PlayStation 4's best 4 games for now; 4 for later

Sony's PlayStation 4 is, so far, the leader in the gaming industry, thanks in large part to its outstanding design, affordable price tag, and appeal to the hard-core gaming segment that wants as many high-quality games as possible. Still, this generation is young and there's still a long way to go before Sony's console officially takes the top spot in total sales. And the thing that will help the PlayStation 4 achieve that goal will be its games library.

As of this writing, the PlayStation 4 games library has a ways to go to be as deep and appealing as it could be. But there still are some high-quality games available now and many more coming this year that gamers should get excited about.

So, rather than talk in generalities, we thought it a good idea to identify four PlayStation 4 games available that gamers should check out, and another four that will be coming soon. So, whether you're gaming now or in the future, things are looking up for the PS4. Check out the games:

Available Now

1. TowerFall Ascension

TowerFall Ascension is one of those games that eschews all ridiculousness and unnecessary features and simply achieves its goal of creating fun gameplay. The title, which is essentially an archery combat game, is the type that you'd be happy to just pick up and play when you have friends over.

And since it has local co-op, it's one of the few games available now that will appeal to those who want to have a social night of gaming. Simply put, it's awesome.

2. FezFez is just, well, fun. The game is the kind of innovative title we don't see nearly as much as we once did and performs surprisingly well on the PlayStation 4, even though it's been around awhile.

The game's puzzles are fun and challenging, the graphical quality is outstanding, and the gameplay is addicting. What else do you need?

3. Rayman Legends

I've always been a Rayman fan, so perhaps my opinion on this one is a bit more based in nostalgia than others, but Rayman Legends is simply a great game. On the PlayStation 4, the title essentially eliminates all load times, looks fantastic, and gives me the kind of fun gameplay I need after a long day of work.

Is Rayman Legends the best PlayStation 4 game available right now? No. But is it one of the top-performers and deserving of a place in your PS4 library? You better believe it.

4. Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition

Who doesn't love a reinvented Lara Croft? Granted, the Tomb Raider series went off the rails a bit before its rebirth, but Tomb Raider on the PlayStation 4 is surprisingly fun and compelling. The game's storyline is a cut above the average title, and its gameplay is solid enough to get even novice gamers into the mix. For old-school gamers like me, Tomb Raider is a must-have.

NOTE: Have a peek at our Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition Review while you're at it.

Coming Soon:

1. Destiny

When Destiny launches in September, the hype surrounding the game will undoubtedly hit a fever pitch. Destiny is being developed by Bungie of Halo fame and published by Activision. We've only see trailers and some live gameplay footage for the game so far, but the MMO title looks more promising than the vast majority of titles we've seen to this point.

Destiny's world is designed to be "alive" and have a mind all its own. What's more, it's based on a new game engine in the hopes that it'll create an entirely unique experience. Destiny is nothing if not ambitious. And I, for one, can't wait to get my hands on it.

2. Dragon Age Inquisition

Dragon Age Inquisition is slated for an October launch, and already the game is captivating the hearts and minds of gamers. The title is a sequel to Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II, and promises bigger, more responsive game environments, an improved fighting mechanic, and better graphical quality (of course).

The open-world title will allow for full player-determined character development, which always adds some complexity and fun to a game. Expect Dragon Age Inquisition to either be a big hit or a big disappointment when it launches later this year.

3. Watch DogsWatch Dogs is only about a month away, but that hasn't stopped the hype machine from going into overdrive. The game has already won a slew of awards from game critics and its action-adventure gameplay is already viewed as a cut above anything we've seen to this point. Interestingly, Watch Dogs gameplay centers mainly on hacking, which makes it awfully relevant in a real world where security is expected but never really attained.

NOTE: Check our Watch Dogs first-impressions to see all the most interesting bits and pieces.4. The Elder Scrolls Online

Although The Elder Scrolls Online is available now on the PC, it won't be making its way to the PlayStation 4 until June.

Regardless, the title has real promise on the PlayStation 4, offering a full, open world where players can choose character classes, go on quests, and explore a nearly limitless world. Unfortunately, there's no offline mode, so a Web connection will be required, but if you enjoy open-world MMO titles, you'll like what you'll find in The Elder Scrolls Online.