Summer is in full swing, it's sweltering outside, and the AC is getting a serious workout, making it the perfect time to kick back with some prime PlayStation 5 games sure to help beat the heat. With so many PS5 games to choose from, it's become a habit to simply open the store and scroll while consumed with decision fatigue. Thankfully, I've come up with some suggestions across different genres, and one is sure to pique your interest.
These five games range from nostalgic to new, and from bizarre to familiar, but regardless of which you choose, the weekend will be made better for it. Sure, you could venture out into the sun, but there's plenty of exploration to be done with a PS5 controller securely in your hands.
All Big Upcoming PS5 Games For 2026 & Beyond
From JRPGs to platform, racing, and open-world titles, here are all the big new PS5 games releasing in 2026 and later.
Here are five PlayStation 5 games I recommend picking up this weekend to stay cool while also getting some perfect summer vibes and avoiding sunburn.
Paradise Killer
The most bizarre title on this list belongs at the top, and Paradise Killer is nothing if not monumentally strange. In the adventure mystery title, players step into the role of Lady Love Dies, an exiled investigator who is asked to figure out who committed a mass murder on Paradise Island. Throughout her adventures, she begins to realize that everyone on the island is hiding something, making getting to the truth even more complex. The game's open world is anything but normal, filled with allusions to demons and ancient alien gods, and players can take as long as they'd like to solve Paradise Killer's mystery by speaking to other characters and hunting down various types of clues. The summer vibes are also immaculate, thanks in part to the title's city pop-inspired soundtrack.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 85%
- Released
- September 4, 2020
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Kaizen Game Works
- Publisher(s)
- Fellow Traveller
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Indie Games, RPG
Shadow Labyrinth
Throughout 2025 and 2026, Bandai Namco is celebrating Pac-Man's 45th anniversary, collaborating with well-known brands and teasing new releases. Shadow Labyrinth, which is a new release this weekend, may not look like a Pac-Man game at first glance, but it re-imagines the franchise's core concepts in a way that may appeal to more modern gamers. The Metroidvania action-adventure title transforms players into The Swordsman as they explore a massive maze while fighting enemies and progressively upgrading their gear. Occasionally, the main character and his companion orb, Puck, will be transported to classic arcade-styled mazes where they must eat ghosts in an homage to the original release. Summer always invokes a feeling of nostalgia for yesteryear, and this new release is sure to evoke some feelings in older gamers.
- Released
- July 18, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen // Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bandai Namco Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Engine
- Unity
WHERE TO PLAY
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Sure, since Infinite Wealth is a direct sequel, you'll need to play (or have played) Like a Dragon first, but that's a small price to pay for this chaotic Hawaii-bound adventure. Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu's quests to find the former's mother can take over 100 hours to complete, meaning that you'll have a perfect excuse to avoid the heat while beating up punks, singing karaoke, making deliveries, and hunting down collectibles. The game was also one of the highest-rated titles of 2024, still earning praise for its story and seemingly endless amount of content. If you haven't experienced the world of Yakuza / Like a Dragon just yet, it may be time. (Also, once you're done, you may also be interested in picking up Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Though, that's a story for another day.)
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- January 26, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Simulated Gambling, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Engine
- Dragon Engine
- Franchise
- Yakuza
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Dave the Diver
Despite initially being released in 2023, Dave the Diver has been in the news lately, with the action-adventure management title currently crossing over with the long-running MMORPG MapleStory. In the effortlessly addictive game, players must, as the title implies, go diving during the day, while also running a sushi restaurant at night. Several DLC based on popular properties have also been released for Dave the Diver as well, including Dredge, the Godzilla franchise, Balatro, Potion Craft, and the aforementioned Like a Dragon. The title's classic pixel art aesthetic and varied gameplay have been a hit with fans, and there's more to come, as Dave the Diver's In the Jungle DLC is scheduled to be released in late 2025. Actually venturing out to the ocean and going diving sounds like a bit of a chore, but this is the next best thing.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 100%
- Released
- June 28, 2023
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
- Mintrocket
- Publisher(s)
- Mintrocket
- Engine
- Unity
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Simulation, Adventure
Forza Horizon 5
The Forza series has been an Xbox-exclusive franchise since the release of Forza Motorsport in 2005, but times have changed. Earlier this year, Forza Horizon 5 made the leap to PS5, and unsurprisingly, the racing title has taken off on the platform, selling over 2 million copies in its first month on Sony's console. Set in a fictionalized representation of Mexico, the game features sprawling jungle landscapes, pristine beaches, and accurate weather patterns, along with over 800 cars and 1,800 accolades to earn. Even gamers who don't typically pick up racing titles may want to give Forza Horizon 5 a try, if only to take in the ultra-realistic scenery. Why venture outside your home when you can bring a high-octane summer vacation to your living room?
Forza Horizon 5
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 100%
- Released
- November 9, 2021
- ESRB
- E for Everyone // In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Playground Games
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Forza Tech
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World