Summary
- PlayStation 5 owners should consider adding these games to their collection for fun, accessibility, and amazing hardware utilization.
- Horizon Forbidden West offers a unique setting and expansive open-world gameplay that caters to a wide audience.
- Elden Ring provides a challenging Soulslike experience with open-ended exploration and hundreds of hours of impeccable action RPG gameplay.
The PlayStation 5 has become one of the best and most popular home consoles of the current generation. With over 77.7 million units sold since its 2020 release, many owners may be wondering which games they should buy.
Almost five years have passed since its launch, and the PS5 has accumulated a vast catalog of excellent video games from almost every popular genre, whether they were made by Sony Interactive Entertainment or by third-party developers. While there’s a lot to choose from, everyone should own the following PS5 games.They are all fun, accessible and make perfect use of the console’s incredible hardware.
The Best-Looking PS5 Games, Ranked
The best-looking games on the PlayStation 5 feature remarkable visuals and are a must-play for players who appreciate games with stunning graphics.
Horizon Forbidden West
A Massive Open-World Game With A Unique Setting
Horizon Forbidden West
- Released
- February 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Guerrilla Games
2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn had a huge impact on the PlayStation brand, and it quickly became one of its most popular exclusive franchises. After its newfound fan base waited for five years, it finally received a sequel titled Horizon Forbidden West in 2022. The new game didn’t disappoint, as it’s bigger and better than the original in every way.
Horizon takes place in a unique, fascinating post-apocalyptic world that has been overrun by animal-like machines. Its protagonist, Aloy, must take down these machines with her weapons and abilities, while also trying to unveil the world's intriguing mysteries. Forbidden West uses this brilliant concept to create an engaging narrative and to present a massive map filled to the brim with side quests, items, locations and NPCs. This is one of the most accessible and addictive open-world titles on the PS5, and it’s a key addition to players' catalogs.
Elden Ring
The Best Soulslike Currently On The Market
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
Players who want a real challenge should try out Elden Ring, the newest single-player soulslike game by legendary developer FromSoftware. This title has the action RPG gameplay that this studio is known for, complete with a methodical combat system, deadly enemies, and challenging bosses that are extremely satisfying to take down.
10 Soulslikes That Feel Like Elden Ring
Players who crave more Soulslikes that feel like Elden Ring should give the following games a shot.
But Elden Ring’s biggest selling point is the fact that it takes place in a giant open world that players can explore in an open-ended way, meaning that they can go wherever they want, whenever they want. This brilliant switch-up in the formula elevated both the player’s customization and the quality of the boss fights. PS5 users who are familiar with the soulslike genre should try out Elden Ring if they haven’t yet, because this game will give them hundreds of hours of fun and frustration.
God Of War Ragnarok
The Long-Awaited Second Part Of Kratos’ Journey Through Norse Mythology
God of War Ragnarok
- Released
- November 9, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
God of War (2018) revitalized the God of War franchise by putting its protagonist, Kratos, in a brand-new setting based on Norse mythology, and cleverly humanized him by giving him a son named Atreus. This reboot received a sequel named God of War Ragnarok in 2023, which surpassed its predecessor in every way.
Ragnarok doubled down on the Norse setting by introducing even more iconic locations, creatures, races, and gods, including Kratos’ long-awaited confrontation against both Thor and Odin. Ragnarok’s action-adventure gameplay is among the best in the entire series, with a fluid and fast-paced combat system that allows the player to partake in battles against deadly monsters and powerful gods.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
This Modern Remake Of A Classic Game Lived Up To The Hype
Resident Evil 4
- Released
- March 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
More seasoned PS5 users may find all these modern cinematic/open-world titles to be a bit overwhelming and may wish to play something more lineal and simplistic. Resident Evil 4 Remake is perfect for this, because it’s literally a modern reimagining of one of the best PS2 games ever made.
This game takes everything that made the original Resident Evil 4 so special — its setting, characters, weapons, and replayability — and gives it a modern coat of paint, made possible by Capcom’s RE Engine. Every character, enemy, boss, and location look amazing. The gameplay didn’t suffer either, because Resident Evil 4 Remake also features precise, fast-paced third-person shooter mechanics. Since it’s technically part of the survival horror genre, it does surprise players with the occasional scare, but it’s never disturbing enough to take them away from the experience.
Final Fantasy 16
An Ambitious Action Game That Showcases The Power Of The PS5
Final Fantasy 16
- Released
- June 22, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Many people associate the name Final Fantasy with turn-based RPGs, but the most recent numbered entry in this legendary series, Final Fantasy 16, ditched that gameplay style in favor of a more accessible real-time combat system. As a result, FF16 is an excellent hybrid between action RPG and hack-and-slash, in which the player can pull off a multitude of satisfying moves.
Final Fantasy 16: Best Eikon Abilities, Ranked
Final Fantasy 16 embraces character action games with new abilities that unlock as you play. These are the best Eikon Abilities in the game, ranked.
The most impressive part of this game is its boss fights, as Square Enix has revealed that the PS5 was the only system on which they could build the massive and ambitious battles they were planning. This is because the game's protagonist, Clive Rosfield, can absorb the powers of massive creatures called the Eikons, an intriguing concept that leads to some of the most over-the-top playable segments in video game history. Final Fantasy 16 is not a perfect game, but it’s an unbelievable title that all gamers should experience.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
The Absolute Best Superhero Adventure On The Console
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
Insomniac Games took the world by storm in 2018 with Marvel's Spider-Man, which quickly became one of the best and most successful superhero video games on the market. The studio got the chance to develop its sequel for the PS5, and it utilized the console’s technical capabilities to create something even bigger, better, and more ambitious.
The result was Marvel's Spider-Man 2, an excellent open-world superhero adventure that features both “Spider-Men”, Peter Parker and Miles Morales, as playable characters. Players can switch to the other hero in an instant, without the need for any loading screens. It also features a brilliant combat system, a vast New York map that’s full of stuff to do, impeccable web-swinging mechanics, and intense encounters against classic villains, like Kraven the Hunter, Sandman, the Lizard and Venom. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is the perfect PS5 game for people who want to take on the mantle of one of the most iconic fictional heroes in the world.
Astro Bot
An Adorable Love Letter To The PlayStation Brand
Astro Bot
- Released
- September 6, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Team Asobi
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Technically speaking, all PS5 users already own Astro’s Playroom, seeing as it comes pre-downloaded on every console. Everybody should try out this excellent tech demo/3D platformer, and once they have completed it, they should buy its sequel, Astro Bot. This is a full game that takes all the clever mechanics of its predecessor and implements them into one of the best single-player experiences in recent years.
Astro Bot is the closest thing to a 3D Mario game that can be played on the PS5. It's a colorful platformer that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike, but it does have its fair share of ruthless challenges. All the levels in this game are brimming with care and creativity in every corner, and each one of them has its own set of unique mechanics that will keep the player guessing. If being a high-quality modern platformer wasn’t enough, Astro Bot is also a huge love letter to the PlayStation brand, featuring cameos from beloved gaming icons.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
An Excellent Turn-Based RPG That Everyone Can Enjoy
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Released
- April 24, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Sandfall Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
The PlayStation 5 is filled to the brim with quality titles, but some of them have similar gameplay. Additionally, fans of the turn-based RPG genre were a tad disappointed by Final Fantasy 16's real-time combat system. Fortunately, both of these criticisms were partially rectified by the release of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which is already considered one of the best games of 2025.
Made by a small team of ex-Ubisoft developers, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has made a huge impact on the gaming industry due to its innovative turn-based combat system, which cleverly implements quick-time events that keep the action engaging and dynamic. Combine this with its beautiful presentation, cast of lovable characters, and epic boss fights, and it should be no surprise that this new IP gained such a huge following in just a few months. Expedition 33 needs to be experienced by all PS5 users, even if they’re not too familiar with the turn-based genre. They won't be disappointed.
Best Games If You Are Craving Another Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
For players who loved Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and want a similar experience, these games can offer just that.