The 10 Best PlayStation Exclusives On The PS5, Ranked
In recent generations, Sony and the PlayStation consoles have relied on high-quality exclusives as their bread and butter. While this has made for some incredible gaming experiences, it can be difficult to know where to start. With recent PC releases, it can also be difficult to define what the term “exclusive” really means. For this list, consider exclusive to mean that you cannot play these titles on Nintendo or Xbox, though some may sneak (or have snuck) their way onto PC.
When and where possible, this list tries to prioritize games strictly available on the PS5, but some titles are too big to leave behind. With that said, let’s sort through what you should be playing next on your PS5!
10 Astro’s Playroom
This little beauty is an achievement in using a platformer to introduce you to PS5 while celebrating everything related to PlayStation that came beforehand. You’ll find many, many references to other PlayStation exclusives from years gone by, all in their little bot forms.
Astro’s Playroom is a short and sweet experience that might leave you wishing there were more to play, and that’s really where the game falls short. It’s hard to complain about something that came free with the system, so it sits on this list at number ten.
9 Ratchet And Clank: Rift Apart
Insomniac set out to capture the power of the PS5 and did so with great flare in Rift Apart. As Ratchet and Rivet, you’ll move through levels at a breathtaking pace. Portals will jump you between areas that would be technically impossible on hardware like the PS4. The combat is fun and zany, as with many Ratchet and Clank games.
The weapons are made of pure fun and the story, while ultimately somewhat predictable, is a pleasant ride all the way through. Unfortunately, for a game that gets so much right, it’s an experience that isn’t likely to stick with after you’ve put down the controller. It’s a fun ride but maybe a bit of a shallow one, ranking it somewhat low on this list.
8 Returnal
The story of Selene and the design of Returnal manage to be clever from top to bottom. It’s a bullet hell roguelike with stunning visuals and particle effects that delight the eye and dazzle the senses. While some games choose to punish the player for playing poorly, it could be said that Returnal rewards the player for playing well. You stack bonuses for not getting hit and tearing your way through enemies, but if you get hit, those stacking bonuses go away.
There are also clever risk/reward mechanics like suit malfunctions that will enhance and hinder your playthrough, allowing you to make interesting choices each time you enter the loop. This isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, which is why it ranks lower on this list, but it’s definitely worth a try if you have access to it.
7 Demon’s Souls
While this is a remake of an old classic, you certainly wouldn’t know it. Bluepoint managed to make Demon’s Souls shiny and new to the extreme. It’s one of the best-looking games you can boot up on your PlayStation 5. Every level, every boss, every fight is going to have something happening that’s screenshot-worthy.
It’s a game meant to be adored, which is a good thing because it’s also one of the most frustrating experiences you might have on your PS5. Being one of the Souls games means that you’re in for a steep learning curve. Everything from bosses to trash enemies is going to throw you around until you learn to play the game significantly better. It might not be for everyone, but the people who like it tend to truly love it.
6 Spider-Man: Miles Morales
The story of New Yorkers embracing another Spider-Man is a heartwarming one, and it manages to feel like a heartfelt love letter to Miles Morales fans. Miles gets to shine in his own game when Peter fully steps aside, leaving the fate of the city in Miles’ capable hands. Insomniac manages to deliver again on so much of the quick-thwipping fun and web-slinging antics we loved in the original Marvel’s Spider-Man.
Insomniac gives Miles his own style and personality through his suits, his interactions with the city, and his well-written dialogue. While this game is something of a spinoff sequel, it doesn’t feel derivative of the original. However, it’s also not quite as meaty as the original, which is why it wall-crawls its way to the center of this list. In the end, a larger main story and many more side missions would have made this game a contender for the original game’s spot.
5 Deathloop
While there’s a lot to love about Deathloop and its interesting mechanics, none of it would come together without the incredible performances of the actors. In a world with stunning visuals and interesting gameplay, the actors always steal the scene with their clever banter and witty dialogue. As far as gameplay goes, you can tell this game is made by the people who brought you Dishonored.
You almost always have interesting guns with benefits and downsides, along with unique powers. The clever level design allows you to approach situations differently each time, encouraging you to find your perfect path through the mayhem. For a game that focuses on repetition, it never gets stale or feels boring. Unraveling the story is also satisfying, though it might not live up to the developer’s previous games. Its balance of fun and appeal lands it right in the middle of this list.
4 Horizon: Forbidden West
This phenomenal sequel sees Aloy on the move again, this time traversing new lands with new allies and threats to discover. Of course, you’ll also see a number of old favorites return, allowing Forbidden West to carry the story forward without letting go of what came before.
It strikes a beautiful balance of giving the players something new while letting them return to a franchise they love. The world is gorgeous, and Aloy looks better than ever. Animations are kicked up a notch, and if you’re playing on PS5, the experience is buttery-smooth. Aloy’s triumphant return to the PlayStation makes this an easy pick for number four.
3 Ghost Of Tsushima: Director’s Cut
There’s no doubt that Ghost of Tsushima is one of the most beautiful games you can play on the PS5. The Director’s Cut is smooth, refined, and expands on everything fans already love. It’s also worth mentioning that this game has one of the most expansive and intuitive photo modes of any modern game. You’ll want to capture the beautiful landscapes and brutal fights.
The story of Ghost of Tsushima is one that will stick with you long after you put the controller down, and its expansion is truly worth completing. With different options like Kurosawa mode, you can customize the play experience you want to have, making replays even more interesting if you choose to revisit this stunning game.
2 Spider-Man Remastered
There are few games that can claim to be more pure fun than Marvel’s Spider-Man, and the remaster makes it all a little snappier and sharper for the audience. The most significant difference you’ll notice is a new facial actor for Peter Parker. While there were some technical reasons for doing this, the new Peter looks a little younger and a little more naïve, which fits well for our kind-hearted hero.
Every part of this game shines and oozes personality. The combat is refined and fast-paced. The web-swinging feels like a dream as you move through the city. The photo mode encourages you to add all kinds of flair to your screenshots. On top of all that, it’s one of the best Peter Parker stories ever told, with an ending that really hits home. While this game sits at number two, it was definitely a contender for number one.
1 The Last Of Us Part 1
Naughty Dog’s remake is a masterpiece, capturing everything fans loved about the original game while dialing all the technical and graphical enhancements up to eleven. Joel and Ellie have never looked better, and their hauntingly beautiful world has never appeared more genuine.
The Last of Us Part 1 captures the stunning performances of its actors even more faithfully this time. Every look, every lip quiver, and every unspoken sorrow is captured here for the audience to experience. The game doesn’t just look better; it hits harder. Whether you’re a new fan coming to the game for the first time or a seasoned fan returning to an old favorite, you’ll find this is the definitive way to experience what is most likely Sony’s most triumphant exclusive of all time.
‘News of the Day’ content, as reported by public domain newswires.
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