The PS5 has seen a bunch of awesome game releases in its lifetime. While some have crashed and burned, others have gone down in the console’s history. Rating plays a huge role in whether some players grab a game, which is why the best-rated PS5 games hold such importance.
This article highlights the top 10 best-rated PS5 games, including exclusives and third-party titles. This doesn’t just look at one website, but compares the Metacritic score, public perception, and other factors to ensure every game has a chance to shine. Of course, some of these games may have originally come out for the PS4. But they have PS5 versions to keep things fair.
Elden Ring
It’s no surprise that Elden Ring is at the top of this list. This game takes the difficulty of traditional soulslike games and makes it more accessible than ever before. Regardless of whether you’re a fan of the genre or not, there’s a good chance that you’ll fall in love with the world and combat this game offers.
The story isn’t what most players play Elden Ring for, even if it’s fascinating in its own right. The game gives a lot of flexibility in terms of what type of build you want to go for. Whether you’re someone who likes to slice and dice your way to victory or you want to hold a magical staff that can bring destruction anywhere, you’re free to do what you please. All it takes is one victory against a particularly tough boss fight to understand Elden Ring’s appeal.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 was the Game of the Year for 2023, and it’s no surprise why. The game offers immersion that few developers could even hope to achieve. From the many classes that you can choose from to all of the NPCs that you can treat however you want, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a masterclass in role-playing.
Not to mention, it stays very faithful to its Dungeons & Dragons roots. The game’s filled with players having to pass skill checks and a story that you can tackle however you want. The replay value Baldur’s Gate 3 holds is practically limitless, which is why so many still come back to this game years after finishing it.
Astro Bot
Astro Bot was treated like just another tech demo when it was announced, but the game’s release proved that assumption wrong. The game ended up being one of the best modern-day platformers, even being crowned the Game of the Year for 2024. It currently sits as the highest-rated PS5 exclusive.
Much of the game’s success is because of its creativity. While Astro Bot isn’t particularly difficult and doesn’t really have an intriguing story, it’s a game that you can just sit down and enjoy with your friends and family. The creativity here is off the charts, and every level is designed with clear passion behind it.
God of War Ragnarok
The God of War series may have been dormant for many years, but the 2018 God of War saw the return of Kratos in an entirely new land. Ragnarok takes things a step further by increasing the stakes and delivering a level of storytelling and character development that even the original creators of the series may have never seen coming.
God of War Ragnarok has fast-paced and addictive combat that constantly keeps you on your toes. It also sees the end of the Norse arc of this series, while giving characters such as Kratos and Atreus more depth than the prequel. It’s everything the 2018 game did, but bumped to an eleven.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was the most ambitious PS5 exclusive RPG, at least for the time that it was actually an exclusive. The game continues the story of 2020’s Final Fantasy VII Remake, but adds a twist to the gameplay. Players can now explore a large open world with quests to complete and people to meet.
While the visuals and combat are naturally amazing, this game stands out because of its story, characters, and music. Every main character is explored more deeply in Rebirth, and it sees the adaptation of one of the most iconic moments in gaming history. If you’re a JRPG fan, then there’s a good chance that this will become an instant favorite.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
While Persona 5 is considered one of the best turn-based JRPGs of all time, that’s primarily because of the finesse and style it brings to the table. When it comes to actually being a better JRPG, many long-time fans believe Metaphor: ReFantazio takes the cake.
This game has the same turn-based gameplay and social aspects that make the Persona series so loved. But instead of taking place in a school, Metaphor: ReFantazio takes place in a fantasy world, as you keep a corrupt monarch from taking over a country. The stakes are clearly higher here, and the world-building in this game is off the charts.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was already one of the most respected Western RPGs, especially since it came out around the time that JRPGs were dominating the industry. The game’s PS5 upgrade makes things even better, offering better visuals, faster loading times, and generally giving the game a better feel.
Players fill the shoes of Geralt of Rivia as he searches for his adopted daughter, Ciri. On the way, he encounters multiple enemies and potential allies, determining whether he breaks bread or spills blood. The Witcher 3 is one of the deepest RPGs around, and its DLCs make an already amazing game even better.
Hades
Indie games have always held a special place in the hearts of many, but they never really competed against giants on the big stage. This changed with Hades, a fast-paced action roguelike where you play as Zagreus as he attempts to escape from the underworld. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Hades proved the potential that indies had, paving the path for other developers to try their hand at chasing their dreams.
Hades has everything you could want from a game like this. The combat is smooth, quick, and responsive, and boss fights are tough but fair. There are multiple difficulty options for those who like adjusting their runs, and the story is extremely immersive. The game’s characters feel like real people, and the voice acting is excellent.
Resident Evil 4
Many Resident Evil fans consider the original Resident Evil 4 to be one of the best games of all time. This is exactly why it’s such a big deal that the remake is such a masterpiece. It holds its own identity while also staying mostly faithful to the original game, making for an experience that every Resident Evil fan will love.
Filling the shoes of fan-favorite character Leon S. Kennedy was great enough, but that isn’t the only reason it’s so good. The combat is fluid, the lighting is nice, and enemy behavior is generally better than the classic. Resident Evil 4 is the perfect blend of survival horror and action in a way that’s hard to replicate.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Being a title that launched around the same time as the PS5, it’s no surprise that Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 still holds a spot on this list. The original game was one of the best superhero games that we had seen, arguably since the Batman Arkham series was shelved. The story was great, the swinging felt fluid, and players could just lose themselves for hours above the streets of New York.
While Spider-Man 2’s story wasn’t as well-received as the first game’s, everything else is improved. Players can control Peter Parker and Miles Morales, the combat has more detailed mechanics that keep things interesting, and the swinging has a wingsuit system attached that makes getting around even more enjoyable.
