Christmas Gift Guide Feature Holiday Gift Guide 2019 PS4 psvr

Great Digital PS4 Games To Buy With Your PSN Gift Card

Christmas Holiday 2019 PS4 Gift Guide

If you’ve seen our Holiday 2019 gift guide for physical PS4 games, you’ll know that there is a huge selection of titles that you can buy. The same too is true of the digital only games for PS4, as there are some true classics in among them, and so with that in mind, we’ve put together some of the best PS4 digital games you can buy with your PSN gift card.

Don’t forget – many of the products you’ll see in this guide are (or will be) featured in this year’s PS4 Black Friday 2019 deals, so keep an eye out because you might be able to get your gifts much cheaper than you normally would. Additionally, keep an eye on our constantly updated gift card and discount code pages because again, you’ll never know when you’ll be able to scoop up a festive bargain!

So without further ado, let’s get started! (Bear in mind the prices shown below are at the time of writing, and do not reflect any discounts which might occur between now and the end of 2019 – so keep an eye on our Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales articles!)

Great Digital PS4 Games To Buy With Your PSN Gift Card

Afterparty (Bar Crawl, Dark Comedy Adventure)

Holiday PS4 Gift Guide Afterparty

Who would like it?

From the developers of the critically acclaimed adventure Oxenfree comes Afterparty, a game where players take control of two best friends who after dying, find themselves in Hell. Luckily there’s a loophole in place – if they can outdrink Satan on a bar crawl for the ages, they’ll be allowed to return to life and if they don’t, well, you can probably guess what the punishment is. A single-player narrative adventure with a mega dose of sly comedy, Afterparty is brilliantly written, darkly laugh out loud odyssey where what you drink makes just as much difference as what you say and do. With the holiday party season coming up, Afterparty is simply essential.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we gave Afterparty a hefty 9.5/10 score and said “Afterparty is a fantastic and incredibly funny tale of friendship and the role drinking alcohol plays in society and the effects that drinking has on us. Night School Studio has created one of the funniest games ever made and their version of Hell is fully realised. The stellar voice acting and writing left me smiling from ear to ear constantly. Afterparty is a joy to play and everyone should take a trip to Hell.”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

PlayStation Store US – ($19.99), PlayStation Store UK/EU – (£15.99)

Eastshade (Peaceful, Rural Narrative Adventure)

Holiday PS4 Gift Guide 2019 Eastshade

Who would like it?

Sometimes, you just want to stop shooting people in the face and blowing stuff up. If that describes the intended recipient of this gift, then Eastshade absolutely fulfills that billing. As a shipwrecked artist, you must roam the island of Eastshade, painting vistas and helping out the locals in a gorgeously framed first-person narrative adventure that charms with its rural beauty and wide-eyed innocence.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we gave Eastshade 9/10 and said “A combat-free, refreshingly wholesome and decadent exploration focused yarn, Eastshade celebrates the spirit of discovery with aplomb and feels like the closest you’ll get to a digital holiday.”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

PlayStation Store US – ($24.99), PlayStation Store UK/EU – (£17.99)

Genesis Alpha One (First-Person Shooter, Strategy, Base Building, Roguelike)

Holiday PS4 Gift Guide 2019 Genesis Alpha One

Who would like it?

Genesis Alpha One is a wholly unique effort where you are cast as an interstellar pioneer who must soar across space, discovering new inventions and attempting to find a habitable planet suitable for life. Where Genesis Alpha One does things differently though, is in how it’s really two games in one. First off, you must actually build and upgrade your ship in a tactical, overhead perspective that will be familiar to anyone who has done base building before in a strategy game.

And then, you can actually wander around it in first person, which also allows you to beam down to the surface of planets to scavenge blueprints and precious minerals, whilst also fending off attacks from enemies who attempt to invade your ship. Genesis Alpha One is a single player, strategy FPS that you can easily lose hundreds of hours to – especially as the universe is different with each attempt at the game.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we gave Genesis Alpha One 9/10 and said “Genesis Alpha One is an extremely rare beast. A confident marriage of FPS, space sim, roguelike and strategy elements, it is quite simply the first essential indie title of 2019..”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

PlayStation Store US ($29.99), PlayStation Store UK/EU (£24.99)

Ghost of a Tale (Stealth Adventure)

Holiday PS4 Gift Guide 2019 Ghost of a Tale

Who would like it?

Ghost of a Tale is one of the most charming games available on PS4. As diminutive rodent Tilo, players must venture into a towering fortress in order to rescue his long lost love. A single-player fantasy adventure, Ghost of a Tale has players guiding Tilo through puzzles and traps all the while wearing different costumes in order to gain access to previously inaccessible areas. Gorgeous to look at and boasting one of the most adorable protagonists ever, Ghost of a Tale is mesmerising adventure that gamers of all ages will be able to enjoy.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we gave Ghost of a Tale 9/10 and said “Oozing heart, wit, charm and adventure from every digital pore, Ghost of a Tale is a beautifully crafted and warmly affecting adventure that deserves a place in the collections of PS4 owners everywhere.”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

PlayStation Store US ($24.99), PlayStation Store UK/EU (£19.99)

Heaven’s Vault (Detective, Narrative Puzzle Adventure)

Holiday PS4 Gift Guide 2019 Heavens Vault

Who would like it?

Fans of exploration, the language and histories of long forgotten civilizations and sharply written dialogue, will find much to enjoy in Heaven’s Vault. As an intergalactic archaeologist with a sardonic robot companion, Heaven’s Vault is about decoding the language and history of a range of different alien cultures as you attempt to discover the fate of a former academic colleague. Deep, intelligent and stunningly well written, Heaven’s Vault is perfect for anyone looking to be both entertained and educated at the same time. Great stuff.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we gave Heaven’s Vault 9.5/10 and said “A totally unique odyssey that immediately envelops the player in a richly detailed universe ripe with intriguing lore and some of the finest storytelling on PS4, Heaven’s Vault is an essential odyssey for all to embark upon.”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

PlayStation Store US ($24.99), PlayStation Store UK/EU (£17.99)

Outer Wilds (Space, Puzzle Adventure)

Holiday PS4 Gift Guide 2019 Outer Wilds

Who would like it?

Imagine a game that is a cross between Interstellar, Groundhog Day and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, and you start to get an idea what Outer Wilds is all about. A first-person adventure with an eye on the stars, the objective is to shuttle off into space and discover just why the solar system keeps ending with the sun going supernova every 23 minutes. Impeccably designed and with a unique sense of discovery not seen in other games, Outer Wilds has you on a planet that is crumbling under your feet and weaving through an asteroid belt that next as you search for the source of a distress signal. One of the most imaginative PS4 games of the year.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we gave Outer Wilds 9/10 and said “Outer Wilds is a furiously imaginative work that elevates storytelling and player discovery to a whole new level. Though less than inspired puzzles and some technical issues threaten to take the sheen off the experience, Outer Wilds nonetheless sits in a class all its own on PS4.”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

PlayStation Store US ($24.99), PlayStation Store UK/EU (£18.99)

Return of the Obra Dinn (Detective, Murder Mystery)

Holiday Gift Guide 2019 Return of the Obra Dinn

Who would like it?

Anyone who has a fancy for whodunits and detective shows will love Return of the Obra Dinn. A first-person detective adventure told in 1-bit color, Return of the Obra Dinn casts players as an insurance investigator for the East India Company in 1807. With your trusty crew ledger and the Momento Mori, a cursed compass that lets you relieve the last moments of someone’s life, it’s up to you to divine the fate of the 60 crew of the Obra Dinn – an East India ship which went missing in 1803 only to reappear on the shores of Cornish Falmouth some four years later.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we gave Return of the Obra Dinn 9.5/10 and said “Thickly atmospheric with an impeccable sense of place unmatched by other games, Return of the Obra Dinn is the smart, stylish and curiosity detective adventure that you’ve always wanted.”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

US PlayStation Store ($19.99), UK/EU PlayStation Store (£18.99)

RAD (Action, Roguelike)

Holiday PS4 Gift Guide 2019 RAD

Who would like it?

Fans of action games and 1980s B-movies will certainly find a lot to enjoy with RAD. An isometric roguelike, RAD has players take on the role of a young boy who must explore a post apocalyptic wasteland in search of devices that can resurrect life on earth. The kicker? As you explore the wasteland, your genes begin to mutate, providing extra abilities and capabilities as a result, with three mutations able to be used concurrently. Should you die, your character is replaced with another and different mutations abound – ensuring that RAD is never the same game twice.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we gave RAD 8/10 and said “Beautiful, bold and a lot of fun. RAD is a great game and a great roguelike. There is a lot of variety and every run is truly unique. There are some good persistent upgrade features that make every run feel like you’re edging towards eventual victory. You could play this game for a very long time until you see everything and I really want to see everything. If you like roguelikes or a great deal of variation in your gameplay, you’ll not be disappointed spending your cash on this quirky title.”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

US PlayStation Store ($15.99), UK/EU PlayStation Store (£15.99)

River City Girls (Scrolling Brawler, Retro)

Holiday PS4 Gift Guide 2019 River City Girls

Who would like it?

Anyone who has ever put any number of coins into a Double Dragon or Final Fight arcade machine, will simply love River City Girls. Absolutely drowning in a retro audiovisual presentation, River City Girls is side scrolling brawler for 1-2 players that has two high school students smashing their way through school and their local town in an attempt to rescue their kidnapped boyfriends. With hugely satisfying bone-crunching beat-em up action, surprising amounts of character progression and a generous dose of humor, River City Girls is a great gift for anyone who fondly remembers those old fashioned side scrolling battlers.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we awarded River City Girls a 9/10 score and said “A smashingly great side-scrolling battler that is overflowing with charm, stuff to do and faces to wreck, River City Girls is utterly essential for fans of the genre.”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

US PlayStation Store ($29.99), UK/EU PlayStation Store (£24.99)

Slay the Spire (Deck Building, Roguelike)

Holiday Gift Guide 2019 Slay The Spire

Who would like it?

Fans of deck builders and roguelikes will lose hours, days, weeks, months and even possibly years to Slay The Spire. An expertly tuned deck building roguelike where each failed attempt only makes you stronger, Slay The Spire is a furiously brilliant exercise in risk, reward and strategy that no other entry in the deck building genre can match. Easily one of the best games of 2019. Hands down.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we awarded Slay the Spire a perfect 10/10 score and said “A sublime, impeccably crafted roguelike card-battler that is absolutely without peer, Slay the Spire cements its place as one of the best games of this console generation. This. Is. Essential..”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

US PlayStation Store ($24.99), UK/EU PlayStation Store (£19.99)

Songbird Symphony (Rhythm Platformer)

Holiday Gift Guide 2019 Songbird Symphony

Who would like it?

Kids and adults alike who enjoy Disney movies, retro platforming games and catchy songs will find much to enjoy with Songbird Symphony. As a bird called ‘birb’ (we’re not kidding) who has just been hatched, Songbird Symphony is all about guiding a diminutive little bird through a world shaped by song and magic as he attempts to find the truth behind his origins.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we awarded Songbird Symphony a 9.5/10 score and said “Songbird Symphony is one of the best games I have played this year. It came from no-where and melted my heart. It’s a fantastic blend of several genres that is truly unique. It’s a fun, easy-going musical adventure with a touching story. The art style and music is to die for and I cannot find any faults with it whatsoever. I want to play it for the first time all over again.”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

US PlayStation Store ($16.99), UK/EU PlayStation Store (£12.99)

The Messenger (Platforming Adventure)

Holiday Gift Guide 2019 The Messenger

Who would like it?

Anyone who is fan of great, pitch perfect retro platformers with a dash of Metroid and heaps of humor, will absolutely fall in love with The Messenger. After a group of demons destroy his clan, players are cast as a young ninja who must deliver a mysterious scroll to the top of a nearby mountain, kicking off a time-travelling, comedy stuffed platforming odyssey in the process.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we awarded The Messenger a 9/10 score and said “Resolutely challenging without ever being unfair, frequently gut-bustingly humorous and stuffed with all manner of unexpected twists and turns, The Messenger one of the most essential platformers on PS4. It really is that simple..”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

US PlayStation Store ($19.99), UK/EU PlayStation Store (£15.99)

Torchlight 2 (Dungeon Crawler, Hack & Slash)

Holiday Gift Guide 2019 Torchlight 2

Who would like it?

Anyone who has even the slightest fondness for Diablo 3 will greatly enjoy Torchlight 2. A port of a PC sequel that came out some seven years ago, Torchlight 2 is nonetheless still one of the best dungeon crawlers that money can buy. Stuffed with epic quests, all new dungeons, multiplayer and a range of pets to obtain and fishing to do, you really can’t go wrong with Torchlight 2.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we awarded Torchlight 2 an 8.5/10 score and said “Seven years after its initial release, Torchlight 2 finally graces the console generation and proves that you don’t have to have Diablo in your title to make an impact. Torchlight 2 is a near-perfect dungeon crawler that no fan of the genre can afford to miss.”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

US PlayStation Store ($16.99), UK/EU PlayStation Store (£13.59)

Wargroove (Turn-Based Tactics, Strategy)

Holiday Gift Guide 2019 Wargroove

Who would like it?

A beautifully crafted ode to Nintendo’s legendary Advance Wars franchise, Wargroove is a turn-based strategy game for up to four players. Once you’ve chosen your Commander from one of your different factions, you can then embark on Wargroove’s massive campaign, make your own maps and use the titular Wargrooves of each commander to change the map and save the day.

What did we think of it?

In our review, we awarded Wargroove a 9/10 score and said “Beautiful, bright and bold. Wargroove is a fun, tactical war title with a lot of content. It’s deep, rewarding, and never overwhelming. Its art style is something to die for and the presentation is beautiful. It does a great job of explaining everything gradually to the player and drip new content and features. Wargroove is a must-buy for fans of the strategy genre.”

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

US PlayStation Store ($19.99), UK/EU PlayStation Store (£15.49)