The Holiday season is right around the corner, which tends to inspire people to do a bit of shopping. Black Friday is scheduled for November 26, 2021, so those looking to pick up a bargain or two should prepare themselves. Permitting someone has managed to get their hands on a console, they might find themselves contemplating which are the best PS5 games to buy. Sony's console might still be in its infancy but the PS5's library has grown exponentially over the last year.
Whether someone is treating themselves or picking up a present for a friend or family member, this PS5 games buyer's guide should help lead them in the right direction.
Note: Each game will include its standard PS Store price, but make sure to keep an eye out for discounts or sales.
Ghost Of Tsushima Director's Cut
- Price: $69.99
- Genre: Action-Adventure
- Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima acted as a swan song for the PS4, but the game's excellence could not be confined to just one generation. The Director's Cut's main selling point is the inclusion of the Iki Island expansion, a short but sweet side story that finds Jin on the hunt for Ankhsar "The Eagle" Khatun.
Ghost of Tsushima features a stunning open-world that pays extra attention to its minor details. At times, GoT's landscapes are so picturesque that they could pass for professional photos. The hack and slash combat is ferocious, deep, and satisfying. The game presents Jin (and players) with plenty of tools so they can decide how to approach encounters, allowing for flexibility in battle.
Demon's Souls
- Price: $69.99
- Genre: Action RPG
- Developer: Bluepoint Games
A remake of FromSoftware's 2009 RPG, Demon's Souls was the big PS5 exclusive during the console's launch, and the game more than lived up to the hype. Showcasing the system's power through its jaw-dropping visuals and quick load times, Demon's Souls marks an unforgettable return to the Kingdom of Boletaria.
While both 2009's Demon's Souls and the remake are punishing but fair, the latter implements gameplay improvements that reduce some of the original game's frustrating elements.
As Demon's Souls has been out for more than a year, the odds that the game will be put on sale are high.
Kena: Bridge Of Spirits
- Price: $39.99
- Genre: Action-Adventure
- Developer: Ember Lab
An impressive debut effort from Ember Lab, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a charming game that delivers a familiar but still satisfying experience. A spirit guide, Kena sets out to free a forest of corruption, a journey that yields quite a few powerful moments as players visit plenty of gorgeous environments.
Gameplay-wise, Kena chiefly rethreads well-worn ground through its melee and ranged combat, although both work well. Some nuance is provided through the Rot, little critters that accompany Kena on her mission, and the Pulse system.
Hades
- Price: $24.99
- Genre: Rougelike Dungeon Crawler
- Developer: Supergiant Games
An unbeatable budget option, Hades is a contender for the best game on the PS5. Hades' son, Zagreus, wishes to leave the Underworld behind and sets out on a quest for Mount Olympus. His venture proves to be anything but simple as various monsters and Greek Pantheon figures stand in his way.
Roguelikes reset after each death, but Hades doesn't return everything to the status quo. Zagreus' many failures are part of the ever-evolving story, and the game's writing is strong throughout. Hades' combat is also addictive and layered.
It Takes Two
- Price: $39.99
- Genre: Co-Op Adventure Platformer
- Developer: Hazelight Studios
For buyers looking for a PS5 game that will satisfy two people, It Takes Two is for them. Hazelight has an impeccable track record with co-op games, and It Takes Two is the studio's masterpiece. After getting shrunk, two parents go on a wild and unpredictable adventure that forces them to communicate, work together, and put aside their differences.
It Takes Two constantly revamps its gameplay, with each level introducing a fresh system or idea that complements the story's present situation. Incredibly, this variety doesn't come at the cost of quality, as the game is always fun.
Deathloop
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: First-Person Shooter
- Developer: Arkane Studios
With 12 Minutes, The Forgotten City, and Deathloop, 2021 was an oddly fruitful year for time loop games. All these three releases have something to offer, but Deathloop is the most immediately enjoyable. Arkane Studios' shooter follows an assassin who has to commit eight hits within a single day, a feat that would be impossible if not for the fact that he keeps on reliving the last 24 hours.
Deathloop blends explosive gunplay, fun abilities, and exploration to create an experience that doesn't grow old despite its repetitive nature. There is also an intriguing mystery at the heart of this strange tale.
Diablo 2: Resurrected
- Price: $39.99
- Genre: RPG
- Developer: Blizzard Entertainment, Vicarious Visions
When it comes to Western action RPGs, few releases were as influential as 2000's Diablo 2. For the 2021 remaster, the developers avoided altering much about how the game works, opting to focus on modernizing the visuals while incorporating some quality of life improvements. Consequently, Diablo 2: Resurrected retains the timeless charm of the original game.
Now, Diablo 2: Resurrected does feel a touch clunky compared to some other recent entries in the genre, so someone's appreciation for the title will likely depend on their love for classic RPGs. The game's launch was also not free of issues.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Price: $69.99
- Genre: Third-Person Shooter Platformer
- Developer: Insomniac Games
Out of all of the games available, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart showcases the PS5's appeal better than any other. Insomniac crafted an adventure game that plays like a dream, looks like a Pixar movie, and runs as smooth as butter. Rift Apart also highlights the DualSense's capabilities, illustrating why the PS5 controller could be a game-changer if studios make full use of its features.
More importantly than anything else, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is simply fun. It's a game that can enchant children and make adults feel like kids again.
Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: Action-Adventure
- Developer: Eidos-Montreal
Those who bought Marvel's Avengers might be reluctant to jump back onboard Square Enix's superhero train, and their hesitation is understandable. Thankfully, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a far more enjoyable package. A single-player game, the 2021 release puts people in the shoes of Star-Lord as he sets out to put the Guardians on the galactic map.
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy delivers a suitably epic adventure worthy of the popular group, with the game doing a great job adapting the characters from the comics. The gameplay isn't all that spectacular, but it is fun enough.
While there are better action games on the PS5, Guardians of the Galaxy should be a safe pick for Marvel, MCU, or superhero fans.