The best PlayStation games every developer needs to know!

The best PlayStation games attract about 123 million players every month because this platform isn’t just about video games. It’s an opportunity for an international network of players to immerse themselves in captivating stories. 

At Voice123, the most trusted voice over network, we’ve worked closely with video game developers to help them cast the right voice for their video game characters. 

So, in this post, we’ll explore what the best PlayStation games of all time are really about, the best PS5 games 2025, the best PS5 exclusives, and we’ll share how you can get inspired by them for your next video game project. 

What are the best PlayStation games of all time?

The best PlayStation games of all time strike a balance between powerful storytelling, impressive gameplay mechanics, and world-class voice acting. Some of the most popular titles are: 

• The Last of Us (PS3): A post-apocalyptic survival narrative with strong character arcs. Troy Baker (Joel) and Ashley Johnson (Ellie) star in this emotionally charged journey.
• Metal Gear Solid (PS1): A groundbreaking stealth action title that fused cinematic cutscenes with tactical gameplay. The combination of storytelling, voice acting, and gameplay pacing makes this one of the best PlayStation games.
• God of War (2018, PS4) / God of War Ragnarök (PS5): Mythic narrative, cinematic direction, and intense combat bring this story to life. Featuring Christopher Judge as Kratos and Sunny Suljic as Atreus, this PS5 exclusive game is one of the best PS4 games. 
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (PS5): This superhero video game features an open-world adventure style and dual protagonists (Peter Parker and Miles Morales), which raises the narrative stakes. Voice actors include Yuri Lowenthal (Peter Parker) and Nadji Jeter (Miles Morales).
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3): Nathan Drake, voiced by Nolan North, and Elena Fisher, voiced by Emily Rose, showcased witty, naturalistic dialogue that set a new standard for video game voice acting with their strong character chemistry.

The best Playstation games by generation

The best PS1 games

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 set the standard for fluid physics, combo-driven trick systems, and replayable arcade design. The momentum and game soundtrack shaped one of the best PS1 games. 

Final Fantasy VII brought JRPGs into the global mainstream. Although the original relied heavily on text, the remakes introduced full performances, showing how voice acting can add emotional depth to already-beloved characters.

Metal Gear Solid revolutionized cinematic gameplay with stealth mechanics and movie-like cutscenes. It’s remembered not only for tactical espionage action but also for introducing voice over as a narrative anchor in AAA games.

The best PS2 games

Shadow of the Colossus stripped storytelling to its bare essentials, asking players to face down a mysterious world in one of the best PS2 games. With minimal dialogue, its atmosphere relied on sound design and subtle vocal cues, proving silence can be as powerful as dialogue in building emotion.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas expanded the open-world design with an ambitious map and complex storylines. CJ, voiced by Young Maylay, became one of the most recognizable characters in gaming and helped create one of the best PS2 games. 

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 refined the skateboarding formula with tighter controls and smoother animations. It relied more on music and environmental sound than voice acting, but its design made it one of the most celebrated sports titles of the era.

The best PS3 games

The Last of Us pushed narrative-driven gaming into new territory. Its mix of survival gameplay, storytelling, and character-driven drama became a blueprint for future narrative adventures, making it one of the best PS3 games. 

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves elevated the cinematic action-adventure genre with globe-trotting exploration, puzzle-solving, and explosive set pieces that made the characters feel like real people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

Portal 2 proved puzzle games could thrive on personality. The voice performances of Ellen McLain and Stephen Merchant helped transform abstract mechanics into a memorable, story-driven experience in one of the best PS3 games.

The best PS4 games

God of War (2018) reinvented the franchise with a single-shot camera perspective and intimate storytelling. As one of the best PS4 games, it proved that great performances can carry emotional weight in an action-heavy title.

Bloodborne deepened its worldbuilding with haunting atmospheres and cryptic NPC dialogue. The voice acting was restrained but impactful, reinforcing the game’s mysterious and unsettling tone.

Marvel’s Spider-Man captured the fantasy of web-swinging across New York City while delivering an emotional story. Yuri Lowenthal’s voice work balanced lighthearted quips during combat with heartfelt sincerity in story moments.

The best PS5 games

God of War Ragnarök continued the saga of Kratos and Atreus with breathtaking visuals and high-stakes storytelling. Christopher Judge returned as Kratos, and the cast’s performances were praised for blending mythological grandeur with raw human emotion.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 expanded the formula by letting players switch between Peter Parker and Miles Morales. These new PS5 games highlighted how dual protagonists can deliver mechanical variety and character-driven storytelling. 

Elden Ring used dialogue from NPCs and major characters to create an eerie, otherworldly tone. The impactful delivery enhanced the sense of mystery, creating one of the best PS5 games 2025.

The best PS5 exclusives

The best PS5 exclusives are:

• God of War Ragnarök: A benchmark for narrative performance in a large-budget action RPG.
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: Renowned for its narrative depth, dual protagonists, and captivating voice acting, this is one of the best PS5 games 2025.
• Returnal: This PS5 exclusive is less about dialogue and more about atmosphere. It uses audio and sound design in non-verbal storytelling.

AV takeaways from the best PlayStation games

Here are five things you can learn from studying the best PlayStation games about how to use game design and voice overs to create powerful stories. 

1. Character development through voice acting

Voice acting is more than line delivery; it’s the heartbeat of character development. Voice actors shape how players connect emotionally with characters, so it’s important to cast voices that match the character’s identity. Search talented video game voice actors on Voice123 to find the right voice for your next project. 

2. Balance gameplay with the narrative

The best PlayStation games demonstrate how to balance the narrative with the gameplay. For example, Marvel’s Spider-Man uses Peter Parker’s quips to reinforce the character’s personality while guiding the player’s actions. Design a layered audio system where gameplay feedback and narrative dialogue work together. 

3. Integrate localization like the best PlayStation games

Games like The Last of Us and God of War Ragnarök highlight the importance of planning localization and performance capture together. A practical step is to create “golden scenes”—short narrative sequences that are fully localized and tested early—so that you can catch timing or dubbing issues before full production.

4. Use sound to build atmosphere

New PS5 games like Returnal and God of War Ragnarök use spatial audio, environmental sound, and layered VO to make worlds feel alive. Ask yourself: what does a player hear when they enter a new biome or talk to an NPC? If players understand tone, urgency, and world-building through sound alone, your soundscape is working effectively.

5. Test dialogue and timing

The best PS5 games meticulously test how long a VO line should hold the camera, or how quickly a character responds in gameplay. Uncharted 4 feels seamless because dialogue was tested and re-recorded until it matched the pacing of exploration and combat. Test lines in-engine, adjust timing, and re-record if necessary. 

Final Thoughts on the best PlayStation games

From the best PS1 games like Metal Gear Solid to modern PS5 exclusives like God of War Ragnarök and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the best PlayStation games of all time succeed because gameplay, visuals, and VO work in harmony. 

At Voice123, we connect developers with world-class voice actors who bring scripts to life. Post your project today and make sure your characters speak to players for generations to come.

FAQs