Entertainment
10 Essential PS5 Games Every Fan Must Play
Video games are great, but players need consoles in order to play them. Thankfully, fans have a great selection to pick from to best suit their taste. From Xbox and its excellent Game Pass to Nintendo and its innovative and expansive catalogue, there is no shortage of options. However, the choice for many gamers is Sony’s PS5, one of the best-selling consoles of all time.
Marvel’s Wolverine is soon to be a defining game for the system, and GTA VI is supposedly best played on the console, but fans still complain that there aren’t enough exclusives for this popular option. That is why this list will feature ten essential PS5 games that every fan must play based on aspects such as gameplay, design, narrative, visuals, originality, how it defines the console, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality.
‘Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’ (2021)
PlayStation has a certain prestige about it that usually results in AAA mature adventure games, but that doesn’t mean they don’t dabble in the quirky territory. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the PS5’s version of this beloved franchise, bringing the duo to the latest console. When the pair is split up across different dimensions, they team up with the revolution to fix the rift and reunite to defeat Dr. Nefarious.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is one of the most overshadowed and underrated PS5 games, mainly because it came out during the pandemic. But that doesn’t take away just how good a game it is, becoming an essential game for the console as the only entry in its franchise. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a polished and gorgeous-looking game that pushed the franchise to the limits.
‘The Last of Us Part II Remastered’ (2024)
PlayStation is making more and more live-action adaptations of its best IPs, and it all started with The Last of Us. The PS5 has all the games, but the definitive version that defines the console the best is The Last of Us Part II Remastered. Years after the first game, Ellie and Joel finally settle down, but they are soon disturbed, pushing Ellie to journey across the country searching for revenge.
The original game was a PS4 release, but the remastered version upscaled the graphics, improved the controls, and ultimately made it the definitive way to play the game. The “No Return” mode is a fun new addition, but the meat of The Last of Us Part II Remastered is its daring narrative that split the community; critics and audiences agree that it is one of the best-written video games of all time.
‘Horizon Forbidden West’ (2022)
Speaking of live-action PlayStation adaptations, Horizon Forbidden West is planned to get one in the future, but it is unlikely to be better than the game. A new blight is threatening to destroy the world, which prompts Aloy to journey across it to find the source of the evil, bringing her face-to-face with new biomechanical creatures and awe-inspiring landscapes.
Horizon Forbidden West is in a weird place, because it is certainly popular and well-received, but it doesn’t have the same impact and word of mouth as other PS5 games, which is strange, considering it is one of the best titles on the console. This stunning game has beautiful biomes and remarkable graphics, which pair nicely with its worldbuilding and mechanical creatures.
Not all of these games are PS5 exclusives, but rather games that are essential on the console, even if the majority of titles featured are owned by Sony. Metaphor: ReFantazio takes place after the king’s assassination, with a worldwide tournament for the throne now underway. As the protagonist, players must fight against all of those unworthy and break the curse on the one true heir.
JRPGs are a massive genre, and the PS5 is the best place to play one of the best modern titles. Metaphor: ReFantazio and its unmatched art direction create a heavily stylized aesthetic that is visually striking, but that isn’t all, because the game also boasts impressive worldbuilding and lore. As one of the greatest JRPGs of all time, Metaphor: ReFantazio is easily a must-play PS5 title for fans and newcomers alike.
‘Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’ (2025)
Hideo Kojima is one of the most recognized game designers ever, and while he is working on his next masterpiece, his last title, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, remains a PS5 staple. Sam Porter Bridges continues his journey in this post-apocalyptic world to connect isolated settlements, which takes him to a completely new continent, where he will face surreal enemies.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach isn’t like other PS5 games, and for many, it isn’t their style. However, for those loving narrative-rich games with mind-bending plots and bizarre themes, this one is the perfect choice for them. Essentially an interactive movie at times, Death Stranding 2 uses its actors to the extreme, creating an immersive title with a complex and outstanding open world.
‘Ghost of Yotei’ (2025)
The PS5 introduced a lot of sequel video games that were original IPs on the PS4, which expanded those universes and established themselves as great franchises. Ghost of Yotei is set in 1603 around the titular mountain, where a new protagonist undergoes a dangerous adventure in the lands of Ezo to kill the Yotei Six, who murdered her family 16 years prior.
While it doesn’t live up to Ghost of Tsushima for many, Ghost of Yotei is still one of the best modern adventure video games. The combat is just as good as the original, refining the controls to make it easier, yet still engaging. The cinematic world is simply stunning, serving as an excellent backdrop to the bloody sword fights that will ensue.
‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’ (2024)
PlayStation often remakes or remasters its games. One example is Final Fantasy, which completely reinvented one of the best in the franchise to deliver Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. This sequel takes place right where the first one left off, with Cloud Strife and his group leaving the dystopian city to journey into the vast and gorgeous world in order to stop Sephiroth from draining its life force.
As far as remakes go, it is hard to beat Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which many consider to be the greatest remake of all time. The trilogy is almost done, but as fans wait for the final one, which could very well be on a future list, the second one is still the best. Not only does it have some of the best graphics on the console, but it expands on everything that the original does, creating a new, yet familiar masterpiece that makes the most of the PS5’s capabilities.
‘Astro Bot’ (2024)
Almost all the games on this list are sequels, which just proves PlayStation needs to make some original IPs or reboot some of their classics, and that’s exactly what they did with Astro Bot. The game received perfect reviews, proving they need to revamp older titles more often. After crashing the PS5 mothership, players must travel around the galaxy to find their crew and restore the ship to escape.
Astro Bot is the only PS5 title to win Game of the Year, yet somehow it remains underrated. It should arguably be higher on this list, but its lack of popularity sets it at third place, which is still good. Astro Bot is an imaginative masterpiece and one of the best 3D platformers, pushing the console into new territory with flawless results. More players need to experience this technical marvel of a platformer that will undoubtedly age well as a Game of the Year.
‘Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’ (2023)
Marvel’s Wolverine is likely to be a must-play PS5 game, but Insomniac’s other superhero title is still the best on the console. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 unites Peter Parker and Miles Morales in their most dangerous mission yet, which consists of facing off against Kraven the Hunter as well as an unknown alien takeover that is turning people into symbiotic monsters.
The story isn’t as good as the first one, but the gameplay makes up for it, resulting in one of the most popular video games on the PS5. The boss fights are a highlight and standout, with innovative gameplay and cinematic moments. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 further enhances the magnificent web-slinging traversal and fills the world with plenty more side quests to create a staple game on the console.
‘God of War Ragnarök’ (2022)
God of War 2018 was the biggest and most defining video game on the PS4, and the sequel, God of War Ragnarök, earns the same status on the PS5. Taking place after the first game, Kratos and Atreus travel around Midgard to stop the prophesied apocalypse event. But they also have to deal with past mistakes and personal struggles alongside this world-ending adventure.
A lot of sequels don’t live up to the original, and God of War Ragnarök had a tougher time than most, considering the first game was perfect. It still managed to create an experience on par with one of the best video games ever. The visceral and cathartic combat comes back better than ever, revamped to be even more engaging. But, of course, the narrative is another masterful example of emotional storytelling that proves God of War Ragnarök is an incredible modern fantasy game and the most essential title on PS5.
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