Only the best PS5 games will give you top-tier experiences on Sony's current-gen console. Now that we're into the fourth year of the console, the library is as expansive as ever, offering an enormous range of games to get stuck into, no matter what your go-to types, or favorite things to play are. To help make navigating that enormous library easier, we've distilled our top picks down to this very list, covering all the key beats when looking for awesome PS5 games to play.
So whether you're after a fast-paced shooter that pushes the console's technical capabilities, a family-friendly adventure that showcases the DualSense controller's innovative features, a simply stunning PS5 exclusive that will immerse you in its action, or something else entirely, you'll find it here.
As a quick note, these aren't games that are only on PS5 - you want our best PS5 exclusives list for those games and their brethren - but rather the best ones you can play on PS5 more broadly right now. Read on for our picks.
Best PS5 games 2024
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"Engaging and approachable, New World: Aeternum mostly nails the modern MMORPG experience with its refined and cohesive game world and intuitive combat system. Crafting and gathering remain a highlight here but all types of players will find this game worthy of its upfront price of admission." - Alex Whitelock, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
New World: Aeternum sees the MMORPG come to PS5, along with some improvements to everything from combat to exploration. There's new story campaign cinematics as well, offering a much more premium experience to the original title that launched back in 2021. This one is more of a spiritual sequel, making smart tweaks to the formula informed by player feedback.
If you've been wanting to try out an MMO, but have been put off by daunting mechanics and system-heavy games, New World: Aeternum is much more pick up and play when compared to its competitors. Combat is fast and action-packed, and the cohesive main quests will shepherd you just the right amount.
"For fans of the Dragon Age setting, Veilguard is an absolute treat. If you’ve been yearning to return to Thedas, you’ve come to the right place. The campaign is a whistle-stop tour of yet-unexplored locales - a wish come true for long-time fans." - Cat Bussell, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a triumphant return for the fantasy RPG series, with thrilling modern combat, as well as a truly beautiful world to explore. This time around, you play as Rook, and must recruit a team of allies in order to stop a world-ending plot from Solas the Dreadwolf. There's plenty for new players here, but generally, you'll get more out of the story if you played the last game in the series. Regardless, meeting new characters, exploring the world and slowly building up a specialised fighter will keep you busy for hundreds of hours.
While Dragon Age: The Veilguard didn't top our best Dragon Age games list, it is a welcome return for a beloved series. The combat is exceptional, blending the series' penchant for flashy abilities with gorgeous visuals and a deep skill tree. Whether you want to be a magic-wielding mage, or a devastating brute, you can play your way.
"Baldur’s Gate 3 is a fine contender for one of the best video game RPGs ever made. It’s the most ambitious RPG out there, and the painstakingly accurate rendition of Dungeons & Dragons will delight fans. A must-play, even if some frustrations with D&D’s format might grate." - Jake Tucker, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
Baldur's Gate 3 made one hell of a splash when it launched in 2023. It had been in early access for quite some time, allowing devs to fine tune gameplay to perfection. The launch build has since been updated, and as it stands, Baldur's Gate 3 is simply one of the best RPGs you can play on PS5.
You'll start your Baldur's Gate 3 quest by being infected by a brain worm, and must forge uneasy alliances to uncover a way to save yourself. Along the way, you can take on combat and puzzles in pretty much any way you want. The full variety on offer in Dungeons and Dragons is available here too. Whether you want to be a brutish barbarian, or a whimsical bard, there's a play-style for you.
While the game is undoubtedly made to be played on PC, the console port is exceptional. If you're into fantasy RPGs, you really can't go wrong with picking up Baldur's Gate 3 on PS5.
"The Last of Us Part 1 is full of memorable moments, in combat and out – but as a verified secret softy, it’s the heart-wrenching ones that have scored their marks in my heart. And boy howdy, does the revamped intro qualify for that and then some." - Shabana Arif, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
The Last of Us Part 1 takes the iconic PS3 title and drags it into the modern age. Its visuals have been rebuilt from the ground up, bringing things more in-line with the game's sequel (which has since also been remastered). The main draw here is the opportunity to revisit one of the most iconic games of the last 20 years, one that's influenced the way narrative storytelling has evolved in this industry over time.
For those that have yet to play The Last of Us, maybe those that started with the TV show, this version is absolutely worth jumping into. Even if you played the PS4 remaster of The Last of Us, there's plenty to enjoy here as well. For one, the Left Behind DLC is included, and there's even improved controls and subtle tweaks to gameplay mechanics like crafting. Absolutely one of the best games you can play on PS5 in 2024.
"Bluepoint Games has completely remade Demon’s Souls from the ground up for PS5, and it's a phenomenal, often breathtaking achievement. Demon’s Souls is the first game that actually looks like it could only run on a next-gen machine, with spectacular lighting, convincing animations and super-fast load times some of the key highlights." - Adam Vjestica, TechRadar reviewer.
Demon's Souls is still one of the best looking games ever made, even almost four years removed from its launch. This is because it fully leverages everything that the PS5 can handle, with some of the best lighting and particle effects you'll find on console.
In terms of the game itself, Demon's Souls is a lovingly faithful remake of FromSoftware's cult classic, with some modern bells and whistles to help bring it up to speed. Players will find a challenging yet satisfying action RPG, with hulking bosses to fell, and labyrinthian dungeons to explore. If you've played any of the Souls series, this is the one that started it all, and you'll no doubt recognize many of the systems that have now become a standard of the genre.
Demon’s Souls forcibly drives home one simple message from the outset: you will die. It doesn’t matter how patient, careful or skilled a player you might be, because sooner or later, you will die. As you learn about enemy attacks, where hidden paths are, and slowly level up your character however, you'll eventually emerge from the catacombs victorious.
The way Astro's Playroom deploys the DualSense's features and powers is unparalleled. From feeling different surfaces 'underfoot' to loading springy jumps with the triggers, it's superb.
Astro’s Playroom is the best pack-in game since Wii Sports, as it perfectly showcases what Sony’s new system can do. From the sumptuous, crystal clear 4K visuals, to the pleasing 3D audio, this is a gem of a platformer and it’s pre-installed on every PS5. It’s the way Astro’s Playroom shows off the DualSense controller, though, that really steals the show.
You’ll feel sensations that you didn’t know were possible before thanks to Sony’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers tech, such as what it feels like to walk along different surfaces or fire a Gatling gun. It’s a surreal, magical experience, and we recommend booting up Astro’s Playroom first before you play anything else. Better still, not only is it a genuinely top PS5 exclusive, it's completely free. This is a must-play for those who want to see what the DualSense controller is really capable of.
The writing in Disco Elysium is just so good and is some of the best you can experience in a PS5 game. It's rich, detailed, gives a great sense of place, and makes for some very memorable interactions.
Many RPG games claim to offer a spectrum of choice, but that usually boils down to doing a “good thing” or a “bad thing”. Washed-up cop simulator Disco Elysium doesn’t make things so simple. Amnesiac from drug and alcohol abuse, your cop explores all the shades of gray in between what constitutes a pure or dark morality in his quest to solve the murder of a hanged man.
The writing is exemplary throughout, pulling you into Disco Elysium’s vaguely European, vaguely post-communist city of Revachol, and the award-winning soundtrack is equally evocative. It’s not one for action fans – you’re primarily engaging in conversation-driven detective work here – but it’s roleplaying of the highest order, an RPG quite unlike any game you’ll have ever played. Disco Elysium: Final Cut is easily one of the best RPGs on PS5 right now.
"Gran Turismo 7 isn’t just the best entry in the long-running series, it sets the bar astronomically high for all future racing sims. GT7’s stunning graphics are paired with a wonderfully slick presentation. That, in conjunction with best-in-class racing sim gameplay that’s easier than ever to pick up - and tough as ever to master - make for a constantly satisfying racer." - Rhys Wood, TechRadar Gaming Hardware Editor.
Gran Turismo 7 restores the racing sim franchise to its former greatness, fixing the lack of content and slightly underwhelming visuals in both GT6 and GT Sport. GT7 gets back to what the charming racing sim does best: offering bags of content with sublime racing gameplay, all wrapped up in a wonderfully charming and inviting user experience that's remarkably moreish.
GT7 is also a stunning showcase of PS5 tech, making arguably the best use of the DualSense Wireless Controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. You'll feel every bump in the road, every screech around a corner, and every gear change as you maneuver around GT7's litany of tracks. Pair this with lightning-quick load times and you end up with a beautifully seamless racing experience in GT7. You rarely wait longer than a few seconds to dive into – or retry – a racing activity. GT7 is a glorious return to form for the series and easily the best racing game to showcase the PS5's capabilities.
The grim beauty and detail of Mortal Kombat 1's brutal finishers is a spectacular sight and keeps us coming back for more, always looking for new ways to finish off opponents in grisly style.
Mortal Kombat reigns as a king of the fighting game genre and Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate only cements that position. Combining Mortal Kombat 11, Kombat Pack 1, the Aftermath expansion, and Kombat Pack 2, Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate is the quintessential Mortal Kombat 11 experience. With two cinematic stories to play through, 37 fighters to get to grips with, and a bunch of new fatalities, stages, and brutalities to try out, Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate offers hours of gruesome fun.
What's more, on PS5, Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate benefits from 4K dynamic resolution, enhanced visuals, and drastically improved loading times (compared to its PS4 counterpart), so you won't miss a second more of the action than you need to. This is the best fighting game on PS5 right now.
"Resident Evil Village takes the series to new heights, balancing the action of Resident Evil 4 with the deeper narrative approach of Resident Evil 7. This, combined with a brilliant use of audio on PS5 and an array of memorable characters, makes it the best modern Resi entry." - Vic Hood, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
Taking place a few years after the events of Resident Evil 7, Village sees protagonist Ethan exploring an Eastern European village in hopes of finding his kidnapped daughter – but the village residents are.... less than welcoming.
More action-focused than its predecessor, this sequel is visibly closer to the classic Resident Evil 4 in its moment-to-moment gameplay – but blends this with the survival horror elements that we love about older entries. Factor in a slew of quality-of-life improvements, a roster of memorable characters, a well-paced, gripping story, and superb utilization of in-game audio, and Resident Evil Village is a fantastic horror game. We think it's definitely one of the best examples of how PS5 3D audio can enhance your gaming experience.
"Helldivers 2 delivers on the promise of chaotic fun through superior firepower. Whether you’re slaying enemies with your friends or slaying your friends while enemies are also present, if you’ve got the crew, this is a guaranteed good time." - Jake Tucker, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
Helldivers 2 has taken the PS5 game scene by storm in early 2024 - and for good reason. This third-person co-op shooter is chaotic, dumb, ridiculous in its humor, and totally bombastic in its action. Comparisons to the movie Starship Troopers are both fair and excellent, with teams of up to four spreading 'managed democracy' across the galaxy while slaying bug and robot enemies in the process.
You might well get into some friendly fire with your teammates but, in our experience, that only adds to the spectacle on offer - Helldivers 2 really encourages you to embrace the chaos in your defiant battle against the bugs and bots in relentless encounters and battles to save Super Earth. It is chaotic, but it also has a bit to say about serious matters too, under the right lens.
The shooting in particular feels excellent, and while, like some other bits of the game, it isn't always precise, it feels excellent to lay into hordes of bugs and robot baddies while hearing your characters shout nonsense slogans all the while.
Throw in a decent variety of mission types, good progression systems, slapstick humor, something we called "riotous violence" in our review, and you get a great result. Helldivers 2 is probably the best PS5 game for co-op action you can get right now.
"Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a loving recreation of the original’s second act, elevated by an impressive level of commitment and confidence and only held back by the occasional wobble." - Cat Bussell, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
With how Final Fantasy 7 Remake ended, it's no surprise that its successor heads into uncharted waters from the get-go. And while much of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will be familiar to those who played the original game, there's so many twists and turns to experience this time around.
In general, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth offers up a much larger, and more substantial slice of turn-based action and open-world exploration than what we've seen before. There are literally hundreds of side-activities to take on as you guide Cloud and friends through a bright and oftentimes funny adventure. While some may be put off by the changes to the original game's story, others will find Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's approach to a remake very refreshing indeed.
If you're looking for an absolutely gorgeous world to lose yourself in, or if you just want to dig into an excellent new combat system, then FF7 Rebirth is easily on of the best PS5 games you can pick up right now.
"Returnal puts its own stamp on the roguelike genre, blending ever-changing levels and permadeath with an intense third-person shooter experience. While players are often at the mercy of Returnal’s unpredictability – for better or worse – the immersive storytelling and the utilization of Sony’s latest hardware makes it feel like a true PS5 exclusive." - Vic Hood, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
As one of Sony's biggest PS5 exclusives, Returnal is bound to draw in many gamers who maybe haven't played a roguelike before and therefore may find its punishing difficulty, ever-changing levels, and permadeath mechanic to be a real shock to the system. That said, after a few cycles within Returnal's harsh alien world, they may also find it difficult to stop playing.
Returnal brings developer Housemarque's signature 'bullet hell' approach to the roguelike genre, which means that you'll never know what to expect when you enter a room, only that you will have to start over again from the beginning when you die. However, thanks to a tantalizing story and immersive gameplay, which take full advantage of PS5 3D Audio and the DualSense's full range of features, you'll likely keep returning for "just one more run..." If you want to see what the PS5 is capable of, Returnal is an experience you don't want to miss.
The level design and playful worlds of Sackboy: A Big Adventure are some of the best on PS5 and the way you interact with them through rolling, grabbing, slapping and more is so much fun.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is one of the most important exclusives here. This is a game that’s perfect for families thanks to its kid-friendly nature and four-player local co-op and manages to go toe-to-toe with the critically acclaimed Super Mario 3D World.
It helps that Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a truly wonderful platformer, one that manages to avoid the common pitfalls that many developers fall into when designing games for younger audiences. Don’t sleep on this one as it's one of the best PS5 platformers that you can play with friends and family.
Stalking, examining, and strategically dismantling and hunting each and everyone of Horizon Forbidden West's robot dinosaur creatures - the machines - is brilliant, satisfying and action-packed.
If you're on the hunt for an open-world, narrative-driven adventure in your search for the best PS5 game for you, then look no further than Horizon Forbidden West. Developing and expanding on all that was great about Horizon Zero Dawn on PS4, Aloy's next adventure is staggeringly beautiful, gripping, and filled with exciting rob-dinosaur action.
Many will say that it doesn't change a whole lot from Zero Dawn, or break ground that much, but Forbidden West absolutely is one of the best experiences you can get on PS5 right now. And absolutely do not skip the side quests, with some of the best we've played on PS5 (or any platform, for that matter) in recent years.
"Swinging through New York as Peter or Miles is better than it's ever been in the PlayStation 4 and 5 Spider-Man series. The smooth, seamless, and combo-tastic way you can dance through the air, off buildings, and deploy the web wings for extra speed and coverage is breathtaking." - Jake Green, TechRadar Gaming contributor.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is the definitive PlayStation superhero experience. Building on the first two games in the saga beautifully, this PS5 blockbuster gives us both Peter and Miles as playable characters and lets us loose once again in New York City.
Fans of the series and the superhero are well served with the game's Venom story arc that throws in a few surprises along the way, and as a singe-player open-world action game, it doesn't get much more fun than this. From taking on lowly criminals breaking into shops, to scouring the city for the many collectibles and puzzles, and from gliding your way through the sky scrapers in wind tunnels, to exploring all the skills and tools available to Peter and Miles, the action is relentless, and fun is paramount.
As a Sony first-party title, you get to enjoy a host of DualSense features too which make everything from firing web bursts, swinging through the streets, and solving puzzles with differing trigger pressures immensely fun, and immersive. There's also a host of impressive accessibility features that means more folks than ever can join in the fun of being a fully-fledged Spider-Man.
"Astro Bot combines engrossing platforming mechanics across masterfully designed levels that are filled with fun obstacles and collectibles. It stands up to gaming’s biggest giants like Mario and Sonic as a result and is a joyous Game of the Year contender." - George Yang, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.
Astro Bot has seriously surprised players and critics alike with an excellent display of modern 3D platforming peppered with a true reverence for the PlayStation brand. In their other adventures, Astro Bot had already proven himself as the new kid on the block as far as console mascots were concerned, and now, with a fully fledged game, it's clear that Sony has something very special on its hands indeed.
Each level of Astro Bot is bursting with easter eggs, including bots themed after authentic PlayStation characters as well as much deeper cuts. Ratchet, Jack, Crash and Spyro are all included here, helping Astro Bot feel like a real celebration for the now 30 year old gaming company. It's not all nostalgia here however, as Astro Bot puts forward perhaps the most polished platformer ever made. It's tight, exquisitely designed, and a complete blast to play. Watch out Mario, there's a new guy in town.
Elden Ring finally marks FromSoftware's rise to being one of the biggest developers on the planet. By taking what made its previous games sing, and mixing it all up into a genre-defining open world, FromSoftware has created a game that is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Elden Ring wowed fans and critics alike when it launched in 2022, offering up an open world take on games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne. Elden Ring's The Lands Between, is as deep as it is wide, stringing together now iconic locations that offer as much beauty as they do brutality. By expanding the scope of what a Soulslike can be, FromSoftware has created something that transcends the genre, an experience that appeals to all kinds of gamers, with no prior knowledge required.
Thanks to 2024's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, there's even more reasons to call Elden Ring one of the best PS5 games around. It's challenging, gorgeous, intricately designed and absolutely meticulous in its level progression and build variety. If you only try one Souls game, make it Elden Ring to see what all the fuss is about.
The combination of a gripping and emotional narrative with God of War's signature crunching combat is a thing to behold in Ragnarok - it means that every turn you're in for an epic encounter or a brilliant bit of story; the mixing of the two makes this a true epic.
God of War Ragnarok is the critically-acclaimed sequel to God of War (2018). Picking up several years after the events of its predecessor, this single-player epic once again follows Spartan Kratos and his son Atreus. But, this time, the pair are preparing for Ragnarok, a great battle that is prophesized to bring about the destruction of the Nine Realms.
Ragnarok will feel familiar to those who played God of War, but what really makes this sequel great is its emotive narrative, which shines in its subtler moments, while clever evolutions to combat introduce welcome changes that advance gameplay without oversaturating it. It’s a sequel that is often as brutal as it is poignant, making it easily the best mature open-world adventure on PS5 right now.
Best PS5 games: FAQs
What PS5 games are coming out soon?
Now that we're reaching the end of the year, we've seen the vast majority of new PS5 games for 2024. Looking ahead, we have Monster Hunter Wilds, Assassin's Creed Shadows, as well as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
For a full list of upcoming PS5 games and when they release, check out our new PS5 games roundup.
What games are way better on PS5?
A number of PS4 games have been enhanced for PS5, with some benefiting from improved frame rates and visuals that make them both look and play better than before. Just some PS4 games which have had PS5 improvements are God of War, Ghost of Tsushima, and The Last of Us 2. But, don't forget, most PS4 games will benefit on PS5 anyway thanks to significantly improved loading times.
What were the most downloaded games on PS5 in 2023?
2023 was a stellar year for PS5 games with some extremely popular and successful games entering the mix to keep us entertained all year long (and into this year too, frankly). However, some were more played than others, and some were certainly downloaded more than others - and when the big releases come, they really do arrive with force.
In the US, the most downloaded games on PS5 last year were Hogwarts Legacy, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Madden NFL 24, and NBA 2K24.
In the EU, the top downloaded games were EA Sports FC 24, Hogwarts Legacy, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, GTA 5, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
How we made our best PS5 games list
Many of us at TechRadar Gaming play a lot of games on PS5 and have experience with dozens and dozens of the games on the platform - this means you can trust what we think makes up the best PS5 games. From playing loads of individual PS5 games and committing hundreds of hours that span all genres, we're well placed with game experience to recommend the best PS5 games to you.
TechRadar Gaming is full of passionate editors and writers who have a range of interests that range across genres and platforms. The benefit of this is that we can call upon a wide variety of knowledge and expertise when making lists such as these. We'll also be constantly curating our choices for top PS5 games, so keep it here if you want up-to-date recommendations.
Which of these games will be enhanced by PS5 Pro?
Technically, all of the games featured in our best PS5 games list are enhanced by the PS5 Pro , via the console's Game Boost feature. Due to the PS5 Pro specs, you'll also be able to play specific PS5 Pro versions of Demon's Souls, Gran Turismo 7, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Horizon: Forbidden West, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2. For a look at how the PS5 Pro compares to the base model, visit our PS5 vs PS5 Pro article.
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