Look, the PlayStation 5 doesn’t have an incredibly large library of exclusives, but we can help you sort through them to find the best PS5 exclusive games. The PlayStation 5, even a little more than 2 years after its release, is still a console in its infancy. In addition, there are quite a few great PS5 games that have been simultaneously developed for PS4, for a few different reasons. These games aren’t quite exclusives, but games like God of War: Ragnarok and Horizon: Forbidden West are definitely worth your time.
But now, without further ado, here are our picks for the best PS5 console exclusives. You can find a few of these on PC, but they’re only available on console via PlayStation 5. This list consists of more than a few enhanced versions of past games, but we’ll keep it updated as more original PS5 exclusives are released throughout the console’s life cycle.
Returnal: Best PS5 Exclusives
One of the only examples of a “AAA roguelike,” Returnal was also one of the first PS5 exclusives. The third-person shooter gameplay itself is incredibly tight. Add that on to the satisfying roguelike loop of upgrades, permanent unlocks, and an endless mode called the Tower of Sisyphus, and you have one of the best games in the genre. There’s also a story present throughout, but it isn’t quite told in a straightforward fashion. Your mileage may vary on that.
As of the latest update, there’s co-op as well. The game’s plenty fun in single player, but co-op gameplay helps elevate it to another level. If you think the chaotic bullet-hell boss fights are fun alone, just wait until you’re yelling over Discord at your buddy because they’re losing health too quickly. Returnal was one of the first PlayStation games to get the $70 price tag, but can be found on sale quite often now.
You can purchase Returnal here.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade
An enhanced version of one of the most ambitious remakes in gaming, Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade is an exclusive worth every PS5 owner’s time. Visual enhancements allow players to play the already gorgeous game in 4K with Quality Mode, or at 60 fps in performance mode. In addition, the occasionally egregious load times found in the original PS4 release are now cut down significantly, thanks to the PS5’s SSD.
In addition to these quality of life improvements, there’s also new content to be played. Intergrade adds a new mini story to be played called “INTERmission.” This story features Yuffie, an optional character from the original game. Yuffie’s playstyle is just as satisfying as the main party members’ styles, and players who enjoyed the main game are sure to enjoy this new addition. It even features a couple of new post-credits scenes, which set up some interesting possibilities for the upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
You can purchase Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade here, but you may be eligible for a free upgrade as well.
Best PS5 Exclusive Games – Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Released within the first year of the console’s release Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the best showcase for the PS5’s technical capabilities to date. It looks great, and shows off the now-standard PS5 feature of choosing between quality and performance mode to prioritize resolution or frame rate, respectively. It also shows off the power of the SSD, instantly loading entire new worlds as Ratchet and new protagonist Rivet hop between dimensions.
In addition to being a great technical showcase, Rift Apart is just a great game. The arsenal available to players is the series at its best, both in silliness of concept and enjoyment of use. Its narrative may not be an award winner, but it’s definitely still enjoyable enough to keep players interested in the journey of Ratchet and Rivet. Whether you’ve played previous games in the series or not, Rift Apart is a fantastic game that deserves a spot in any PS5 library.
You can purchase Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart here.
The Last of Us: Part 1
Okay, I get it, this one (and the next one) are kind of cheating, but the technical advancements made in The Last of Us: Part 1 make it worth an entry onto this list. A remake of the game originally on PlayStation 3, then remastered on PlayStation 4, Part 1 is a remake to a game that arguably didn’t really need one. Despite that, it’s a great addition to the PlayStation 5 console exclusive library.
The world of The Last of Us has never looked better. In addition, load times have been almost entirely eliminated. It may not be worth it for you if you’ve already played the original game, but if you want to experience it for the first time, whether you’re new to the PlayStation ecosystem or just want to check out the source material for the now-hit show, The Last of Us Part 1 is absolutely the best way to do so.
You can purchase The Last of Us Part 1 here.
Spider-Man Remastered
Like Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade, Spider-Man Remastered is an enhanced version of a PS4 classic. All of the praise of the original game applies to this remaster as well. The open world movement is second-to-none, and though the combat can start to feel a bit repetitive as you get deeper in the game, it’s definitely still a worthwhile game for any PlayStation owner.
The remaster, too, brings along new and entertaining content. The aforementioned performance & quality modes are here, giving players new ways to experience Spider-Man while looking better than ever. This remaster also features the game’s DLC packs titled “The City That Never Sleeps.” While panned by some for its narrative, it’s still a fun way to stay in Spider-Man’s NYC just a little bit longer. Plus, it’s free with the Ultimate Edition of Spider-Man: Miles Morales, an excellent game in its own right. Win-win!
You can purchase the Ultimate Edition of Miles Morales here, or the remaster individually on the PlayStation Store.
