The PlayStation 5 has been out for a few years now, and the library has grown into something really impressive. Whether you just picked up a console or you’ve had one since launch day, there’s a good chance you’re sitting there wondering: what should I actually play next?
There are hundreds of titles available, and not all of them deserve a spot on your shelf or your hard drive. So we did the sorting for you. This list covers 26 PS5 games that are worth your time, your money, and your weekends. No filler, no fluff — just solid picks across different genres and moods.
Let’s get into it.
1. Demon’s Souls
The game that started the modern Soulslike era got a stunning PS5 remake, and it holds up beautifully. Demon’s Souls is punishing, atmospheric, and deeply rewarding. If you’ve never played a FromSoftware-style game before, this is actually a decent entry point because the world is relatively contained. Die a hundred times, learn from every death, and feel genuinely proud when you finally conquer a boss. The graphics are stunning — this was a launch title and it still looks incredible.
2. Returnal
Returnal is one of the most original games on the PS5. You play as an astronaut stuck in a time loop on an alien planet, and every run through the game feels different. It’s a roguelite third-person shooter with genuinely tight gunplay and a mysterious story that slowly unravels the more you play. This one uses the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in ways that feel truly next-gen. It’s tough, but incredibly satisfying once it clicks.
3. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
If you want to show off what the PS5 can do visually, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is your best argument. The game looks like a Pixar movie running at 60 frames per second. Dimensional rifts open and close in real-time thanks to the PS5’s SSD, and the whole thing feels seamless in a way that simply wasn’t possible on previous hardware. It’s also just a really fun platformer with great writing and memorable characters. Perfect for all ages.
4. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Miles Morales isn’t just a shorter version of the original Spider-Man — it’s a genuinely emotional story about a young man finding his place in the world while also learning to be a hero. The gameplay is fast, fluid, and a joy to experience. Miles has unique powers that make combat feel fresh, and swinging through a snowy New York never gets old. If you only play one superhero game this year, make it this one.
5. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Insomniac Games somehow made Spider-Man even better. The sequel brings both Peter Parker and Miles Morales into the same story, and the web of (pun intended) gameplay possibilities expands dramatically. The Symbiote storyline is darker and more ambitious than anything the first game attempted. Fast travel is now a grappling hook launched across the entire map, and the game looks absolutely breathtaking on PS5. One of the best superhero games ever made.
6. God of War Ragnarök
God of War Ragnarök is the rare sequel that improves on an already nearly perfect game. Kratos and Atreus’s journey through the Nine Realms is bigger, bolder, and more emotionally resonant than the 2018 entry. The combat has more depth, the world-building is richer, and the story delivers a genuinely satisfying conclusion to this Norse saga. If you played God of War on PS4, do not skip this one. And if you haven’t played either — start with 2018 and come straight to this.
7. Horizon Forbidden West
Aloy’s second adventure takes her to a breathtaking post-apocalyptic American West filled with machine dinosaurs and lost civilizations. The open world is enormous, the combat systems have been refined, and the story digs deeper into the mysteries set up by the first game. Horizon Forbidden West is one of the most visually stunning games you’ll ever play, and the underwater sections in particular show off what this hardware can do. A must-play for open-world fans.
8. Final Fantasy XVI
Final Fantasy XVI is a departure from what longtime fans might expect — it’s a full action RPG, not a turn-based experience. But it’s one of the most confidently made games in the series. The story is mature and epic, with political intrigue, war, and tragedy at its core. The Eikon battles (giant creature versus giant creature) are some of the most jaw-dropping set pieces in gaming history. Clive Rosfield is one of the best protagonists the franchise has ever produced.
9. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
The second part of the Final Fantasy VII remake project is a sprawling, ambitious love letter to one of gaming’s greatest stories. Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, and the rest of the crew explore an open world that genuinely captures the scale and wonder of the original PlayStation game — but rebuilt for modern hardware. The combat is fast and layered, the mini-games are surprisingly deep, and the emotional moments hit incredibly hard if you have any history with this franchise.
10. Elden Ring
Elden Ring isn’t just one of the best games on PS5 — it’s one of the best games ever made. FromSoftware collaborated with George R.R. Martin to build a vast open world filled with secrets, terrifying enemies, and a story told entirely through environmental details and item descriptions. It respects your intelligence and never holds your hand. The sense of exploration and discovery is unmatched. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it’s worth every frustrating moment. Grab the DLC too — Shadow of the Erdtree is excellent.
11. Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a masterpiece of role-playing game design. It’s based on Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition rules, but you don’t need to know anything about tabletop gaming to love it. The sheer number of choices available to you — in character creation, in dialogue, in combat, in how you approach every single situation — is staggering. It’s a game you can play for 100 hours and still feel like you’ve missed half of it. Larian Studios built something truly special here.
12. Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
Ghost of Tsushima is the kind of open-world game that reminds you why you fell in love with the genre in the first place. You play as a samurai defending feudal Japan from a Mongol invasion, and the game is absolutely gorgeous — rolling fields of long grass, towering bamboo forests, red maple leaves drifting in the wind. The combat is precise and satisfying. The Director’s Cut adds the Iki Island expansion, which features a deeply personal story for protagonist Jin Sakai. A beautiful, beautiful game.
13. Astro’s Playroom
Here’s the thing about Astro’s Playroom: it comes pre-installed on every PS5, and most people treat it as a tech demo. Don’t make that mistake. This is one of the most joyful platformers ever made, packed with love letters to PlayStation’s history and brilliant uses of the DualSense controller. You’ll feel rain on your fingertips, the tension of a bow, the rumble of footsteps — all through the controller. It’s short, but it’s a pure delight from start to finish.
14. Hogwarts Legacy
You don’t need to be a Harry Potter obsessive to enjoy Hogwarts Legacy, though it certainly helps. This open-world RPG set in the 1800s lets you attend Hogwarts, learn spells, explore dungeons, and unravel a mystery involving ancient magic. The castle itself is faithfully recreated and full of secrets to discover. Combat is fast and spell-based. The freedom to be a student of your own design — good or dark — gives it a lot of replay value. One of the most pleasant surprises of its release year.
15. Resident Evil 4 Remake
Capcom took one of the most beloved action games of all time and rebuilt it from the ground up — and somehow, they nailed it. The Resident Evil 4 Remake keeps everything that made the original brilliant: the pacing, the atmosphere, the memorable characters, the bizarre European village setting. But it adds modern controls, expanded story moments, and genuinely tense horror. Leon S. Kennedy remains an absolute legend. This is the gold standard for how remakes should be done.
16. Resident Evil Village
Village puts you in the shoes of Ethan Winters as he searches for his daughter in a nightmare village surrounded by a castle, a factory, and a lake house — each controlled by a different terrifying villain. Lady Dimitrescu and her towering presence became an internet sensation for good reason. The game balances survival horror with action brilliantly. It’s creepy, exciting, and surprisingly emotional by the end. The Shadows of Rose DLC is worth your time too.
17. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
Cyberpunk 2077 had a rough launch — that’s well-documented. But the game that exists today, fully patched and expanded with the Phantom Liberty DLC, is one of the most immersive open-world RPGs ever created. Night City feels alive in a way few game worlds manage. The story is mature and thought-provoking, V is a compelling protagonist, and the sheer density of things to do and see is remarkable. This is the version of the game CD Projekt Red always intended to ship, and it’s excellent.
18. Gran Turismo 7
Gran Turismo 7 is a love letter to car culture in the purest sense. It’s not just a racing game — it’s a museum, a coffee table book, and a seriously deep driving simulator all rolled into one. The game features hundreds of meticulously modeled cars, stunning track environments, and physics that reward real skill. The Music Rally mode is a genuinely unique experience. If you have any appreciation for cars or racing, Gran Turismo 7 is simply unmissable on PS5.
19. Lies of P
Lies of P is the Soulslike that proved independent studios can genuinely compete with FromSoftware. Set in a dark, twisted version of the Pinocchio story, the game features tightly designed levels, a challenging but fair combat system, and an atmosphere dripping with Belle Époque gothic beauty. The weapon customization system — where you can mix and match blades and handles — adds a satisfying layer of strategy. A fantastic game that exceeded almost every expectation placed on it.
20. Dead Space Remake
The Dead Space remake does what the best remakes always do: it preserves the soul of the original while elevating everything around it. Isaac Clarke’s nightmare aboard the USG Ishimura is more terrifying than ever thanks to next-gen lighting, audio design, and environmental detail. The game’s Necromorphs are grotesque and unsettling in the best possible way. For fans of survival horror, this is required playing. Just make sure your lights are on.
21. The Last of Us Part I
If you somehow missed The Last of Us during the PS3 or PS4 era, the PS5 rebuild is the definitive way to experience this landmark story. Joel and Ellie’s journey across a post-apocalyptic America is one of the most emotionally powerful narratives gaming has ever produced. The rebuild updates everything — graphics, animations, audio — while preserving the story beat for beat. For newcomers, this is genuinely one of the greatest games ever made. For veterans, it’s a meaningful reason to revisit it.
22. Ghostwire: Tokyo
Ghostwire: Tokyo is one of those games that flies under the radar but absolutely deserves your attention. Set in a Tokyo emptied of its population by supernatural forces, you use elemental hand gestures to fight ghosts and spirits while uncovering a deeply human story about grief and connection. The game’s version of Tokyo — empty but impossibly detailed — creates an eerie atmosphere unlike anything else in gaming. The DLC expansion adds even more depth to the story.
23. Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Kena: Bridge of Spirits was made by a small studio called Ember Lab, and it looks like it was made by a team ten times the size. This action-adventure game follows a spirit guide helping souls find peace, and it’s gorgeous — think Pixar meets Studio Ghibli. The Rot, small spirit companions you collect throughout the game, are adorable and genuinely useful in combat. It’s not the longest game, but it’s crafted with enormous care and heart. A hidden gem of the PS5 library.
24. Stellar Blade
Stellar Blade is a visually stunning action RPG developed by Korean studio Shift Up, and it’s a confident debut on the console. You play as Eve, a warrior descending to Earth to fight monstrous creatures called Naytibas. The combat system rewards timing and precision in a way that feels deeply satisfying once mastered. The world design blends desolation and beauty in equal measure. It’s stylish, challenging, and a fresh voice in the action RPG space.
25. Alan Wake 2
Remedy Entertainment pushed the limits of what games can be with Alan Wake 2. It blends survival horror with psychological thriller, switching between two protagonists and two very different worlds. The production values are exceptional — live-action sequences are integrated seamlessly into gameplay, and the storytelling is genuinely inventive. It’s the kind of game that makes you stop and think about what the medium is capable of. Complex, strange, and unforgettable.
26. Astro Bot
Released in 2024, Astro Bot is everything a PS5 platformer should be — and then some. Team Asobi took the concept they explored in Astro’s Playroom and built a full-length adventure around it, complete with incredible use of the DualSense, creative level design, and dozens of PlayStation character cameos that will make any longtime fan smile. It’s pure joy from beginning to end, and it won Game of the Year for a reason. If you want a game that makes you feel like a kid again, this is it.
So, Where Do You Start?
With 26 options on the table, the best place to start is simple: pick the genre you love most and go from there. If you want something epic and story-driven, God of War Ragnarök or Final Fantasy XVI won’t let you down. If you’re after a challenge, Elden Ring or Demon’s Souls will give you something to sink your teeth into. If you want pure fun without the pressure, Ratchet and Clank or Astro Bot are perfect.
Every game on this list has been chosen because it does something genuinely well — either technically, narratively, or creatively. The PS5 has earned its place as one of the best gaming platforms ever made, and these 26 titles are proof of that.
Happy gaming.
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