The Big New PS4 Exclusives Of 2019

Sony has quite a solid roster of exclusives this year. Though not many are from the company itself, there are quite a few from third-party publishers that are well worth playing or getting excited about. The highly-anticipated Shenmue III is coming in November, which is crazy to think now since the game was originally announced on Sony's E3 stage in 2015. Another big exclusive is the next project from the studios that brought us Yakuza. Titled Judgement, the game looks to be quite a departure from the macho gangster drama of the Yakuza series.

If we're talking Sony itself, the one hugely-anticipated remaining exclusive confirmed for this year is none other than Death Stranding. This bizarre open-world action game is made by none other than famed games auteur Hideo Kojima, and it has been in the making for a few years now. There are also a few smaller Sony exclusives, like the charming Concrete Genie and the MediEvill Remaster.

Of course, there are still a few high-profile first-party games that have yet to be confirmed for 2019, like The Last of Us Part II, Nioh 2, and Ghost of Tsushima. We're hoping Sony will reveal the dates on these soon.

There's likely to be more PS4 exclusives announced as the year goes on, so be sure to check back often as we update this feature with the latest games. If you're looking for a more general overview of all the PS4 games this year, check out our feature highlighting the biggest PS4 game release dates in 2019.

Which PS4 exclusives are you most excited about? In addition, what games do you hope release exclusively on PS4 this year? Let us know in the comments below. Otherwise, be sure to watch the video version of this feature in the embed above.

If you've watched any of the trailers for Death Stranding, then you're probably confused about what the game is. Heck, we're all pretty confounded about it. But if it's anything like its creator famed game developer Hideo Kojima's previous games, then we can expect memorable characters, innovative action, and unique storytelling.

Death Stranding puts you in control of Sam Porter Bridges (played by The Walking Dead's Norman Reedus), a special operative tasked with reconnecting the isolated cities of a fragmented society. Trailers seem to indicate the world you explore has experienced some climactic event that has caused it to be split up into fragments. All the while, you'll meet a colorful cast of characters all played by notable actors both in games and Hollywood.

Sony and Kojima have kept relatively tight-lipped about how the game will play, but we know that it's open world and will include elements from action games with a bit of stealth thrown into the mix. There's also an online multiplayer component, which, according to Kojima, will have you focusing on "creat[ing] new bonds or "Strands" with other players around the globe."

Platforms: PS4 | Release Date: November 8, 2019

Catherine: Full Body is a remastered version of the cult favorite puzzle-narrative game of the same name from the studio that brought you the Persona series. You play as Vincent, an indecisive 30-something facing a difficult crossroads: marry his longtime girlfriend Katherine, or engage in infidelity with Catherine, an enigmatic seductress he just met. This strange and complicated situation leads you through several nightmarish dreams that challenge not only your intellect but your morality.

The Full Body version of Catherine also comes with an array of extra content, which includes a new love interest named Rin, as well as a wider variety of selectable difficulty levels.

Platforms: PS4 | September 3, 2019

God Eater 3 is the latest in Bandai Namco's long-running franchise competitor to Capcom's Monster Hunter series. Unlike previous entries--which were made primarily with portable consoles in mind--God Eater 3 is the first to be designed primarily for home consoles. As a result, the game has a grander scope containing expansive maps to explore, more creatures to fight, and a slew of new weapons and equipment to craft.

Platforms: PS4, PC | February 8, 2019

Details are a little thin on Judgement, the next title from the team behind the Yakuza series, but it seems to involve playing as a former lawyer turned detective investigating a series of murders in Japan. Gameplay has you investigating crime scenes and trying to solve the mystery. Expect "something completely different" from the Yakuza series, as well.

Platforms: PS4 | Release Date: June 25, 2019

Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain is a series spin-off that's more along the lines of 2011's Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon, which was designed to appeal more to Western audiences. But don't let that get you down, this game is still embedded in the giant insect destroying shenanigans the series is known for. Like previous entries in the series, you play as an Earth Defense Force soldier tasked with combating an invading alien threat.

Platforms: PS4 | April 11, 2019

The follow-up to the phenomenal rogue-like side-scroller Spelunky doubles down on what was cool about the game--including its intense challenge. With Spelunky 2, indie developer Derek Yu is bringing new characters, and maybe even better, more multiplayer support.

Platforms: PS4, PC | TBA 2019

A true sequel to the well-loved RPG Shenmue II, director Yu Suzuki's crowdfunded Shenmue III finally has a release date in 2019. Set in 1987, it picks back up with the story of martial artist Ryo Hazuki--but it won't be finishing it, leaving room for more returns to the world of Shenmue in the future.

Platforms: PS4, PC | Release Date: August 27, 2019

Those around for the PS1-generation should be well familiar with MediEvil. This gothic and whimsical adventure is one of the console's most memorable, earning itself a cult-favorite status throughout the years--which is why it's great news the game is getting remastered. The MediEvil remaster will feature revised control schemes, camera control, and modern visuals.

Platforms: PS4 | Release Date: October 25, 2019

Observation is a sci-fi adventure-puzzle thriller where you play as a space station AI that must figure out the mystery of the sudden loss of its crew. It's developed by many of the staff that worked on Alien: Isolation.

Platforms: PS4, PC | Release Date: May 21, 2019

Concrete Genie is an action-adventure with a visual style evocative of an animated short film. You play as Ash, a young artist who's on a journey to retrieve the torn pages of his sketchbook, which were stolen and scattered throughout the city by a local gang of bullies. While seemingly mundane in its premise, Concrete Genie takes a fantastical twist to its storytelling and gameplay as Ash has a magical paintbrush that can bring his artistic creations to life.

Platforms: PS4 | Release Date: Q3 2019

Blood & Truth is a first-person VR shooter that throws you into London's criminal underworld. You play as Ryan Marks, a former Special Forces soldier who must save his family from the clutches of an evil crime boss.

Platforms: PS4 (PSVR) | Release Date: May 28, 2019

Dreams is the latest game by Media Molecule, a studio most known for its work on the Little Big Planet series. Like its previous work, Dreams is a creation tool focused on supplying its players with everything they need to create their own unique games and experiences. Currently, it's available as an early access title--an interesting first for publisher Sony.

Platforms: PS4 | Release Date: April 16, 2019

Left Alive is a stealth-action survival game set in the cult favorite Front Mission universe. You take on the roles of three protagonists caught in the crossfire of a bitter war between warring countries, working to survive while also helping those struggling to survive the constant skirmishes.

Platforms: PS4, PC | March 5, 2019

Days Gone takes players to a post-apocalyptic open world, set in the Pacific Northwest. The action-adventure/survival-horror game puts you in the shoes of Deacon St. John, once an outlaw and now trying to survive in a devastated world. While on the road, Deacon must battle Freakers, zombie-like humans and animals that have become mindless and violent and travel in fast-moving hordes, much like the zombies in World War Z. Expect a heavy emphasis on crafting as you drive around on your motorcycle, hunting bounties.

Platforms: PS4 | Release Date: April 26, 2019

Zanki Zero: Last Beginning is a first-person dungeon crawler that puts you in control of a group of eight people--each representing one of the seven deadly sins, albeit with the exception of one--who have awakened from a deep sleep only to find Earth in ruins. Before long, they figure out that they age incredibly fast and are only capable of living up to 13 days. However, a mysterious arcade machine allows them to come back to life after perishing. You must guide the group on a journey to solve the mystery behind their accelerated aging as well as what happened to the world.

Platforms: PS4, PC | April 9, 2019