The best PS5 games you can play right now
From Spidey and Astro Bot to Sackboy and Kratos, here's what to play on PlayStation today.
Now well into its life cycle, the PlayStation 5 has plenty of fantastic games to play.
No longer is there a need to scour the web or search shops high and low for the console, with supply finally catching up to demand and 46 million units sold globally. So, all in all, it's a great time to be a fan of the PS5.
On top of the affluence of third-party releases and superb indie darlings that will delight for days on end, Sony's line-up of exclusives is what has truly helped the PS5 to become the powerhouse it is today.
Spider-Man, God of War, Ratchet & Clank, Final Fantasy and lots more make up this magnificent gaming ecosystem.
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The past 12 months have been no different, leaving us with so much to play over the coming holiday season and in 2024 as we all work on our backlogs. So, where's best to begin?
To save you the hassle of deliberating what games are actually worth your time, we've rounded up the best PS5 games to play right now. Remember the console is backwards compatible too, so PS4 games work as well.
Best games to play on the PS5 now
Final Fantasy 16
Set in the twin continents of Valisthea, we follow Clive Rosfield in an epic adventure that brings the Final Fantasy series to next-gen for the first time. This PS5 console-exclusive action RPG is full of exploration, wonder and deep lore that fleshes out its characters and world like few others have in the series. Think Games of Thrones meets Devil May Cry.
Considering it surpassed three million sales within its first week of release, Final Fantasy 16 proves yet again the power of Square Enix's most notable IP.
Buy Final Fantasy 16 at Amazon
Stray
Stray is, of course, the video game where you play as an adorable stray cat - need we say any more!? However, while Stray could have coasted on cuteness and novelty alone, it proved itself a great video game outside of its protagonist with inventive puzzles, appropriately cat-like platforming and a surprisingly deep post-apocalyptic story despite the absence of any humans.
It's even more rewarding if you have your own cat, who will naturally be just as interested as you are!
Deathloop
Not only is Deathloop considered one of the best games you can play on the PS5, but it was up for numerous Game of the Year awards - and it was nominated for that very title at The Game Awards 2021.
Stuck in a time loop, you are tasked with killing eight 'Visionaries', and they all need to be offed before the clock strikes midnight as the day resets. And while that may sound simple, it really isn't, and you will learn more about how to kill them and get yourself out of this loop the more you are forced to do it.
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Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is one of the best entries for the Lombax and Robot duo, as they take on Doctor Nefarious in an intergalactic adventure. Looking like a Pixar movie in video game form, this is the title that first showed off the DualSense controller's capabilities, tapping into its haptic feedback and adaptive triggers to great effect.
All the humour that we know and love with this franchise is back in abundance, alongside lots of new characters that instantly feel at home in this madcap world. Great for kids, adults and everyone in between.
Buy Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart at GAME
Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake 2 goes places. Blending lots of different media into one, this survival horror from Remedy Games picks up the narrative 13 years after the original, with best-selling novelist Alan Wake still trapped in an alternative dimension. Looking to escape from the nightmare, he writes a horror story surrounding FBI special agent Saga Anderson, and things spiral from there.
Now that the first game has been remastered, there's no excuse not to experience these two superb stories back-to-back.
Buy Alan Wake 2 at PlayStation
Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered
One of the greatest superhero games of all time? Almost certainly. Spider-Man won all the acclaim when it was first released, and if you never played it before and you do own a PS5, then buying the remastered version of the game is a no-brainer.
Graphics have been hugely improved (and they already looked great) and the story is up there with the great Spidey tales from all media over the years. A must-buy if you have even the slightest interest in the superhero genre. There's even an upgrade for those who already own it on PS4 for about £10.
Buy Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered at CDKeys
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Anticipation was massive for the Miles Morales follow-up to Spider-Man – and it did not disappoint, with another epic story that stands on its own even without the legacy of the previous game. The latest update has seen ray-tracing come into play, and this is one of the best-looking games of the new generation.
It can be purchased on its own or alongside the remaster of Spider-Man, if you fancy playing through that too.
Buy Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales at Amazon
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Insomniac continues to deliver, with Marvel's Spider-Man 2 proving to be another solid story for the web-slinger. This time, getting to play as both Miles and Peter, the duo take on Kraven the Hunter and Venom in an expanded New York that ups the ante. With advanced combat, new gadgets, lots of interesting side-missions and a narrative that will keep you locked until the credits, it's fair to say this PS5 exclusive is up there with the very best.
Buy Marvel's Spider-Man 2 at Amazon
God of War
Already a must-play for the PlayStation 5 before the next-gen update came along, God of War is essential in every way possible. So if you haven't already experienced this reboot of the long-running franchise, now is the time to jump in and find out why it's so revered - and it is not just because the legendary Christopher Judge is behind the spartan. From the narrative to the cinematics to the side missions to the combat and everything in between, Sony Santa Monica made a modern-day masterpiece.
God of War Ragnarök
God of War Ragnarök builds upon its predecessor in every way imaginable, and unlike the 2018 release, is specifically made for the PS5. We follow Kratos and Atreus three years later, as they prepare for the coming of Fimbulwinter. These two games prove the genius of Sony Santa Monica, and why it remains a top-tier studio for PlayStation.
Buy God of War Ragnarök on PS5 from Amazon.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
The Assassin's Creed franchise tackles the Viking invasion of England in 872AD, with Ubisoft perfectly marrying great action, interesting characters, striking voice acting and stunning graphics to make one of the best entries in the series. Tweaking the gameplay from previous instalments and upping the violence, Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a brutal game with lots of side missions, activities and more to discover in its humongous open world - not to mention, the top-tier DLC.
Buy Assassin's Creed Valhalla at Amazon
The Last of Us Part 1
It would be remiss not to mention The Last of Us, one of the biggest success stories of all time for the PlayStation – and a must-play if the PS5 is your first Sony console. Originally released for the PS3, the game was then remastered for the PS4 before being rebuilt from the ground up for the PS5 in the form of The Last of Us Part 1.
For anyone who has checked out the HBO Show, this is the version to play. It tells the story of a smuggler named Joel who is tasked with transporting a teenager called Ellie across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. It's an emotional rollercoaster that proves yet again that video games can compete with, and in some ways better, cinema.
Buy The Last of Us Part 1 at Amazon
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered (19th January, 2024)
With an emotionally devastating story, stunning graphics and terrifying gameplay moments, The Last of Us Part 2 picks up five years after the original, and it's a shining example of how far video games have come in recent years. Like the first game, it's a sombre experience filled with brilliantly written characters, gutwrenching beats and a stunning realisation of a post-apocalyptic US.
The PS5 remaster is set to launch in January, featuring enhanced graphics, lost levels, new modes, DualSense support and lots more. It can be upgraded to if you own the PS4 version for about £10.
Buy The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered at Amazon
Demon Souls
Maybe you played the original game back on the PS3 and think you got everything out of it? Well, that may have been the case until this 2020 remake from Bluepoint Games. This is a ground-up rebuild of the beloved Demon Souls game that launched the Souls-like genre. Everything from Bloodborne to Elden Ring stemmed from this epic journey into Boletareia to rid the land of The Old One.
Astro's Playroom
It may seem odd to recommend a game that came free with the PS5, but Astro's Playroom perfectly highlights how incredible the console's controller is. Taking that away for the second, it's still lots of fun with some great puzzles, a brilliant sense of humour and lots of nods to the history of PlayStation. A short but superb experience to ease you into your new console.
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut
While many were a tad critical of the open-world aspect, Ghost of Tsushima more than made up for any shortcomings with an incredible story, stunning visuals of 1274 Japan during the first Mongol invasion and combat that could rival that of the Batman: Arkham series. This remaster for the PS5 vastly improves loading, pushes the game to 60fps/1800 pixels and includes the Iki Island expansion.
Buy Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut at Argos
EA Sports FC 24
FIFA is back, but not how you expected it. Now that the license has expired behind the football organisation and developer EA, the latter has moved on to EA Sports FC 24. It's essentially the same game with the same technology behind it and that addictive Ultimate Team mode that has helped fuel the franchise to a global phenomenon.
Rocket League
A game that every PlayStation console should have downloaded. If you've ever seen those Top Gear challenges where cars go head-to-head with a giant football and fancied a go, now you can. Developed by indie studio Psyonix – who previously made the fantastically named Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars – Rocket League has gone from strength to strength since its debut back in 2015. It's a wonderfully fast and frantic game that combines cars, football and rockets! What's not to like!?
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Sackboy: A Big Adventure
The LittleBigPlanet spin-off is a super fun platformer filled with charming levels that are as good in single-player as they are in local or online co-op. Available across PS4 and PS5, it's worth checking out on the next-gen version to take advantage of the DualSense features. While Sackboy won't be dethroning Mario anytime soon, developer Sumo Digital has still done a great job of offering something different with lots of cute animations, little to no loading and some terrific level designs.
Buy Sackboy: A Big Adventure at CDKeys
Elden Ring
This one's for those seeking a challenge. FromSoftware is known for its difficult games, and Elden Ring is no exception. What sets this one apart from the other Souls-likes, however, is the vast open world. Game of Thrones fans will be happy to know that George RR Martin has played a part in the narrative and world-building, so the story is in good hands.
It's a fantastic game that's, at the time of writing, a huge contender for game of the year. So you'd be silly not to dive into the rich world and fight your way to becoming the new Elden Lord.
Returnal
If a horror-tinged sci-fi adventure is your thing, then we can't recommend Returnal enough. This roguelite from Housemarque follows astronaut Selene Vassos (voiced by Jane Perry), who finds herself trapped in a time loop on the planet Atropos after searching for the mysterious "White Shadow" signal. What makes it so damn fun is its core gameplay, the wonderfully dark atmosphere and the challenging risk versus reward gameplay. It's exclusive on consoles to the PS5, too.
If you're looking for something else to play, check out our lists of the best PC games and best VR games on the market today.
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Authors
Matt Poskitt is a freelance journalist who specialises in arts and culture – be that movies, TV, video games, tech or otherwise. Matt headed up the games and entertainment section at T3 (Future Publishing), alongside being found across The Guardian, CNET, PC Gamer Mag, GamesIndustry.biz, Insider, iNews, IGN, TechRadar, PC Gamer Mag, NME and many more.
