, all topped with a gritty and gloomy design.

The key point that the game does so well is that right off the bat, and you can spend more than a couple of hours customizing your character as there is a multitude of options that players can explore through and equip. It is so in-depth and multi-faceted that you even create some of your favorite anime characters too.

The gameplay and combat should be familiar to anyone who has played the Dark Souls series. It does a great job of introducing players to its systems, such as the various Classes called the Blood Veils in-game. Along with this, you can choose to use Greatswords, Hammers, and longswords, as well as the viability of having an AI-controlled companion to help you on through the levels.

Speaking of which, Code Vein, unfortunately, lacks a coherent Level Design as most of the time, you will be lost exploring and trying to find the path of progression, especially in tedious maze-like locations such as The Cathedral of the Sacred Blood. Aside from that, the game is pretty enjoyable, and we recommend having a friend or two that will make the experience even more joyful and fun in Code Vein, the best anime games on PS4.

Pros:

• Character customization is pretty good in Code Vein.
• The graphics are quite artistic.
• Character development along with the storyline is top-notch in Code Vein.

Cons:

• Code Vein’s boss fights in the game are a bit boring.
• When switching classes, players lose their weapon setups.
• The combat is lackluster.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2

• Developer: Dimps
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: Action RPG, Open World

Dragon Ball Xenoverse was initially pitched as the biggest Single-player Dragon Ball game experience, and it is safe to say that it delivered right on expectations, especially for the diehard fans. The franchise has become a cultural-wide phenomenon with continuations of the series via Dragon Ball Super and jaw-dropping movies.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 heavily expands on the foundations that the previous entry left, to the point where the game feels like the best single-player Anime MMORPG on the PS4 and PC. It is currently filled to the brim with rich content in addition to the original storyline you will play as you time travel and venture across the universe.

Being able to customize your entire move set, fighting challenging bosses and villains such as Broly in the multiplayer Time Raids, as well as the countless activities you will find in the world, makes it one game that you don’t want to miss as a fan of the Dragon Ball franchise.

Pros:

• Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 has a huge storyline you can follow with unique character interactions.
• A huge online multiplayer with several modes.
• The combat and gameplay mechanics are great and have a certain amount of depth to them.
• Several offline modes with endless content.
• Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 lets you create several custom characters with a selection of different races.
• It allows you to do story mode quests online with co-op.
• It has a huge cast of characters.

Cons:

• The character balance is not the best.
• The netcode of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is horrible.
• The customization options of your created character are not as good as they could have been.

Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom

• Developer: Level-5
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: Action RPG, Open World

Ni No Kuni 2 is a direct sequel to the first game that has since been remastered. It is different from the previous entry as the second game is an Open World Action RPG with a brand new story as well as dynamic Hack and Slash combat elements. It was followed up by an MMORPG for Smartphones known as Ni No Kuni Crossworlds.

The story is about Evan, a half-human, a half-grimalkin boy whose Kingdom becomes sieged by the opposing forces led by Mausinger, who stages a coup on Evan’s Father and poisons him. Now with the help of a mysterious man known as Roland from another world, Evan must venture into the world and learn what it means to be a true king and build his own legacy.

The entire art direction of the game is true to the Ghibli anime movies, which are award-winning flicks created by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki at Ghibli Studios. It is the best-selling aspect that entices anime fans to check out the series in the first place, which runs at a smooth 60FPS on the PS4. The world is brimming with different activities to do, villages and cities to visit, and creatures to battle as you forge your own Kingdom from scratch.

Pros:

• The story is good with fun characters.
• The visuals are stunning.
• The world is huge with many different things to do.
• It can be very relaxing if played on regular difficulty while giving you a good challenge if played on expert difficulty.

Cons:

• The dungeons and side quests are very tedious.
• The English translation can be inaccurate sometimes.
• Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom has way too much dialogue sometimes.

Scarlet Nexus

• Developer: Bandai Namco Studios
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: Action RPG

Scarlet Nexus was released just over a year ago and was a fresh take on an amazing fast-paced RPG complete with action combat similar to Devil May Cry 5. The game allows you to choose between two characters who have their own campaign that seem almost similar but have branching differences to set them apart from each other.

Another great aspect is that the game is quite linear in progression and level design. The pacing of the fights, along with the story, is both steady and packed with over-arching twists. It is almost as if you are watching a short and satisfying seasonal anime unfold. The dialogue can be cheesy sometimes and may be hit-or-miss with a few players, but overall, it is a unique IP from Bandai that continues to get praised in the Action JRPG genre.

Pros:

• The combat is very fun and unique with satisfying mechanics.
• The graphics are very good along with the character designs of monsters.
• Scarlet Nexus has good replay value.

Cons:

• Some of the characters are very bland.
• The translation can be inaccurate sometimes.
• The pacing at the start can be bad.

Ace Attorney Trilogy

• Developer & Publisher: Capcom
• Genre: Visual Novel

The Ace Attorney games have been around the industry for more than a decade now. It is one of the most beloved Visual Novel franchises that fans adore to the last breath. There are multiple titles in the series that are worth checking out, and you can learn all about them in our brief discussion of the BEST Ace Attorney Games.

But for now, our main focus is the three main games; Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Justice for All, and lastly the Trials and Tribulations. These games are bundled together in a trilogy bundle which is easily available across multiple devices, even on the Nintendo 3DS, smartphones, and most importantly, the PS4 in high-definition.

The Ace Attorney games are excellent for newcomers trying to play a visual novel for the first time. The anticipation of piecing together the puzzles in each case and then witnessing the debate battle unfold fills you up with a momentary sense of hype. The writing is both witty and comedic to the point where it becomes an essential title to pick up on the PS4 if you love the detective or mystery genre in anime.

Pros:

• The visuals are great.
• The character designs are very distinct and interesting.
• The UI is very inviting.
• The trials are thrilling and keep you engaged throughout.
• The comedy and character interactions are hilarious.

Cons:

• Some cases can be padded and dragged on unnecessarily.
• There is no voice-over.
• The logic can sometimes be hard to accept.

Danganronpa Series

• Developer & Publisher: Spike Chunsoft
• Genre: Visual Novel

The Danganronpa games are by far the best Visual Novels that you will jump into as soon as possible. The games are similar to the SAW movies, but in this case, high-ranking students are captured and locked into a school in a murder mystery game show where the only chance of survival is the last one alive.

All three of the games have their indivIdual storytelling, but with some minor exceptions, such as some returning characters and loose links across each other. Each of the various students is written exceptionally well, with my personal favorites being Byakuya Togami and Kyoko Kirigiri. The entire narrative is topped off by the menacing main antagonist of the series, Monokuma, who is one of the many Best Videogame Villains of all time.

The gameplay element is virtually similar across all three games as you slowly but surely solve the complex murder mystery of each student and who the killer might be among the cast. It all culminates into a high-stakes showdown sequence where you need to piece together every intricate clue and put together a valid statement against everyone’s accusations or false debate.

Not to mention there is even a spinoff game, Danganronpa Ultra Despair Girls, that are completely different in style, as well as an entire anime series based on the games that fans can watch if they enjoy playing the whole series on the PS4.

Pros:

• The character designs are very cool with a distinct aesthetic.
• The mysteries compel and keep you engaged to the very end.
• Danganronpa Series has a lot of likable and memorable characters.
• The story is very good.

Cons:

• Some of the puzzles in the game can be very annoying and frustrating.
• You need to watch the anime for the conclusion which might kill the pacing.

Dragon Quest 11

• Developer & Publisher: Square Enix
• Genre: Turn-based JRPG

The Dragon Quest series is essentially what paved the way for many powerhouse JRPGs of today to stand tall in the industry, such as Final Fantasy and even Xenoblade Chronicles 3. The game was initially launched in 2017 but would sooner or later receive a Definitive Edition that came with brand-new features and QoL improvements.

It was called “Dragon Quest 11 S” which included brand new story segments for all of your party members that were much-needed due to them taking a backseat often during the main story. Moreover, it also featured a proper Japanese Voice track and an entirely new filter to apply to the game, which changes its appearance into the classic 16-bit graphics to give it a retro feel.

The art direction might seem familiar to many new players, as it is, in fact, done by Akira Toriyama, who is the creator of Dragon Ball and Chrono trigger, another amazing JRPG for whom he worked as the lead artist.

Dragon Quest 11 offers so much, from a great cast of characters that you will meet along the way of your journey to taking down tough bosses by strategizing in your turns carefully. The combat is traditional and simplistic, but all the more, it is befitting for one of the most legendary JRPG titles in gaming history.

Pros:

• The characters are very good with unique personalities.
• The visuals are very stylish.
• The combat is simple but challenging, which makes it fun.
• A huge world you can explore.

Cons:

• The music is not the best.
• The pacing of the story is a little disappointing.
• The base game may feel way too easy.

Tales Of Arise

• Developer: Bandai Namco Studios
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: Action RPG, Open World

The Tales of games are no exception when it comes to highly detailed anime-like graphics and the best hack-n-slash combat that gamers will immensely enjoy on their PS4 or PS5. The latest game in the series is Tales of Arise, which coincidentally also happens to be on our list of the Best Open World Games On The PS4.

Tales of Arise grips players in for a long journey as you witness the story unfold of Alphen and Shionne, who journey across the lands of Dhana in order to free it from the shackles of the Republic of Rena. Throughout the game, you will come across charming and distinctive characters who will join your party along for the ride.

The combat is reinvigorating, to say the least, as it keeps players focused with no room for errors. Playing it masterfully by correctly synergizing and combining attacks with your allies will greatly benefit you. Exploring the sub-linear open-world environments is fun and jaw-dropping.

There is a specific reason why the game won the Best JRPG Award at The Game Awards 2021 and it is simply because it nails all the essentials to crafting an amazing Open World JRPG that runs like a dream on every platform.

Pros:

• The stunning visuals in Tales of Arise are memorable and captivating.
• The story’s pacing is well-done, keeping the player engaged.
• The combat system is excellent, providing an enjoyable gameplay experience.

Cons:

• Tales of Arise can be marred by excessive grinding, leading to extended farming periods for experience and money.
• The placement of the music can feel awkward at times.
• The side characters in Tales of Arise are poorly written, detracting from the overall narrative.

Guilty Gear Strive

• Developer: Arc System Works
• Publisher: Arc System Works, Bandai Namco Entertainment, SEGA
• Genre: Fighting

We have previously discussed the influence and craftsmanship of Arc System Works in their games, such as Persona Ultimax. However, it is without any question that their most popular series is the critically acclaimed Guilty Gear fighting game franchise, with the latest one, Guilty Gear Strive, earning high praise from fans.

First and foremost, Guilty Gear Strive is a technical achievement as most development companies have a hard time implementing 3D anime graphics in video games. But Arc System is the sole exception that proved with their previous title Guilty Gear Xrd and Dragon Ball Fighter Z that they can make fighting games look insanely jaw-dropping and visually a work of pure artistry.

The gameplay and combat are polished to perfection as this is by far the most accessible GG game in the entire series, as each character in the roster is diverse with a move list that anyone can easily master if given time. It has ushered in a brand new casual audience for the game while still keeping the essence of the original alive in it. Most importantly, the rollback netcode implementation is the best there is now with GG Strive.

Pros:

• The graphics are some of the best a fighting game has ever seen.
• Huge player base in the online multiplayer allowing you to fight as many opponents as you desire.
• Satisfying combos and moves.
• Exceptional character designs and deep lore with each of them.
• Guilty Gear Strive has rollback netcode allowing you to fight players across the globe.

Cons:

• Guilty Gear Strive makes you guess a lot on defense rather than relying on reactions.
• The lobbies are a complete mess and connection errors are frequent.
• Guilty Gear Strive gives you a negative penalty in the middle of battle even if you try to keep a little bit of space with your opponent which can be very frustrating.
• The loading screens are way too long.
• The combo counter gets larger as the combo increase in hits, cluttering the entire screen.
• The entire UI feels very lackluster.

Dragon Ball Fighter Z

• Developer: Arc System Works
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: Fighting

Dragon Ball Fighter Z is a game that has made its presence known across the industry for its incredible fighting mechanics that pushed the boundaries for competitive gaming. It carries the spirit of the classics alive in it, like DBZ Budokai 3, which especially is a fan-favorite Dragon Ball game among many in the past two decades.

DBFZ is one of the few leading games that is annually celebrated at the Evo Fighting Games Tournament. It is here where professional players compete in high-stakes battles to crown new champions of the game.

The gameplay is unique in that regard as players assemble a team of three of their chosen characters from the large roster screen. It is here where yet again, you are greeted by Arc Systems’ brilliant craftsmanship yet again, as most players can freely learn the mechanics of the game with ease, but in order to master them, you will need to compete in dozens of battles and improve your skills gradually as time goes by.

Pros:

• Dragon Ball FighterZ is very welcoming to beginner players as it has auto combos, giving new players a chance to engage in battles without delving too deep into high-level combos.
• It has some of the most visually stunning graphics ever made in an anime game.
• The ultimate super attacks and cinematics are beautifully animated.
• Dragon Ball FighterZ is very closely referenced to the original Dragon Ball Manga.
• The combat and movement are very fast-paced and satisfying.
• Several online multiplayer modes that allow you to experience unique battles each time.
• The story mode and some character intros contain unique dialogue between characters that have never interacted before in the manga or anime.

Cons:

• Dragon Ball FighterZ does not have a lot of different offline modes.
• The dev communication is notoriously bad.

• Dragon Ball FighterZ Tier List
• Dragon Ball FighterZ Ultimate Guide

Dragon Ball Z Kakarot

• Developer: CyberConnect2
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Genre: Open World RPG

Dragon Ball Z Kakarot is the pinnacle of modern DB games, as it provides the most authentic package for all DBZ fans who grew up loving the show and want to play the best game for it on their PS4 and other platforms.

Kakarot adapts the full-fledged storyline of the original show, starting from the Saiyans Arc all the way to the Majin Buu saga, while capturing every bit of the pivotal moments that occurred in the show. The game brilliantly showcases iconic moments like Gohan’s final battle with Cell to perfection in mesmerizing graphics and detail.

Players are freely permitted to explore the Open World that is designed to fit the show. You can complete various side quests as different characters through the overarching arcs of DBZ. There are even Dragon Balls to hunt down and claim, which will reward you with either a large sum of money or extremely useful items.

The combat is similar to the Dragon Ball Tenkaichi games in that you duke it out in ultra fast-paced battles that will keep you on the edge of your seat since any room for error will greatly deplete your health. Surprisingly for a pure RPG DBZ game, it doesn’t restrict players much on level gating content, so being able to progress and play through the main storyline shouldn’t pose any sort of issue.

Pros:

• The graphics are beautiful.
• Some of the cutscenes are beautifully animated.
• the world is very detailed.
• The UI is great.

Cons:

• Some of the side quests are very disappointing.
• There are very few big cutscenes that are beautifully executed.
• The combat is way too simple and linear.
• The bosses get repetitive very quickly.

Fist Of The North Star: Lost Paradise

• Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
• Publisher: SEGA
• Genre: Open World, Beat-em-up

Fist Of the North Star is a fresh IP that was created by RGG Studios, who is infamously known for creating the Yakuza and Judgment series. The game proved to be quite a success in Japan while being almost underrated in its western release. But it is without a doubt the perfect reiteration of the classic manga and series of FOTNS, dating back to the mid-90s of its peak popularity.

The game follows Kenshiro, who is the master of the Martial Arts known as Hokuto Shinken. During the opening segments of the game, he is defeated by his arch-rival, Shin, who then kidnaps his fiancee, Yuria. With nothing left to lose, Kenshiro travels to the city of Eden, where he must discover and reunite with his lover once again.

The main setting of the game is primarily the wastelands, which are quite frankly similar to the world designs you’d see in the Mad Max franchise. Players can freely explore the world in their luxury in the Jeep. The gameplay maintains the charm of the Yakuza games, where you can partake in several activities to distract you from the main progression.

Pros:

• The visuals are great at depicting a post-apocalyptic world.
• The combat system is great and perfectly captures the feel of Fist Of The North Star.
• The music is amazing.
• The bosses are great.

Cons:

• Fist Of The North Star: Lost Paradise has a few issues with pacing sometimes.
• The English dub is not good.
• The graphics are slightly old.

Persona 5 Royal

• Developer & Publisher: Atlus
• Genre: Turn-based JRPG, Life-sim

Lastly, it brings us to the final game on our list, Persona 5 Royal. It is the ultimate anime game that offers the best of both worlds from an incredible storytelling experience and as well as a superb and stylish combat system. Royal is largely an improvement over the original game as it drastically implements a ton of new changes that benefit the weak points and add much-needed polishing to other aspects.

You follow the story of the Protagonist, who is seemingly captured in the distant future events of the game and recalls his first visit to Tokyo. The prologue of Persona games can be a slog to chew through, but the end result is worth it as the game grips you in tight for a rollercoaster adventure.

During the daytime, you act as a high-school student who lives up to his deal of staying in check for probation. However, during nighttime, you will gear up as the Phantom Thieves of Hearts to raid the selfish desires of society and bring justice and sincerity back into their souls.

Atlus has truly added an incredible level of revamping to weaker aspects of such an amazing JRPG, such as making the once dreadfully tedious, Mementos into an engaging progression mechanic. Players will often find the means to increase their combat and character levels by acquiring powerful Personas, which are essentially demons you will face inside the main dungeons of the game.

Most importantly, P5R introduces a whole new semester that players can experience as well as two brand new characters, Kasumi Yoshizawa and the enthusiastic therapist, Takuto Maruki. With the addition of Royal, it also now has one of the most well-written villains in the entire SMT and Persona franchise.

Atlus has truly done the impossible of making an already masterpiece JRPG break past its limitations with Persona 5 Royal, easily of the best and greatest anime games on the PS4.

Pros:

• One of the most captivating narratives ever created for an anime game is found within the story of Persona 5 Royal.
• The game’s aesthetic and atmosphere are distinctly original.
• The world in Persona 5 Royal is teeming with opportunities for exploration.
• The characters are exquisitely crafted, both in terms of their written personalities and their stunning visual designs.

Cons:

• not everyone may enjoy turn-based combat mechanics.

Wrapping Up

Anime as a medium has progressively advanced to the point where the movies of popular shows like Jujutsu Kaisen are getting the same reception as Hollywood blockbuster titles and being considered peak fiction. It has widely grown in the past few decades to the point where famous shows like DBZ and Naruto cash in on the adoration of fans by adapting games based on the work.

As time goes on and on, there are even new games coming out in the next couple of years or so, such as the newly teased, One Piece Odyssey, the remake of the acclaimed Fate/Extra, and lastly, the highly anticipated remaster of Jojo’s All-Star fighting game.

The games we have listed for you in this list will surely satisfy the craving for an Anime-like game. Whether it’s the best Visual Novel or the JRPGs, the stories and gameplay in each of these titles will keep any fan of their original adaptation hooked to the screen. So which anime is your favorite? and if you plan to try out these games, which one will you play first? Let us know in the comments box below!

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