While it may seem like the next generation of gaming kicked off just yesterday, Sony's PlayStation 5 has already reached the one year milestone. Following up on the immense success of the PS4, Sony was not willing to rest on its laurels with its next wave of content, already releasing an impressive lineup of top tier video games. The past year has brought with it a varied, engaging list of quality titles that can be enjoyed by players of all tastes.
While the PlayStation 5 continues to be a difficult product to acquire, those who have managed to snag one have no shortage of games to choose from. With the promise of even more heavy hitter titles in the future such as God of War: Ragnarok and Marvel's Spider-Man 2, the PS5 is already making a name for itself among an already prestigious family of PlayStation consoles. From reimagining of beloved classics to relentless action games, the PlayStation 5 has just about every genre and interest covered so far.
Demon's Souls
Positioned as the premier launch title for the PlayStation 5, Bluepoint's Demon's Souls remake stunned the masses for its brilliant recreation of the original 2009 RPG on the PS3. Every square inch of the world received an unprecedented level of care and attention in order to faithfully retain the original's mood and atmosphere, while also bringing it up to modern standards. As for the game itself, it is just as challenging as any fan of the series would expect, and now players can prepare to die all over again on the PS5.
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
While not technically a "true" sequel, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales does follow Miles as opposed to Peter, giving him some time to shine and develop as a character before Marvel's Spider-Man 2 swings onto the scene. For this reason, it is crucial story-wise to stay up to date on the overall narrative, while also being a thrilling superhero adventure in its own right. The game is available on PS4 as well, but the PS5 version is naturally home to more visual flourishes that add extra depth to the experience.
Returnal
Housemarque took a gamble in developing its first AAA action title, and as far as the reviews for Returnal can point out, its efforts paid off in spades. Returnal is a relentlessly challenging, yet hugely satisfying roguelike shooter that will test players reflexes against some dark, Lovecraftian monsters. Another stunning display of the PS5's horsepower, Returnal boasts dazzling graphics to compliment its frantic pacing, and is not to be missed by sci-fi fans and gamers interested in a game that pushes back.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Speaking of pretty graphics and fast-paced action, Insomniac delivered another winner for the PS5 with Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. Making excellent use of the PS5's SSD load times, the game boasts some massive set piece sequences and near instant travel across vast environments. The Ratchet and Clank series has always been known for its bombastic action, and now with the PS5, near limitless levels of carnage and destruction can be seen on-screen at any point in time.
Deathloop
If these suggestions were purely being made based upon review scores, then Deathloop would easily climb to the top of the pack. Garnering near universal praise, and even some perfect ratings from a few websites, Deathloop is one of the best reviewed games of 2021. In a sense, it encapsulates the best parts of all the games listed above so far, making for a complete package. It features a hefty level of challenge, an intriguing premise, flashy graphics, and oozes with style.
Astro's Playroom
One of the best PS5 games to date won't even cost players an extra dollar after buying the console itself. Already pre-installed onto every PS5, Astro's Playroom is a delightful tribute to the past few generations of PlayStation as a whole. Featuring fun easter eggs littered throughout and some surprisingly enjoyable platforming gameplay, gamers shouldn't skip this one, especially since its only a few hours long.