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The best PS5 exclusives

The PlayStation 5 has finally established a respectable list of console-exclusive titles between first- and third-party developers. These games are able to take full advantage of the PS5 hardware thanks to not needing to worry about developing for other platforms. If you want to play some of the most impressive games you can on your system, no matter what genre you like most, these exclusives are the ones to check out.

In this guide, we’ll round up the very best exclusive games the system has to offer. The PS5’s exclusive library will undoubtedly grow throughout its life cycle, and we will update this article accordingly as more games come out.

The Last of Us Part I

The Last of Us Part I
4.5/5
M
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre Shooter, Adventure
Developer Naughty Dog
Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release September 02, 2022
Serving as a remake of the hit PS3 (and PS4) game, The Last of Us Part 1 is the definitive way to experience this story. Not only does it include enhanced visuals and gameplay improvements, but it also features numerous accessibility options, allowing more players to enjoy it. The Last of Us Part 1 also utilizes a handful of PS5 functionalities, such as the DualSense’s haptic feedback. Even if you’ve played the original, this enhanced edition has enough to make it worth experiencing again.
The Last of Us Part I - Announce Trailer

Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West
4/5
T
Platforms PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Genre Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer Guerrilla Games
Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release February 18, 2022

Serving as the followup to the hit 2017 open-world game, Horizon Forbidden West doubles down on many mechanics while introducing new ones. For the most part, most of the changes are for the better, such as the inclusion of new tools and improved combat. Most notably, traversal underwent changes, allowing players to get around the map much easier thanks to the use of a new paraglider. And of course, the combat is gripping and satisfying, as is the design of the giant mechanical dinosaurs that roam the world. While this game won’t break new ground, mostly all of its features are well-executed, making it a must-buy.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
90 %
T
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre Role-playing (RPG)
Developer Square Enix
Publisher Square Enix
Release June 10, 2021

The 2020 version of Final Fantasy VII Remake was already a stellar experience, and the PS5 exclusive Intergrade edition makes it even better. What’s great about this version is that it includes a photo mode, new difficulty settings, visual and performance enhancements, and quality of life improvements over the 2020 game. The base experience is incredible, especially if you enjoyed Final Fantasy VII from 1997. The remake looks, plays, and feels like a modern action title, but still pulls from some of the mechanics in the original while telling mostly the same story. There are some key narrative differences that might surprise you, though we won’t spoil them here.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Sackboy: A Big Adventure
77 %
E
Platforms PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Genre Platform, Adventure
Developer Sumo Digital
Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release November 12, 2020

Many games on this list are for mature audiences, but Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an exception. This is a 3D platformer made for all sorts of players, featuring the LittleBigPlanet star Sackboy. While you aren’t able to create your own levels in this game, it’s focused on platforming, with stages designed by Sumo Digital. Many of the levels are expansive, with plenty to do and collect, both solo and with a friend. That’s one of the selling points of Sackboy: A Big Adventure. It’s a fantastic, approachable experience that can be played with friends and family, but don’t let its cute visuals stop you — it’s superbly designed and is a blast to play.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Marvel's Spider-Man 2
4.5/5
T
Platforms PlayStation 5
Genre Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer Insomniac Games
Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release October 20, 2023
The best Spider-Man game of all time was once the original Marvel’s Spider-Man on PS4. One could also make a strong argument for the shorter sequel game Miles Morales, but now that Spider-Man 2 is here and elevating everything from both games, there’s no contest. The city is bigger, the traversal far improved with the same amazing swinging plus a wingsuit, snappy combat, and an even more engrossing story. The game doesn’t overstay its welcome, and even fixes the minor complaints people had with some of the side activities for the first game. Whether you’re a Spidy fan or not, this game should not be missed.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 - PlayStation Showcase 2021: Reveal Trailer | PS5

Returnal

Returnal
85 %
4/5
T
Platforms PlayStation 5
Genre Shooter
Developer Housemarque
Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release April 30, 2021
There isn’t much like Returnal. This is a third-person shooter with roguelike elements, wherein you must explore a planet, pick up items, and defeat aliens. The twist is that each time you die, all your progress resets — as does the layout of each level. That might sound too difficult, but once the combat clicks and you begin making progress, it becomes far more fun. Even if the gameplay doesn’t grab you, it’s hard to ignore the striking sense of atmosphere — due in part to the artistic design of the creatures and levels. There’s an underlying sense of mystery throughout Returnal, and uncovering its secrets is one of the driving forces. 
Read our full Returnal review

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
89 %
4/5
E10
Platforms PlayStation 5
Genre Shooter, Platform, Adventure
Developer Insomniac Games
Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release June 11, 2021

It’s hard to find a game that looks as good as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. In many ways, it’s a showcase for what the PS5 can do, featuring tons of explosions and particles across various encounters in the game. One of its highlights is the ability to travel to other dimensions on the fly, which would have been difficult to pull off on PS4. The characters are witty, the writing is clever, and the presentation looks expensive. This is yet another example of an approachable yet fun experience that is meant for a wide audience, even for players who aren’t as skilled.

Astro's Playroom

Astro's Playroom
86 %
Platforms PlayStation 5
Genre Platform
Developer SIE Japan Studio
Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release November 12, 2020
The great thing about Astro’s Playroom is that it comes bundled with each and every PS5 console at no additional cost. This platformer is meant to showcase what the PS5 — and more importantly, what the DualSense controller — can do, following in the footsteps of its PSVR predecessor, Astro Bot Rescue Mission. Only you don’t need a PSVR headset to enjoy Astro’s Playroom. In it, you’ll be jumping, exploring, and taking out enemy robots — very much in the style of Nintendo’s best platformers. It’s a pack-in, so there’s no excuse to skip out on this one, especially since it’s not terribly long and is easy to get into.

Demon's Souls

Demon's Souls
87 %
M
Platforms PlayStation 5
Genre Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Developer Bluepoint Games
Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release November 12, 2020
Speaking of Demon’s Souls, this is one of the highlights of the PS5, showcasing absolutely stunning visuals made possible by Sony’s new system. This comes to us courtesy of Bluepoint Games, the team that developed the beloved Shadow of the Colossus remake, and from what we can tell, Demon’s Souls seems to be the company’s most ambitious project yet. While the level design, enemy placement, mechanics, and even movement cadence remain intact, the remake features 4K visuals built from the ground up, making it one of the most impressive-looking games ever to release on a console. It also comes with many quality-of-life improvements that make it easier to jump into, as well as slightly updated animations, and more customization options in its character creation mode. The main goal with Demon’s Souls on PS5 is to stay true to the original, while offering an experience that feels next-gen, and from what we’ve seen, it absolutely delivers on that front. Though, as with all Souls games, Demon’s Souls is tough and won’t be for everyone. Despite that, now is a great time to jump in, as it will be ripe with an online community to help you take down bosses, and is streamlined in many ways.

Gran Turismo 7

Gran Turismo 7
81 %
4/5
E
Platforms PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Genre Racing, Simulator, Sport
Developer Polyphony Digital
Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release March 04, 2022
It’s hard to beat Gran Turismo, a series that is classy through and through. Gran Turismo 7 is notable for including a proper single-player campaign after being absent from the previous installment. This simulation racing game has so much packed into it, with plenty of attention to detail, making it much more enjoyable for car lovers. But even if you aren’t as “in-tune” with the world’s finest automobiles, Gran Turismo 7 is still the most enjoyable driving game on the system.
Read our full Gran Turismo 7 review
Gran Turismo 7 - Announcement Trailer | PS5

God of War Ragnarök

God of War Ragnarök
94 %
4/5
M
Platforms PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Genre Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer SIE Santa Monica Studio
Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release November 09, 2022
God of War Ragnarök is everything we could have asked for from a sequel. Sure, following in the footsteps of 2018’s God of War was no easy task, but Santa Monica Studio knocked it out of the park with Ragnarök. The sequel continues the thrilling story, offering a wide range of characters, fantastic combat, and a slew of improvements over its predecessor. In many ways, Ragnarök is much larger in terms of scope, expanding upon what made the 2018 game so great. If you liked the 2018 game and want more, or if you’re a fan of action games with gripping stories, you must play God of War Ragnarök.
God Of War Ragnarok - PlayStation Showcase 2021 Reveal Trailer | PS5

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
85 %
T
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre Shooter, Adventure
Developer Naughty Dog
Publisher Naughty Dog, Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release January 28, 2022
The Uncharted series is easily one of Sony’s most recognizable, and now you can play two of the best entries on PS5. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection includes Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, both of which have been upgraded for PS5. The package offers smooth 60-frames-per-second gameplay, along with a slew of additional accessibility options to appeal to a wide group of players. These are some of the best games in the series, with fantastic set pieces, wonderfully written characters, and action-packed gameplay. It might be a while before the next Uncharted game comes out, so these should hold us over until then.
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection - PlayStation Showcase 2021 Trailer | PS5

Editors' Recommendations

Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox loves writing, games, and complaining about not having time to write and play games. He knows the names of more…
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