The best PS4 and PS5 games you can play right now
From Spidey to Astro to Sackboy to Kratos.
It's been a rough ride into the next generation thanks to stock issues and a certain pandemic, but the PlayStation 5 is finally starting to become accessible.
So if you're lucky enough to get your hands on a brand-new PS5, the first thing you're going to need is some great games to show off the system - and this console has plenty.
PS5 with God of War Ragnarök
As part of the Prime Day celebrations, Amazon is offering a mythically-good bundle!
While stocks last, you can buy yourself a PS5 console and God of War Ragnarök for just £453.99 — that's a saving of 16% and a great way to upgrade your gaming set-up.
Get the PS5 Disc Console & God of War Ragnarök at Amazon for £453.99
We've selected what we think are the best games on the PS5, from big-budget blockbusters to smaller surprises to remakes of classics gone by. We've also included a few ports from the PS4 which can be played thanks to PS5 backwards compatibility - there's the best of two generations to choose from!
Best games to play on the PS5 now
Stray
Stray is, of course, the video game where you play as an adorable stray cat - need we say anymore!? However while Stray could have coasted on cuteness and novelty alone, it proved itself a great video game outside of its protagonist with inventive puzzles, appropriately cat-like platforming and a surprisingly deep post-apocalyptic story despite the absence of any humans.
It's even more rewarding if you have your own cat who will be just as interested as you are!
Deathloop
Not only is Deathloop considered one of the best games you can play on the PS5, but it has long been considered to be Game of the Year in the minds of a lot of people - and it was nominated for that very title at The Game Awards 2021.
Stuck in a time loop, you need to kill eight 'Visionaries' and they all need to be offed before the clock strikes midnight as the day resets. And while that may sound simple, it really isn't and you will learn more about how to kill them and get yourself out of this loop the more you are forced to do it.
Read more on PlayStation:
- What is PS Plus? Price and perks explained
- PS5 controller charger - best ways to charge your DualSense
- Can you play PS4 games on PS5?
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Ratchet and Clank's latest game is one of their best yet and a brilliant way of learning what the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and audio are capable of.
All the humour that we know and love with this franchise is back in abundance and we have brand new characters that instantly feel at home in this madcap world. Definitely one to buy to see what your PS5 is made of - and it is one that the whole family can enjoy too!
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Spider-Man Remastered
One of the greatest superhero games of all time? Almost certainly. Spider-Man won all the acclaim when it was first released and if you never played it before and you do own a PS5, then buying the remastered version of the game is a no-brainer. Graphics have been hugely improved (and they already looked great) and the story is up there with the great Spidey tales from all media over the years. A must buy if you have even the slightest interest in the superhero genre. And not only that, but you can buy it alongside the new Miles Morales game. Speaking of which...
Spider-Man Miles Morales
Anticipation was massive for the Miles Morales follow up to Spider-Man and it did not disappoint with another epic story that stands on its own even without the legacy of the previous game. The latest update has seen ray-tracing come into play and this is one of the best looking games of the new generation... It can be purchased on its own or alongside the remaster of Spider-man if you fancy playing through that too.
God of War
Already a must-play for the PlayStation 5 before the update came along, now the game is an absolutely essential one to play as with said upgrade it looks stunning. So if you haven't already experienced this reboot of the long-running franchise, or even if you have, now is the time to play through it and remind yourself, or if out for the first time, why it is a classic - and it is not just because the legendary Christopher Judge is a key voice in it.
In fact, this one is a must if you want to play one of this year's biggest releases...
God of War Ragnarök
We don't want to give too much away here because it's still so new, but, without a doubt, God of War Ragnarök is already one of the biggest games on the PlayStation 5. Slated for numerous game of the year awards, Kratos' second adventure with his son is an absolute must for any gamer.
Buy God of War Ragnarök on PS5 from Amazon.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Taking the Creed franchise and placing it in the heart of the violent Viking invasion of England is the perfect match with a game that is funny, exciting and stunning to look at. Tweaking the gameplay from previous instalments and upping the violence, Assassin's Creed Valhalla is an, at times, brutal game to play and there is enough in there aside from the long campaign to keep players coming back to it to find all there is to discover.
The Last of Us Part 1
It would remiss not to mention The Last of Us, one of the biggest success stories from the PlayStation game world and a must-play if the PS5 is your first Sony console. Originally released for the PS3, the game was remastered for the PS4, and has now been rebuilt from the ground up for the PS5 in the form of The Last of Us Part 1.
An epic story that will put you through the wringer emotionally, there is also the sequel to play too that got, mostly, just as much love.
The Last of Us Part 2
Speaking of that sequel, no list of great PS5 games would be complete without The Last of Us Part 2. With an emotionally devastating story, stunning graphics and scary gameplay moments, it's a shining example of how far video games have come in recent years. It is available on PS4, too, but it's well worth playing on PS5 just to see it running in the best way it can.
Demon Souls
Maybe you played the game originally on the PS3 and think you got everything out of it? Well, that may have been the case until this remake, which is a full remake that makes the game run so much better than it ever has before while looking like a brand new title at the same time. This is a ground-up rebuild and it shows from the moment the epic game starts up and it will once again suck you in and not let you go – a truly epic experience.
Astro's Playroom
It may seem odd to recommend a game that came free with the PS5 and it is entirely possible that many will not have given it a try yet. But try you must as not only will this highlight just how incredible the PS5 controller is, but it is a ton of fun even without that quirk with some great puzzles and a brilliant sense of humour about it. It was a game that we only picked up to try while we waited for another one to install and we ended sinking hours into it- that's a sign of a game being sneakily addictive.
Ghost of Tsushima Directors Cut
Whilst many were a tad critical of the open-world aspect of the game, Ghosts of Tsushima more than made up for any shortcomings there with an incredible story, stunning visuals and combat that was a ton of fun. It was nominated for numerous awards when it came out and was instantly one of the biggest selling games on the PS4. This remaster for the PS5 is a delight to play and another example of Sony putting a huge focus on telling a complex and interesting story.
FIFA 23
An annual staple of the gaming world, if you love FIFA then you are going to want to play the latest version, FIFA 23, on your PS5 as the game has never looked better than it does when played on the new generation of console. PS5 owners are among the players that can try out the fancy new HyperMotion Technology, which is currently only running in the next-gen version of the game.
Rocket League
Do you love cars? What about football? Or the word "free"? If all of those things appeal to you then get downloading Rocket League which is one of the most fun pick up and play games out there. The main mode sees you trying to knock a giant ball into your opponents net while driving a huge range of vehicles, but there are multiple other modes, and a huge array of cars to try out, to keep you busy. And given that it costs nothing now, you have nothing to lose by giving it a go – with the exception of all of your spare time as it is highly addictive.
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Sackboy: A Big Adventure
The LittleBigPlanet spin-off is a super fun game to play for the PS5 and one that is easy to lose hours in when you only meant to play a quick game. It is a blast to look at with the bright colours and the fun environments really coming to life and while the platformer can get a little frustrating at times, it does feel good when you get through a particularly tricky section and it is the type of game that will be fun to revisit for years to come.
Elden Ring
This one's for those seeking a challenge. FromSoftware are known for their difficult games, and Elden Ring is no exception. What sets this one apart from the other Souls-likes, however, is the vast open world. Game of Thrones fans will be happy to know that George RR Martin has played a part in the narrative and world-building, so the story is in good hands.
It's a fantastic game that's, at the time of writing, a huge contender for game of the year. So you'd be silly not to dive into the rich world and fight your way to becoming the new Elden Lord.
Elden Ring is available from Amazon.
Returnal
If a horror-tinged sci fi adventure is your thing, then we can't recommend Returnal enough. Newly released, it carries on the gaming tradition of Dead Space, and the cinematic tradition of Alien. Space is the perfect location for horror, and Returnal does wonders with it.
It's challenging, and the campaign is roguelike in structure, so while it's a tense playthrough it sure is rewarding.
Returnal is also available from Amazon.
If you're looking for something else to play, check out our lists of the best PC games and best VR games to try in 2022.
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