17 Best Single Player Games for PS4 and Xbox One (2020)

Console gaming continues to attract millions of players worldwide due to its streamlined accessibility and dedicated gaming environment. Unlike PC gaming, which often requires technical knowledge and significant financial investment for hardware upgrades, consoles provide a plug-and-play experience that immediately immerses you in gaming. The current generation features two dominant platforms: Microsoft’s Xbox One family (including the enhanced One X and streamlined One S) and Sony’s PlayStation 4 lineup (comprising the standard PS4, compact PS4 Slim, and powerful PS4 Pro). These systems maintain a healthy competitive landscape, with each platform offering exclusive titles that showcase their unique strengths while sharing an extensive library of cross-platform blockbusters. For gamers seeking exceptional single-player experiences on either system, our comprehensive guide highlights the definitive titles worth your investment.

Below you’ll find our curated selection of standout single-player games available across both platforms. Use the navigation links to jump directly to specific titles that capture your interest.

• Red Dead Redemption 2
• The Last of Us – Part II
• Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider
• Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
• Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
• Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Story-driven experiences represent the pinnacle of single-player gaming, and several titles on our list excel in narrative delivery. The Last of Us Part II continues Naughty Dog’s reputation for emotionally charged storytelling, delivering a harrowing journey through post-apocalyptic America that challenges moral boundaries and emotional resilience. Similarly, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End provides a satisfying conclusion to Nathan Drake’s adventures with breathtaking cinematic presentation and character development that feels earned after three previous installments. For those seeking epic fantasy narratives, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remains the gold standard, offering morally complex quests and relationships that respond meaningfully to player choices.

Newcomers to these narrative masterpieces should prioritize character investment over rushing through main storylines. The emotional payoff in games like The Last of Us Part II depends heavily on your connection to character relationships and backstories. Avoid the common mistake of skipping optional conversations and environmental storytelling elements—these often contain crucial character development that enhances the overall narrative impact.

For players who prioritize freedom and exploration, several titles deliver unparalleled open-world experiences. Red Dead Redemption 2 sets a new benchmark for living worlds with its meticulously crafted recreation of the American frontier, where every interaction feels organic and meaningful. The game’s attention to detail extends to weather systems, wildlife behavior, and NPC routines that continue regardless of player involvement. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey transports players to ancient Greece with a massive world map filled with historical locations, naval combat, and branching dialogue systems that influence narrative outcomes.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider completes Lara Croft’s origin trilogy with refined traversal mechanics and challenging tomb puzzles that reward spatial reasoning and observation skills. Meanwhile, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain revolutionizes stealth gameplay with its open-ended mission design and extensive customization options that accommodate multiple playstyles. Advanced players should experiment with non-lethal approaches in Metal Gear Solid V to unlock additional narrative content and character interactions.

The horror genre receives exceptional representation with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, which revitalized the franchise by shifting to a first-person perspective and emphasizing atmospheric tension over action set pieces. The Baker family plantation creates a claustrophobic environment where resource management becomes as important as combat proficiency. The game’s shift to psychological horror while maintaining series staples like limited inventory and puzzle-solving demonstrates how franchises can evolve without abandoning their core identity.

Survival horror newcomers should prioritize resource conservation and environmental awareness. Common mistakes include wasting ammunition on non-essential encounters and failing to explore thoroughly for hidden items. Resident Evil 7 particularly rewards methodical exploration and note-taking, as environmental clues often provide solutions to later puzzles. For players interested in similar tension-filled experiences, our Class Guide covers tactical approaches that translate well to survival horror gameplay mechanics.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt continues to dominate as a benchmark for open-world RPG excellence, maintaining its status years after launch through unparalleled narrative depth and combat sophistication. Drawing from Andrzej Sapkowski’s acclaimed fantasy novels, players assume the role of Geralt of Rivia, a genetically enhanced monster hunter navigating a morally complex world.

Witchers undergo brutal mutations that transform them into supernatural warriors specializing in eliminating dangerous creatures. The game’s expansive world includes remarkably detailed mini-games like Gwent that rival standalone titles in complexity. Strategic side quest completion can easily consume 150+ hours while maintaining engagement through branching narratives and character development.

New players should prioritize learning the combat rhythm – dodging is more effective than blocking against most monsters. Alchemy preparation before major encounters significantly increases survival chances. The game’s mastery lies in how it seamlessly blends main story urgency with compelling optional content that never feels like filler.

Availability: PS4, Xbox One

Buy The Witcher 3 from Amazon ($24.99)

Life is Strange represents peak interactive storytelling, earning numerous awards for its emotionally resonant narrative and character development. This episodic adventure focuses on Sean and Daniel Diaz, brothers fleeing Seattle after a catastrophic event forces them to confront emerging supernatural abilities while journeying to Mexico.

The original Life is Strange established the series’ signature blend of relatable characters and supernatural elements, making both games essential playing. Critical choice timing dramatically alters relationship dynamics and story outcomes, with some decisions creating permanent consequences across episodes. Player agency feels genuinely impactful rather than superficial.

For optimal experience, play the series chronologically to appreciate character evolution and callback references. Dialogue exploration is crucial – rushing conversations misses crucial character development. The emotional payoff depends heavily on investment in relationship-building throughout the journey.

Availability: PS4 and Xbox One

Buy Life is Strange from Amazon ($16.80)

Shadow of the Tomb Raider culminates the reboot trilogy by perfecting the balance between exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat that defines the iconic franchise. This installment emphasizes environmental interaction and stealth tactics over pure action, requiring strategic thinking in both traversal and enemy engagements.

Tomb exploration rewards patience and observation – the most valuable artifacts often require solving multi-layered environmental puzzles. Combat efficiency improves dramatically when utilizing the jungle environment for stealth takedowns and strategic positioning. The weapon upgrade system allows for specialized loadouts tailored to different playstyles.

Common mistakes include rushing through environmental puzzles and underutilizing crafting resources. Advanced players should master the rope arrow mechanics for creative traversal and combat options. For those interested in tactical military gameplay, our BF6 Weapons Unlock guide provides complementary strategic insights.

Visual presentation sets new standards for the series, with particularly impressive water effects and jungle density affecting gameplay mechanics. The narrative delivers satisfying character closure while introducing meaningful gameplay innovations that distinguish it from previous entries.

Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V revolutionizes open-world storytelling through its innovative triple-protagonist system featuring Michael, Trevor, and Franklin. Each character brings unique abilities and narrative perspectives that significantly impact mission approaches. Michael specializes in precision shooting during slow-motion sequences, Trevor excels in chaotic combat with enhanced damage output, while Franklin masters driving mechanics with superior vehicle control. Strategic character switching becomes crucial during complex heists, allowing players to leverage specialized skills at critical moments.

The sprawling Los Santos map offers unprecedented exploration opportunities beyond main story missions. Hidden collectibles, random encounters, and environmental storytelling elements reward thorough exploration. Many players overlook the stock market manipulation system, which can generate substantial in-game wealth when timed correctly with story events. Property acquisition provides recurring income streams, while vehicle customization unlocks enhance both practical utility and aesthetic appeal.

GTA Online represents one of gaming’s most enduring multiplayer ecosystems, constantly evolving through regular content updates. New players should prioritize establishing criminal enterprises through CEO offices or motorcycle clubs for sustainable income generation. The Class Guide principles of role specialization apply well to GTA Online’s diverse gameplay roles. Common beginner mistakes include overspending on cosmetic items before securing reliable income sources and neglecting defensive capabilities during public session activities.

Availability: PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360

Buy Grand Theft Auto V from Amazon ($17.22)

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard marks a triumphant return to survival horror roots through its chilling first-person perspective and atmospheric Dulvie plantation setting. The Baker family antagonists represent some of the franchise’s most memorable villains, each requiring distinct confrontation strategies. Jack Baker pursues players relentlessly through the main house, demanding environmental mastery and quick thinking. Marguerite controls insect swarms in the greenhouse areas, while Lucas introduces complex puzzle sequences that test problem-solving skills under pressure.

The game’s resource management system demands careful ammunition conservation and strategic healing item usage. Expert players master the block mechanic to reduce damage during unavoidable encounters, preserving precious medical resources. Environmental puzzles often require backtracking with newly acquired items, making mental mapping of the plantation layout essential. The scrapyard area introduces crafting mechanics that allow resourceful players to create enhanced ammunition types from seemingly insignificant components.

Madhouse difficulty completely redesigns item placement and enemy behavior, offering substantial replay value for experienced players. The Weapons Unlock progression mindset applies well to Resident Evil 7’s weapon upgrade system. Critical errors include wasting powerful weapons on standard enemies and failing to explore thoroughly for hidden resources. The psychological horror elements intensify through limited visibility and disturbing audio cues that reward attentive listening for enemy positioning.

Availability: PS4, Xbox One

Buy Resident Evil 7: Biohazard from Amazon ($33.99)

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey represents the franchise’s most significant evolution into full-scale role-playing territory through its consequential dialogue system and branching narrative paths. Player choices genuinely impact story outcomes, character relationships, and available questlines throughout the expansive Greek world. The dialogue wheel introduces timed responses during intense conversations, while romance options provide additional narrative depth beyond main story objectives. These RPG elements create personalized experiences that differ substantially between playthroughs.

The mercenary system introduces dynamic enemy progression that mirrors player advancement, ensuring consistent challenge throughout the experience. Naval combat returns with enhanced mechanics, allowing players to recruit lieutenants with specialized abilities for ship battles. The Complete Guide approach to system mastery applies perfectly to Odyssey’s layered gameplay mechanics. Side missions, while sometimes repetitive, provide essential experience points and resources that determine main mission viability.

Character build specialization significantly impacts combat effectiveness, with warrior, hunter, and assassin paths offering distinct playstyles. The ability to respec skill points encourages experimentation with different combinations against various enemy types. Common optimization mistakes include neglecting ship upgrades before naval encounters and underestimating the importance of elemental damage types against specific enemy factions. The expansive world contains numerous hidden tombs and historical locations that reward exploration with permanent stat bonuses.

Availability: PS4, Xbox One

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