So you got a Playstation 5, or you're thinking about getting one. What are you gonna play? There are several great Playstation exclusives releasing this week in conjunction with the launch of the PS5. Additionally, if you're a Playstation Plus member, you'll get access to at least 20 games on the PS5 through the PS Plus Collection.
To help you decide what to play, here's a scientific, definitely accurate power ranking of the top 15 games to play on your PS5. I didn't include any third-party titles like Assassin's Creed Valhalla or Watch Dogs: Legion or Xbox Game Pass titles; for those games you can check out my colleague Sean Morrison's Xbox Series X game rankings. The games below are new or recently released Playstation-exclusive titles or games that are part of the PS Plus Collection.
1. The Last of Us Remastered
Sony and Naughty Dog have really raised the bar when it comes to storytelling in video games. This PS3 title was remastered for the PS4 and is part of the PS Plus Collection. It might be one of the best video games ever made and definitely a must-play on the PS5 if you haven't played it yet. Plus, you're going to want to play this game first before playing the sequel, The Last of Us Part II.
It's easy to get invested in this story, which follows smuggler Joel as he shepherds a girl named Ellie across the country to hopefully help find a cure for a virus that has been turning infected people into zombie-like creatures. With Ellie being immune to the virus, she might hold the key to helping scientists find a cure. Their journey is thrilling, filled with close encounters with infected and other enemies, but it's the developing relationship between Joel and Ellie, who becomes like a daughter to him, that really makes this game shine and sets up a terrific ending.
2. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
There's nothing dramatically new about the gameplay in Spider-Man: Miles Morales compared to its predecessor, Marvel's Spider-Man, but the story is refreshiing and compelling. If you're getting a PS5, this is the game to get. The storyline follows Miles Morales, who we first met in the previous game in the wake of the death of his father, NYPD officer Jefferson Davis, due to an attack on city hall. In this game, Morales has moved to Harlem, where he tries to adjust to life in his new neighborhood and life as the new Spider-Man, while original Spider-Man Peter Parker is away.
The game sends a powerful message about Black and Latino representation, as my colleague Jacob Wolf wrote. It's not just that Morales is Black and Latino. You can see that Insomniac took great care in crafting the storylines of supporting characters who were not just diverse but also complex in their own ways. As a Latino, it brought a smile to my face to hear Morales mixing in some Spanglish among his dialogue with his mother and seeing the depiction of the Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) celebration that sets up one of the early missions. Not only is this a fantastic launch title for the PS5, but seeing a Black superhero headlining a major studio video game is encouraging. Like Kamala Khan in the Marvel's Avengers game, Miles Morales as Spider-Man sends a powerful message to young people of color.
3. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
I get sweaty palms just thinking about Nathan Drake climbing up some jagged cliff or up the side of a ruined building. Like The Last of Us, Uncharted 4 is another great cinematic game created by Neil Druckmann and Naughty Dog. Also like The Last of Us, family ties are at the heart of the story -- in this case it's the relationship between Nathan and his brother Sam. If you like adventure and hunting for legendary pirate treasure, Uncharted 4 is a gem in the PS Plus Collection. Before you see Tom Holland portray Nathan Drake, I recommend going on your own adventure with Nate in this exhilarating game.
4. God of War
God of War is one of several titles in the Plus Collection that either have a sequel already out or releasing within the next year. Fans of the 2018 game like myself were very excited to see Sony's tease of Ragnarok during the August Playstation showcase. I'm still waiting on a DLC to access some of the realms (Asgard, Svartalfheim and Vanaheim) that were closed off in God War, but maybe it'll happen in Ragnarok. I loved almost everything about God of War, especially all the puzzles and even those brutally tough valkyrie fights. If you don't get your hands on Assassin's Creed Valhalla (or even if you do) and still want to get your fill of Norse mythology, this is the game to check out.
5. The Last of Us Part II
If you loved The Last of Us, you might not love Part II. The sequel proved to be a lot more divisive than the original. It's still a great game, but it's a lot darker and a lot more emotionally stressful to play, as I wrote about back in June. It plays out like a prestige drama series, with surprising twists and turns and a great new character in Abby, that will leave you questioning Ellie's decisions. While many players thought the ending to The Last of Us was perfect, I thought the storyline for Part II picks up well where the first game left off and brings up a lot of interesting questions that had been left unanswered. Choices have consequences, and the second game delves deep into those consequences.
6. Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition
My colleague Sean Morrison is a fan of the Final Fantasy series and had this to say about FFXV, which is available in the Plus Collection:
"Final Fantasy XV took a lot of risks, from its open approach to combat to a less-linear storyline with side quests and monster hunts galore. The game was about a decade in the making come release time in 2016 and became the fastest-selling Final Fantasy game of all time, according to developer Square Enix, thanks to a mix of hype and an approach that tied the trappings of Final Fantasy to the ability to play your own way and get to the final boss when the mood struck you. FFXV also presumably set the tone for the future of the franchise, as we saw with the Final Fantasy VII remake, and could be looked back on as a watershed moment for both Square Enix and the series itself."
7. Persona 5
Persona 5 came in second among our staff in our game of the decade votes in 2019, and for good reason. With distinct visuals, hundreds of hours of replayability and a robust story, Persona 5 was a breakthrough game worldwide that remains one of the best titles in developer Atlus's lengthy catalogue.
8. Bloodborne
This game is a challenge, to say the least. It's partly why people love it. Choose your origin story wisely when you start the game. It'll determine your stats (vitality, strength, etc.) as you embark on your quest as a hunter in Yharnam. Bloodborne is thrilling because of how challenging it is, but it's easy to get frustrated playing it. There's no way to adjust the difficulty level. You will die, likely quite often, but be sure to try to reclaim any blood echoes you lost when you last died. There's no pause menu either; the only place you'll be safe is in an area known as the Hunter's Dream. Happy hunting!
9. Demon's Souls
If you love a challenge and look forward to hours of frustration on the PS5, this game is for you. Like Bloodborne, people love this game in part because of how difficult it is. The original Demon's Souls released in 2009 and spawned three Dark Souls games over the past decade. In this remake, fans will return to fog-shrouded Boleteria to take on soul-eating demons and the Old One. Along with Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Bugsnax this is one of Sony's exclusive launch titles for the PS5.
10. Ghost of Tsushima
This was one of my favorite games to play this year. It's not so much the story that kept me hooked on this game, but it was everything else that kept me coming back for more. Ghost of Tsushima is one of the most immersive and gorgeous open world games I've ever played. Although you'll want to experience the beautiful landscapes in full color on the PS5, I recommend turning on the black-and-white "Kurosawa" mode during duels to feel like you're in an old samurai film. It looks so good and loads so quickly on PS4 that it feels like it was made for PS5. If you have a PS4 copy I highly recommend getting a free upgrade to the PS5 version or simply playing your backwards compatible copy on the new console.
11. Until Dawn
Eight friends get together in a cabin on an isolated mountain on a snowy night exactly one year after two of their friends disappeared when they were last at this cabin. What could go wrong? This game is all about how every choice you make has far-reaching consequences beyond what you can see. The Butterfly Effect features prominently throughout the game. Do you follow the footsteps in the snow or the sound of a strange noise? Do you make a flattering comment or say something more honest? Quick! Don't leave your friend hanging and give him a high five! This is a fascinating game that will keep you on the edge of your couch. And if you're a fan of Rami Malek like I am you'll love playing as his character for part of the story. It's available as part of the PS Plus Collection.
12. Bugsnax
The premise of Bugsnax is pretty simple. It's a game about a newspaper reporter who goes to a mysterious island to catch adorable half-bug and half-snack creatures. What's not to love? I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes one of the most streamed games on Twitch this month. Fall Guys got incredibly popular this summer after Sony made the adorable new release available for free to PS Plus users. With Bugsnax, Sony is employing the same strategy. The added wrinkle for this game is that you have to have a PS5 to get it free until January.
13. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
I haven't played much Resident Evil, but I've cowered behind my girlfriend watching her play several hours of this game. I'm not a fan of horror, but I can appreciate how wonderfully creepy this game is. It's an intriguing storyline and a terrific setting for the ninth major installment of the Resident Evil franchise. This was the first main game in the series to be played from the first-person perspective, which only adds to the intense atmosphere. If you're looking forward to the sequel, Resident Evil Village, you should check this game out as part of the PS Plus Collection.
14. Ratchet and Clank
The latest Ratchet and Clank game is a fun reimagining of the 2002 release, and you can find it in the Plus Collection. With Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart coming out soon, it's the perfect time to either revisit or play the 2016 game for the first time. I'm sure Sony would have loved to have two Insomniac titles -- Rift Apart and Spider-Man: Miles Morales -- available for the PS5's launch, but it's a smart move on their part to make the 2016 game available to whet players' appetites in the meantime.
15. Fallout 4
The year is 2077 ... and Cyberpunk still hasn't released. Kidding. This is the starting year for Fallout 4. That is until your character goes into the vault because of a nuclear war and wakes up in a retro dystopian future of 2287. The game features a compelling narrative in which whatever faction you decide to support -- the Brotherhood, the Institute, Minutemen or Railroad -- will have far-reaching consequences for the ending to your story. Pip Boys. Stimpaks. RadAway. Nuka-Cola. What more can I say? Enjoy this game as part of the Plus Collection.