The 20 Best PS5 games in 2024

Since the launch of PlayStation 5 sales in November 2020, the console's game library has expanded with dozens of new titles. Among them are both big-budget projects with photorealistic graphics and indie hits that combine novelty and experimentation.

What should you play from this wide variety? We'll tell you in our article! Check out our selection of the best 20 games from recent years for the PS5.

Demon's Souls Remake

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This is a remake of the legendary title that launched the souls-like genre and greatly influenced the design of nearly all From Software projects. Most users are familiar with this genre: players face constant replaying and frequent character deaths, increased difficulty, narrative delivered through item descriptions and environment, and an epic storyline.

Demon's Souls Remake is a prime example of a good remaster. The developers didn't change the tried-and-true gameplay formula but updated the visuals not just to modern standards but beyond them. Some even called it the benchmark for the new PS5, as the graphics and effects looked incredibly impressive.

Highly recommended, especially for those who love tough challenges. This title will leave no one indifferent.

Mortal Kombat 1

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Almost since the genre's inception, fighting projects have been seen as perfect for consoles and social gatherings with friends. The undisputed leader in this market is Mortal Kombat.

The twelfth entry in the franchise features impressive graphics and performance thanks to the power of the PS5 and brings some changes to the gameplay: cameo fighters who assist during combat were added. Surprisingly, this works well.

The gameplay is well-balanced, with characters having dozens of moves and combos, and the combat system operates on the principle of "easy to learn, hard to master". It's so deep that the game provides data on the animation speed of each move.

Mortal Kombat 1 is an excellent fighting title that will offer players many fun and exciting hours.

Gran Turismo 7

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Gran Turismo is about the love for cars. Most racing simulators focus on competitive gameplay against AI or in multiplayer mode. However, Polyphony Digital's projects are largely about the aesthetics, history of the automotive world, and details.

The seventh entry offers players more than 400 cars with various characteristics. Each vehicle's handling can be customized and upgraded, just like its appearance. There are numerous tuning options, justified because the photo mode in the game is one of the best in the industry. Almost any screenshot taken could be used as desktop wallpaper.

On the other hand, the story mode delves into the history of the auto industry, featuring real photos and events. There's even an entire museum dedicated to it.

Recommended for all car enthusiasts and fans of automotive aesthetics.

Animal Well

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A surreal metroidvania that somewhat resembles Hollow Knight. The main character, a small shapeless creature that looks like a cross between a hedgehog and a Puffskein from Hogwarts Legacy, must explore a mysterious world inhabited by various animals.

One of the game's standout features is its pixel art style. It looks fresh, new, and unusual compared to massive big-budget projects, and some enemies are so fascinating that they make you stop and stare.

On the gameplay side, Animal Well is especially delightful. Besides all the usual genre features: a vast world to gradually uncover, many secrets, and responsive controls, there are also unusual items like yo-yos or bubble wands that make platforming even more engaging.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

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Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is a massive AAA title, considered one of Sony's main exclusives for the console. Insomniac Games, known for their experience with open-world projects, have maintained their high standard of quality.

The title has everything to keep players engaged for hours: diverse activities on the map, an engaging if somewhat naive superhero storyline, beat 'em up-style combat, and, of course, the exploration of New York City. The last point is worth highlighting, as the developers made swinging through the city on webs especially enjoyable, smooth, and dynamic.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

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Let's continue our list with another project from Insomniac Games. The Ratchet & Clank series has solidified the developer's strong reputation, and in return, they have gifted players an entire franchise of quality titles. One of the main features is the portals, made possible by the powerful SSD of the PlayStation 5.

They allow the hero to teleport almost instantly. During the first few hours of gameplay, this mechanic is jaw-dropping, and that feeling persists until the last level. The title is often labeled as "next-gen", and deservedly so: vibrant graphics and impressive effects will leave no one indifferent.

The project doesn't differ much from previous entries in the series: it's still a fun platformer with epic action scenes and witty dialogues.

Returnal

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This title, unlike the previous one, doesn't appear vibrant and colorful, but that's not due to poor work by the environment specialists. Together with the narrative designers, they created a mysterious and surreal atmosphere.

The action takes place on the planet Atropos, where the heroine is doomed to endlessly die from terrifying creatures and be reborn. The goal is simple: explore the area and escape the time loop.

Gameplay-wise, it's a third-person roguelike shooter with all the inherent features of the genre: no saves, random room and enemy generation, and each run is unique due to the random placement of items, weapons, and abilities.

Returnal will appeal to fans of the genre and the dark, grim aesthetics of cold, hostile space.

Black Myth: Wukong

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This third-person action RPG immerses players in the world of Chinese mythology and lets them experience the aesthetics of ancient Asia. The game is closely tied to the legendary Chinese novel Journey to the West, but it doesn’t repeat the story, rather it expands upon it. The events unfold after the monk and Monkey King's journey ends.

The gameplay is reminiscent of the Dark Souls series: a high level of difficulty, bonfire-like save points, a silent protagonist, and a similarly designed combat system. However, this doesn’t make Black Myth: Wukong inferior: on the contrary, the developers managed to create an epic story within familiar frameworks. Players will explore jungles, deserts, snow-covered mountains, and face mythical creatures and colossal bosses.

The title will particularly appeal to fans of the genre and challenging trials.

Cyberpunk 2077

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The release of Cyberpunk 2077 caused a lot of buzz in the community... Probably only the laziest didn’t discuss its numerous bugs, crashes, and optimization issues. But let’s not dwell on the negatives, because over time the game has only improved with each patch. With the release of the Phantom Liberty expansion and the 2.0 update, the title has moved to current-gen consoles, and the developers continue to actively support the project.

This action RPG takes players into a future world ruled by transcontinental corporations. Gangs roam the streets of Night City, and lawlessness happens every day.

The title offers a fast-paced story with plot twists, charismatic characters (thanks to Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba in the expansion), a large map filled with activities, character progression, and, of course, the unmatched aesthetics of Blade Runner films and Ghost in the Shell anime.

Unlike the PlayStation 4 version, the game runs well on Sony's latest console, maintaining high standards of graphics and performance.

Dragon's Dogma 2

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Dragon's Dogma 2 immerses players in a world of dark fantasy with a somewhat classic plot: the main character, the Arisen, must defeat a terrifying dragon and ascend to the throne to rule the kingdom. Although the story may seem cliché and familiar, the title captivates with its open world, filled with random events, and the interplay of hundreds of mechanics with each other. As game director Hideaki Itsuno put it: "An MMO for single-player", and this is what sets it apart from typical open-world RPGs.

The battles are truly impressive and occur in real time. Golems, cyclopses, griffins, and other mythical creatures will test the player's agility and skill. Additionally, you never quite know what to expect from enemies. They might throw the hero into the air or take flight with them, paralyze or take control of party members... The variety of enemy moves is surprising and encourages trying different tactics and approaches.

The game won't appeal to everyone, but RPG fans will be delighted. Try with caution, as it can easily draw you in for hours.

Baldur's Gate 3

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Gamepads are, of course, better suited for fighting projects, shooters, or slashers, but that didn't stop one of the best RPGs of recent years from successfully finding its place in many console users' collections. Baldur's Gate 3 offers players a deep role-playing system with tangible consequences for their choices, and the option to play as either a truly evil or good character.

Additionally, BG3 has dozens of systems that interact with each other, often leading to unexpected outcomes. You can destroy the bridge your enemies are standing on, climb beams high above and bombard the goblin leader with explosive barrels, or even negotiate with the enemy and peacefully pass a section of the level. The title surprises you nearly every ten minutes.

The immersion is top-notch, and at times it feels like you can do almost anything. On the other hand, it's a complex game to master. For players unfamiliar with D&D, the first few hours will be challenging, as even the dice-rolling mechanics have numerous intricacies.

Horizon Forbidden West

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Aloy's new adventure in a world filled with mechanical dinosaurs may not be as epic as the first part, but it still boasts plot twists and interesting characters. Moreover, in the map of Forbidden West, players will find exciting side quests.

The second part of Horizon can be considered an excellent sequel that continues and improves upon the main ideas of Zero Dawn. The battles are just as spectacular and dynamic, the world is stunningly beautiful and full of detail, making it a pleasure to explore, and the tribes that inhabit it are diverse, down to their speech patterns.

On the other hand, to fully immerse yourself, you need to have played the first part or at least be familiar with the series' lore and the major events leading up to this story. Recommended for all fans of open-world action games.

The Last of Us Part I

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Every Sony console owner should be familiar with this title. The original part, released in 2013, turned Naughty Dog into almost legendary developers, and the recipe for success was quite simple. All it took was a touching and dramatic story, responsive controls, well-balanced gameplay, and a cinematic approach.

The Last of Us is a survival action project with horror elements, where players take on the role of a former smuggler in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by a kind of zombie virus and must escort a girl, Ellie, across America. The atmosphere of the game is reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy's novel The Road, featuring the same hopeless, brutal, and dangerous world.

Pacific Drive

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This open-world survival simulator stands out among its competitors with an unusual concept and visual style. Everything revolves around the car the protagonist drives: it's both a fortress on wheels, a means of transportation, and a key part of the story.

Players must explore the surreal world of the Olympic Exclusion Zone and find a way to escape. Of course, this must be done in the car. Instead of managing hunger and thirst, you'll be repairing parts and recharging the battery, and instead of building a base, you'll literally be fortifying your vehicle. Armor is necessary, as the peninsula is inhabited by paranormal creatures and various anomalies.

Highly recommended for genre fans craving new formats and experiments.

Lies of P

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Lies of P resembles Bloodborne in many ways: Victorian style and empire design, a dark city, and monsters that were once its inhabitants, along with more dynamic gameplay than the Souls series. On the other hand, there's also a noticeable influence from Sekiro's combat system, where parrying and stamina are key mechanics. In short, souls-like fans will feel at home while exploring the city of Krat.

The plot centers around a mysterious disease that has overtaken the residents, as well as puppet-like machines that have started killing everyone. P, short for Pinocchio, is one of these creatures, yet he is chosen and has the ability to lie. This trait directly affects the story, as the ending depends on how truthful the protagonist is.

While fans of the genre may not find any groundbreaking innovations, what truly stands out is the design. The locations are visually stunning, even refined, making them a joy to explore. The architectural styles chosen by the creators only emphasize the city's dark and mysterious atmosphere.

Astro Bot

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In some ways, this title evolved from the tech demo Astro’s Playroom, which made full use of the DualSense controller. This time, the developers went much further, creating a full-fledged project that surprises at nearly every moment.

Sony's new gamepads can deliver a fireworks display of sensations in your hands, and Team Asobi knows how to achieve that. The project brings a sense of childlike joy and wonder, as actions from the game are literally transferred to your fingers.

Essentially, the title is a classic but beautifully crafted platformer with inventive and varied levels. As you progress, you unlock different mechanics: resizing the character, frog gloves, or monkey gloves... There's no thick or oppressive atmosphere here, just fun, and even the enemies make you smile.

Alan Wake 2

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Alan Wake 2 continues the story of a writer trapped in his own nightmares, struggling to escape. In the 13 years since the release of the first part, Remedy has released several large-scale projects, and the developers have honed their skills in both action and building tension.

The second part leans more towards horror and thriller rather than dynamic gunfights. Players will have to explore the dark and terrifying corners of Alan Wake's mind while investigating a crime in Bright Falls, a town clearly inspired by the worlds of Hitchcock, Kubrick, and King. The locations and level design are some of the game's most impressive features.

In terms of genre, it's a survival horror, partly reminiscent of The Evil Within and other similar titles. However, it’s mostly about superb direction, cinematics, suspense, and narrative.

Highly recommended for fans of mystical adventures and oppressive atmospheres.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

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A few years ago, Square Enix made a rather unusual decision to split the seventh Final Fantasy into three parts and release them separately. The first of these, Remake, proved it was the right choice, with the game being expansive and well-crafted, earning respect in the community. Rebirth is even more grandiose. According to the developers, you don't need to know the plot of the previous titles to enjoy it.

The scale is enhanced by both the narrative (the story and staging are top-notch) and the size of the world, featuring dozens of side quests and points of interest. Combat, unlike the original series, mainly happens in real time, though there is an option to "pause" and choose which abilities to use.

God of War: Ragnarök

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Of course, we couldn't overlook one of the most iconic series that dates back to the PS2. Having been given new life (quite literally for Kratos in a new mythology), it has once again gained immense popularity.

Ragnarök is a direct continuation of God of War (2018), and it's best to play this only after completing the first part, which is just as impressive in quality.

The title is set in Norse mythology and centers around the story of Ragnarök — a sort of apocalyptic battle between gods and chthonic creatures. The gameplay is largely the same as the previous game. While there aren't any radical changes or innovations, the main reason to play is the story. An epic and grand narrative transitions into personal dramas between Kratos and Atreus, their problems, and conflicts.

Hogwarts Legacy

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Exploring Hogwarts and its surroundings has probably been a dream for every child who watched Harry Potter. Surprisingly, Avalanche Software, a studio previously not known for large open-world projects, managed to bring those fantasies to life — and at a very respectable level.

The story is not tied to the films and takes place decades before Lord Voldemort's return (though there are references here and there). The main character enters the magical school as a fifth-year student and quickly gets caught up in a whirlwind of events involving a goblin rebellion and ancient magic. The game continually assures you that this is perfectly normal. It's also quite reasonable that a student lives such a free life and battles monsters throughout the countryside. Well, this can be forgiven...

Fortunately, the map and its many activities are engaging and invite players on adventures. Additionally, the combat system is a joy to play, with many spells that can be combined. And yes, the forbidden curses are available too.

But the magic doesn’t stop there. We’ve compiled a selection of the best mods for Hogwarts Legacy.

We hope you enjoyed our selection of the best games for PS5. Be sure to comment with your favorite titles and let us know which releases you're most looking forward to!

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