The best PS5 games 2023 – top games to play this year
Take your enjoyment to the max with the best PS5 games you can play right now
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The best PS5 games are those games for every genre that you should absolutely be aiming to get in your collection if you own – or plan to own – Sony’s latest console.
What’s brilliant about making and crafting such a list now, is that the PS5 game library, at nearly three years old, really does have something for everyone. And our list reflects that, covering sports, platformers, narrative epics, huge, expansive RPGs – and everything in between.
Naturally, you could say some top PS4 games as also some of the best PS5 games still, but with the latter library growing with every month, and standing strong on its own, there’s never been a better time to broaden the horizons and get a top game. From post-apocalyptic, expansive RPGs, to Nordic mythology epics, and from the latest sporting behemoths to smaller, family-friendly games, our PS5 game list is full and diverse.
Now, this isn’t just a list of the best PS5 exclusive games – that’s a separate list and is a whole different kettle of fish – this is a handpicked list of the best games on PS5 regardless of their platform exclusivity. Yup, there are a few exclusives here, but that’s not always a route to being a top dog.
So if you’re sold on getting the best gaming experiences on a PlayStation going right now, then read on for our picks of the PS5 games that you can play right now. And this list will likely change, grow, evolve over time as we play more, and more games get released, and more titles face off against each other for inclusion in this list. Here we go!
The best PS5 games 2023
12. FIFA 2023
It wouldn’t be a proper best PS5 games list without the most popular sporting game on the planet on it, would it? The last of its kind, in a way, with EA and FIFA parting ways, FIFA 23 is the best and most definitive way to play the beautiful game on PS5. In fact, such is the quality of the modern FIFA game, the huge community behind it, and the number of ways in which the game can be played and interacted with means it’s likely the top PS5 sports game going right now. Let’s see if that can be maintained with its next cycle, but if you’re looking for the best sports game to play on PS5 then we think it’s probably still FIFA – albeit in a strong field (pun intended).
FIFA 23 PS5
11. Astro’s Playroom
No PS5 owner should sleep on Astro’s Playroom! Included and pre-installed on the console when you first get the machine, it’s a beautiful little fun game that does a brilliant job of both showing off the power and capability of the console and, in particular, the DualSense controller, but also giving you a hell of a fun, platform game to get going on before you’ve even bought anything else. However, it’s so good that you should absolutely give it the same time as any other PS5 game. It’s got great call-backs to PlayStation history, super-fun platforming gameplay, and a sense of wit and charm that’s easy to love. I keep it installed on my PS5 to show folks the DualSense, but have also enjoyed dipping back into it so often that I’ve got the Platinum trophy for it too.
10. The Last of Us Part I
A PlayStation classic remade for PS5, and boy is it a belter. Yes, it might not be a new-to-PS5, or anywhere near a PS5 exclusive game given its previous releases on both PS3, and PS4, but, objectively, if you’re looking for say a brilliant narrative-driven PS5 game, then there might not be any better. And there will be some folks looking for that given the recent huge success of the HBO TV series. The tale of Joel on Ellie on PS5 is as brilliant as it’s ever been, or likely to get, and also means it looks unbelievable and features all the PS5 features from haptics and adaptive triggers to 3D audio too. I recently re-played this as a long-term fan and enjoyed it enormously – I can only imagine what it will be like for those picking it up for the first time. It’s a beautiful story, mixed up in a gritty, survival horror game that makes you question decisions, make hard calls on resources, and grow close to characters and a beautiful world.
The Last of Us Part I PS5
9. Deathloop
Starting out life as a PS5 console exclusive (for a year), Deathloop remains one of the smartest, smoothest, and most stylish PS5 games you can play. If you’re a fan of Arkane’s other immersive sims like Dishonored and Prey then this is a no-brainer for you, and a PS5 game that’ll keep you thinking and entertained for dozens of hours. But even if you haven’t played Arkane’s previous games this is still one of the most interesting and innovative PS5 games you can get onto your machine’s SSD. Deathloop’s brilliance is multi-faceted from its brilliantly written characters and dialogue, to an intriguing story, and from some incredibly fun game ‘loops’ that open up different areas of the maps at different times of the day to full support for the DualSense controller (which features triggers that act like guns jamming when you’re equipment isn’t up to scratch. One of the most stylish and unique experiences you can have on PS5 right now.
Deathloop PS5
8. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
If you’re looking for a vast RPG to get lost in on PS5 then there’s barely any better – if any – than Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Viking-turned-assassin Eivor’s journey across 9th-century Norway and England (and Ireland and France if you include the DLCs) is a beautiful, staggering, epic adventure that’ll have you enjoying stories, battles, and one of the least-documented landscapes going in a brilliant game. The narrative is gripping, the side quests are both fun and always worth it, and the RPG progression is deep and varied so you can truly play how you want. Even though the game released way back at the time of the PS5’s release in 2020, it’s still a breath-taking game and one of the very best on the console. And given that time, the benefit of even jumping in fresh now is that there’s an unbelievable amount of content and free updates to enjoy, before you even factor in the paid-for DLCs and Ragnarök expansion! So much! An unbelievable game, and while immense and enormous, one of the best action RPGs and historic-playground worlds you can play in on PS5 – I still dip back in occasionally, and listen to bits of the soundtrack every day such is it’s impact and
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla PS5
7. Call of Duty Warzone 2
We could have included any one of the recent Call of Duty games here, really. A mainstay of modern gaming and a mainstay on PlayStation, the Call of Duty series is basically guaranteed to provide one of the best PS5 game experiences. However, it’s Warzone 2 that takes the biscuit for us in this instance given the ability to play brilliant online games with friends or other players and as it’s one of the go-to modern Battle Royales with loads of updates, quality maps, and brilliant combat and movement – plus, it’s free to play!. It wouldn’t really be a best PS5 games list without the world’s best first-person action shooter among the entries, in a way, so this is the one to go for if that’s your bag – and then to use as a gateway to the rest of the series on PS5 too! And now that you can use PS5 Discord easily and smoothly, that presents another enhanced way to play such multiplayer games online with your friends too!
6. Ratchet & Clank: A Rift Apart
The famous and favourite PlayStation duo make a comeback on PS5 after 8 years (since 2013’s Into the Nexus game) and the result is spectacular. Taking full advantage of the PS5’s hardware and features, Rift Apart is one of the most seamless and potent experiences one can have with a PS5 game right now. Utilising the PS5 SSD in particular means shifting between rifts and areas is as quick as it is beautiful, the introduction of new characters adds some great charm, and the action and platforming gameplay is the best the series has ever had. Throw in superb arti design and sound design, and you have a brilliant, friendly-to-all-audiences adventure game for PS5.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
5. Spider-Man Miles Morales
Just like its predecessor on PS4, Spider-Man Miles Morales proves that there are not many things better than swinging epically around the streets and skyscrapers of New York as the friendly neighbourhood superhero. Peter Parker gives way to Miles Morales in this game and gives us a brilliant adventure superhero game that’s perfect to play on PS5. Miles himself is immediately likable and has wonderful charisma, and his story is brilliant fun, while New York remains a tremendous superhero playground, but it’s the combat and web-swinging which are the real stars of the show. There’s nothing as satisfying as putting together a seamless combat combo to finish off some bad guys without taking a hit, or pulling off outrageous and funky moves while slinging webs between skyscrapers. The only thing better than playing Spider-Man Miles Morales? Playing Spider-Man Miles Morales during the real-world Christmas and festive season – exactly what I did in 2021 with the game being the perfect companion to real-world Christmas time. Our only real complaint is that it’s over a little too quickly – however, it still remains the definitive way to enjoy Insomniac’s Spider-Man on PlayStation.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
4. Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy is one of our favourite games of recent years, period. And while it is cross-platform for everyone to enjoy (well, nearly; last-gen releases have been pushed a little further back into 2023), this magical adventure game is astounding, and arguably best enjoyed on PS5. That’s because, on top of everything else that makes Hogwarts Legacy a great game in and of itself – superb magical combat, a solid story, a detailed and wonderful virtual Hogwarts to explore, and so on – you can get great DualSense features with the developers wanting to treat the controller much like a wand from the wizarding world. And it works. This game does a terrific job of transporting new and old fans alike to Hogwarts, and ensuring the magic of the world of Harry Potter can be enjoyed to the nth degree on PS5.
Hogwarts Legacy PS5
3. Horizon Forbidden West
Post-apocalyptic beauty abounds in the awesome sequel to one of the best PS4 games ever made, with Horizon Forbidden West being extremely worthy of its place near the top of our best PS5 game list. Building on what made it’s predecessor great, Forbidden West expands Aloy’s journey across a ruin America, tweaks gameplay elements and features to enhance them and offers a pretty gripping and intriguing story that’ll keep you hooked as you travel West. It’s one of the best PS5 games to use the environment and world as a character in and of itself, continuing to demonstrate what happens after hundreds and hundreds of years of ruin; however the world remains rich and interesting with lots of titbits to find – and, of course, lots more robot dinosaurs to stalk, hunt, and take head one in epic battles that’ll get your heart racing.
Horizon Forbidden West
2. Elden Ring
FromSoftware’s latest masterpiece is exactly that on PS5 – a masterpiece. In fact, such is the brilliance of this game, this might well be one of the best RPG games, best PS5 games, and best anything-it’s-on games, let alone one of the very best PS5 games. If you’re after a challenge that’s tough but fair, an expansive world that begs to be explored naturally and without markers (the likes of which we haven’t seen in years), a near-endless amount of choice when it comes to weapons, spells, and combat, and some awesome game and environment design, then Elden Ring is for you – and then some. The game has won a million awards and titles since its release in February 2022, and with a recent announcement declaring an expansion (or DLC) in the works, the urge to return is large, and the pull for new players is growing once more.
Elden Ring PS5
1. God of War Ragnarök
The second instalment of Norse-mythology Kratos is even more epic, bombastic, action-filled, and breath-taking as the 2018 PS4 masterpiece, and it really is the best PS5 games you can play right now. Kratos and Atreus’ journey continues in God of War Ragnarök with more twists and turns and epic fights – and cutscenes – to boot. It’s hard to overstate how good a PS5 game God of War Ragnarök is. It’s simultaneously one of the best video game stories, one of the best seamless game experiences, has some of the best performances and character interactions going on any platform, and has truly exhilarating and bombastic combat that God of War games has always had. It also looks unbelievable – something even further enhanced with one of the best gaming monitor for God of War Ragnarok too. Not only is this the best PS5 game going right now in our eyes, but it’s also one of the best video games of the modern era.
God of War Ragnarök
How we created our best PS5 games list
Our best PS5 games list has been created here at WePC through hours and hours of playtime, discussion with multiple team members, and from a vast array of experience. We have argued, debated, and discussed the virtues of these games – and more – in order to provide a list that best represents our learned, expert opinion, but also the best options, covering multiple genres, that are available to players right now.
Are PS5 games better than PS4 games?
In a way, yes, but, in another way, no. Because we had such a compressed inter-generational period, it’s true that the PS4 and its games can still provide an enormous amount of fun and enjoyment – and it’s still getting releases too. The fact remains that the PS4 is still a capable machine and offers superb experiences with games made for PS4 still looking and playing great in 2024. And while our selection of the best PS5 games certainly demonstrates how good games on PS5 can be, and what we can come to expect from PS5 games offering us over PS4 games, a handful of them are technically PS4 games too.
But where PS5 games do have the edge is where they have been made specifically for that console and all the best features and enhancements it offers. Only on PS5 will you get the fastest loading times, DualSesne features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, proper 3D audio support, and the smoothest of gaming pictures. It is these features which give PS5 games the edge over PS4 games – so if you value smooth, fast gaming particularly, then PS5 will edge it most times.
What PS5 games get the most out of the PlayStation 5?
This is a superb question and one where the simplest answer is: a PS5 game that’s been designed to run only on PS5. And what we mean by that is a game that is exclusive to PS5, and has been made solely for that platform – and thus has not had to make any compromises to run on anything else. This comes into play when we have games like God of War Ragnarok, and Horizon Forbidden West which, don’t get me wrong, run brilliantly on PS5, but may have had tweaks made to ensure they run on PS4 too. On the flip side, PS5 games like Ratchet & Clank: A Rift Apart and The Last of Us Part 1 which have been made (and remade) for PS5 only – at least, at first – so can take advantage of everything the PS5 can offer from sheer power and capability, to DualSense features, and 3D audio.
Is the PS5 worth it in 2024?
In our eyes, the PS5 is absolutely worth it in 2024 – and probably started becoming more and more worth it from the end of last year. Now, as we crawl toward the console’s third birthday, there are more and more games being solely made for the PS5 – a common criticism of the machine – which can fully unleash the power of it into our hands and eyes. Because of that, and as availability has got better, the community had got wider, too so there are more people onboard than ever. And with any PS4 game being playable on PS5 too, the library is technically enormous. If you haven’t upgraded yet, then 2023 might very well be the time to go for it and then simultaneously enjoy the best PS5 games on offer too.
Are there enough games for the PS5?
Yes, there are enough games for PS5 right now, and our best PS5 games list right here absolutely shows that. And even though more games will be cross-platform, that still means the list of best PS5 games grows and the options, if this console is your platform of choice, is greater than ever.
What is the number one best PS5 game?
Our pick would be God of War Ragnarök. It’s an epic tale and offers everything a proper single-player game should: gripping story, brilliant performances, exceptional combat, and wondrous virtual places to explore.
Remember, you’ll need the best and right gear to get the most out of your PS5 and the games, so check out our guide to the best TV for gaming, best 4K gaming monitor, or best gaming monitor for PS5 to ensure you get the best visuals possible.
