Over two years since its release, PlayStation 5 remains the console to beat for a range of top games. From acclaimed blockbusters to innovative indies, the PS5 delivers stunning graphics and genuinely groundbreaking gameplay experiences.
Returnal reimagines developer Housemarque’s bullet hell formula to deliver a punishing roguelike that’s hard to put down. Its impressive graphical fidelity, haptic feedback and immersive DualSense features are the real deal.
Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart
As one of the first PlayStation 5 exclusives, Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart is a perfect showcase for the console’s unique features. It’s a great game with a new standalone story, a wild arsenal of weapons, and portals that transport players between different dimensions.
Insomniac has also made smart use of the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback, ensuring that every gun rattles in your hands and that the weight of Ratchet’s hover boots feels distinctly different on different surfaces. It’s a feature that’s quickly becoming standard in PS5 games, thanks to titles like Astro’s Playroom and Returnal.
The graphical power of the console is also on display, with colors popping and characters animating smoothly. Even without advanced ray tracing, the environments feel alive. They’re almost as impressive as the rifts themselves, which are a testament to the power of the SSD.
Demon’s Souls
As the launch title for Sony’s new console, Demon’s Souls packs a huge punch. It’s the game that kicked off the “Soulslike” genre of games, letting players explore a striking world filled with deadly opponents and precision combat.
The game’s graphics have been reworked by Bluepoint Games for the PS5 version, which boasts dynamic 4K and 60fps play. The game also supports a native 4K, 30fps mode for fans who want to push the system’s visuals to the limit.
As a comparison video by YouTuber Phobia shows, the PS5 version looks much more than just a simple upscale of the original. The rework includes improved lighting effects, which help the game to look more intense and scary. Moreover, the game’s loading times have been drastically reduced.
Horizon Forbidden West
A stunning sequel to Guerrilla Games’ first major triple-A entry, Horizon Forbidden West is a technical showpiece. It renders its 31st-century version of the American West in exquisite detail, capturing its diverse vistas with rocky mountains, deserts, lush jungles, icy wastelands, and deep blue oceans. The world is also home to a variety of new tribes and ravaged by an unstoppable blight.
The game features two visual modes, according to Digital Foundry: a performance mode that targets 60 fps and a resolution mode that achieves higher graphical fidelity. The latter is best suited to televisions and displays with higher resolutions.
Unlike its predecessor, Forbidden West offers more side quests, making it easier to level up faster. The world is also much more expansive, with a variety of environments that will make your jaw drop.
God of War Ragnarok
God of War Ragnarok, the sequel to the iconic franchise from Santa Monica Studio, is now available on PS5. The new console’s hardware runs the game perfectly, but it also adds some extra features.
On the PS5, players can choose between six different graphics modes, all with varying resolution and frame rate. Three of the modes favour frame rates over fidelity, while the others are somewhere in between.
During battles, the camera moves quickly around enemies and allows players to select which direction to attack in. Atreus can cast powerful spells, and magic of all colors drifts through the air. The result is a beautiful experience that makes this one of the best playstation 5 games so far.
Gran Turismo 7
Gran Turismo games are often trotted out to showcase the graphical prowess of Sony’s console hardware, and Gran Turismo 7 certainly lives up to its status as a tech demo. The game’s incredibly intricate replica of cars and their many forms of racing are jaw-droppingly beautiful.
This year’s version benefits from a host of visual improvements. Enhanced resolution, HDR support and ray tracing give the game a polished sheen that even Forza on Xbox Series X would struggle to match.
Beyond the tech, however, Kazunori Yamauchi’s distinct brand of ’90s game design hasn’t been lost. Whether you’re a racer, collector, tuner, livery designer or photographer, GT7 has the tools to inspire your inner car culture geek. The game also features an extensive roster of legacy cars.