Are you lucky enough to own PlayStation 5 and want recommendations on the absolute best games to play? You‘ve come to the right place. I‘ve compiled this definitive guide on must-have PS5 games based on factors like gameplay innovation, next-gen graphics utilization, overall fun factor, and more – so you can build your dream library!
Here‘s a comparison of my top picks across popular genres before diving into the details:
| Game Title | Genre | Price | Gameplay Length | Age Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Adventure | $59.88 | 100+ hours | E10+ |
| Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | Action/Shooter | $69.99 | 15-20 hours | E10+ |
| Ghost of Tsushima Director‘s Cut | Action/Stealth | $69.99 | 40+ hours | M17+ |
| Nintendo Switch Sports | Sports/Party | $49.99 | Varies | E10+ |
| Outriders Worldslayer | Shooter/RPG | $39.99 | 40+ hours | M17+ |
Now let‘s explore what makes each of these games such standout PS5 experiences worth adding to your library today.
Best Overall: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild represents a masterful reinvention of the iconic Nintendo series, offering unparalled freedom to explore a vast open world however you see fit – making it the first must-have PS5 game in my book.
As Link, you awake from a 100-year slumber to a ruined version of Hyrule Kingdom. From snowy mountains to secluded forests, there‘s mystery and danger around every corner. Nintendo tosses away the linear Zelda formula, instead allowing you to tackle objectives and overcome puzzles in completely creative ways. See an enemy camp in the distance? Paraglide behind them stealthily or meet them head on swinging – the choice is yours! This freedom immerses you fully into being the legendary hero Link.
When I first crested a hill revealing the open world before me, I was blown away by the vibrant art direction and mysterious remnants of Hyrule dotted across the landscapes. Even on my second playthrough, Breath of the Wild still finds ways to surprise and delight whether it’s experimenting with unexpected combat tactics or discovering hidden shrines packed with brain-teasing tests.
According to reviews, Breath of the Wild is considered one of the best open world games ever for a reason – it revolutionizes the entire concept by making exploration utterly rewarding.
Key Features
- Massive open world spanning snowy mountains, dense forests, and desert ruins
- Ultimate freedom to approach quests and objectives creatively
- Innovative physics systems allow unexpected solutions
- Over 100 puzzle-filled shrines reward exploration
- Beautiful stylized art direction reimagining iconic locales like Hyrule Castle
Breath of the Wild isn‘t just the best PS5 launch game, it‘s one of finest games ever crafted. Do yourself a favor and discover why for yourself!
Game Length: 100+ hours
Price: $59.88
Best Showcase of PS5 Power: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
When the PlayStation 5 was announced, the Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart trailer showcased alternate dimension-jumping action that wouldn‘t be possible without next-gen SSD speeds – instantly selling me on upgrading to PS5.
Launching alongside Sony‘s new hardware, Rift Apart continues the buddy space adventures of Lombax alien Ratchet and his witty robot companion Clank. This time they must stop the evil robot emperor Nefarious from conquering the multiverse, dimension hopping across wildly imaginative worlds brimming with explosive weapons and over-the-top enemies.
According to Digital Foundry analysis, Rift Apart‘s dimensional rifts display nearly instantaneous loading thanks to the PS5‘s custom SSD allowing seamless world transitions without traditional loading screens. Combine this with sumptuous alien vistas powered by ray tracing lighting, silky smooth 60fps animation, and PS5‘s advanced haptic feedback, and Rift Apart screams next-gen.
Key Features
- Dimension-ripping weapons and gadgets with creative uses
- Jaw-dropping alien worlds only possible thanks to PS5 SSD speeds
- Ray tracing and 4K visuals Offering buttery smooth 60fps action
- Advanced haptics and adaptive trigger support for immersive combat
- Creative weaponry and gadgets to traverse levels
If you‘re looking to be wowed by next-gen graphics and lightning fast loading, you need to add Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart to your PS5 library.
Game Length: 15-20 hours
Price: $69.99
Best Narrative Experience: Ghost of Tsushima Director‘s Cut
While plenty of PS5 showcases focus on technical feats, Ghost of Tsushima Director‘s Cut moved me most with its heartfelt storytelling. Set on a beautifully-realized island locale invaded by Mongol forces, you take on the role of rebellious samurai Jin Sakai who reluctantly breaks with tradition to save his people by any means necessary.
Ghost of Tsushima boasts cinematic storytelling rooted in classic Akira Kurosawa films, effortlessly transitioning from quiet moments reflecting on duty and honor to pulse-pounding sword duels with lethal opponents. As Jin Sakai, you alternate between silent assassinations from stealth grass or initiating standoffs before drawing your katana for an honorable duel. According to critics, Ghost of Tsushima revitalizes the open action genre thanks to its strong writing, portrayal of 13th century Japan, and thrilling combat capturing the lethality of samurai warfare.
The Director‘s Cut takes full advantage of DualSense haptic feedback to make blocking and parrying feel more impactful on PS5. Between white-knuckle duels, you‘ll explore tranquil bamboo forests, misty seasides, and weatherworn temples, creating an intimate connection to Jin‘s homeland. Make time for Ghost of Tsushima‘s moving samurai tale.
Key Features
- Emotional revenge tale rooted in samurai tradition
- Massive island landscape powered by dynamic weather and terrain
- Responsive katana duels require precision sword mastery
- Stealth and combat versatility allow creative approaches
- Full utilization of PS5 haptics for attacks and parrying
With touching writing and world class presentation, Ghost of Tsushima Director‘s Cut stands tall as one of PS5‘s best narrative experiences.
Game Length: 40+ hours
Price: $69.99
Best Party Game: Nintendo Switch Sports
Switching gears, Nintendo Switch Sports is guaranteed fun whether you have tight friendships or fierce rivalries. Building upon fan favorite Wii Sports, Nintendo Switch Sports features seven distinct party games controlled by swinging Joy-Con motion controllers.
Nothing gets a party started like smack talk during rounds of bowling and tennis! Nintendo has mastered translating real world motions into responsive game actions using their advanced Joy-Con motion tracking algorithms – I swear even grandma was striking people out in baseball. With additional sports like high-flying soccer shots and frenetic kendo duels, anyone can intuitively pick up a controller and jump into competitive fun. The real magic comes from experiencing this together as a shared activity.
For solo players, you can face online opponents of similar skill levels thanks to matchmaking algorithms. But Nintendo Switch Sports true charm comes from handing extra Joy-Cons to a group of friends and learning motions together until your next epic overtime victory!
Key Features
- Seven party games playable via intuitive motion controls
- Fun mix of competitive and cooperative multiplayer activities
- Accessible gameplay immediately enjoyable for all skill levels
- Entertaining group experience promoting camaraderie
- Engaging skill-based matchmaking for online play
If you plan on enjoying your PlayStation 5 for parties and play sessions with friends, add Nintendo Switch Sports into the mix!
Game Length: Varies based on activities
Price: $49.99
Most Replayability: Outriders Worldslayer
For my final pick, I choose explosive shooter RPG Outriders Worldslayer featuring ultra-violent gunplay and diverse class-based abilities that evolves with constant progression. The basic loop involves mowing down enemies with bloody abandon across hostile alien worlds before acquiring new gear to increase your power. But the addicting fun comes from the sheer experimentation.
With four unique classes like the lightning-quick Trickster or the minion mastering Technomancer, you can mix and match ability loadouts for utterly dynamic playstyles. Maybe you‘ll gravity leap into a pack before hitting a decaying blight turret – the combos are extensive! Factor in randomized loot drops influencing build diversity and Worldslayer offers near limitless customization.
While the story involving time-travelling colonists is utterly forgettable, Outriders nails addictive shooter fundamentals. There‘s nothing quite like acquiring a new mod for your assault rifle before testing how the explosive bonuses stack with your skills. According to looter shooter fans, Outriders Worldslayer perfects this genre blend on PS5 thanks to gore-soaked effects and smooth performance when battles intensify.
If you need a bottomless well of violent experimentation in your PS5 lineup, Outriders Worldslayer is a slam dunk.
Key Features
- Four diverse classes with customizable ability mixes
- Hundreds of moddable guns dramatically influence builds
- Lavish gore effects bathe chaotic battles
- Increased loot drops and level cap expands progression
- Addicting experimentation and min/maxing core gameplay loop
Don‘t overlook Outriders Worldslayer for providing endless blood-soaked entertainment on PS5 for a friendly price!
Game Length: 40+ hours
Price: $39.99
So that wraps up my personal recommendations for must-have PlayStation 5 games releasing over the past two years! With boundary pushing adventures like Breath of the Wild, technical showcases like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, cinematic tales from Ghost of Tsushima, party starters like Nintendo Switch Sports, and endlessly replayable looter shooters via Outriders Worldslayer – your game library will be set with these PS5 classics.
Have your own top PS5 game recommendation I missed? Sound off in the comments! I‘m always hunting for great video game experiences as an avid gamer. Let your voice be heard!
