The still-elusive PlayStation 5 isn’t easy to get your hands on, and even if you have one it’s tough to find games that push the console to its limit. If you’re paying a next-gen price for a next-gen console, you deserve next-gen graphics!
Every month there are new games tailor-made for the PS5, and thankfully there’s a solid backlog of ’em by now. That’s in addition to the fact that almost all PS4 games are backward compatible with the new system (these are our favorites), and many are free with PS Plus. Still, to get the most out of the PS5, you’ll want a next-gen game. They deliver eye-watering visuals with gameplay so silky-smooth and hyperreal it feels like you’re peering into a different world. These are our favorite PS5 games available.
Be sure to also check out our guides to the Best PS5 Accessories and the Best Gifts for PS5 and PS4 Owners, as well as our how-tos on customizing your PS5’s home screen, along with other tips and features you’ll want to explore.
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Updated October 2022: We’ve added Stray, the Quarry, and corrected prices throughout.
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Courtesy of Ubisoft
Raid, Pillage, and Settle
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Among the first titles to truly take advantage of the PS5’s impressive hardware, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla is one of the best entries in the series to date. The sprawling map and engrossing story are beautifully realized with next-gen graphics and high-quality voice acting.
It’s not perfect. Some gameplay bugs have yet to be squashed. It can also feel repetitive. There are lots of dull side quests, and the map is a tad too big. Still, taking on the role of (a male or female) Eivor Wolf-Kissed, you’ll sink dozens of hours into exploring (and pillaging) your way from the fjords of Norway to the rivers and sun-dappled meadows of ancient England.
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Courtesy of Sony
Web-Slinging Savior
Spider-Man: Miles Morales
A new Spider-Man for a new console, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is the follow-up to the excellent Spider-Man game from the previous generation. The silky smooth frame rate and next-gen ray tracing create an incredibly immersive visual experience. It’s like playing a movie from Marvel’s cinematic universe. Plus, the soundtrack absolutely slaps.
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Courtesy of BlueTwelve Studio
Being a Cat Isn’t Easy
Stray
The highly anticipated Stray has finally hit store shelves, and it’s just as fun as it looks. In the game, you take on the role of a stray cat (with a backpack), lost in a futuristic cyberpunk cityscape populated entirely by humanoid robots. You’ll cause chaos (knock things off tables), explore a dense and vibrant world, and nap in some very memorable places. Essentially it’s everything you’d want to do as a cat, plus some added mystery and intrigue.
