RS Recommends: The Best PlayStation 5 Games
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Sony’s PlayStation 5 had the most successful video game console launches of all time. The system has been sold out since the day it was released, and continues to sell out each time a store gets any stock. It’s easy to understand why. The PlayStation 5 is Sony’s first 4K-native video game console, blowing the PlayStation 4 away in terms of raw power.
If you’ve been lucky enough to get the system for yourself — or were given one as a gift— you’ll need some games to go with it. Below you’ll find the best PlayStation 5 titles you can get right now.
Related: Best PlayStation 5 Deals And Bundles In Stock
What Are the Best PlayStation 5 Games?
There are many factors to think about when choosing the right PlayStation video games for you; below are the most important ones, which we considered while we were researching this list.
Backward Compatibility: Many PlayStation 4 games can be played natively on the PlayStation 5 thanks to a feature called backward compatibility. You can download digital versions of these games from the PlayStation store, or pop in your disc.
Genres: Different types of games appeal to different people, so we’ve made sure to include titles from the biggest genres: action-adventure, fighting, racing, and simulation.
ESRB Rating: The Electronic Software Rating Board determines which games are appropriate for which age group. It’s the equivalent of movie ratings like G, PG, PG-13, etc. Our guide contains games that span that spectrum but make sure to call out why each game has earned the rating it did.
Multiplayer vs. Single Player: We made sure to balance out the games in this guide so that single-player and multiplayer games are included. If you’re the only one in your household who plays games, the single-player titles we’ve chosen will last hundreds of hours but can be played in smaller chunks of time. If you want to play with friends and family, our multiplayer selections can be played over and over again without getting stale.
Online Play: Some games we chose require a subscription to PlayStation Plus, Sony’s subscription service. A PlayStation Plus membership allows you to play games online, and get exclusive discounts on certain titles. Sony also releases free, full PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games for PlayStation Plus customers every month, which you can play for the duration of your subscription.
1. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is the follow-up to Marvel’s Spiderman — and is just as good. You’ve got dozens of hours ahead of you as you work your way through an action-packed adventure in a hyper realistic version of New York City.
Miles Morales is the best PlayStation 5 game we’ve played so far. Its fast-paced combat and thoughtful story are linked to a progression system that encourages you to explore, complete side missions, and upgrade your abilities. Each new move or power expands your arsenal, offering the ability to deal with enemies and traverse the environment in a number of ways.
You’ll need a mix of stealth and combat to make your way through the game, but you get to set the balance between the two. This dynamic keeps the game fresh each time you pick up the controller.
2. Elden Ring
Elden Ring is the newest spiritual successor of the Dark Souls series and is already one of the highest-rated games of 2022.
Elden Ring is best defined as an action/adventure, role-playing game with an open-world design, similar to games like Zelda Breath of the Wild. The goal is simple: fight your way till you achieve the Elden Lord title, a.k.a. you will die a lot.
It’s not the most beginner-friendly game. Especially if you’ve never played a Souls game before, so keep in mind you’ll need a little patience as you figure out combat moves and how to explore the map.
The end result, however, is unbelievably rewarding as Elden Ring is an absolute masterpiece, with realistic graphics that will transport you right out of reality into a fantasy world that will have you gripping your controller with excitement for what comes next.
3. Horizon Forbidden West
The much-anticipated sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn lived up to the hype during its initial release. Another open-world design (see the theme here?), Horizon Forbidden West combines breathtaking landscapes and an intriguing story in a nice little sci-fi package.
Your goal is to fight robotic monsters as you look for an artificial intelligence capable of terraforming — humanity’s only hope for survival. In short, your goal is to save the world, but Horizon Forbidden West is not really about the goal, it’s about your journey through a vast land filled with beaches, snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and of course, evolved robotic monsters that give earth’s most dangerous predators a run for their money.
4. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is the latest entry in Sony’s popular LittleBigPlanet franchise. The kid-friendly platformer sees you navigating perilous worlds filled with long gaps, environmental hazards, and cute (but dangerous) enemies.
This title is a great introduction to video games for younger players, while providing a fair amount of challenge for veterans. If you’ve purchased the game on PlayStation 4, you’ll automatically have access to the PlayStation 5 version when you pick up the new console.
5. Demon’s Souls
Demon’s Souls made waves when it was originally released in 2010 on the PlayStation 3, but this remastered edition features such a leap in graphics and gameplay that it’ll feel like a new game.
The game sees you raiding a castle full of subtle traps and gruesome monsters waiting around every turn. This game requires you to spend time mastering its combat, or you’ll risk being killed over, and over, and over again. Make no mistake, this game is incredibly difficult, but you’ll get a lot of satisfaction once you’ve hit a groove.
6. Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition carries on the series’ tradition of brutal, demon-killing action set in an apocalyptic world. It’s your job to get to slay the deadly beast that’s currently ravaging the planet. We’ve played the game for a little while, and were impressed at how smoothly it ran.
Combat is incredibly satisfying, and the combat (the game’s heart) is both rewarding and challenging. Killing multiple enemies with a standard weapon feels great, but mixing and matching special abilities keeps it feeling fresh.
7. Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
This open-world combat-style samurai game is based (loosely) on the very real invasion of Japan by the Mongol Empire in 1274.
The visuals are the best part — imagine vast fields of flowers, lush forests and other forms of natural beauty at every corner you turn.
As for the gameplay, explore the historically accurate land of Tsushima as you fight and overthrow enemies, solve quests and get stronger with the final goal of defeating the game’s cunning villain.
Plus, the Director’s Cut comes with the Ghost of Tsushima: Iki Island expansion which give you an entire new island to explore on a 10-12 hour journey, making it well worth your money.
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