What are the best PS5 games? The PlayStation 5 is the latest home games console from Sony, released on 12th November, 2020 in North America and a week later on the 19th November, 2020 in Europe. Of course, it's the platform holder's most powerful, most premium machine to date, promising a big shift from the previous generation thanks to some advanced bells and whistles. Its super-fast SSD cuts loading times dramatically, the Tempest 3D audio engine brings a new dimension to sound, and the DualSense PS5 controller brings new sensations with its haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
All this doesn't mean much without games, though, and in PS5's lifespan thus far, we've seen a great number of amazing titles from all corners. The console's launch lineup is one of the best, if not the best, in PlayStation's history. The flagship game from Sony was Demon's Souls, a gorgeous remake of FromSoftware's PS3 cult hit, but it was joined by many enjoyable games, including more from first-party teams. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales got things swinging in style, Sackboy: A Big Adventure was a jolly platformer for the younger market, and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War ensured the console had a CoD ready to roll. The thing is, nearly every launch game for PS5 is great — you really couldn't go far wrong.
And that's without even talking about the amazing Astro's Playroom. While it's mostly intended to show off PS5's hardware features in a fun way, this free, pre-installed game is an absolute delight. The diminutive robot introduces you to the DualSense with some seriously inventive levels, and what's more, the game is full to bursting with PlayStation easter eggs. Just a joy through and through.
While all this sounds ideal, the PS5 launched under very tough conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a halt in 2020, but Sony was determined to launch its console on time, and it did so. The downside is that, with manufacturing slowed down by shortages of crucial parts, demand has routinely outstripped supply, and PS5 stock has been few and far between ever since launch. The situation would only start to turn around a couple of years later.
Despite these rocky beginnings, the console is selling roughly on par with its predecessor, the PS4. The supply problems are gradually fading, but a steady stream of top-notch software has meant consumers are ready to sweep the shelves whenever they're able. The white and black box has had an unusual and unpredictable existence, but that hasn't stopped publishers and developers from releasing some truly excellent games.
Speaking of which, we're here to talk about the best PS5 games. No matter your tastes, there's something for everyone, and that's why this list is exciting. No matter what you enjoy, your collective top PS5 games are represented here, all outlined by your user scores. Yes, this list is entirely determined by our readers.
If you disagree with the order, you (yes, you!) can make a difference. Just below is a search bar, where you can enter the title of a PS5 game and then rate it as you see fit. All your ratings will directly influence this page — the list will shift over time to reflect the views of our readers. If you want your favourites to rise up the ranks, make yourself heard and get those ratings in.
Please note that a game will need to have at least 50 ratings before it appears on this list, just to keep things consistent and fair. Therefore, if your favourite Japanese visual novel isn't appearing, it may be because it simply doesn't have enough votes yet.
Without further ado, let's look at our ultimate list of the best PS5 games — as chosen by you.
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100. Immortals Fenyx Rising (PS5)
Developed primarily by the team that crafted the gigantic Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Immortals Fenyx Rising is an open world fantasy RPG with an emphasis on fluid combat and puzzle solving. You play as the customisable Fenyx — a hero tasked with ridding the realm of a corruption spread by Typhon — a key figure in Greek mythology. In fact, Immortals is heavily based on Greek myth, but the story's told through humorous character interactions and offbeat narration. As such, it can be a fun adventure for players of all ages.
99. The Pathless (PS5)
The Pathless lives up to its name with a gorgeous open world to explore, but it's how you get around that sets this adventure apart. Playing as an archer, firing arrows at targets dotted throughout the map provide you a speed boost, letting you blitz through the natural environments and mysterious ruins with amazing flow. This traversal leads you to discover the secrets of a corrupted world, and you'll solve puzzles and tackle fearsome creatures in your quest to cleanse the land. A beautiful game in many ways, this is quietly one of PS5's best.
98. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion (PS5)
Crisis Core remains as cheesy and cringy as ever on PS5, but it's a much more approachable game now thanks to this largely fantastic remaster from Square Enix. With a refined combat system and gameplay mechanics, alongside much-updated visuals, the Final Fantasy VII prequel is well worth playing if you're a fan of the series-within-a-series. Just try not to take the storytelling too seriously!
97. F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch (PS5)
F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch might be a pain to type, but the game itself is a great Metroidvania. You play as a rabbit with an enormous robotic arm in a cyberpunk-like world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals. Off to rescue a friend, the freedom fighter finds himself caught up in all kinds of mess, and it'll be down to you to fight through it. Engaging combat is at the heart of the game, but you're also rewarded for exploring the world, and the story is kept interesting by some great characters.
96. Overcooked: All You Can Eat (PS5)
Overcooked: All You Can Eat serves up everything from Overcooked and Overcooked 2 in one delicious meal. All that content has been refreshed and remastered, with online play now spread across both games, and even more DLC added on top. The brilliance of this series is how it forces you to truly work together — if you don't, chaos can quickly take hold, and you'll never get those three-star ratings on each level. It's also extremely accessible, with easy-to-grasp controls and objectives. Looking better than ever on PS5, it's the ultimate way to enjoy one of the best co-op party games in recent memory.
95. Dead Island 2 (PS5)
It took nearly 10 years to materialise, but against all odds, Dead Island 2 is a great zombie-slaying adventure. Set in Los Angeles, you work your way through various open levels as you fend off the undead with a wide variety of weapons and abilities. The story isn't anything too special, but the game makes up for it with gloriously gory action and a rounded, well-realised setting. If you just want to smash open some zombie skulls, look no further.
94. No Man's Sky (PS5)
The initially rough reception of No Man's Sky can safely be put to bed. Hello Games has stayed fully committed to its procedurally generated space exploration adventure, fleshing it out with a staggering number of huge updates. Not only does the game look and run much better these days, it's bursting with things to see and do, and that's without considering the 18 quintillion planets waiting to be discovered. The PS5 release is the best version you can play on console, too, with minimised load times, great DualSense integration, and now even optional PSVR2 support.
92. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (PS5)
FromSoftware took a break from its uber-popular Dark Souls, Elden Ring experiences to return to a series it made before it was popular: Armored Core. This sixth mainline entry is very similar to past iterations — so there may be some whiplash for newer fans — but it remains (almost) just as good. You'll be in and out of the action, customising your mech with new parts to make sure they perform out on the battlefields of Rubicon. It's a consistently good experience, but don't expect it to be quite as memorable as what FromSoftware is now known for.
91. Stray (PS5)
Playing as a lost cat in a mysterious underground cybercity, Stray is a truly unique title. This is a short but sweet adventure game that emphasises exploration and investigation from a feline perspective, and it works wonderfully. Linear levels are punctuated by more open areas that are a real treat to explore with your catty dexterity, letting you meet robotic buddies as you weave through the streets and rooftops of a decaying town. While you're busy scratching up furniture and knocking things over, an intriguing sci-fi narrative unfolds around you. Gorgeous art direction and brilliant animation are the icing on this adorable cake.
90. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PS5)
Ubisoft proves with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown that it’s arguably at its best when it’s scaling down the size of its games and creating something out of its open world wheelhouse. Metroidvanias may be ten a penny on PS5, but this well-executed adventure is bursting with exploration and equipped with some of the most satisfying side-scrolling combat you’ll find on Sony’s new-gen system.
88. F1 2021 (PS5)
F1 2021 is the best and most complete version of the annual motorsport simulator. As expected, it contains all the teams, cars, and tracks from the real-world season, and the in-depth career mode is as engrossing as ever. However, it's the ways the game broadens its appeal that really impress. Braking Point is a great introduction to the world of Formula One, offering not only a fun primer for the proper career modes, but a twist of drama with some cool characters. The addition of Two Player Career and other features make it a more flexible game, letting you really tinker with it to get the experience you want. Oh, and Codemasters' typically excellent handling model is a winner once again.
87. Toem (PS5)
Toem takes the idea of a game about photography and twists it into something unique. Framed as a cutesy, top-down adventure game, you play as a young explorer on a pilgrimage to the mountaintop, snapping photos along the way. You can whip out your camera at any point, and the game swaps to first-person, giving you a new perspective on the black-and-white world. Helping out a colourful cast of characters, discovering all sorts of cool secrets, and solving imaginative puzzles mean this short but sweet indie game stands out.
86. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time (PS5)
Crash Bandicoot is one of PlayStation’s most iconic platforming heroes, and now that he’s double-jumped onto PS5, there’s no excuse for skipping Crash Bandicoot: It’s About Time. This sequel stays true to the series’ origins, but it’s bursting with brand new ideas and jaw-dropping set-piece moments. Running at a flawless 60 frames-per-second in sparkling 4K resolution — and cutting those load times to almost nothing — this release is at its absolute best on Sony’s next-gen console.
85. Rez Infinite (PS5)
A game that needs no introduction: transcendent rails shooter Rez has been stirring emotions since it first released on the PS2 and Dreamcast in 2001. Upgraded to take advantage of PSVR2, the release’s crystal clear 4K visuals sing on Sony’s new hardware, and the added haptic feedback helps creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi get closer to his goal of true synaesthesia. You can complete the game without virtual reality, but experiencing it inside PS5’s headset is comfortably the optimal way to play.
84. A Plague Tale: Innocence (PS5)
A Plague Tale: Innocence is the best kind of surprise: an unexpectedly strong historical outing with a likeable cast of characters and unique stealth mechanics. The fantasy underpinnings may not be to everyone’s tastes – especially as the tale somewhat limps to its conclusion – but Asobo Studio’s outstanding use of the PS5 hardware, including the DualSense, make it a must play for fans of story-based adventures.
83. Resident Evil 3 (PS5)
A PS5 upgrade was never going to restore all of that cut content, but Resident Evil 3 on Sony's latest system is at least the best way to experience it. With extremely fast load times and impressive ray tracing support, this more action-focused entry shines with solid combat and fun environments. It's still far too short, but Resident Evil 3 is worth a playthrough for survival horror fans.
82. Lies of P (PS5)
Lies of P is one of the best Souls games not made by FromSoftware. Distinct in direction, tone, and style having leant into an evil take on the classic Pinocchio story, the journey through Krat is a memorable one thanks to solid combat, impressive customisation options, and unique art. If you've completed every FromSoftware experience multiple times over and you're looking for the next Souls-like hit, Lies of P is up there with the very best.
81. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition (PS5)
One of the most enduring games in history, Bethesda's iconic RPG comes to PS5 with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Anniversary Edition. What's more, it's quite simply the best version of Skyrim to ever grace a PlayStation console. This is a real cut above previous versions (which were often riddled with bugs), offering a mostly locked 60 frames-per-second at 4K resolution. It's taken a decade, but Bethesda has finally delivered a smooth experience with this PS5 release — and crucially, the game is still a fantastic, enormous RPG well worth playing today.
Comments 13
Glad Pathless made the list. Had a lot of fun with that game
It's pretty funny how many of the top games are on PS4 as well. I sort of wish this were an exclusives list, but I can understand why it isn't.
So far, I'm not compelled to upgrade to PS5 as the only exclusive of interest to me is Demon's Souls, and that will most likely end up on Steam in a year or two.
@sketchturner the PS5 versions of PS4 games look and run so much better. It’s 100% worth the upgrade imo. Ya not telling me ya own every cross gen game on there!? Even some of the games ya do own are worth playing again with the advanced tech. Up to now i’ve finished Spiderman, Ghost of Tsushima, Days Gone and The Last of Us PS5 versions even tho i finished them on PS4. Then there’s games like Returnal, Demon’s Souls, Ratchet an Clank, etc. def worth the upgrade.
Elden ring at 14?!
Solid top 10, but Returnal is still #1 for me personally.
@sjbsixpack Anyone who says otherwise is just mad they can't find a PS5, bc the upgrades are totally worth it. Its not something I can explain to people besides recommending them to experience it for themselves.
@sketchturner You are missing out on so much. I would buy it for the controller alone. It changes everything.
MY top 10 (excluding remakes/remasters):
1. Resident Evil Village
2. Lost Judgment
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
4. God of War: Ragnarök
5. Yakuza: Like a Dragon
6. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
7. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
8. Guardians of the Galaxy
9. Astro's Playroom
10. Gotham Knights
Including remakes/remasters:
1. Resident Evil 2
2. Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition
3. Resident Evil Village
4. Lost Judgment
5: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
6. God of War: Ragnarök
7. Yakuza: Like a Dragon
8. Demon's Souls
9. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
10. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
I get the rating system but it’s ridiculous that many of these games are actually originally PS4 games that simply got an upgrade of some sort. What about the actual best native PS5 games?
Where is Monster Hunter Rise? It's fantastic.
@sjbsixpack Probably the main exception here is Elden Ring. I recall the PS5 version being somewhat inferior to the PS4 version but I can't recall precisely why.
For me personally the series X and game pass completely blow the ps5 away at this stage, particularly as I don't have a pc and didn't have an Xbox 1. There isn't a single game that tempts me even in the slightest to upgrade my PS4. I honestly can't believe so many people have bought a ps5.
Anyone putting Gran Turismo at 8 is on Sony's payroll. This game is universally loathed by users. Only crooked online reviewers would put this garbage game on ANY list, much less a greatest list.
Gran Turismo 7 (PS5)
https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-5/gran-turismo-7
2.2 rating, 11,000+ reviews don't lie
People don't just nit-pick this game. They actually hate it, and you will, too.
Other bogus entries include the new Spider-Man game that has gameplay just as bad as its name and Elden Ring. Unless you enjoyed playing Elder Scrolls Online for the last decade, there's no purpose at all to play Elden Ring. Its absurd ripped-off story and rip-off style is pretty much just Elder Scrolls. And if you already play Elder Scrolls, why play another Elder Scrolls that isn't as good?
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