Summary

  • PlayStation offers iconic and underrated titles that provide the best gaming experiences on the PS5.
  • Horizon Zero Dawn, Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered, and Elden Ring are top picks for first games on the PS5.
  • Ghost of Tsushima, No Man's Sky, and Baldur's Gate 3 also deliver exceptional gameplay and storytelling experiences.

One of the longest-standing members of the console wars, PlayStation contains many unique titles and franchises that make it an easy choice as your main gaming console. With more games released each month than you could possibly play in that month, many new PS5 owners could be scratching their heads at what to play first.

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Luckily, there are iconic and underrated titles that not only define the genres they were created for but make for the best gaming experiences you could have to date. To help narrow down your first game on the PS5 from a few thousand, a handful of titles have the best of all worlds.

10 Horizon Zero Dawn

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Horizon: Zero Dawn

Action RPG Released February 28, 2017 ESRB T for Teen: Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Sexual Themes, Violence Developer(s) Guerrilla Games Publisher(s) Sony Powered by Expand Collapse

The first in the Horizon series focuses on Aloy and her journey through a post-apocalyptic world and how it all came to be. Probably one of the nicest-looking games to ever release on PlayStation, the intricate battles with killer robots and unique equipment make an ideal first impression.

Both the sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, and Zero Dawn have extensive DLC that expand on the story without forcing you to commit to more robot gameplay than you can handle. Both Horizon titles are perfect if you want to dive into a new sci-fi franchise.

9 Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered

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Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered

Action-Adventure Open-World Released November 12, 2020 ESRB T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Insomniac Games Publisher(s) Sony Interactive Entertainment Powered by Expand Collapse

If you want to get in on the web-swinging action that made the PS5 revered, the remastered version of Marvel's Spider-Man is the best way to get introduced to the story and feel the progression of the mechanics. However, starting with Miles Morales or Spider-Man 2 won't hold you back.

With the best web-swinging and level design compared to any Spider-Man game before it, the Remastered version makes the best use of the adaptive triggers and DualSense controls. If you just want a bit-sized Spider-Man adventure without the story context, get Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

8 Elden Ring

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Elden Ring

RPG Action Released February 25, 2022 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) From Software Publisher(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software Powered by Expand Collapse

The most anticipated From Software game since it was originally announced, Elden Ring has proved to be the pinnacle of Soulslike titles with the largest map to date and even deeper lore, if that was ever possible. Although rather difficult at times, Elden Ring is the perfect game to pick up or put down whenever you need it.

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC adds about another 24 hours of content with the toughest challenges the game has to offer if you find yourself wanting more torture by the end. Elden Ring is the best first game for those with Dark Souls experience or if you want a challenge.

7 Ghost Of Tsushima

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Ghost of Tsushima

Action Adventure 3.0/5 Released July 17, 2020 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity Developer(s) Sucker Punch Publisher(s) Sony Powered by Expand Collapse

Set in Japan in the year 1274, Ghost of Tsushima follows Jin Sakai, a fallen samurai who attempts to reclaim Japan from Mongol invaders. Ghost of Tsushima perfectly blends storytelling with mechanics in a way that allows you to adapt the narrative to your play style.

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As you travel across Tsushima Island, you are given enough freedom to learn and master the controls while still providing obstacles with a high skill ceiling that makes it continuously interesting. Of all the single-player narrative games on PlayStation, Ghost ranks among the best.

6 No Man's Sky

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No Man's Sky

Adventure Action Survival 4.0/5 Released August 9, 2016 ESRB T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Animated Blood Developer(s) Hello Games Publisher(s) Hello Games Powered by Expand Collapse

Despite a rough launch and months to years of emergency development, No Man's Sky is barely recognizable from its initial release in the best way possible. With the release of the Worlds Part One update, No Man's Sky outclasses all other space sims on the PlayStation store.

The unique part of No Man's Sky gameplay is the exhaustive list of upgrades and changes you can make to your base, character, ships, and weapons that make you feel like you are always progressing. What started as a barren cluster of sandboxes in space has become lived-in worlds ripe for exploring.

5 Baldur's Gate 3

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Baldur's Gate 3

RPG 5.0/5 Released August 3, 2023 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Larian Studios Publisher(s) Larian Studios Powered by Expand Collapse

Recognized as one of the greatest RPGs of all time, Baldur's Gate 3 takes you across Faerûn in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, uncovering a massive plot involving worms in your brain. BG3 also doesn't require knowledge of D&D mechanics or the story of the previous two games to get started.

What makes BG3 infinitely replayable is the degree of freedom you have when making choices that affect the story while giving you hundreds of options to mix and match your character. No two games of BG3 will look the same and will surprise you every time.

4 Red Dead Redemption 2

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Red Dead Redemption 2

Action Adventure 5.0/5 Released October 26, 2018 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) Rockstar Games Publisher(s) Rockstar Games Powered by Expand Collapse

A prequel to the original Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption follows a new character in John Marston's life who attempts to save his band of outlaws from outside forces. With one of the richest stories ever told combined with fantastic acting, RDR2 should be a game everyone has the chance to play.

RDR2 also takes its setting seriously and grips the heart of what makes Western movies and games so intangibly captivating while never getting stale. XYZ

3 Cyberpunk 2077

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Cyberpunk 2077

RPG Action Released December 10, 2020 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) CD Projekt Red Publisher(s) CD Projekt Red Powered by Expand Collapse

Also launching with a rocky start, Cyberpunk 2077 was a buggy mess that was continuously unoptimized and somewhat unplayable. Since then, CD Projekt Red has gone above and beyond in making Cyberpunk 2077 one of the greatest sci-fi action games to date.

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Filled with jobs to score, secrets to find, and companions to meet, 2077 has mastered immersion and setting in a way that makes it difficult to put camera mode away. The Phantom Liberty DLC also included enough content to be a game in its own right, with Idris Elba to tie it all together.

2 Sea Of Thieves

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Sea of Thieves

Adventure Released March 20, 2018 ESRB T for Teen: Crude Humor, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) Rare Publisher(s) Microsoft Game Studios Powered by Expand Collapse

One of the most underrated live service games on the PS5, Sea of Thieves is the perfect game to pick up or put down whenever you have the need to sail the ocean and plunder booty. While best played with friends, Sea of Thieves offers various ship types and quests that make it adaptive to most group sizes.

If you're feeling against losing your loot or having to fight off more experienced players, you can play without PVP and experience the fairly cinematic Tall Tales that are uniquely rewarding. The gameplay, missions, loot, and travel all combine perfectly to create a curated and fun experience for any skill level.

1 The Last Of Us Part 1

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The Last of Us Part I

Action-Adventure Released September 2, 2022 Developer(s) Naughty Dog Publisher(s) Sony Interactive Entertainment Powered by Expand Collapse

The remastered prequel to The Last of Us Part 2 and the franchise that spawned an award-winning TV show, the story of Joel and Ellie surviving through an infested apocalypse is one of the best ever told in gaming. It is also fairly forgiving and not shy about including plenty of accessibility options.

The game itself is great at not overwhelming you with unnecessary game mechanics and looting that take away from the story while still providing new and unique challenges that keep it feeling fresh. Any game in The Last of Us franchise is enough to be the best first game you could play on the PS5.

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