Best PS4 PSN Games 2016 for the First Half

2016 is halfway done, and it has already been a spectacular year in gaming. We’ve seen new games from auteurs such as Jonathan Blow, console versions of PC classics, and surprising indie games that show what a bright future gaming has. There have been so many great games that it has really hard to keep up.

To help our readers make sure that they’re playing the best games available, I’ve put together a list of the best digital PS4 games of 2016 so far. As the title indicates, only games that were released digitally are applicable (although PS4 games got their own list). Here are the best digital PS4 games of 2016 so far.

As you can see by the list above, it’s been a great year so far for video games. These are only 10 of the great digital releases that have come out this year for PlayStation 4, and many more are on the way. If this isn’t enough games for you, make sure to check out my best retail PS4 games and Vita games lists as well!

Let me know in the comments what the best digital PS4 games of 2016 have been so far, and which releases you are looking forward to later this year.

Best PSN Games of 2016 So Far

Best Digital PS4 Games of 2016 So Far
Dead Star

Despite being founded by some of the minds behind Metroid Prime, Armature Studios hasn't had the smoothest start. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate didn't fulfill its potential as a Metroidvania title, and the studio did port work afterwards. Thankfully, Armature was able to show that they still had the potential to make stellar original games when they released Dead Star earlier this year. It's a fantastic multiplayer shooter set in space that encourages teamwork. It's some of the best fun online that the PS4 has to offer, and its satisfying whether you're collecting resources or blowing up spaceships!
Enter the Gungeon

Enter the Gungeon had a lot of hype behind it, and it backed up all of it. Dodge Roll's twin stick shooter is a fantastic roguelike that is both punishing and fair to the player. It ends up being a satisfying challenge that most won't finish, but that's totally okay. Check it out, especially if you enjoyed Nuclear Throne.
Gone Home: Console Edition

Gone Home won the hearts of gamers on PC, and console owners finally got to see what was so special about the first-person adventure game this year. There's something special about coming home, and through examining the house players find out a lot about its inhabitants. It's a great game, with an awesome message.
Hitman GO: Definitive Edition

Hitman GO impressed gamers on mobile in 2014 as Square Enix Montreal were able to successfully transfer the Hitman brand of stealth to a board game. That was an impressive feat all to itself, but they managed to one up that by releasing Hitman GO: Definitive Edition on consoles. Available on both PS4 and Vita, this genius virtual board game is challenging and rewarding. It's one of the best iOS ports in recent memory (alongside Pac-Man 256), and hopefully more will come!
Klaus

While almost every 2D platformer has the player directly controlling the protagonist, very few actually address this. Klaus is the rare one that does, and it makes the player a key point of its intriguing narrative. It's not just a genius premise for a game, as it also affects the gameplay as the titular character tries to rebel against the player. It's an interesting platformer filled with charm, and it was one of the system's first great games this year.
Oxenfree

Oxenfree deals with a lot of heavy topics, but does it all gracefully. This psychological thriller, which deals with a spooky island, is both thought provoking and enjoyable to play. It also has one of the best dialogue systems in all of gaming, and is a must play.
Salt and Sanctuary

Those that enjoy Dark Souls have to play Salt and Sanctuary. Ska Studios' tribute to From Software's beloved series is a genius one, as it successfully brings that style of action gameplay to a 2D plane. It's highly difficult, features great boss fights, and is just as good as Dark Souls III.
Tharsis

While Choice Provisions might be known as the "Bit.Trip dev" by most, Tharsis proved that the studio can provide more than just rhythm goodness. In this case it was a demented version of Yahtzee in space that deconstructs into cannibalism if you don't roll your dice right. It's challenging, even to the point of being unfair at times, and just fun to play.
The Witness

Jonathan Blow wowed the masses (even Soulja Boy!) in 2008 when he released Braid. The developer managed to do the exact same thing eight years later with The Witness. It's one of the best puzzle games ever made, and one that can make gamers feel like the smartest person in the world and then a dummy just a few seconds later.
This War of Mine: The Little Ones

This War of Mine wowed PC gamers and iOS owners last year with its gritty portrayal of the Siege of Sarajev. Console owners got to see the harsh realities of wars earlier this year when 11 bit studios released This War of Mine: The Little Ones on PS4. Not only did the studio manage to translate the core game to work with a controller (which was no small task), they also added a whole new section (the aforementioned The Little Ones) where players got to play as children in the war.