Far beyond the 1st year anniversary of the PlayStation 5’s launch in November 2019, the number of incredible titles to play has grown to an exquisite yet abundant catalogue. Wondering what you should play first? Well, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the best PS5 games you can play right now.
If you’re looking for the leading games among a particular genre, why not check out the best platformers to play right now? Or how about this year’s games that are still to come? In that case, you can check on the video game release dates for 2022.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Although cross-platform, Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales swung in hard as a best-selling PS5 launch game. This game remains one of the best on PS5 today and it’s not hard to see why.
A sequel to 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man, Miles Morales sees its namesake protagonist try to establish his own take on the Spider-Man mantle – whilst discovering his own unique set of powers on the way. An exciting set of gameplay tweaks combined with its own tighter-yet-touching narrative. Miles Morales remains a unique experience for both newcomers and those who played Insomniac’s first game.
In addition to upgraded visuals and haptic feedback on the DualSense controller, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales comes with a choice of visual modes depending on your preference. Originally having to choose between 60FPS and 4K raytracing, a post-launch patch introduced a Performance RT mode – aiming for 60FPS at a 1440p resolution.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales on PS5 is available to buy at the GameByte Shop from £34.95.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Another hit from Insomniac Games. A sequel to 2016’s Ratchet and Clank, Rift Apart stands on its own as an absolute blast. Back with the series’ wholesome and lovable titular duo, you’re set on a cross-dimensional journey to thwart an evil robotic emperor – because video games. A PS5 exclusive, this third-person platformer is a demonstration of what the console is capable of.
A fun, colourful, and well-written adventure in its own right, the PlayStation 5’s high speed SSD fuels rapid load times kick in during Rift Apart’s near-instantaneous shifts to other dimensions, adding to the breathtaking gameplay at your disposal. At Rift Apart’s core, not much new has been added following the first game; it’s just honed in and improved on what made it already perfect.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is available to buy at the GameByte Shop for £46.95.
Demon’s Souls
Not for the casual gamer, but that’s part of what’s made Blue Point’s Demon’s Souls one of the best launch titles for a PlayStation console in recent memory. Even if you’re a seasoned pro at the original developer FromSoftware’s Soulsborne games, this magnificently crafted remake crafted from the ground up delivers both some of the most intense battles and best visuals possible. Demon’s Souls is a gruelling, challenging adventure – making victory feel all the more rewarding.
Astro’s Playroom
The best PS5 game you can’t avoid, because Astro’s Playroom already comes installed on every console. As Astro, arguably PlayStation’s most adorable mascot, you’ll explore the magical world of PlayStation – constructed as four unique worlds, each with the theme of one of the system’s components – such as the beautifully named SSD Speedway.
What makes Astro’s Playroom such a strong PS5 title is not only its remarkable in-game showcase of the DualSense controller’s features, but also the sense of wonder present in the entire game. Alongside its interesting grab-bag of platforming mechanics, it’s a delightful tribute to PlayStation’s history and a charming display of what the current generation has to offer.
Bugsnax
Like its plot and the deliciously weird world Bugsnax is set in, there’s a lot more to this adventure game than meets the eye. In a land where you’re tasked with catching a buffet’s worth of sentient food-based lifeforms, you’re also assigned with solving the deep mystery of Snaxtooth Island and the events surrounding the small society established by its new inhabitants.
Meanwhile, the core gameplay itself is fascinatingly Pokemon-esque, forcing you to utilise strategy and the tools at your disposal to collect them all in a scrumptious safari. Bugsnax is the finest combination of goofy and dark you’ll find among the PS5 games on offer.
Bugsnax on PS5 is available to buy at the GameByte Shop for £33.95.
Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut
Already a gorgeous spectacle of a game on PS4, Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut is remarkably even better when playing on PS5. Superior load times, 60FPS, and 4K graphics are made all the sweeter by the upgrade’s added DualSense support. Feeling that extra pull when drawing your bow never gets old.
Together with its original campaign, the tale of a lone samurai on a revenge path against Mongol invaders, comes the Iki Island expansion. Adding a whole new land to explore, missions to triumph, an expanded story, and new enemies to slaughter, Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut is one of the most epic games to play on PS5.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut on PS5 is available to buy at the GameByte Shop for £44.95.
Deathloop
One of the last Bethesda exclusives on PlayStation, a timed one at least, Deathloop is a rarity even among the obscure time loop sub-genre of gaming. Stuck in a Groundhog Day-ish live, die, repeat scenario, this first-person shooter has you play as Colt – an assassin set on killing eight targets who believes doing so will break him free of his repetition prison.
With Deathloop, comes a thrillride in its non-linear narrative and grand arsenal and weapons, gadgets, parkour, stealth tactics, and powers. As expected of the developer behind Prey and the Dishonored series, Arkane Studios has shown off another gem of single-player game for the PS5.
Deathloop on PS5 is available to buy at the GameByte Shop for £28.95.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Being also available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PS4 should be no discredit to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla still being one of the best games on PS5. Still channelling the spirit of some of the older Assassin’s Creed games, Valhalla is a further evolution of the series into a splendidly ambitious RPG that’s as grand in scope as it is fantastic to look at.
As Viking raider leader, Eivor, the Assassin’s Creed lore and mechanics blend together wonderfully. As you establish your Viking settlement in 9th century England, you’re pulled into the franchise-wide conflict between the Assassin Brotherhood and Templar order. With its brutal combat, plethora of stories, and a wealth of an open world to explore, Valhalla even provides a myriad of customisation settings to make this Viking adventure truly your own.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on PS5, and the new Dawn of Ragnarok expansion is available to buy at the GameByte Shop from £39.95 and £29.95 respectively.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
Remaining a timed exclusive to the PlayStation ecosystem, Final Fantasy 7 Remake is a stunning return to an iconic story gaming – one that we still partly can’t believe actually happened. Whilst paying homage to the legendary original game, this part-one remake managed to make its own mark on the series with jaw-dropping graphics, action, and gripping narrative.
On PS5 however, Intergrade kicks the remake up a notch – boasting the typical current-gen upgrades in boosted loading times, 4K visuals, and a 60FPS mode. What’s more, Intergrade comes with an additional story segment featuring longtime series favourite, Yuffie, as a playable protagonist. For Final Fantasy fans and those of bold story-driven games in general, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is a must-play for PS5 owners.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on PS5 is available to buy at the GameByte Shop for £35.95.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
One of 2021’s biggest and best surprises in gaming. Following lowered expectations, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy smashed expectations with a single-player story that was beloved enough to win Best Narrative at the 2021 Game Awards.
Playing as Peter Quill, you’re Star-Lord, the leader of a newly formed band of heroes for hire who MCU fans will recognise in the Marvel movies of the same name.
Even if you’ve never heard of Star Lord and his band of space pirates, loving Guardians of the Galaxy is inevitable for a variety of reasons. In conjunction with each character’s poignant arcs of loss and overcoming grief, there’s the wonderfully written script laced with humour and character dynamics – making this the leading take on the Guardians yet. Furthermore, complimented by its excellent soundtrack, the strategic real-time combat is a blast with every encounter.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy on PS5 is available to buy at the GameByte Shop for £30.95.
Elden Ring
By the same team that brought you Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Twice, Elden Ring is truly the latest evolution of a dark fantasy game headed by Hidetaka Miyazaki. Invigorated by deeper and enhanced gameplay mechanics, immersed in a breathtaking dark fantasy world made with the help of George R. R. Martin, Elden Ring is the culmination of the strengths of all of its creators and more.
Although said to be easier amongst other FromSoftware games, Elden Ring is designed to beat you down and push you to your limits. However, as with those that came before, that extra layer of challenge has not been put in place for the sake of being difficult. It feels earned. As a result, even when you’ve been butchered by a boss fight for the 37th time, finally working out what you need to clinch victory makes every win the very definition of bliss. Elden Ring not only forces you to be a better player, but it also makes sure you have an unforgettably amazing time getting there.
Elden Ring is available to buy now at the GameByte Shop on PS5 from £49.95. Although, you can also buy the PS4 for version for £43.95 and claim a free digital upgrade to the PlayStation 5 version.
That completes our round-up of the best PS5 games to play right now. If you’re keen to check out some of our other lists, such as the best Nintendo Switch games and best Xbox Series X games to play right now.