Released at the tail end of 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic, the PlayStation 5 got off to a bit of a slow start. In the years that have followed, though, the PS5's library has expanded quite a bit and now boasts an excellent selection of titles that can cater to the wants and needs of most gamers.
The Best Single-Player PS5 Games, Ranked
The best single-player games on the PlayStation 5 are typically narrative-driven affairs, built around compelling characters and fantastic storylines.
The best PlayStation 5 games span multiple genres and offer unparalleled experiences when compared to many of their peers. Some of them are exclusive to the console, but there also are one or two third-party titles that are available on other platforms amidst the system's top titles.
7 Gran Turismo 7
87 Metacritic Rating (PS5)
There are plenty of great PS5 racing games, both when it comes to realistic driving simulations and fun-filled arcade-style experiences. Gran Turismo 7 is arguably the pick of the bunch through, providing players with a ridiculous amount of cars and tracks and unparalleled levels of authenticity.
After receiving heavy criticism for its aggressive monetization at launch, the game really came into its own in the months and years that followed. Regular updates have helped to keep the experience from growing stale, while the game's VR support is incredibly immersive, providing yet another reason to check it out.
Gran Turismo 7
- Released
- March 24, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Polyphony Digital
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Genre(s)
- Racing
6 Horizon Forbidden West
88 Metacritic Rating (PS5)
Horizon Forbidden West is one of the best-looking games on the PlayStation 5. Its story and setting wouldn't feel out of place in a best-selling sci-fi novel, and it boasts a fantastic cast of supporting characters who are a joy to spend time with. Also, players get to ride robotic animals, which is pretty cool.
Anybody who enjoyed Horizon Zero Dawn should love Aloy's second outing; even if the protagonist herself can sometimes be a bit of a wet blanket. Learning more about society's collapse and exploring the ruins of the old ones is a lot of fun, and combat is surprisingly good for a story-heavy ARPG.
Horizon Forbidden West
- Released
- February 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Guerrilla Games
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
5 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
92 Metacritic Rating (PS5)
Much like its predecessor, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth does an excellent job of further fleshing out the world of Gaia, while also consolidating story beats and characters from the Compilation of Final Fantasy 7 collection. Combat is fast-paced and exciting too, and the story is masterfully told.
Although it could perhaps be argued that the devs went a little over the top when it came to mini-games (particularly with players needing to engage with so many of them as part of the main story), the changes made from the original game are mostly for the better. Even the ones that aren't are pretty easy to overlook.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Released
- February 29, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
4 Marvel's Spider-Man 2
90 Metacritic Rating (PS5)
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 can be challenging if players crank up the difficulty, although this arguably makes things a lot less fun. The whole point of a superhero game is to make players feel as though they're unstoppable, and the 2023 title definitely does this when played on the default difficulty setting.
The Best Open World PS5 Games, Ranked
The best open-world games on the PlayStation 5 push the system to its absolute limits, offering players some of the most stunning locations in gaming.
Swinging through the streets of New York has never felt so liberating, and although the story falls a little short of the ones found in some of the many great Spider-Man games of yesteryear, it's far from a bad one. It's the best Marvel's Spider-Man to date and a must-play for fans of the previous two games.
3 Elden Ring
96 Metacritic Rating (PS5)
For those who enjoy a good Soulsborne game, Elden Ring just might be the best PlayStation 5 game on the market. The only thing holding it back is its challenging difficulty, although, for a lot of people, this is actually a huge positive and one of many things that makes this game so great.
Elden Ring offers all of the same gameplay goodness that players have come to expect from Soulsborne titles and combines it with an incredible story and a world drenched in rich lore. This isn't to say that other FromSoftware games don't also have these things, but Elden Ring arguably leads the way.
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
2 Baldur's Gate 3
96 Metacritic Rating (PS5)
Baldur's Gate 3 can seem a little daunting at first, particularly for those who don't have a lot of experience with games like Dungeons and Dragons. However, once players start to get into the swing of things, they'll find an incredible RPG experience that's unlike anything else on the market.
Where Baldur's Gate 3 shines the brightest is through the unparalleled level of agency that it gives to players. Choices actually matter, and there are usually multiple ways to get things done, allowing players to approach the game however they see fit. The writing and voice acting are fantastic as well.
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
1 God of War Ragnarok
94 Metacritic Rating (PS5)
There's very little to choose between the best PS5 games, particularly when it comes to the top three. All of them provide players with excellent narratives and unforgettable gameplay experiences, although when it comes to accessibility, there can only be one real winner.
God of War Ragnarok's combat is far from simple, but the game's various difficulty settings allow it to cater to players of every skill level. Switching between two different protagonists helps to keep things feeling fresh, while also offering a new perspective from which to experience the epic main story.
God of War Ragnarok
- Released
- November 9, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
The Best PS5 RPGs, Ranked
The best PS5 RPGs find ways to push the console to its limits, providing players with an engrossing experience unlike anything else that came before.