Despite still being a relatively new console in the grand scheme of things, the PS5 already boasts an incredible library of games. Fans of just about any genre can find something that’s worth playing, whether that be a backward-compatible PS4 title or a game that was developed specifically with the PlayStation 5’s more powerful processing capabilities in mind.
In fact, with console shortages now a thing of the past and more and more people starting to get their hands on Sony’s latest gaming machine, the demand for high-quality next-gen titles has never been higher. Thankfully, the console is more than capable of meeting this demand, with the bestPlayStation 5games spanning a wide variety of genres.
The Best PlayStation 5 Games
Trying to pick out the best PlayStation 5 games is a somewhat arduous task, particularly given the highly subjective nature of what exactly it is that makes a great video game great. Then there’s the small matter of genre preferences, with some players looking for a certain type of game rather than just a broad recommendation based on a title’s critical or commercial success. The following lists aim to offer a more granular evaluation, helping readers to find the best PS5 games for them.
Must-Play PS5 Games
There are some games that excel in one particular genre or area but struggle to capture the interest of those who tend to prefer a different type of game. Then there are those whose excellence is such that it is able to span multiple genres and categories, making them must-play titles for fans of gaming in general. The PlayStation 5 has plenty of these standout titles in its ever-growing library, the most notable of which can be found down below in alphabetical order.
Diablo 4
To say thatDiablo Immortalis a dark stain on theDiablofranchise would perhaps be a bit of an understatement, with the game receiving intense criticism for its heavy-handed approach to monetization.Diablo 4can never remove that stain, but like a brightly-colored throw pillow on a worn-out couch, it does do a pretty decent job of distracting from it. It’s one of the bestDiablogames in years with a satisfying end-game and a surprising amount of customization when it comes to class builds. As far as dungeon crawlers go, they really don’t come much better than this.
Elden Ring
Released in early 2022,Elden Ringis a masterpiece of a game that should appeal to fans of several different genres. It offers a fantastic single-player experience and boasts complex combat mechanics that fans of difficult games will almost certainly adore. The game also features some multiplayer functionality, allowing players to drop in on their friends' sessions or team up with strangers to take down a particularly difficult enemy or boss fight. Few RPGs offer more customization either, both when it comes to the appearance of the playable character and the wide variety of different builds that players can experiment with.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
After many years of fan requests, Square Enix finally announced a remake ofFinal Fantasy 7at E3 in 2015. It took another five years for the first part of what would eventually be revealed to be a trilogy of titles to arrive on the PS4, with a PS5 version being released the following year.Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergradeis undoubtedly the definitive way to experience the game and is a great choice for anyone looking for a great RPG. The visuals are fantastic, the combat system incorporates both real-time and turn-based elements, and the characters are as loveable as ever.
God of War: Ragnarok
Santa Monica Studio took a huge risk by switching up the classicGod of Warformula for the series' 2018 installment, but it’s one that undoubtedly paid off. The resulting game was a huge hit with both critics and players, leaving many clamoring for a sequel.God of War Ragnarokarrived some four years later, expertly building on the foundations laid by its PS4 predecessor. Very few action-adventure games manage to do whatRagnarokdoes better, nor can many boast graphics that are anywhere near as stunning. Fans of single-player games should loveGod of War Ragnarok, as too should mythology fans.
Horizon Forbidden West
BothHorizongames have been incredibly unlucky with their release windows, with each coming out within just a week or so of their respective Game of the Year winners. That’s not to say that either is a bad game though, particularly for fans of the action-adventure genre. The narrative on offer inHorizon Forbidden Westis an incredibly compelling one, further exploring the post-apocalyptic world of the first game while also introducing plenty of interesting new characters. Lovers of single-player games should be happy with whatForbidden Westhas to offer, as too should those who enjoy a good puzzle.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Despite being almost a full decade old,The Witcher 3: Wild Huntstill looks fantastic. Of course, it certainly helps that the game received a shiny new coat of paint in the PS5 version, but even without it, this would still be a game that is well worth playing. RPG lovers shouldn’t think twice, but fans of great storytelling can also find a lot to like here. Through its incredible side content,The Witcher 3creates one of the most compelling video game worlds of all time, also offering solid combat, a great soundtrack, and one of the best in-game mini-games ever created in the process.
The Best PSVR 2 Games
Released in early 2023, the PSVR 2 is one of the most technologically advanced virtual reality headsets on the market. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come cheap, with players needing to already own a PlayStation 5 and then splash out even more money to purchase Sony’s high-tech HMD. Thankfully, there are already a lot of great games available for early adopters, most of which are reasonably priced and provide a pretty good idea of what the future might hold for the PSVR 2.
Must-Play PSVR 2 Games
Thanks in large to its extensive selection of launch titles, the PSVR 2 was able to cater to a wide range of players right from the get-go, from puzzle game fans to FPS veterans. Admittedly, a lot of the platform’s early offerings are just enhanced versions of PSVR games, but that’s not to say that there aren’t also a fairly decent number of new games, as well as several PS5 games with added PSVR 2 support. This all results in a pretty solid library that’s able to boast its fair share of must-play titles.
Gran Turismo 7
Even for non-racing game fans,Gran Turismo 7is a must-play PSVR 2 game. Everything looks fantastic and the attention to detail that has gone into both the interiors and exteriors of the game’s 300+ vehicles is really quite astounding. When combined with a good racing wheel, the experience on offer here is about as close to driving as one can get without getting behind the wheel of a real car. Driving at night is particularly enjoyable, with the reflections of the other cars' headlights helping to further immerse the player in what is already an incredibly realistic game world.
Horizon Call of the Mountain
For anybody who wants to get a better idea of what exactly the PSVR 2 is truly capable of,Horizon Call of the Mountainis an excellent place to start. The game does a wonderful job of highlighting the many strengths of the hardware, with each and every gameplay element seemingly designed with them in mind. That’s not to say that there’s not still fun to be had though, with the story that’s on offer here helping to further flesh out theHorizonuniverse. Climbing can be a bit disorientating at first but becomes a lot more manageable over time.
Moss
Not all virtual reality games need to be played from a first-person perspective, as evidenced by Polyarc’sMossseries. Although, strictly speaking, players do experience the game through the eyes of the reader, the character that they’ll spend most of their time controlling is a heroic mouse named Quill. The first game has a little bit of everything, from combat and platforming to puzzle-solving. Its 2022 sequel brought with it more of the same, with new enemy types and abilities, new weapons and armor, and even a second (well, technically, third) playable character in the form of Sahima.
Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil 7is easily one of the best games on the original PSVR, so it’s not all that surprising to find that the game’s sequel is one of the stars of the PSVR 2’s ever-expanding library.Resident Evil Villageis a terrifying affair even without a VR headset, but when played in virtual reality, everything becomes exponentially scarier. This isn’t one for the faint of heart, but for horror game fans looking for something that will scare the life out of them, there really aren’t too many better options out there, particularly when it comes to virtual reality games.
