For generations, Sony and the PlayStation consoles have relied on exclusive, high-quality products like bread and butter. While this has made for some incredible gaming experiences, it can be hard to know where to start. With recent PC releases, it can also be difficult to define what the term “exclusive” really means. For this list, consider exclusive to mean you can’t play these titles on Nintendo or Xbox, though some may have sneaked (or sneaked) their way onto PC.
Whenever and wherever possible, this list tries to prioritize games strictly available on the PS5, but some titles are too big to leave behind. That said, let’s see what you should be playing on your PS5 next!
10 Astro’s playroom
This little beauty is a feat in using a platformer to introduce you to PS5 while celebrating everything PlayStation related that has come before. You’ll find tons of references to other PlayStation exclusives from a bygone era, all in their tiny bone shape.
Astro’s Playroom is a short and fun experience that will make you wish there was more to play, and that’s really where the game falls short. It’s hard to complain about something that came with the system for free, so it’s at number ten on this list.
9 Ratchet And Clank: Rift Apart
Insomniac wanted to capture the power of the PS5 and did so with great flair in Rift Apart. As Ratchet and Rivet, you move through levels at a breathtaking pace. Portals will jump you between areas that would be technically impossible on hardware like the PS4. The battles are fun and crazy, like many Ratchet and Clank games.
The weapons are made for pure fun and the story, while somewhat predictable in the end, is an enjoyable ride all the way through. Unfortunately, for a game that does so much good, it’s an experience that probably won’t stick after you put the controller down. It’s a fun ride, but maybe a bit of a shallow one, which puts it somewhat low on this list.
8 Return
Selene’s story and Returnal’s design know how to be smart from head to toe. It’s a roguelike of bullet hell with stunning visuals and particle effects that please the eye and dazzle the senses. While some games choose to punish the player for playing poorly, Returnal could be said to reward the player for playing well. You stack bonuses because you don’t get hit and make your way through enemies, but when you get hit those stacking bonuses disappear.
There are also clever risk/reward mechanisms such as suit glitches that will enhance and hinder your playthrough, allowing you to make interesting choices every time you enter the loop. This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, which is why it’s lower on this list, but it’s definitely worth a try if you have access to it.
7 Demon Souls
While this is a remake of an old classic, you certainly wouldn’t know it. Bluepoint has managed to make Demon’s Souls shiny and new to the extreme. It is one of the most beautiful games that you can boot on your PlayStation 5. Every level, every boss, every battle will have something screenshot-worthy.
It’s a game meant to be adored, which is a good thing, as it’s also one of the most frustrating experiences you can have on your PS5. Being one of the Souls games means you’re going to face a steep learning curve. Everything from bosses to garbage enemies will throw you around until you learn to play the game significantly better. It may not be for everyone, but the people who like it really love it.
6 Spider-Man: Miles Morales
The story of New Yorkers embracing another Spider-Man is heartwarming and feels like a heartfelt love letter to Miles Morales fans. Miles shines at his own game when Peter steps aside completely, leaving the fate of the city in Miles’ capable hands. Insomniac manages to recreate so much of the fast-paced thumping fun and web-slinging antics we loved in the original Marvel’s Spider-Man.
Insomniac gives Miles his own style and personality through his suits, his interactions with the city and his well-written dialogue. While this game is sort of a spin-off sequel, it doesn’t feel distracted from the original. However, it’s also not as beefy as the original, which is why it creeps towards the middle of this list. Ultimately, a bigger main story and many more side missions would have made this game a contender for the original game’s place.
5 death loop
While there is a lot of love for Deathloop and its interesting mechanics, none of it would come together without the actors’ incredible performances. In a world of stunning visuals and interesting gameplay, the actors always steal the scene with their clever banter and witty dialogue. As for the gameplay, you can tell that this game was made by the people who brought you Dishonored.
You almost always have interesting weapons with pros and cons, along with unique powers. The clever level design allows you to approach situations differently every time, encouraging you to find your perfect path through the chaos. For a game that focuses on repetition, it never gets stale or feels boring. Unraveling the story is also satisfying, although it may not match the developer’s previous games. Its balance of fun and appeal puts it right in the middle of this list.
4 Horizon: Forbidden West
In this phenomenal sequel, Aloy is on the move again, this time through new lands with new allies and threats to discover. Of course, you’ll also see some old favorites return, allowing Forbidden West to take the story further without letting go of what came before it.
It strikes a nice balance between giving the players something new and returning them to a franchise they love. The world is beautiful and Aloy looks better than ever. Animations are up a notch and if you’re playing on PS5 the experience is buttery smooth. Aloy’s triumphant return to the PlayStation makes this an easy choice for number four.
3 Ghost Of Tsushima: Director’s Cut
Ghost of Tsushima is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful games you can play on the PS5. The Director’s Cut is smooth, refined and expands into everything fans already love. It is also worth noting that this game has one of the most comprehensive and intuitive photo modes of all modern games. You will want to capture the beautiful landscapes and brutal combat.
Ghost of Tsushima’s story is one that stays with you long after you put down the controller, and its expansion is really worth completing. Several options, such as Kurosawa mode, allow you to customize the playing experience you want, making replays even more interesting if you choose to revisit this stunning game.
2 Spider-Man Remastered
Few games can claim to be purer than Marvel’s Spider-Man, and the remaster makes it all a bit spicier and edgier for audiences. The main difference you will notice is a new face actor for Peter Parker. While there were some technical reasons for doing so, the new Peter looks a little younger and a little naive, which is a good fit for our good-hearted hero.
Every part of this game oozes and exudes personality. The combat is refined and fast. The web swinging feels like a dream as you move through the city. Photo mode encourages you to add all kinds of flair to your screenshots. Plus, it’s one of the best Peter Parker stories ever told, with an ending that really hits the spot. While this game is ranked number two, it was definitely a contender for number one.
1 The last of us part 1
The Naughty Dog remake is a masterpiece, capturing everything fans loved about the original game, while bringing all the technical and graphical improvements to eleven. Joel and Ellie have never looked better and their hauntingly beautiful world has never been more real.
The Last of Us Part 1 captures the actors’ stunning performances even more faithfully this time around. Every look, every trembling lip and every unspoken sadness is captured here for the public to experience. Not only does the game look better; it hits harder. Whether you’re a new fan coming to the game for the first time or a seasoned fan returning to an old favorite, you’ll find this is the definitive way to experience what is arguably Sony’s most triumphant exclusive of all time.
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