What are the Best PS5 Games? Sony’s next-gen console is the new kid on the block, but it’s off to a faster start than any of the Japanese giant’s previous platforms, with a compelling slate of must play software available at launch. As part of our PS5 guide, we’ve compiled the Best PS5 Games that you can play today. If you’re planning to take advantage of PS5 backwards compatibility, then you should also refer to our Best PS4 Games guide.
Below is a full list of the Best PS5 Games. These are the console’s top titles, and the essentials that we believe all gamers should play, irrespective of individual taste or preference.
10. Bugsnax (PS5)
Publisher: Young Horses / Developer: Young Horses
Release Date: 12th Nov 2020 (USA) / 19th Nov 2020 (UK/EU)
Bugsnax might have won people over with a catchy theme song, but it’s far more than just that. It lures you in with its whimsical style and silly concept, but quickly subverts expectations with surprisingly emotional story beats. Your main tasks in the game are to catch the titular creatures and find out what happened to the leader of an expedition to the island. Figuring out how to capture each Bugsnak is fun, and learning more about the colourful cast will keep you engaged. It’s a unique flavour combo, but it works.
For more information, read our Bugsnax PS5 review.
9. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (PS5)
Publisher: Activision / Developer: Treyarch
Release Date: 13th Nov 2020 (USA) / 13th Nov 2020 (UK/EU)
The single player campaign is the reason to buy Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Packed full of top-secret espionage and spy-like action, Treyarch has put together a fantastic lonesome outing that introduces side missions and optional quests to the traditional linear levels of the series. Zombies is an obvious mainstay packed full of secrets and the sort of depth you’d expect from any full-priced release, so much so that multiplayer feels a little too bare-bones this time around. It’s basic Call of Duty multiplayer in just about every single respect possible. Serviceable, but not exactly exciting.
For more information, read our Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War PS5 review.
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8. WRC 9 (PS5)
Publisher: Nacon / Developer: Kylotonn Entertainment
Release Date: 12th Nov 2020 (USA) / 19th Nov 2020 (UK/EU)
The PS5 already has a rock solid racing sim, and it’s WRC 9. This officially licensed rally racer gives the DIRT Rally series a run for its money. With all the real world routes and vehicles, an in-depth career mode, and thrilling driving, this will have any racing fan on the edge of their seat. It excels on Sony’s new console thanks to excellent DualSense support; you’ll feel every bump in the road with the haptic feedback, and the triggers simulate the gas and brake pedals wonderfully. There are lots of ways to play, including online championships, so this should keep petrol heads going until Gran Turismo 7 crosses the line.
For more information, read our WRC 9 PS5 review.
7. Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS5)
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Developer: Sumo Digital
Release Date: 12th Nov 2020 (USA) / 19th Nov 2020 (UK/EU)
LittleBigPlanet’s knitted hero has been sitting on the sidelines for far too long, but Sackboy: A Big Adventure whisks the whimsical warrior back into the limelight with pizzazz. This co-operative platformer may shed the Play, Create, Share backbone that defined previous outings, but with eye-popping presentation and tight level design, it makes the underutilised character relevant once again.
For more information, read our Sackboy: A Big Adventure PS5 review.
6. The Pathless (PS5)
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive / Developer: Giant Squid
Release Date: 12th Nov 2020 (USA) / 12th Nov 2020 (UK/EU)
The Pathless lives up to its name with a gorgeous open world to explore, but it’s how you get around that sets this adventure apart. Playing as an archer, firing arrows at targets dotted throughout the map provide you a speed boost, letting you blitz through the natural environments and mysterious ruins with amazing flow. This traversal leads you to discover the secrets of a corrupted world, and you’ll solve puzzles and tackle fearsome creatures in your quest to cleanse the land. A beautiful game in many ways, this is quietly one of PS5’s best.
For more information, read our The Pathless PS5 review.
5. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (PS5)
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Developer: Insomniac Games
Release Date: 12th Nov 2020 (USA) / 19th Nov 2020 (UK/EU)
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales builds off Insomniac Games’ outstandingly established superhero world, and lays out a thoroughly enjoyable origin story for Peter Park’s accomplice. With some great combat and stealth tweaks, as well as several likeable and relatable characters, this is essential for fans of the original game.
For more information, read our Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales PS5 review.
4. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (PS5)
Publisher: Ubisoft / Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Release Date: 12th Nov 2020 (USA) / 12th Nov 2020 (UK/EU)
The PS5 version of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla makes for a fantastic Viking saga. Running at a silky smooth 60 frames-per-second in its performance mode, this is an often stunning recreation of 9th Century England. In many ways, Valhalla is a refinement of the formula brought forth by Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. A much heavier focus on main story missions is a huge step in the right direction, while the open world itself feels far more handcrafted. It’s a little rough around the edges, but the epic tale of Eivor is a game that we’ll probably still be playing well into the future.
For more information, read our Assassin’s Creed Valhalla PS5 review.
3. Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition (PS5)
Publisher: Capcom / Developer: Capcom
Release Date: 12th Nov 2020 (USA) / 19th Nov 2020 (UK/EU)
We were tempted to just quote the entirety of Vergil’s ‘Bury the Light’ theme for this entry, but that would deny us an opportunity to rave about Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition on PS5. Simply put, this is an exceptional action game. It’s Capcom at its absolute best, having crafted one of the greatest combat systems to ever grace the genre. In Special Edition, Vergil is the star of the show; unbelievably fun to play as and immaculately designed. This PS5 re-release also allows for instantaneous load times, a slew of graphics options, and the incredible Legendary Dark Knight mode.
For more information, read our Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition PS5 review.
2. Astro’s Playroom (PS5)
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Developer: Japan Studio
Release Date: 12th Nov 2020 (USA) / 19th Nov 2020 (UK/EU)
Could Astro’s Playroom be the best interactive tribute ever? It has to be up there. This love letter to all things PlayStation returns to generations past with fitting references and nods to noteworthy franchises while providing a glimpse of the future at the very same time. Sony’s PS5 DualSense controller justifies its branding inside just a few hours of play, proving that adaptive triggers and haptic feedback really can be a gamechanger. There’s not a better place to start your PS5 journey than Astro’s Playroom.
For more information, read our Astro’s Playroom PS5 review.
1. Demon’s Souls (PS5)
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment / Developer: Bluepoint Games
Release Date: 12th Nov 2020 (USA) / 19th Nov 2020 (UK/EU)
FromSoftware’s iconic dark fantasy action role-playing game Demon’s Souls has been resurrected as the flagship PS5 launch game – and the results are remarkable. Bluepoint Game once again turns in an outstanding effort, retaining the core of this punishing classic, while completely upgrading its underlying tech. This legendary PS3 game plays as well as ever, but it now looks and sounds like a contemporary classic.
For more information, read our Demon’s Souls PS5 review.
Do you agree that these are the Best PS5 Games? Is there anything in particular you’d add? What are your favourite games on Sony’s new console? Talk it out in the comments section below.
