Highlights

• The PS5 offers a variety of fantastic games, with titles like The Last of Us Pt. 1 & Hades standing out for their captivating gameplay and storytelling.
• Games like Horizon Forbidden West & God of War: Ragnarok continue to push the boundaries of what PS5 can offer in terms of visual experience and expansive gameplay.
• From action-packed adventures like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 to deep RPGs like Disco Elysium, the PS5 library caters to a wide range of gaming preferences.

The PlayStation 5 came out swinging with some fantastic launch titles back in 2020, and while the console was hard to get a hold of for quite some time, we now have a whole selection of growing titles to delve into, each of which offers a unique and expansive experience on Sony's home console.

However, while there are more and more games out there, which ones are the best to jump into? Whether you've just got your hands on a PS5, or you're looking for that next great game to try out, here are some of the best PlayStation 5 games of all time.

18 The Last Of Us, Part 1

The world knows of The Last of Us. Making a huge impact upon its first release in 2013, the game received both a sequel and an ongoing HBO TV adaption, both of which have been successful. No doubt credited to such success, we also have The Last of Us, Part 1 - a remake of the original game, tapping into the terrific graphics of PS5.

Even if you've played the original version, The Last of Us, Part 1 on PS5 is a fantastic experience that pulls you in with that modern feel, all still while telling that gripping story that had fans hooked from the very beginning. Bold, beautiful, and masterfully told, it is something that every PS5 owner with even a fleeting interest in Sony's 'first party house style' should grab.

17 Hades

Supergiant Games has given us great titles in the past, such as Bastion and Transistor, but Hades in particular took the world by storm. Taking the role of Zagreus, son of Hades, you will be relentlessly battling your way up and out of the Underworld.

As a roguelike, everything will change, and you'll need to rely on gear, upgrades, and generated abilities in order to reach further and further areas with each run. When you die, you awaken back at the start - though the story itself does not reboot, which helps lessen the blow and fits flawlessly with the mythology. With excellent characters and even better gameplay, Hades is a fan favorite, and one of the best experiences to grab on PS5.

16 Horizon Forbidden West

Following up on 2017's Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West sees Aloy travel to the western shores of America to face a rising threat from the machines that brought the world to ruin once before.

With the Burning Shores DLC expanding this adventure even further in the same way the Frozen Wilds did in Zero Dawn, there's no reason not to pick up your bow and venture out into this game. Forbidden West still stands to be one of the best-looking games on PS5, with scenery that will have you enamored.

15 God Of War: Ragnarok

Following up on the soft reboot of 2018, God of War: Ragnarok continues the tale of father and son, Kratos and Atreus, as they do all they can to prevent the coming of Ragnarok - the end of all things.

As they travel the realms of Norse Mythology, this sequel expands upon what the 2018 title offered, while polishing what made it great. If you loved God of War, then you have every reason you need to dive into this climactic continuation.

14 Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Another launch title for the PlayStation 5, this standalone spin-off sequel to Marvel's Spider-Man saw Miles Morales take on his first solo adventure. As soon as Peter Parker decides to take a little vacation, all hell breaks loose - because of course it does - so it's up to Miles to save New York.

Set during the holidays, this game is not only just as fun and exciting as the original game, but is gorgeous - snow, lights, and lots of sparking electric powers and weapons mean the particle effects are on another level. Even if you're not a big fan of Marvel, Miles Morales remains a fantastic experience that won't keep you for too many hours.

13 Final Fantasy 16

Darker, and dare we say edgier, than any other entry in the beloved long-running franchise, Final Fantasy 16 follows protagonist Clive Rosfield (excellently played by voice actor Ben Starr) on a quest for revenge. Along his way, he'll meet and reunite with enough fantastic characters to reshape his brooding philosophy, transforming into one of the best heroes the series has to offer.

Final Fantasy 16 is purely an action-based affair, going well beyond even Final Fantasy 15 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake in this regard. If that's not your cup of tea, you might want to pass - though at least find a way to watch the cutscenes, because its climactic setpiece moments are almost ridiculously gorgeous.

12 Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

With Miles Morales wrapped up, Insomniac Games put its focus into bringing us the next entry in the Ratchet & Clank series with Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. This iconic duo was set for an adventure through parallel universes, introducing new characters in Rivet and Kit.

In what feels like playing a flashy and eventful Pixar movie, this game will have you traveling to awe-inspiring locations and battling enemies through rifts and tears in the universe, showing off the speed of the PS5's SSD. If you've never played a Ratchet & Clank game, this is the perfect place to dive in.

11 Demon's Souls

One of the launch titles for the PS5, and an incredible remake of an already incredible - not to mention genre-formative - game, Demon's Souls gave people the chance to return to the roots of the Soulslike genre in a first next-generation experience. With visuals that are still mostly unrivaled years on, this game is one that everyone should try out.

You might be put off by the namesake, knowing the difficulty of the Dark Souls series, but the experience is worth the trial. Making the most of the graphical power, utilizing the DualSense controller, and giving off an unparalleled atmosphere, Demon's Souls is a must-play.

10 Dragon's Dogma 2

Capcom sure took its sweet time bringing a sequel to the cult-classic role-playing game Dragon's Dogma, but it's upon us at last... and it's good. Quite good. Action-driven combat and an irreverent and vast set of intricate gameplay systems that are unmistakably a part of the franchise DNA makes Dragon's Dogma 2 a true treat for fans.

Customize your sidekick Pawns and embark on an adventure across a grim yet stunning world where anyone can die, complicating all sorts of quest-giving normalities we've come to expect to remain perfectly stable in other RPGs. Dragon's Dogma 2 is a Western role-playing game like no other, and in an industry that plays it safer and safer, it's remarkable that we got this in 2024.

9 Ghost Of Tsushima: Director's Cut

A story and a piece of art that remains true to the classic samurai movies many of us adore, Ghost of Tsushima takes us to the Mongolian invasion of Japan, and the Director's Cut brings the experience even further on PS5.

Playing as Jin Sakai, you must decide how far you're willing to go in order to save the island of Tsushima - stand by your teachings and fight with honor, or set that all aside to become the Ghost and fight in the shadows to win. In a gripping and gritty tale, Ghost of Tsushima should be a prime contender for any PS5 list.

8 Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade

Leave it to Square Enix to subtitle something 'Intergrade'. When Final Fantasy 7 Remake hit PlayStation 4 back in mid-2020, it was largely a very pretty game, but it was also just begging for a next-gen remaster to smooth out the rougher textures and offer a sublime 60 FPS experience. Lo and behold, here we are - and it touts a two-chapter DLC episode starring Yuffie Kisaragi, too.

7 Returnal

One part bullet hell, two parts roguelike, and three parts science fiction odyssey, Returnal pits players up against an unforgiving world filled with ruthless alien life. The story is solid, the protagonist is compelling, and the threat of permadeath lurks around every corner like the most captivating shadow.

Returnal taps into the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller's immersive tech terrifically, making it a must-play for any PS5 owner hoping to get as much mileage as possible out of the console's unique features.

6 Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is the latest game to grace our list of the best PlayStation 5 titles, and it instantly secures its place as one of the greatest. Anyone with even a passing interest in the famous superhero's setting will positively thrive here; the narrative is Insomniac's best to-date, with twists, turns, and well-earned catharsis. Web-slinging through the city is as fun as ever - no, twice as fun, with both Spider-Men fully playable, and a significantly expanded New York City.

If cutting-edge visuals are your cup of tea, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is the kind of game that leaves us breathless - how the heck will the studio top this one? Expect the unexpected in Spider-Man 2, including a handful of meaningful, well-executed segments when you'll take the reins as other important characters.

5 Octopath Traveler 2

There's a reason Octopath Traveler 2 has worked its way into plenty of end-of-2023 Best Games lists across the net: it's one of the best games of 2023. This Square Enix HD-2D sequel takes everything introduced in its separate-universe predecessor, pioneer of this now-popular art style, and makes it better across the board. Whereas the original Octopath Traveler stumbles about as often as it succeeds, with repetition and uneven writing being the greatest culprits - Octopath Traveler 2 effectively reconstructs it all, from the ground up, and shows us the full package.

Every character in the second game is excellent and chock-full of charm. Repetition has been lessened considerably, the party interactions are much more numerous (but the core series identity of eight travelers with largely unrelated tales continues - though this time, the connections do exist as an overarching framework), the side content's more rewarding, battles have been enhanced with plenty of new mechanics, and there's even an endgame chapter with one of the most epic JRPG final bosses in a generation.

4 Persona 5 Royal

A fantastic game that many will surely know, Persona 5 Royal on PS5 expands upon the original experience with new content, a new character and storyline, and a fresh way to experience this gripping tale. As a group of high school students acquire the ability to change the hearts of those corrupt, they form a team - The Phantoms - to help those who do wrong see the light and come to justice.

Managing your day-to-day life with that of a Phantom Thief can be a challenge, but that's what makes this game so great. Balancing the mundane schoolwork and friendships with getting stronger and exploring the Metaverse, you'll not want to put this one down any time soon.

3 Disco Elysium: The Final Cut

A critically acclaimed point-and-click RPG that set a new standard in the genre, Disco Elysium sees you take the role of a detective working on a murder case - however, he also has no memory of who he is or how he got where he is. Uncover the mystery of the crime, while uncovering the mystery of your own sense of reality.

If you love detective stories, creepy undertones, and the utterly bizarre, then this game will be right up your alley. With a focus on investigation, plenty of dialogue - internal and external - and a slow burn to the plot, this is a game everyone should play.

2 Elden Ring

As a successor to the Dark Souls series, and the Soulsborne games as a whole, FromSoftware's Elden Ring is a game that took the industry by storm. Some call it Dark Souls 4 x Breath of the Wild, but such reductions are unnecessary when Elden Ring's own identity is so strong. This game brought so many fans and newcomers alike to the genre, and will no doubt continue doing so for years to come.

Set in The Lands Between, a huge open world for you to explore, Elden Ring will have you facing down incredible bosses, exploring the deepest dungeons, and deciding the fate of a fractured world. With a huge DLC, 'Shadow of the Erdtree', en route for some time in 2024, there will soon be all the more reason to return.

1 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

With an incredible 92 on Metacritic - and all the more importantly, a sky-high fan reception to match it - Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is destined to be remembered as one of the finest video games of 2024. No matter one's thoughts on Final Fantasy 16 or even Final Fantasy 7 Remake, there's a good chance any fan of the franchise is going to fall in love with this one.

The writing's sharp, the side quests are stellar, the music is sublime, and the characters have never been better. This is an outstanding entry in one of the most revered sagas in gaming.