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The 10 Best PS5 Exclusive Games

Published

10 months ago

June 29, 2023

What are the best ps5 exclusive games?

The PlayStation 5 has no shortage of amazing games to play on it, and its next-gen improvements have helped make gameplay smoother and graphics crisper than ever.

However, while there are many PS5 exclusive games you can play right now, some are definitely better than others, and these are the ones you shouldn’t pass up.

If you’re looking for a new PS5 game to play, keep reading to find your next favorite one!

The 10 Best PS5 Exclusive Games

Our ranked lists are created by researching and rounding up information from the most reputable web sources.

Here’s our list of the 10 best ps5 exclusive games:

10. Ratchet And Clank: Rift Apart

This third-person shooter was developed by Insomniac Games and released in 2021 exclusively for the PS5.

It serves as a follow-up to the 2013 game Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus, and it received high praise thanks to its combat, visuals, and technical gameplay mechanics.

What makes Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart really fun to play is its use of interdimensional portals, which allow for instantaneous travel across the map.

Many accessibility options also make playing it easy for a wider audience, and some of the most notable additions include high contrast mode and flight assistance.

If you are a fan of the original game, which is still one of the best PS2 games ever created, you will absolutely love all of the next-gen advancements that have helped bring this new installation to life.

Even if you have never played a Ratchet and Clank game, Rift Apart is easy to jump into and enjoy, even with no prior knowledge of the backstory.

9. Returnal

Returnal is a third-person rogue shooter that Sony Interactive Entertainment published in 2023, and it follows the story of an astronaut who finds herself stuck in a time loop.

When it was released, Returnal was praised for its combat, visuals, and audio design, earning it Best Game at the British Academy Game Awards in 2022.

This Sci-Fi game is split into two parts, each consisting of three unique biomes which you have to traverse, and if you die, you are sent back to the start.

With the Ascension update, you can play through the campaign with one of your friends, which is incredibly helpful and fun.

Although some critics didn’t enjoy the game’s overall difficulty, others praised it, calling it rewarding to complete.

Returnal is definitely one of those games that you can lose hours playing without ever feeling bored, and once you reach the end, you will feel like you really accomplished something.

If you enjoy playing video games that challenge you in a unique way, you will want to check out Returnal as soon as possible.

8. Demon’s Souls

Released as a launch title for the PS5, Demon’s Souls was developed by Bluepoint Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment as a remake of the original PS3 game.

Upon its release, this game received critical acclaim for its technical aspects, visual design, and gameplay mechanics, which made it overall better than the original.

This remake utilizes the haptic feedback of the DualSense controller and is able to run at 4k resolution with 60 fps in performance mode.

Since the original was an inspiration for the Dark Souls games, this is a must-play if you’re a fan of Souls or Elden Ring.

Additionally, this game is great to play if you enjoy taking on some of the toughest video game bosses of all time because, aside from combat, some big enemies require you to solve puzzles in order to beat them!

Demon’s Souls highlights the strengths of the PS5, and it is the perfect game to play if you want to experience how far next-gen gaming has come.

7. Horizon Forbidden West

This action role-playing game was developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment as a sequel to 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn.

Notable for being a sprawling and satisfying sequel, Forbidden West improves upon many things, including stealth mechanics, combat, navigation, and control responsiveness.

It also features many more diverse quests and activities, along with a fleshed-out supporting cast that makes interacting with NPCs actually feel interesting and rewarding.

Like Horizon Zero Dawn, which was one of the best open world PS4 games, Forbidden West has a huge map that spans a post-apocalyptic version of California, Nevada, and Utah.

This gives players lots of room to roam and explore, while the freeform climbing and gliding systems make getting around the map fun and engaging.

Thanks to the next-gen capabilities of the PS5, Forbidden West also benefits from 3D spacial audio, haptic feedback, enhanced visuals, and a performance mode of 6o fps.

If you were a fan of Horizon Zero Dawn, definitely don’t hesitate to get this sequel, because the overall quality makes it one of the best PS5 exclusive games you can play.

6. Gran Turismo 7

Gran Turismo 7 has quickly become one of the best racing games of all time and one of the best PS5 exclusives as the franchise’s eighth installment.

While it had a couple of online and maintenance issues at launch, these have since been fixed, making the game a delight to play.

Featuring an engaging solo campaign and over 420 cars to drive around in, it can be easy to spend hours playing without getting bored, since there is so much to do.

Plus, because of the improved graphics on the PS5, the 4K resolution, 60 fps, HDR, and real-time ray tracing make it look like you’re watching actual racing footage and not playing a video game.

You can also customize the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers on your DualSense controller so that you get the exact experience you want.

Although some critics didn’t like how long it takes to unlock some of the rarest cars, we think this makes the experience more rewarding once you ultimately get them for yourself.

This is undoubtedly the best racing game you can currently play on the PS5, and it is one you won’t want to miss out on if you have enjoyed the other titles in the series.

5. Astro’s Playroom

A sequel to Astro Bot Rescue Mission, a short 3D platformer that comes pre-installed on every console, Astro’s Playroom is a game that makes full use of the DualSense controller’s functions.

Like the previous game, Astro’s Playroom features realistic vibrations from actions, including walking on different materials.

Throughout the game, many easter eggs and nods to Playstation games throughout history add a great nostalgic touch for anyone who has been with the console since the beginning.

While some critics felt that this game is more of a technical and visual showcase than a fully-fledged game, its visual fidelity and addicting gameplay are something that can’t be denied.

Also, because it shows off everything that the PS5 is capable of, you can really get a feeling for how advanced the console is overall, which is a very satisfying experience.

Overall, Astro’s Playroom is an adorable and addicting game that shows the PS5’s full capabilities and serves as a blast from the past for many gamers.

4. The Last of Us Part 1

Along with spawning its own TV series on HBO, The Last of Us Part 1 has been hailed as one of the best games of all time, and the PS5 remake brings this 2013 classic into the next generation.

While the original game’s multiplayer has been omitted, The Last of Us Part 1 was completely rebuilt for the PS5, adding new animations, updated graphics, and improved accessibility features.

It also uses the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers on the DualSense controller and supports 3D audio to make the clickers sound incredibly creepy.

After its release, TLOU 1 was praised for its AI improvements, animations, graphics, and added accessibility, audio, and control options.

At the Game Awards, it was also nominated for Innovation in Accessibility but lost out to God of War Ragnarok, which comes in further down our list.

If you enjoyed playing The Last of Us part II on your PS5, you will definitely want to replay part 1 because all of the improvements make it feel like a brand-new game.

3. Spider-Man Remastered

A remastered version of one of the best selling PS4 games of all time, this game is truly something to behold, and it required Insomniac Games to rebuild New York City completely using the latest gaming hardware.

While some fans weren’t thrilled about Peter Parker’s facial changes, this was ultimately a minor complaint when considering everything that was added.

Some of the most notable additions include ray trading, 60 fps refresh rates, photo mode, and brand-new spidy-suits.

The story itself remains unchanged, so if you enjoyed the original, you will be blown away by all of the improvements made to this remaster.

Spider-Man Remastered was added to the Ultimate Edition of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales’, so if you want to play both, it is definitely worth shelling out the extra cash to own both of these incredible games.

Plus, being able to swing around the entirety of New York in 4k as Spider-Man is amazing and something every gamer should experience at least once!

2. Ghost Of Tsushima: Director’s Cut

One of the greatest open-world PS4 games, Ghost Of Tsushima, is taking our number two spot since it has been remastered for the next-gen console as a special Director’s Cut.

While a majority of the game remains the same, this Director’s Cut comes with the Iki Island expansion, haptic feedback and adaptive trigger support, full Japanese lip sync, 3D audio, and dynamic 4K resolution.

Shadow of the Colossus inspires the minimalistic open world, and it looks stunning thanks to the PS5’s improved graphics capabilities.

This game also has one of the most intuitive and in-depth photo modes, which you can use to capture some truly amazing images of the landscape and the brutal fights.

The story is also one of the best in modern gaming, and it is something that you will remember long after completing the game.

Best of all, Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut is currently available with the PlayStation Plus Extra subscription, so if you’re already subscribed, you have nothing to lose by giving this game a try!

1. God of War Ragnarok

Although Elden Ring beat it for Game of the Year, God of War Ragnarok stands out as one of the most anticipated PS5 games of 2022 and has certainly lived up to the hype, making it our number-one pick.

Picking up where God of War 2018 left off, Ragnarok builds upon the previous game and adds even more locations, side quests, and memorable moments with everyone’s favorite father-son duo.

Praised for its story, visuals, and accessibility, God of War Ragnarok knocked expectations out of the park and is packed with so much to do that it is hard to get bored.

The characters are also one of the game’s biggest strengths, and each one feels fleshed out and memorable, making it easy to become attached to almost everyone that you meet.

In terms of gameplay, the game shines when it comes to visual integrity, and all of the environments are absolutely jaw-dropping, as are the character and enemy designs.

It also uses the DualSense controller by providing feedback for almost everything you do, which sets the mood as you hack and slash your way through the nine realms.

While the puzzles can sometimes feel tedious, once you get the hang of them, solving them is ultimately no problem and, at times, can even be rewarding.

If you haven’t picked this game up yet, you are really missing out, especially if you enjoyed the 2018 game because Kratos is back and better than ever!

FAQs About PS5 Exclusives

Now that we’ve covered the best PS5 exclusives, we can take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions about the console and these games.

If you’re still on the fence about whether or not you should invest your time and money in these titles, make sure to keep reading!

Q: Is It Worth Investing in a PS5 to Play These Games?

When it comes to console exclusivity, it’s easy to be upset when a game you want to play is only available on a specific console that you might not own.

Unfortunately, this is just the way of the industry, and it is unlikely to change anytime in the future.

That said, if you really enjoy gaming, we think it is worth investing in a PS5 to gain access to these exclusives because they are some of the best games you can play right now.

Q: Buying VS. PlayStation Plus

Like the Game Pass on Xbox Series X/S, PS5 users can subscribe to PlayStation Plus and, for a monthly fee, play a slew of PlayStation exclusives.

We personally think that subscribing to this service is better overall than buying some games outright, since it’s much less than the $70+ that you would pay for a single game.

Additionally, this subscription can allow you to try many of the games on this list to see if they’re for you, after which you can always buy them and cancel your subscription if you want.

Ultimately, the PlayStation Plus subscription is worth considering if you want to try many PS5 exclusives without committing a ton of money.

Q: Is the PS5 Better than the Xbox Series X?

There will always be console elitists who refuse to buy anything but an Xbox or PlayStation while boasting about how their choice is better than others.

However, in terms of specs, the PS5 and Xbox Series X are almost identical, though the Series X has a slightly slower CPU, while the PS5 has a slightly smaller SSD.

Since both consoles are so close in power, it’s nearly impossible to say that one is better than the other, so the only real difference is in their exclusive games!

Summary

The PS5 is a marvel of modern gaming, and all of its exclusive games have been designed specifically to utilize its powerful hardware, allowing for some stunning gameplay.

While there are many PlayStation exclusives that you can play right now, these 10 stand out from the rest as true next-gen masterpieces.

If you haven’t played any of the games on this list, quit missing out and give them a try because you definitely won’t regret it!

Here’s a quick recap of the 10 best ps5 exclusive games