A curated countdown of PlayStation‑only standouts—new icons, modern classics, and the exclusives that show off what your PS5 (and DualSense) can really do.
How we chose: For this guide, “PS5 exclusive” means PlayStation console exclusive (some titles also have PC versions). We prioritized recent releases with major acclaim or popularity, and added a few earlier PS5‑only gems that remain essential on the platform.
10) Demon’s Souls (2020)
Bluepoint’s full‑scale remake of FromSoftware’s 2009 cult classic remains one of PS5’s purest showcases. Rebuilt from the ground up, it locks in that unmistakable tension—tight stamina management, deliberate swordplay, and peerless level layout—while delivering pristine 4K visuals, fast loading that makes repeated runs painless, and subtle quality‑of‑life lifts. If you’ve played any Soulslike since 2009, this is the primordial blueprint polished to a mirror sheen. Returning veterans will notice how carefully Bluepoint respects the original’s intent, while new players get the most accessible on‑ramp the series has ever had—without softening the edge. Whether you’re rolling through Boletaria for nostalgia or curiosity, this version is the way to experience it in 2025, and its boss design and atmosphere still rival brand‑new releases. It was also a PS5 launch title, which is wild considering how well it stands up today.
9) Returnal (2021)
Selene’s looping crash‑landing on Atropos is more than a great sci‑fi premise—it’s a mechanical clinic. Returnal blends lightning‑fast, bullet‑hell gunplay with roguelike progression and a moody, elliptical story that burrows under your skin. On PS5 the experience feels singular: DualSense haptics add tactile nuance to every raindrop and trigger pull, Tempest 3D Audio makes threats locatable by sound, and the SSD slashes downtime between runs. The free Ascension update added tower challenge and co‑op, making 2025 a perfect time to dive back in (or finally commit to that first clear). Returnal’s reputation is earned—not only is it tough, it’s elegant, readable, and constantly surprising, which is why it swept major accolades including BAFTA’s Best Game. In a generation with plenty of shooters, this one still feels new every time a fresh loop begins.
8) Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (2021)
A grin‑inducing dimension‑hopper that doubles as a PS5 tech flex. Rift Apart’s instant rift‑slings and mid‑level reality swaps only work because of the PS5’s SSD, and the game folds that trick into constant, kinetic set‑pieces. As a series entry, it’s welcoming—Rivet is a stellar co‑lead, the arsenal is as inventive as ever, and the pacing pops with breezy platforming between bombastic boss fights. It’s also a friendly showpiece if you want to demonstrate your console to friends who aren’t Souls or roguelike diehards: readable combat, generous accessibility options, and Saturday‑morning swagger. It launched as a PS5 exclusive and later came to PC, but it still feels designed around PlayStation hardware. If you missed it early in the generation, it’s aged beautifully and remains one of the most purely joyful games you can boot up on Sony’s box.
7) Final Fantasy XVI (2023)
Part political drama, part kaiju‑scale spectacle, FFXVI reimagines the series as a full action RPG—fast, readable, and gloriously over the top. You control Clive across a sweeping tale of warring nations and godlike Eikons, with real‑time combat that lets you swap Eikonic abilities on the fly. The PS5 version was the lead platform and it shows in responsiveness and presentation. What elevates XVI in 2025 is how complete it now feels: post‑launch updates refined systems and UI, and The Rising Tide expansion (with Leviathan and new endgame) gave the campaign a fitting crescendo. If you bounced off early or waited, there’s now a polished, content‑rich run waiting for you. And yes, it’s from the FFXIV veteran team (CBU3), so expect world‑building that layers politics with myth in ways only that crew can.
6) The Last of Us Part II Remastered (2024)
Still one of the boldest AAA narratives of the last decade, now tuned for PS5 and packed with smart extras. Beyond visual and performance upgrades, the headline is No Return, a single‑player roguelike survival mode that reframes TLOU’s precise, desperate combat into endlessly replayable runs with unlockable characters (including never‑before playable faces), modifiers, and daily challenges. If you’re returning for the story, director’s commentary and lost‑levels content add real context; if you’re here for systems, No Return is shockingly deep. It’s the best way to (re)experience Naughty Dog’s knife‑edge stealth and improvisational skirmishes—and an easy recommendation if HBO’s series rekindled your interest. Crucially, this remaster leans into PS5’s strengths while respecting the game’s original pacing and tone.
5) Marvel’s Spider‑Man 2 (2023)
Bigger, faster, and more heartfelt, Insomniac’s sequel nails the fantasy of being both Spider‑Men. Switching between Peter and Miles mid‑open‑world is seamless, the web‑wings amplify traversal in delightful ways, and the Venom/Kraven arc hits blockbuster notes without losing neighborhood warmth. It’s a PS5‑first design—those near‑instant loads and fluid city streaming keep momentum alive—and it landed with massive impact, setting a PlayStation Studios 24‑hour sales record at launch and later cleaning up at the D.I.C.E. Awards with six wins including Action Game of the Year. If you’ve been holding out, 2025 is an ideal swing through New York: robust post‑launch polish, photo‑mode wizardry, and a campaign that respects your time. Play for the set‑pieces; stay for the characters.
4) Stellar Blade (2024)
A razor‑sharp character action game that feels like the midpoint between NIER’s melancholic sci‑fi and Sekiro’s poise‑driven dueling. As EVE, you carve through abominations with snappy parries, punish windows, and a satisfying suite of skill unlocks—then slow down to explore, gear up, and poke at a surprisingly reflective story about duty and identity. The PS5 version sings: crisp image quality, slick performance modes, and DualSense feedback that makes every perfect parry pop. It launched only on PS5 (with NG+ and more added shortly after), and in 2025 the package is a confident, generously tuned action adventure that rewards mastery but offers flexible difficulty paths. If you love timing‑forward combat and stylish boss design, Stellar Blade hangs with the genre’s best and stands as 2024–2025’s biggest new PlayStation‑exclusive surprise.
3) Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024)
The middle chapter of the Remake trilogy sprawls into an expansive, region‑hopping journey that’s both a nostalgia trip and a bold reinterpretation. Real‑time party combat finally clicks into a rhythmic dance of synergy abilities and stagger setups; side‑content is dense without feeling like filler; and the writing threads needle‑fine character beats between looming, cosmic stakes. On PS5, the scope and performance are the point—big spaces, seamless transitions, and minimal friction. It’s also the most approachable place for new fans to jump in and get why Cloud & Co. endure. A strong critical reception cemented it as one of 2024’s essentials, and while it’s now on PC as well, Rebirth still feels at home on PS5 where it debuted. If you want a giant RPG that respects your time while lavishing you with world‑building, this is the one.
2) Astro Bot (2024)
The little bot that launched a thousand smiles. Astro Bot is a love letter to PlayStation history wrapped in a top‑tier 3D platformer—overflowing with ideas, breezy to 100%, and constantly inventing new tricks with the DualSense (from tactile terrain to delightful gadgetry). Levels are compact, replayable playgrounds filled with secrets and fan‑service cameos; difficulty ramps gently for families while leaving plenty to master for trophy hunters and speedrunners. It’s also a technical charmer on PS5, with smooth performance and vibrant clarity that makes every diorama pop. Critics broadly adored it at launch, and a steady cadence of post‑release time trials and Special Bots kept the community buzzing into 2025. If you own a PS5, this is as close to a must‑play as the platform gets—pure craft, pure charm, no bloat.
1) Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (2025)
Kojima’s sequel is stranger, warmer, and more purposeful—a game about rebuilding connections that turns traversal itself into a co‑op conversation with the wider player base. The PS5‑only release refines everything: smarter route‑planning and tools (from wind harnesses to modular vehicles), more reactive structures, and a story that leans into hope without losing its eerie, apocalyptic edge. DualSense haptics make weather and terrain feel physical; 3D audio and cinematography do the rest. It’s a meditative epic punctuated by moments of genuine peril, and the asynchronous systems shine brightest now that the player community is massive and creative. Whether the first game clicked for you or not, this installment is the definitive version of Kojima’s “strand” idea—and a uniquely PS5 experience in 2025. If you’re looking for the exclusive that couldn’t have existed a generation ago, start (and stay) here.
Honorable mentions (still great, but edged out here)
- Rise of the Ronin (2024) — Team Ninja: A sprawling Bakumatsu sandbox with crunchy combat, exclusively on PS5 at launch.
- Silent Hill 2 (2024) — Bloober Team: Polarizing for some purists, but a lavish, atmospheric remake that’s well worth your time on PS5.
