The PS5 is probably the best console on the market right now, offering a superb catalogue of games, an array of exclusives, and a clear vision for the future. It’s also the best placed machine to take advantage of the technical advancements this generation, especially with how photorealistic many of Sony’s games are.
However, a lot of the best games on the PS5 are still cross-platform games or the previous generation’s games, especially if you’re joining the PlayStation family for the first time. Here, we’ll take a look at the best games to get you started with must-play experiences, but we’ll also be noting where you might prefer to pick up the sequel if you already had a PS4.
Astro Bot
If you only play one game on the PS5, well… that would be a huge waste of money on a console. But, if that really is your plan, that one game simply has to be Astro Bot. It’s one of the steadily growing arsenal of exclusives on the machine, and possibly the greatest platformer of all time. While it’s technically a sequel to Playroom, that’s a pack-in digital game for the PS5, and more of a tech demo than a full game.
Astro Bot expands on the creativity in Playroom and adds much more depth that elevates it from a showcase of features into an instant classic video game. It also acts as a tour of PlayStation history, as you go through each level rescuing mascots from games gone by. Can you recognise them all?
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
The first in the Horizon series focuses on Aloy and her journey through a post-apocalyptic world and how it all came to be. Probably one of the nicest-looking games to ever release on PlayStation, the intricate battles with killer robots and unique equipment make an ideal first impression.
Both the sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, and Zero Dawn have extensive DLC that expand on the story without forcing you to commit to more robot gameplay than you can handle. Both Horizon titles are perfect if you want to dive into a new sci-fi franchise.
Sequel alert: Horizon Forbidden West
Spider-Man Remastered
If you want to get in on the web-swinging action that made the PS5 revered, the remastered version of Marvel’s Spider-Man is the best way to get introduced to the story and feel the progression of the mechanics. However, starting with Miles Morales or Spider-Man 2 won’t hold you back.
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With the best web-swinging and level design compared to any Spider-Man game before it, the Remastered version makes the best use of the adaptive triggers and DualSense controls. If you just want a bite-sized Spider-Man adventure without the story context, get Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
Sequel alert: Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Spider-Man 2
Elden Ring
The most anticipated From Software game since it was originally announced, Elden Ring has proved to be the pinnacle of Soulslike titles with the largest map to date and even deeper lore, if that was ever possible. Though difficult at times, Elden Ring is the perfect game to pick up or put down whenever you need it.
The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC adds about another 24 hours of content with the toughest challenges the game has to offer if you find yourself wanting more torture by the end. Elden Ring is the best first game for those with Dark Souls experience or if you want a challenge.
Sequel alert: Multiplayer spin-off Elden Ring: Nightreign
Ghost Of Tsushima
Set in Japan in the year 1274, Ghost of Tsushima follows Jin Sakai, a fallen samurai who attempts to reclaim Japan from Mongol invaders. Ghost of Tsushima perfectly blends storytelling with mechanics in a way that allows you to adapt the narrative to your play style.
As you travel across Tsushima Island, you are given enough freedom to learn and master the controls while still providing obstacles with a high skill ceiling that makes it continuously interesting. Of all the single-player narrative games on PlayStation, Ghost ranks among the best.
Sequel alert: Ghost of Yotei
No Man’s Sky
Despite a rough launch and months to years of emergency development, No Man’s Sky is barely recognizable from its initial release in the best way possible. With the release of the Worlds Part One update, No Man’s Sky outclasses all other space sims on the PlayStation store.
The unique part of No Man’s Sky gameplay is the exhaustive list of upgrades and changes you can make to your base, character, ships, and weapons that make you feel like you are always progressing. What started as a barren cluster of sandboxes in space has become lived-in worlds ripe for exploring.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Recognized as one of the greatest RPGs of all time, Baldur’s Gate 3 takes you across Faerûn in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, uncovering a massive plot involving worms in your brain. BG3 also doesn’t require knowledge of D&D mechanics or the story of the previous two games to get started.
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What makes BG3 infinitely replayable is the degree of freedom you have when making choices that affect the story while giving you hundreds of options to mix and match your character. No two games of BG3 will look the same and will surprise you every time.
Red Dead Redemption 2
A prequel to the original Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 follows a new character in John Marston’s life who attempts to save his band of outlaws from outside forces. With one of the richest stories ever told combined with fantastic acting, RDR2 should be a game everyone has the chance to play.
RDR2 also takes its setting seriously and grips the heart of what makes Western movies and games so intangibly captivating while never getting stale.
Cyberpunk 2077
Also launching with a rocky start, Cyberpunk 2077 was a buggy mess that was continuously unoptimized and somewhat unplayable. Since then, CD Projekt Red has gone above and beyond in making Cyberpunk 2077 one of the greatest sci-fi action games to date.
Filled with jobs to score, secrets to find, and companions to meet, 2077 has mastered immersion and setting in a way that makes it difficult to even put photo mode down. The Phantom Liberty DLC also included enough content to be a game in its own right, with Idris Elba to tie it all together.
The Last Of Us Part 1 Remastered
The remastered prequel to The Last of Us Part 2 and the franchise that spawned an award-winning TV show, the story of Joel and Ellie surviving through an infested apocalypse is one of the best ever told in gaming. It is also fairly forgiving and not shy about including plenty of accessibility options.
The game itself is great at not overwhelming you with unnecessary game mechanics and looting that take away from the story while still providing new and unique challenges that keep it feeling fresh. Any game in The Last of Us franchise is enough to be the best first game you could play on the PS5.
Sequel alert: The Last of Us Part 2
15 Best RPGs On PS5
Explore massive worlds with sharper graphics than ever before.
