The PlayStation 5 has been with us for more than 18 months. The pandemic slowed down the production of video games leading to some well-publicised delays. However, the console has still played host to more than its fair share of excellent titles. With the introduction of the new PlayStation Plus Extra tier, subscribers now have an excellent opportunity to pick up some great games they may have missed. And even though that catalogue isn’t completely extensive, there are still plenty of games worth getting individually. So, what are the best PlayStation 5 games so far?
Here are the top 10 best PlayStation 5 games that any PS5 owner should try…
Top 10 Best PlayStation 5 Games
10. Astro’s Playroom
Astro’s Playroom was probably the first game most PS5 owners ever played on their new console. The 3D platforming game from Team Asobi came pre-installed on all PlayStation 5 systems. While a great game in its own right, it also served as a tech demo for the DualSense controller. In many ways, it is to the PS5 what Wii Sports was to the Nintendo Wii.
Astro’s Playroom showed off the DualSense’s capabilities in fantastically fun fashion and, in doing so, cemented its legacy on the console. In the game, players take Astro Bot through a range of wonderfully designed and innovative levels packed full of enticing puzzles and challenging obstacles. It’s truly a joy to play and pays homage to the legacy of PlayStation in the best possible way.
9. Sifu
Sifu launched at an interesting time. It was something of a dark horse in a month of high profile game releases. Still, despite stiff competition from Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West, and Dying Light 2, Sifu managed to stand out thanks to its beautifully implemented kung fu combat.
Sifu‘s unique ageing mechanic (in which the Martial Artist defies death but ages when defeated) and punishing difficulty make it a challenge that’s incredibly satisfying to overcome. By the end, it has you feeling like a true kung fu master.
For any fans of classic kung fu movies, Sifu is an absolute must. Read our full review.
8. Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil Village (AKA Resident Evil 8) is the latest instalment in the long-running horror franchise. It takes the series to Europe and sees Ethan Winters battle mutant creatures in a bid to save his daughter.
As a sequel to the excellent Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Village concludes Ethan’s story fittingly . He comes up against some truly gruesome and brutal foes in the form of Mother Miranda and her mutant lords. While it is lacking scares compared to its predecessor, Village will more than satisfy survival horror fans. A certain section featuring a giant deformed baby sees to that.
In its later sections, Resident Evil Village favours action over horror. This may disappoint some fans; although, it’s arguably a nice change of pace and more reminiscent of Resident Evil 5. Take a look at our complete review.
7. Chivalry 2
You might not have heard of Chivalry II. It’s flown somewhat under the radar since its release in June 2021. However, it’s one of the best multiplayer experiences you can have on PS5 – or any platform for that matter.
If you’ve ever wondered what Call of Duty would be like if they did medieval warfare – this is it. Chivalry 2 throws you into the heart of medieval battlefields in huge and varied 64-player objective based game modes.
Not only does the game look great, the gameplay is satisfying, authentic and intensely aggressive. Weapons carry real weight with each swing liable to fracturing a shield or decapitating a foe. Chivalry 2 offers an experience like no other. It’s one that necessitates ruthless skill and a passion for brutality.
6. Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West is the much-anticipated sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn. In Forbidden West, Nora tribeswoman Aloy embark on a journey to restore the Earth’s failing biosphere and defeat an invading alien race.
Horizon Zero Dawn was a landmark title for the PlayStation 4. Its wild mix of tribal weaponry and gigantic robot animals was truly unique. It made for some unforgettable encounters and battles. Thankfully, Zero Dawn‘s story and characters were equally as strong. Aloy was cemented as a fan favourite character, and gamers couldn’t wait for more.
Forbidden West picks up where the last game left off. Its story, visuals and gameplay make it a more than worthy successor. Aloy’s journey takes some shocking turns and it’s one you don’t want to miss. As a result, it’s one of the best PlayStation 5 games to-date. Check out our full review.
5. Hitman 3
Hitman 3 is the conclusion to a terrific trilogy of stealth games. It features the genetically engineered super-assassin known as Agent 47 as he embarks on a mission to eliminate high-ranking officials in the nefarious Providence organisation.
Hitman 3 follows the same formula as the two previous instalments; however, it’s refined to an absolute tee. The breadth of options at your disposal is truly breathtaking. You could play each level ten times and not see everything they have to offer. Seriously, the level design here is a work of art. Each mini-open world feels real, as do the characters that populate them. In Hitman 3, if you can think of a creative way to dispatch a target, odds are it’s possible. Nothing is off limits.
Hitman 3 might have something of a clichéd story. But it’s one of the best stealth games ever made, and one you’ll likely sink many, many hours into.
4. Demon’s Souls
2009’s Demon’s Souls is one of the most influential games ever made. Without it, we’d have no Elden Ring or Bloodborne. Hell, there’d be no Soulslike games at all. That’s why when Sony announced that Demon’s Souls was getting a remake and that it would launch alongside the PlayStation 5, expectations were incredibly high. Thankfully, those expectations were met and then some.
2020’s Demon’s Souls is a complete rebuilding of the original game for new-generation hardware. Animations, graphics, music, voice over and more were completely redone with new tech. And it is a triumphant success. Demon’s Souls takes everything that was great about the original and modernises it in the best way. It looks incredible and still provides the brutal but rewarding challenge that fans expect. For that reason, Demon’s Souls is one of the best PlayStation 5 games you can play.
3. Death Stranding: Director’s Cut
OK – Death Stranding is a divisive game. There’s no getting away from that. However, it is nothing if not innovative. When it arrived on the PS4 back in 2019, there was a sense that something was missing. Almost as if the concept was there but the tech wasn’t. Death Stranding: Director’s Cut plugs those gaps by upgrading the game with 4K resolution and 60 frames-per-second. And with that, Death Stranding finally comes into its own.
Death Stranding is a truly unique experience from the mind of Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima. It follows Sam Porter Bridges (Norman Reedus) on his mission to unlock the mysteries of the apocalyptic Death Stranding event and prevent the “Last Stranding”. Along the way, Sam (a porter) must deliver packages and resources to survivors of the apocalypse to facilitate the rebuilding of society.
Death Stranding takes the focus away from action and shifts it onto the journey itself. Many people joke that it’s a “walking simulator” – and it is. But that’s not a bad thing. Death Stranding is simultaneously beautiful, peaceful, challenging, and touching. Yeah, the story is hella complicated (to its detriment). But there’s a lot to love. Its Hollywood-level cast do a phenomenal job and the wondrous musical score builds an atmosphere like no other. Best of all, everything is enhanced for the PlayStation 5. Have a read of our full review.
2. Returnal
If you love the challenge of Demon’s Souls, Returnal delivers that and more thanks to its compelling narrative and mind-scrambling time-loop concept. Set on the far flung planet of Atropos, ASTRA Corporation explorer Selene Vassos crash lands and must fight her way through hordes of alien enemies to find a way off the ever-shifting extraterrestrial world.
Returnal is a tough game – every time Selene dies, she returns back where she started. However, the world around her has shifted. Nothing is as it was. This makes planning and strategising virtually impossible. Couple that with its fast-paced and varied combat, and you have a recipe for a hard but fun and satisfying experience. Returnal also makes better use of the DualSense controller than probably any other game out there. You feel everything.
Selene’s story is also highly compelling. While the game’s two different conclusions certainly leave things open-ended and ambiguous, the ride to get there is full of twists, emotion and horror. Be sure to check out Returnal, it’s one of the best PlayStation 5 games available. Check out our complete review.
1. Elden Ring
Elden Ring is probably the most accessible FromSoftware Soulslike game to-date. It stands at a whopping 96 on Metacritic and is regarded as one of the best games ever made.
We don’t yet know the true scope of Elden Ring‘s legacy. But it will probably be remembered for opening the genre up to a world of new possibilities. Elden Ring drops the player (a Tarnished) in the middle of The Lands Between, a fractured magical world conjured up by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin. For the first time, a FromSoftware Soulslike takes place in an open-world. And what an open-world it is. From the vast scale to the meticulously designed litany of enemies you’ll encounter across it, everything here serves a purpose. And that purpose is adventure.
You could play Elden Ring many times over and never experience everything it has to offer. There are over 100 bosses to fight and six different main endings. There’s also a ton of weapons to pick from, as well as many spells and sorceries to learn. As you’d expect, Elden Ring is damn hard, too. It takes patience, skill, and a dedication to building the best character possible.
Elden Ring is a video game for the ages. If you own a PlayStation 5, it is an absolute must play!
What do you think are the best PlayStation 5 games? Did we miss any? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
