5 of best PS5 games, plus 7 honorable mentions
Some games look great no matter what platform you play them on, running smoothly as butter and exactly as intended. However, some games truly benefit from the technology that Sony has packed into their big white box, taking full advantage of the powerful tech under the hood. While this naturally applies to PS5 exclusives, some of the best PS4 games have received updates to take advantage of the power of the device.
So, here are our picks for the best games to play on the PlayStation 5 in 2024.
Ghost of Tsushima
In writing, Ghost of Tsushima is an open-world stealth action game, but in reality, it’s so much more than that. Visually, the game is stunning and the upgrade from PS4 to PS5 takes full advantage of that going from a resolution of 1080p to dynamic 4k, and 30 frames per second to 60. The upgrade also reduces load times leading to a smoother experience. This beauty truly makes exploring the island a joy.
The story centers on protagonist Jin who is on a quest for vengeance. Khotun Khan as a villain is exceptionally well-realized, making the quest seem worth embarking upon and constantly mixing things up for the player. As an open-world game, there is an abundance of side content to engage with as much or as little as you like,
Where things truly come alive for Ghost of Tsushima is the combat. Heavily melee-focused, it’s easy to understand but hard to master, which makes it highly rewarding when you do. Jin has several stances he can take and mastering them is crucial to your success in the game.
The game is slated to get a sequel in the Ghost of Yōtei – the expected release date is sometime in 2025 and we can’t wait.
Key info
- Game: Ghost of Tsushima
- Developers: Sucker Punch Productions
- Publishers: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Price: $59.99 (includes the Iki Island expansion) or $29.99 if you already own the PS4 version
Cyberpunk 2077
One of the most ambitious RPGs of the modern day, Cyberpunk 2077 really comes into its own on the PlayStation 5. Faster loading times, better graphics, and fewer bugs make this the hands-down best way to experience Night City.
Like any large city, Night City can’t be summarised easily. It’s dingy but it’s also vibrant. Dirty and polished. Full of life and deadly silent. It’s a bit of a trope to call the setting the second character in a single-player game but for Cyberpunk 2077, it’s accurate to do so.
On top of the world-class setting, CD Projekt Red’s masterpiece has a propulsive and compelling story and although Keanu Reeves’ performance is a little wooden at times, everyone else makes their characters come alive. You’ll love some, you’ll hate some, and both work just as well.
The game’s gunplay is fun and fast-paced, though melee offers a viable and visceral alternative to anyone who prefers to get up close and personal. The expansion, Phantom Liberty, adds a whole pile of cherries to the top of the sundae that is Cyberpunk 2077 and shouldn’t be missed.
CD Projekt Red is already making progress on a sequel, enlisting more American developers to ensure the game has an authentic American feel.
Key info:
- Game: Cyberpunk 2077
- Developers: CD Projekt Red
- Publishers: CD Projekt
- Price: $49.99 (Phantom Liberty is an additional $29.99 but is worth it)
Elden Ring
We cannot and will not stop banging the Elden Ring drum. The game is phenomenal, and while the PlayStation 4 version doesn’t play badly, the PlayStation 5 version makes sure you can see every single pustule on Dung Eater’s body.
If you’re looking for value for money, Elden Ring is an absolute steal with a completionist run coming in at 133 hours on How Long To Beat, and somehow none of that feels like it outstays its welcome. The open world is meticulously designed to be both fun and challenging to explore, the combat is every bit of FromSoftware’s usual brutality, and the story is convoluted and intriguing.
In any FromSoftware game it’s all about the combat and Elden Ring delivers in this arena. There is an absolute myriad of weapons to choose from, from swords to hammers to bows to magical spells of all kinds. Each option has its own quirks, pros, and cons – big swords may hit hard but they are slow. There’s so much variation that the game feels extremely replayable with different weapon types.
The boss fights are also excellent – well-conceived, fun, challenging but not insurmountable – Elden Ring strikes a superb balance. It retains the difficulty of prior FromSoftware games while being much more accessible through the tools and options it provides players. If you’ve never played a FromSoftware game before but are curious, Elden Ring is the perfect starting point.
On top of that, the expansion of Shadows of the Erdtree is an astonishing accomplishment and has been rated the best expansion of all time.
Key info
- Game: Elden Ring
- Developers: FromSoftware
- Publishers: Bandai Namco
- Price: $59.99 (Shadows of the Erdtree is $39.99 on top, but well worth it)
Final Fantasy 7 Remake & Rebirth
Ok so it’s technically two games, but Remake and Rebirth are the first two parts of a three-part epic remake of one of the best RPGs of all time, Final Fantasy 7. The FF7 remake is not, strictly, a remake. It’s a ground-up retelling of the same story and the same characters. Everything that could be different while retaining its heart is.
The graphics are, obviously, very different – the original came out in 1997 after all. However, Remake and Rebirth manage to accomplish something extremely special – everything still feels the same but it all looks magnificent.
Cloud and the gang are an engaging cast of characters and their personalities shine through. The plot of the game is a little confusing at first, as many JRPGs can be, but as things fall into place, it is exciting and engaging.
The game’s combat is based on the Active Time Battle system from the original, a pseudo-turn-based system that sets the pace of a fight. Players can switch between party members in fights, tactically using different characters’ strengths to make for dynamic combat encounters.
There is currently no release date for the third and final part of the remake trilogy, but if it matches Remake and Rebirth, it will be worth waiting for. We called Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth one of the best PS5 games of 2024 so far, and deservedly so.
Key info
- Game: Final Fantasy 7 Remake & Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Developers: Square Enix
- Publishers: Square Enix
- Price: Remake is on sale for $15.19 (usually $39.99), or included in PlayStation Plus Extra / Rebirth is on sale for $46.89 (usually $69.99)
Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the most groundbreaking games to be released in recent times. After an extended period of beta testing, Larian used player feedback and responses to early parts of the game to shape this phenomenal experience into something truly spectacular.
The scope of the game is staggering. Talk to hundreds of NPCs. Or fight them. Gather up every explosive barrel in the world and blow the final boss off the map. Loot everything. The power behind the PlayStation 5 is not wasted on Baldur’s Gate 3.
On top of fun and exciting gameplay, BG3 layers charming, charismatic, annoying, extremely well-realized characters and natural-feeling relationships with an enthralling plot and meaningful decisions.
The game scooped up scads of end-of-year awards including the coveted Game of the Year at The Game Awards, and deservedly so. Larian has recently released modding tools which includes console mod support, so we’ll be playing Baldur’s Gate 3 for a long time to come.
Key info
- Game: Baldur’s Gate 3
- Developers: Larian Studios
- Publishers: Larian Studios
- Price: $69.99
Honorable mentions
There are far too many incredible PlayStation 5 games to play right now to name them all. Here are a few of the best PlayStation 5 games that didn’t make the main list.
- Hades – the indie rogue-lite that took the world by storm makes its hotties even hotter in the PS5 upgrade
- Horizon Forbidden West – the follow-up to the astonishing Horizon Zero Dawn continues Aloy’s compelling story
- The Last of Us Parts 1 & 2 – one of the most emotional game stories ever told, a true can’t-miss with beautiful reworkings for the PS5
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage – classic Assassin’s Creed fun set in Golden Age Baghdad
- Death Stranding – the weirdest walking simulator that includes a movie’s worth of cutscenes but is nonetheless impossible to put down
- Deathloop – an extremely fun FPS time-loop story with fascinating powers to interact with the world and its people
- Gran Turismo 7 – pulls the series out of a bit of a slump and back into contention for the most fun racing sim
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