Only the best PS5 games will give you top-tier experiences on Sony's current-gen console. With well over half a decade of PlayStation 5 under our belts now, the library is chock full of a vast range of games to get stuck into, no matter where your genre preferences might lie.
To help make navigating that enormous library easier, I've distilled our top picks down to this very list, covering all the key beats when looking for must-play PS5 games. While curating this list, I considered all of our experts' PS5 game reviews, some of which I handled myself, selecting only the very best titles to recommend.
As a quick note, some of these games aren't only on PS5, but rather the best ones you can play on PS5 more broadly right now. Some may be available on Xbox or Switch consoles, too, but a handful of our picks also have PS4 versions; handy if you're still rocking the capable last-gen console.
Read on for our essential picks of the best PS5 games to play in 2026, from recent releases including Pragmata and Saros, to modern hits like God of War Ragnarok and sleeper titles you shouldn't overlook, like Romeo is a Dead Man.
The best PS5 games in 2026
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007 First Light comes from Hitman developer IO Interactive, and that series' bald-headed DNA has informed this original Bond story's look, feel, and gameplay. Missions have a semi-linear structure, constantly guiding you forward while simultaneously offering tons of options to progress. Whether you like to engage in bombastic shootouts or calculated espionage, nothing feels off the table here.
Romeo is a Dead Man is the latest game from the ever-creative minds at Grasshopper Manufacture, previously responsible for cult action hits like No More Heroes and killer7 as well as mind-bending visual novels like The Silver Case. This latest release is a gore-soaked hack n' slash with strong enemy variety and a fun array of melee and ranged weapons.
Dispatch was a real hidden gem when it launched, and it's really worth checking out if you're a fan of episodic storytelling. You play as a dispatcher of superheroes, running comms and directing heroes to sites of emergency. AdHoc's first game was created by a team of Telltale Games alumni, meaning if you like Telltale's The Walking Dead, and Telltale's Batman, you're in brilliant hands here.
Funny and packed with charm and heart, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is arguably one of the best games yet from Traveler's Tales and the Danish brick maker. Fans of the caped crusader will find plenty of lovable nods and easter eggs, and the slick, easy-to-learn combat and multiple difficulty levels make it a fantastic game for kids and families. Especially in co-op play.
Street Fighter 6 is entering its fourth year of support, and the fighting game has only gotten more popular with age. It's far and away the most accessible fighting game out today, with a selection of Classic and Modern control schemes to suit veterans and newcomers alike. Online play is silky smooth, and Year 4 is set to include some exciting characters, including debutant Yasmine and Final Fantasy 7's Tifa. Yes, you read that right.
Bethesda's massive space RPG is finally available on PS5, and it's arguably at its best on Sony's console. Packing all previous content updates, Starfield on PS5 presents a fantastic time to jump in if you missed it on Xbox Series X|S the first go-around. Tons of quests, an intricate ship builder, and some wonderful environmental design all make for a solid sci-fi adventure if that's what you're in the mood for.
South of Midnight is an incredible single-player action game that you really shouldn't pass up on. Featuring a gorgeous visual style and a moving coming-of-age story in which protagonist Hazel searches for her mother in a fantastical Southern Gothic-inspired world, it presented an unforgettable journey when it released on Xbox. And now, it's available on PS5, too.
Simply one of the best action RPGs on PS5, Granblue Fantasy: Relink takes the cast of the immensely popular mobile game and renders them in a luscious 3D art style. Characters are easy to learn but often tough to master, as you constantly upgrade their gear and weapons to take on ever more powerful bosses and missions. It's an incredibly moreish game, and there's more on the way with an expansion titled Endless Ragnarok releasing in July 2026.
We're not quite done with Granblue yet, as Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is easily one of the best fighting games available on PS5. This is a fantastic starting point for players looking to breach the intimidating genre for the first time, with simplified inputs and a massive cast of eccentric characters to learn. It'll also be getting a massive update in September 2026, with a new character and fresh system mechanics slated to be added.
Sword of the Sea blends sand-surfing action with a gorgeous art style and plenty of mystery. You play as an ancient warrior that uses a special sword to surf across the dunes. As you move through ruins, flipping switches as you go, you'll slowly restore life by summoning the power of the sea. This leads to gorgeous moments where the world around you is completely transformed. Sea creatures flood in through portals, and huge towers of kelp add new ways to traverse upwards.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 modernizes some of the greatest games ever made. This is very much a continuation of the last remake collection, though there's some great quality of life upgrades this time around. You'll be able to revisit iconic locations, listen to a curated playlist while you skate around, and even work through Pro Goals once you've cleared the base missions.
Ghost of Yōtei is the highly anticipated sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, though it stars a different protagonist, and is set hundreds of years later. Because of this time jump, hero Atsu has access to firearms, which really change up the gameplay. She can take on bounties too, as she hunts down enemies and moves closer towards the mysterious group to get her revenge. It's very similar to its predecessor, but an all-new setting and plenty of new weapon types help keep things fresh.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an unbelievable game. Its dazzling art direction, top-tier performances, and spectacular battle effects culminate in what is surely one of the best looking games ever made. Thankfully, there's plenty of substance underneath all that style too, with an incredible soundtrack, and a truly inspired take on turn-based combat. By weaving parries, dodges and QTEs (quick-time events) in with traditional turn-based mechanics, developer Sandfall Interactive has struck gold. A brilliant twist on classic JRPG action.
Fans had been clamoring for a Japan-set Assassin's Creed for years, and Assassin's Creed Shadows nails it. The vast open world is rich and dense with gorgeous forests and towering castles, further elevated by dynamic seasons which completely switch up the look and feel of the world around you. As you make your way across the many regions of Assassin's Creed Shadows, you'll slowly build out a team of allies that'll help you bring resources back to your hideout, which is fully customizable. Before you know it, you'll have access to new gear, weapons, and assassination techniques.
Monster Hunter Wilds finally offers up a seamless open-word for hunters to explore, and by getting rid of some of the series' bloat, it's the most accessible entry yet. For one, combat has been overhauled for all 14 weapons, each receiving new moves and skills, and some being reworked completely. Now, you can bring two weapons on a hunt and switch between them, a move that really encourages experimentation. As such, I found the game to be a real turning point for Monster Hunter, as I finally put down my tried and tested weapons and methods and played around with new builds and loadouts.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a direct sequel to the 2018 medieval RPG, and it pretty much improves on the formula in every way possible. It manages to feel wholly unique, doubling down on immersive sim elements, and excelling where other RPGs tend to falter. The combat is particularly engaging, skating that fine line between complex and fun. There are loads of weapons to try, from the conventional one-handed and two-handed swords, axes, and picks, to ranged options like bows, crossbows, and some early, very impractical, firearms.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a mind-blowing RPG comes from Persona and Shin Megami Tensei developer Atlus. If you enjoyed that series, you'll more than likely enjoy this new game, though there's much more of a medieval fantasy setting and vibe when compared to Persona's teenage angst and high school drama. Metaphor: ReFantazio has already cemented itself as a modern classic since launch, and we even gave it a full five stars out of five.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a triumphant return for the fantasy RPG series, with thrilling modern combat, as well as a truly beautiful world to explore. This time around, you play as Rook, and must recruit a team of allies in order to stop a world-ending plot from Solas the Dreadwolf. There's plenty for new players here, but generally, you'll get more out of the story if you played the last game in the series. Regardless, meeting new characters, exploring the world and slowly building up a specialised fighter will keep you busy for hundreds of hours.
If you missed Oblivion the first time around on Xbox 360 and PS3, fear not. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is a transformative upgrade that edges closer to a remake than what we're used to from a typical remaster. Leveling has been reworked, combat is modernized, and thanks to some hefty visual improvements, the game features one of the best looking open worlds we've seen recently.
Capcom revisited perhaps the most beloved game in its Resident Evil series, and instead of a simple remake, it went with something much more interesting. Resident Evil 4 reworks pretty much everything, from the combat to the puzzles, while cleaning up the storyline to fit better with modern entires. The result is truly thrilling, managing to balance action and horror masterfully. Like the Resident Evil 2 remake, it doesn't replace the original by any means, but acts as a wonderful companion piece to it.
Baldur's Gate 3 made one hell of a splash when it launched in 2023. It had been in early access for quite some time, allowing devs to fine tune gameplay to perfection. The launch build has since been updated, and as it stands, Baldur's Gate 3 is simply one of the best RPGs you can play on PS5. You'll start your Baldur's Gate 3 quest by being infected by a brain worm, and must forge uneasy alliances to uncover a way to save yourself. The full variety on offer in Dungeons and Dragons is on offer here. Whether you want to be a brutish barbarian, or a whimsical bard, there's a playstyle for you.
As space engineer Hugh, Pragmata sees you teaming up with a mysterious android named Diana after becoming stranded on a (quite literally) AI-generated moon base. Oh, I should clarify: no actual generative AI tech was used in the making of Pragmata. Rather, the team has expressed that's the uncanny look it tried to replicate for the game's level design. Hugh can make use of several powerful weapons to dispatch the base's hostile robots, but he won't make a dent in them without the help of Diana. The android girl can hack these robots' defenses with a clever arcade-like minigame that, on success, pops them open for Hugh to wreak havoc on their weak points.
Hollow Knight Silksong arrived after years of fervent clamoring from players around the world. It somehow manages to expertly follow up on one of the best indie games ever made, with a better protagonist, and a suite of already iconic boss fights. You play as Hornet this time around, and she's faster, more acrobatic, and more vocal than the Knight. She has access to a bunch of different Tools, from throwing stars to traps, each offering a unique advantage during combat.
Demon's Souls is still one of the best looking games on PS5, even more than half a decade removed from its launch. This is because it fully leverages everything that the PS5 can handle, with some of the best lighting and particle effects you'll find on console. In terms of the game itself, Demon's Souls is a lovingly faithful remake of FromSoftware's cult classic, with some modern bells and whistles to help bring it up to speed. Players will find a challenging yet satisfying action RPG, with hulking bosses to fell, and labyrinthian dungeons to explore.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is the most ambitious and fully-realized entry in the popular turn-based subseries to date. Stories 3 continues to trade the franchise's real-time hunting for tense turn-based engagements. You'll fetch eggs from nests, grow, and nurture your very own large monsters (charmingly known here as 'Monsties') and make use of their movesets in conjunction with your hunter's weapons of choice.
Gran Turismo 7 restores the racing sim franchise to its former greatness, fixing the lack of content and slightly underwhelming visuals of both GT6 and GT Sport. GT7 gets back to what the charming racing sim does best: offering bags of content with sublime racing gameplay, all wrapped up in a wonderfully charming and inviting user experience that's remarkably moreish. If you're on the fence, you can download My First Gran Turismo; a bite-sized free version of the game.
Helldivers 2 has taken the PS5 game scene by storm since its release in early 2024 - and for good reason. This third-person co-op shooter is chaotic, dumb, ridiculous in its humor, and totally bombastic in its action. Comparisons to the movie Starship Troopers are both fair and excellent, with teams of up to four spreading 'managed democracy' across the galaxy while slaying bug and robot enemies in the process.
Resident Evil Requiem, the series' ninth mainline entry, is finally here and it's proving to be exceptionally popular, smashing the franchise's record concurrent player count on Steam and shipping 5 million units already since launch. The game is a blast, combining the slow-build horror of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard with the moreish action of titles like Resident Evil 4. Dual protagonists Grace and Leon both offer distinct play styles, with the former's initial hospital section being some of the finest hours of Resident Evil the series has ever seen.
With how Final Fantasy 7 Remake ended, it's no surprise that its successor heads into uncharted waters from the get-go. And while much of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will be familiar to those who played the original game, there's so many twists and turns to experience this time around. In general, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth offers up a much larger, and more substantial slice of turn-based action and open-world exploration than what we've seen before. There are literally hundreds of side-activities to take on as you guide Cloud and friends through a bright and oftentimes funny adventure.
If you loved Returnal, you'll love Saros, too. If you're after a challenging third-person shooter with roguelite elements, permanent progression, and AAA sheen, then you'll probably get a kick out of it, as well. Housemarque stumbled onto something great with its 2021 sci-fi horror shooter, and what we have now in Saros is further exploration and refinement of that concept. As Arjun, you're part of a security detail sent to the planet of Carcosa on behalf of very-evil-megacorporation Soltari to discover what happened to the employees it initially sent. What you find is the stuff of nightmares; Soltari personnel driven to madness by a frequently-occurring eclipse.
If you're on the hunt for an open-world, narrative-driven adventure in your search for the best PS5 game for you, then look no further than Horizon Forbidden West. Developing and expanding on all that was great about Horizon Zero Dawn on PS4, Aloy's next adventure is staggeringly beautiful, gripping, and filled with exciting robo-dinosaur action. Many will say that it doesn't change a whole lot from Zero Dawn, or break ground that much, but Forbidden West absolutely is one of the best experiences you can get on PS5 right now. Oh, and do not skip the side quests, with some of the best we've played on PS5 (or any platform, for that matter) in recent years.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a sequel that I never saw coming. Thankfully, my concerns about whether or not another Death Stranding was needed were immediately dispelled upon playing a few hours of the game. It's a massive improvement on its predecessor, with small, but substantial updates to stealth, combat and resource management making for a truly brilliant game.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is the definitive PlayStation superhero experience. Building on the first two games in the saga beautifully, this PS5 blockbuster gives us both Peter and Miles as playable characters and lets us loose once again in New York City. Fans of the series and the superhero are well served with the game's Venom story arc that throws in a few surprises along the way, and as a single-player open-world action game, it doesn't get much more fun than this.
Astro Bot has seriously surprised players and critics alike with an excellent display of modern 3D platforming peppered with a true reverence for the PlayStation brand. In their other adventures, Astro Bot had already proven himself as the new kid on the block as far as console mascots were concerned, and now, with a fully fledged game, it's clear that Sony has something very special on its hands indeed.
Elden Ring wowed fans and critics alike when it launched a few years back, offering up an open world take on games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne. Elden Ring's The Lands Between, is as deep as it is wide, stringing together now iconic locations that offer as much beauty as they do brutality. By expanding the scope of what a Soulslike can be, FromSoftware has created something that transcends the genre, an experience that appeals to all kinds of gamers, with no prior knowledge required.
God of War Ragnarok is the critically-acclaimed sequel to God of War (2018). Picking up several years after the events of its predecessor, this single-player epic once again follows Spartan Kratos and his son Atreus. But, this time, the pair are preparing for Ragnarok, a great battle that is prophesized to bring about the destruction of the Nine Realms. Ragnarok will feel familiar to those who played God of War, but what really makes this sequel great is its emotive narrative, which shines in its subtler moments, while clever evolutions to combat introduce welcome changes that advance gameplay without oversaturating it.
How we made our best PS5 games list
Many of us at TechRadar Gaming play a lot of games on PS5 and have experience with dozens and dozens of the games on the platform, which means you can trust what we think makes up the best PS5 games. From playing loads of individual PS5 games and committing hundreds of hours that span all genres, we're well placed with game experience to recommend the best PS5 games to you.
TechRadar Gaming is full of passionate editors and writers who have a range of interests that range across genres and platforms. The benefit of this is that we can call upon a wide variety of knowledge and expertise when making lists such as these. We'll also be constantly curating our choices for top PS5 games, so keep it here if you want up-to-date recommendations.
PlayStation has always, and will continue to be, my main platform of choice for gaming. As a result, I'm playing some of the best PS5 games on my PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro almost every day, and have loved playing the biggest exclusive series to the platform like The Last of Us, God of War, and Horizon Zero Dawn - and many, many more. I also review some of the biggest and best to come to the console, and have done so in the past few years with the likes of Ghost of Yotei, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Assassin's Creed Shadows and Mirage, and more.
I'm a PlayStation enthusiast through and through, and that extends to the hardware as well, so combining that with my history with the games and expertise in everything PS5, I'm well placed to help curate our best PS5 games list.
