The Best PS5 Games
The top 15 games for PlayStation 5
It's been another extraordinary start to a console generation for Sony, with PS5 nearly matching PS4's initial sales pace despite significant hardware shortages. Sony has once again found success with solid hardware and a steady stream of excellent exclusives, which the company is now looking to complement with the introduction of an "all-new PlayStation Plus". To help you sort through the current next-gen catalog, we've compiled this list of the 15 best PS5 games you can play right now.
Our list is updated to feature all PS5 games — no more PS4 backward-compatible games. Our main qualifier now is that, given how many cross-gen games there are, games on this list have to have a dedicated next-gen version available.
Some games make excellent use of the DualSense controller’s innovative haptic feedback, others will make your gaming TV shine with 4K gameplay, and some are just plain great games. Without further ado, here are our updated picks for the 15 best PS5 games.
Most recent updates were made on April 26, 2022.
More on the best of PlayStation:
15. Hitman 3
Hitman 3 acts as the finale in IO Interactive’s phenomenal “World of Assassination” trilogy, turning Agent 47 loose on some of the biggest and most intricate levels yet, including the inspired Dartmoor Mansion. And it's perhaps the finest example of IO's formula: He can assassinate his victims with badass cold-blooded efficiency, or trigger some Rube Goldberg-style series of events that results in a much more comical death... or if something backfires, a Wile E. Coyote-grade failure.
When making a new Hitman game for next-gen consoles, IO Interactive could’ve shipped one game and called it a day, but they also remastered the first two games to the point that they’re visually indistinguishable from the latest installment (sold separately, unless you own them already, in which case it’s a free upgrade). In any case, the World of Assassination Trilogy was great on PS4, but it’s even better on PS5. Anyway, long story short, you can kill a guy by making him slip on a banana peel, which is funny anywhere, but on PS5 it’s also very pretty thanks to increased resolution, smooth 60fps, and an overall smoother experience over the last-gen version.
Check out IO's breakdown of Hitman 3 Year 2 for more on what's to come in 2022.
14. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy is a nostalgia-fueled cosmic romp that creates a distinct, if clearly inspired, take on Marvel's group of intergalactic a-holes. The gorgeous art and the genuinely endearing story are packed full of charm and humor, and it’s all elevated by a stellar voice cast that succeeds in evoking our favorite space heroes for hire but with their own unique, memorable takes. Whether you are blasting your way through a Nova Corps base or exploring Knowhere, there is never a dull moment thanks to various pieces of context-sensitive dialogue. In fact, Guardians might just have some of the best party banter ever.
Guardians also features a killer soundtrack that’s jam-packed with arguably some of the best songs from the ’80s, as well as an entire album by the fictional band Star-Lord. At the heart of its story, it deals with themes of loss, grief, and the power of a found family. While these themes may be the ones you’d expect in a Guardians of the Galaxy game, it's the phenomenal execution that makes this one worth the trip.
Guardians of the Galaxy won IGN's award for best video game story of 2021. For more on how that story came to be, check out our interview with the Guardians voice cast.
13. Final Fantasy 7 Remake/Intergrade
Final Fantasy VII Remake/Intergrade was the pipe dream that many fans hoped would happen but didn’t believe would see the light of day. Seeing the first chapter of FFVII remake in crisp HD and fully voice-acted not only made the day for those who tout it as the best in the franchise but also for those who may have missed out in the PS1 era. It's a shining example of how far gaming has come in the five generations of Playstation.
The game updated more than its visuals opting for faster real-time action that rewards skill and preparation while still allowing anyone who wants the traditional turn-based combat a way to choose that option as well. Because you never get to leave Midgar, Square-Enix improved and added to the side stories with the other members of Avalanche, your time in Wall Market, and added a few more areas to expand upon the original. The materia system is back and optimized with new materia for the updated gameplay style and introduces new ones to compliment it.
The Intermission expansion puts Yuffie front and center and gives her a chance to shine before the next release. It includes arguably the best and most engaging combat via her elemental ninjutsu, synergy attacks, and other ninja skills. Both the core game and the Intermission DLC add to the context of the world and give a sneak peek at what we can expect for the next installment of the FFVII Remake and is worth a try for the first time and longtime fans of Final Fantasy.
12. Sifu
Martial arts beat-em-ups are one of the oldest genres in video games, and yet even within its vast history, there’s nothing quite like Sifu. In many ways it serves as a throwback to the days where games had to be beaten with a limited number of lives or continues, only in Sifu, instead of your lives decreasing every time you die, your age increases as you inch closer and closer to the end of your lifespan, forcing you to get through the early stages with enough of a lifespan left over to complete the rest of the game. This premise makes Sifu a uniquely punishing, but also immensely rewarding experience, one that would’ve fell flat if its combat wasn’t extraordinary. Fortunately, the combat is better than extraordinary, it’s absolutely exquisite, with some of the best motion captured martial arts you’ll find in video games, with seamless animation, incredible authenticity, and brutal impacts to every strike.
11. Control Ultimate Edition
Control is a wonderfully weird game. On one hand, it’s very Remedy - the game’s tone, gameplay, and mixed-media previously used in games such as Alan Wake and Quantum Break feels familiar. On the other hand, it’s something wholly original. Control showcases more style in its full-screen title treatments than many games do in their entire aesthetics, and its suite of psychic abilities to inflict pain upon your foes is utterly bonkers.
Sometimes funny, sometimes scary, and always interesting, Control is a one-of-a-kind game that shouldn’t be missed. And the Ultimate Edition is worth playing for the new bells and whistles added on the PS5, especially if you’re interested in Remedy’s extended universe and if you would like to make use of PS5's Activity Cards in a way few games had so far. Just be warned: you will never look at a refrigerator the same way again.
Remedy is now working on a Control multiplayer game, the long-awaited Alan Wake 2, a free-to-play co-op shooter codenamed Vanguard, and remakes of Max Payne 1 and 2.
10. Ghost of Tsushima Directors Cut
When Ghost of Tsushima was released on the PlayStation 4, it already felt like a next-gen game thanks to its stunning visuals and impressive open world; it was clear Sucker Punch had learned a lot about creating an engaging open world since its (admittedly admirable for the time) efforts on the Infamous franchise. But the Director's Cut is the definitive take on Ghost of Tsushima, and it's all the better on the PS5.
This robust package, even as a refined PS4 game, makes great use of the DualSense in both exploration and combat. Add in new lip sync for Japanese voice over, and, somehow, visual and performance improvements, and you’ve got what is the must-play version of a must-play PlayStation game.
As Sony moves deeper into the live-service market, the company assured PlayStation owners it will continue developing "single-player narrative-based games such as Ghost of Tsushima."
9. Astro's Playroom
The DualSense Controller is one of the most defining characteristics of the PS5, as the nuanced haptic feedback and strategically used adaptive triggers create a level of immersion that feels genuinely special. Nowhere is that tech better showcased than in Astro's Playroom which is – quite literally – designed to show off the capabilities of the Dualsense controller.
But this would-be tech demo is also a fantastic game in its own right, with a delightful set of worlds to explore that all celebrate a different facet of the PS5 and the different eras of PlayStation software and hardware. Astro's Playroom reminds players why they've loved PlayStation while giving them a reason to fall in love all over again. Its solid platforming, fun environmental puzzles, and enticing set of collectibles will have you gunning for the platinum and getting it in no time.
8. Deathloop
Arkane Studios’ Deathloop is undoubtedly one of the more unique experiences to grace the PS5 so far. Arkane builds on the immersive sim bones from its past to create an incredibly dense and playful world. Figuring out the right paths to take, weapons and powers to use, and even times of day to visit certain locations makes exploration its own puzzle, and Arkane's beautiful, Saul Bass-inspired world is filled with peculiar oddities to pick up on and exploit to complete your objectives. In a time where timeloops are the feature du jour in gaming, Deathloop's is one of the most unique and satisfying to navigate, making knowledge its own reward, on top of a suite of incredible powers. And don't even get us started on its stunning soundtrack.
7. Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil has never shied away from the mystical and supernatural, and Village leans into those themes more than any entry in the series to date. From severed hands that can just be simply reattached, to floating killer dolls, to nine foot tall lady vampires, Resident Evil Village feels like wandering through a demented circus. In one fell swoop, it gave us what will go on to become one of the most recognizable Resi villains ever: Lady Dimitrescu, while still respecting the main antagonist's story that began in Resident Evil 7.
It brings the series back to its Metroidvania roots, requiring you to revisit areas seen several times throughout your playthrough, but with new tools at your disposal to explore them. It’s by far the most fantastical the series has ever gotten, and it remains to be seen whether or not Resident Evil will ever return to its more straightforward zombie roots, or at this point, if we’d even want it to.
Resident Evil Village DLC will be released for free sometime in the future, according to Capcom. The company is also reportedly working on a Resident Evil 4 remake that will be more horror-focused than the original.
6. Demon's Souls
Bluepoint Games had some high expectations to meet with the PS5 remake of Demon’s Souls. Not only was it an anticipated remake of a beloved and landmark game, but also as the first major showcase of what a dedicated PS5 game of this scope could look like.
Fortunately, Bluepoint delivered, and Demon’s Souls is not only jaw-droppingly gorgeous, but it’s also incredibly faithful to the source material.It's handily one of the deepest, richest, and most challenging experiences currently found on the console.
Developer Bluepoint Games was officially acquired by PlayStation in 2021. The studio's next project will be an original game, rather than another remake.
5. Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart
As Insomniac's first truly exclusive PS5 game, Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart is a stunning showcase for what Sony's next-gen console can do, thanks to a series practically built to take advantage of all the new bells and whistles. Whether you're a newcomer to the duo's adventures or a longtime fan since the PS2 days, there's charm a-plenty to be found in returning characters, and brand new ones like the incredible Rivet and Kit.
The delightful, and surprisingly emotional story, is at the core of a theme park ride-like adventure through a host of varied alien worlds, which are stunningly realized in both depth and clarity of detail while running so smoothly on the PS5. And Rift Apart includes one of the franchise's best suite of weapons, from the wacky Topiary Sprinkler to the powerful Executor, all of which make great use of both the DualSense's haptics and adaptive triggers. Ratchet and Clank may be one of the longest-running Sony franchises still seeing new entries, but if Rift Apart is any indication, there's still so much life, humor, and dazzling action to left to experience.
4. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Though not a full-blown sequel, this standalone expansion sends Peter Parker on vacation and leaves his young spider-apprentice Miles Morales to look after New York. Building on the rock-solid foundations of Insomniac's first game, New York has been gorgeously blanketed with snow, holiday cheer, and next-gen polish.
The improvements aren't just cosmetic, however – the eponymous hero has a few more spider-powers at his disposal than Peter Parker, and these are cleverly adapted into new gameplay mechanics that, while they don't reinvent the wheel, they put enough of a spin on it to make it feel fresh - sometimes literally, thanks to the DualSense controller. It doesn't feature as robust of a campaign or as many colorful villains as 2018's Spider-Man, but Miles Morales' story has just as much charm and heart as its predecessor, possibly more. Its tagline of "Be Greater" set a high bar, but Miles Morales somersaults over it with ease.
And if you're loving Miles Morales but somehow missed out on or want to replay its predecessor, there's no reason not to get the ultimate edition and pick up Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered as well. We previously had MSMR as a standalone game on this list because it was such a great port, but considering the breadth of games we want to now highlight on the PS5, and its availability only as a part of Miles' special edition, we decided to couple it with our recommendation here.
Insomniac has announced two new games since the release of Miles Morales: a Spider-Man sequel that continues the journeys of Peter Parker and Miles Morales, as well as a Wolverine game.
3. Returnal
Returnal is a trailblazer of sorts. Roguelikes have long been one of the most popular genres on the indie scene, with games like Spelunky 2, Dead Cells, Enter the Gungeon, and The Binding of Isaac leading the charge, but in the AAA space, we’ve never really seen anything quite like Returnal. Returnal combines Housemarque’s expertise in intense, bullet hell, arcadey shoot-em-ups, with deep roguelike mechanics and a dense, chilling atmosphere, resulting in unforgettable experiences. Returnal’s one issue on release was the inability to suspend its lengthy runs and save your progress, but since that’s been patched, it’s hard to find flaws in this incredibly bold and ambitious take on the AAA roguelike.
Returnal: Ascension, a free update that adds campaign co-op and a new survival mode, is now available.
2. Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West builds on the already impressive foundations of Horizon Zero Dawn to tell a deeper, more thrilling story that amps up the series’ explosive fights against complex robotic foes and blockbuster action sequences, while also adding lively settlements and thoughtful, intriguing sidequests to the world. The Forbidden West itself is absolutely gorgeous on PS5 - ranging from the incredibly detailed faces of the people you meet and costumes they wear to sweeping and frequently stunning landscapes. There’s a genuine sense of exploration, and loads of completely involving worldbuildingto uncover as well for those wanting to learn more. A triumphant combination of enthralling combat, top-tier creature and character design, and a captivating open world, Horizon Forbidden West is an absolute blast and fantastic showcase for the power of the PS5.
1. Elden Ring
It’s hard to encapsulate everything that makes Elden Ring such a monumental game in a short blurb, but let’s try: at the core of it all is Elden Ring’s incredible sense of freedom and discovery. There are open world games that are bigger than Elden Ring, prettier than Elden Ring, and quite frankly run better than Elden Ring, but few, if any, are as robust or as rewarding.
The Lands Between is positively littered with branching paths that lead to catacombs, dungeons, caves, forts, castles, towers, even entire underground cities, and within each of them is some sort of unique challenge, from a trap filled crypt with insta-kill chariots racing down every slope, to one of Elden Ring's many fantastic boss fights. The best part of it all is that every challenge comes with its own bountiful reward that may bend the difficulty curve in your favor, whether that’s a new spell, summon, weapon, or material that lets you upgrade your gear. Elden Ring can be an extraordinarily difficult game, sure, but the freedom it gives you to maneuver through or around that difficulty is absolutely liberating, and makes it the most universally recommendable From Software game yet.
Upcoming PS5 Games
Closing out a relatively slow month for new PS5 games are The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe, a "significant expansion" to the 2013 original narrative-driven adventure, and the free-to-play battle royale Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt. Both games will be released on April 27.
Looking ahead to the first week of May, we have the black-and-white samurai game Trek to Yomi. Out on May 5, Yomi features "promising action combat" within a combination of free exploration areas and side-scrolling environments, according to our hands-on preview.
Updates: On April 26, 2022, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Kena Bridge of Spirits, and Assassin's Creed Valhalla were removed from the list, while Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West, and Sifu were added. Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Returnal, Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart, Demon's Souls, Resident Evil Village, Deathloop, Astro's Playroom, Ghost of Tsushima Directors Cut, Control Ultimate Edition, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Marvels Guardians of the Galaxy, and Hitman 3 also shifted positions on the list.
