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. Scarlet Nexus (PS5)
An intriguing action RPG from Bandai Namco, Scarlet Nexus is a largely solid and stylish romp with a relatively unique combat system. Utilising psychic powers, you can hurl chunks of the environment at your opponents and pull off flashy team attacks alongside your allies. Some of the characters are a bit wishy-washy, but the game's core premise of evolving human brains and the ever-present threat of nightmarish creatures is enough to drive the experience.
99. Dying Light 2 (PS5)
The original Dying Light game might have gone under the radar critically, but it certainly sold impressively well on PS4. As such, expectations were high for this PS5 sequel, with developer Techland promising all sorts of narrative choices and intriguing story beats. And while the finished product didn't live up to those claims, the actual open world title is still a fun one. Looking for something to turn your brain off to and start slicing and dicing the undead? You can't do much better than Dying Light 2. Complete with an awesome parkour moveset, traversal has never felt this good.
98. Life Is Strange: True Colors (PS5)
Life Is Strange: True Colors had every chance of becoming the series' best game to date, but it's been let down by arguably its most important element: the story. Wonderful character work can only go so far carrying a narrative that just isn't particularly exciting. And while Alex's power crafts one interesting scenario after another, it too isn't enough to offset those dull plot points. With an awful framerate to boot, Life Is Strange: True Colors falls short despite everything it has going for it.
97. Far Cry 6 (PS5)
After a few forgettable entries, Far Cry 6 found the fun again. Of course, there’s an undeniable familiarity here: you play as Dani – either male or female – and must work alongside a ragtag group of guerrillas to liberate the beautiful landscape of Yara from the rule of a menacing dictator named Antón Castillo. But while the core formula remains intact, there’s fun to be found in the emergent combat gauntlets and DIY armaments, with a backpack rocket launcher and Walkman assault rifle among some of the highlights. If you’re ever in need of open world comfort food, then you can’t really go wrong here.
96. WRC 9 (PS5)
Released in time for the PS5's launch, WRC 9 is a rock solid racing sim. This officially licensed rally racer gives the DIRT Rally series a run for its money. With all the real world routes and vehicles, an in-depth career mode, and thrilling driving, this will have any racing fan on the edge of their seat. It excels on Sony's new console thanks to excellent DualSense support; you'll feel every bump in the road with the haptic feedback, and the triggers simulate the gas and brake pedals wonderfully. There are also lots of ways to play, including online championships.
95. Alan Wake Remastered (PS5)
Originally released for the Xbox 360 all the way back in 2010, Alan Wake cultivated cult status for its unorthodox Twin Peaks-inspired storytelling and unique horror gameplay loop. With light playing a significant role, you need to use a torch in combination with traditional weapons in order to defeat the Taken and restore order to the fictional Washington town of Bright Falls. First published by Microsoft, developer Remedy was able to wrangle back the rights to the series in 2019, which paved the way for this spruced-up PS5 remaster – and a sequel unsurprisingly named Alan Wake 2.
94. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (PS5)
Team Ninja puts its action RPG experience to good use in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. While it shares some of its DNA with the Nioh series, this game makes enough changes to stand apart. With a heavier emphasis on parrying and poise, the combat is intense and frantic, though no less challenging. Based loosely on the famed Romance of the Three Kingdoms, you'll team up with many legendary warriors as you fight against an evil force. Once you get used to this game's rhythms, it delivers some truly satisfying action.
93. The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes (PS5)
It feels like Supermassive Games has been trying to hit the heights of PS4 classic Until Dawn for years now, and never quite reaching it. However, the third entry in its Dark Pictures Anthology, titled House of Ashes, definitely comes closest. Much like previous efforts, you'll control a number of characters, dictating their actions and dialogue choices. This time around, there's a horde of ancient monsters buried underneath the sandy desert of Iraq. Get some friends over and you'll have a whale of a time.
92. Wreckfest (PS5)
Few things are more fun than crashing cars: Sony learned that in 1995 with Destruction Derby, a smashmouth PS1 racer that became a cult classic on account of its reckless disregard for motorsport safety. Fast forward to the present day and Wreckfest is a modern reimagining of Psygnosis’s iconic T-bone-‘em-up. Running at 60 frames-per-second, this is far more responsive than its PS4 predecessor, and regular content updates have made the scale of the package anything but a write-off.
91. Deathloop (PS5)
Arkane Studios is known for its immersive sims like Dishonored, and with Deathloop, the developer takes that formula in a bold new direction. Playing as an assassin caught in a time loop on an island filled with disdainful characters, it's your job to eliminate all of them within one cycle, else you'll need to start again. The joy of the game is in slowly figuring out the right sequence of events that need to take place in order for you to crack the code and break the loop. A higher emphasis on action combined with some super fun powers makes this feel like a supercharged Dishonored. The loop mechanic and threat of player invasions provides some tension, and it's all delivered with a fantastic 60s aesthetic.
90. Ghostwire: Tokyo (PS5)
As the last original game out of Bethesda to release for PlayStation platforms, Ghostwire: Tokyo is more of a whimper than a bang. While its combat can be fun for a while and its use of the PS5 DualSense controller is truly special, the game is let down by virtually everything else. Fun for a time, but not a particularly memorable title. Some will take to its spooky, Japanese elements more than others, though, so maybe there's something here that'll have your heart racing.
89. Assassin's Creed Valhalla (PS5)
In a lot of ways, Assassin's Creed Valhalla is like a blend of Origins and Odyssey. Like Origins, there's much more focus on storytelling in this epic Viking saga. But like Odyssey, Valhalla leans heavily on expanded RPG mechanics, such as levelling up, equipment, and skill trees. You play as Eivor, a vision-haunted Viking warrior who leaves Norway to establish a new home in 9th century England. Featuring a lush open world stuffed with all kinds of landmarks and secrets, Valhalla is a real time-sink of a game, but its story-driven acts offer up some of the best characters and narrative beats in the entire series.
88. OlliOlli World (PS5)
OlliOlli World is the third entry in Roll7's side-scrolling skateboarding series, and it takes things in a brilliant new direction. The gameplay is about the same, tasking you with pulling off tricks with the left stick as you speed through each level. However, the addictive, score-chasing core that keeps you hooked is wrapped in new layers that make it far more appealing. A cel-shaded look is complemented by a chilled out soundtrack and an eclectic range of characters, making for far more pleasant presentation. Full customisation gives you much more control of your skater's look, and asynchronous multiplayer gives you a practically limitless supply of stages to master. A compulsive and fun-loving take on the extreme sport.
87. Puzzling Places (PS5)
You may not have predicted PSVR2 would be the perfect peripheral for jigsaw puzzles, but Puzzling Places is an immaculately executed experience that’s unbelievably addictive on Sony’s new headset. Inspired by a huge number of real-world locations, buildings, and monuments, the game sees you connecting 3D pieces to build wonderfully detailed scenes. You can set the number of pieces, making a puzzle as easy or difficult as you like, and each one is enhanced by diegetic audio which provides a calming sense of place as you piece together the parts.
86. Destiny 2 (PS5)
Bungie's online shooter is still at the top of the pile when it comes to gunplay, although there's no denying that Destiny 2 is a tough nut to crack if you're completely new to the sci-fi sequel. Get stuck in, though, and you'll find an abundance of quality content to chew on. Campaigns, co-op missions, competitive multiplayer — it's a game that feels like it's fit to burst at points, and the aforementioned action is the glue that holds everything together.
85. Fall Guys (PS5)
What if there was a platformer in which up to 60 players compete in chaotic obstacle courses simultaneously? Turns out this madcap idea is genius, because Fall Guys is a cracking online multiplayer madhouse. Playing as a jellybean-shaped clutz, you're up against numerous others through a series of randomly chosen stages, featuring all kinds of platforming challenges. By process of elimination, the winner will be the last one standing, and success earns you lots of excellent costumes and bragging rights. Whether you play solo or team up with friends, this is a hilarious title for all ages, and the best bit? It's free-to-play.
84. Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge - Enhanced Edition (PS5)
An upgraded version of a Meta Quest favourite, Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge enables you to live out your dream George Lucas power fantasy, in an original story inspired by a Disneyland ride with the same name. While the gameplay can get fiddly and repetitive, there’s no doubt that wielding your very own authentic Blaster is a mind-blowing moment, and this Expanded Edition comes with additional chapters which take you deep into Storm Trooper territory – and even assuming the role of an IG-88 assassin droid from the Empire Strikes Back.
83. 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.
82. Thumper (PS5)
One of the stars of the original PSVR’s launch lineup, time has not dulled Thumper’s rhythm violence. Playing as a space beetle careening down a tunnel, PSVR2’s improved visual fidelity and haptic feedback has meaningfully enhanced this contemporary classic. While it can also be played on a standard television screen, virtual reality is transformative for this title, embedding you in its otherworldly environments in a way no traditional 4K panel can.
81. The Quarry (PS5)
The Quarry plays just like Supermassive's other titles, with a focus on cinematics and keeping characters alive through important decisions and quick time events. It's an enjoyable enough adventure with a fun story that at least makes a change from the typical ghost stories. Get some friends over and the beers in and The Quarry can be a laugh.
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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