Now that Sony’s latest console is out in the wild and starting to properly hit its stride, players will no doubt be looking for the very best games to push their consoles to the limit this year. From engrossing RPGs set amid spectacularly beautiful open-worlds to intense platforming experiences sure to test your reflexes, here we’ve compiled the very best PS5 games as of 2022 so far.
Horizon Forbidden West
Best PS5 Games 2022
Horizon Zero Dawn is fondly remembered as one of the PS4’s greatest ever exclusives, and so the team at Guerrilla Games was up against it in trying to follow up with another instant classic in Forbidden West. Luckily for PS5 owners, they absolutely did, delivering an utterly drop-dead gorgeous open-world action RPG that is every bit as compelling.
Forbidden West takes players across post-apocalyptic America, where lush tropical biomes also provide habitat to previously unseen species of robodinos. There, Aloy seeks to uncover the mysterious origins of a plague that kills all whom it touches following the defeat of HADES in the first game.
In Forbidden West, the game’s exploration features a greater focus on underwater exploration, and there’s improved traversal in the form of better climbing mechanics and an incredibly satisfying glider. The signature combat from the first game, which challenges players to dismantle robotic enemy creatures with different arrow ammunition, is also sharper. The questing, too, is more varied and features some excellent storytelling along the way.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time might not push your PS5 to its limits in terms of graphical fidelity, but it’s an absolute blast to play, and one that deserves a spot on the HDD for nostalgia’s sake if nothing else.
Elden Ring
Best PS5 Games 2022
FromSoftware’s leap to open-world gaming with Elden Ring might have had some diehard Souls fans a little worried, even despite the developer’s esteemed reputation and portfolio. It’s never easy iterating on a tried and tested formula, after all. Not to mention that open-world design has in the past been criticized for diluting the gameplay experience of many popular series’.
As it turns out, though, there was nothing to worry about. Elden Ring is a masterpiece that somehow manages to capture the essence of the Souls series while pushing it forward in an exciting new direction that feels familiar but fresh. This is an enormous RPG experience that offers a near unrivaled sense of adventure, old-school questing, and endless replayability thanks to all the many classes and builds its character option facilitates.
And fear not if you’ve ever considered Souls games too tricky and too intimidating. While Elden Ring is no walk in the park, its scale and depth mean you’re never really shoehorned into moving in one linear direction. If there’s an enemy proving too tough to handle, go do something else — explore, level up, and return when you’re stronger. Don’t miss out on what is among the best video games ever made!
Gran Turismo 7
Best PS5 Games 2022
Polyphony Digital’s GT Sport improved throughout its life following a slightly barebones launch back in 2017. As good as it ended up, however, it wasn’t the full fat Gran Turismo experience in the same vein as previous games in the esteemed series. That all changed with the announcement and subsequent launch of GT7 earlier this year, which marked a huge return to form for the franchise.
The single-player focus of the original five mainline entries is back, featuring a gameplay experience that is a synergy of outstanding driving physics and near photo-realistic graphics that has propelled the franchise back to the very top of the genre.
Indeed, after Microsoft’s Forza series arguably wrestled away the crown of best racing game series throughout the PS4’s lifecycle, it’s fair to say Polyphony Digital has made a huge statement with GT7. This is the driving sim experience that PlayStation fans have been craving, and it’s a must-play.
Returnal
Best PS5 Games 2022
Developer Housemarque has long been praised as one of Sony’s most capable first-party studios, but while brilliant arcade shooters such as Nex Machina earned critical acclaim, they never quite performed on the commercial level. Something needed to change; Housemarque needed to reinvent itself with a bigger, bolder vision while staying true to the studio’s signature focus on intense action and quality gameplay. Returnal is the brainchild of that initiative, and boy is it great.
In Returnal, the core of Housemarque’s style remains intact as bullet-hell and arcade design meets third-person, over-the-shoulder shooting mechanics in a furious harmony that just feels astonishingly good to play. The step-up in production quality from its previous games is also marked, boasting some of the best visuals on PS5 to date. They help to bring to life an eerie alien planet that serves as the engrossing location for Returnal’s mysterious story.
Be warned, though, Returnal is a punishing affair that will test your gaming skills and patience to the maximum. You’re forced to quickly adapt to an unfamiliar but satisfying mashup of intense shooting and intense platforming as you plow throw waves of enemy aliens to level up your gear and make it to the next area. If you die, you’re back to square one, and so the cycle continues on and on in a devilishly morish loop that can sap hours of time. But we wouldn’t have it any other way and we can’t recommend Returnal enough.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Best PS5 Games 2022
Marvel’s Spider-Man was one of 2018’s most acclaimed PS4 titles, and so nobody was quite expecting a second standalone title to debut alongside the PS5 just 18 months later, let alone one that would, in many ways, surpass it. But that’s exactly what Miles Morales did. Part expansion, part sequel, this compact ten or so hour experience is one of the most thrilling and exciting action games we’ve ever played. It’s simply a must-have for PS5 owners.
Beyond the gorgeous visuals, which include smooth 60 fps action and ray-tracing technology, it features even better combat mechanics, as well as a more focused story than the original game which really delights all the way through.
Of course, for those who never experienced the original game then the full remaster package, which includes an enhanced version of the base game and the Miles Morales chapter, is the option to go for. It is, without a doubt, the console’s flagship title so far.
Demon’s Souls
Best PS5 Games 2022
A remake that the Souls community had long been hankering for finally arrived alongside the launch of PS5, and what a spectacular success it proved to be. The talented team over at Bluepoint rebuilt FromSoftware’s iconic action-RPG from the ground up, producing arguably the best remake of all time. Demon’s Souls is almost identical to the original, but at 4K and 60 fps with some of the most incredible particle effects ever seen on console, it’s just a visual treat that’s utterly engrossing to play.
If you’re a Souls veteran who’s slightly on the fence about replaying an old game, trust us, Demon’s Souls on PS5 is absolutely worth the money. And for those who have ever been curious about a Souls game but don’t know which to start with, this is the one to test yourself with first. Demon’s Souls is a showpiece title for any PS5 owner to marvel at the capability of the hardware, as well as just an extraordinarily tense and thrilling gameplay experience to get lost in for hours. A complete masterpiece.
Astro’s Playroom
Best PS5 Games 2022
Astro’s Playroom might be a pack-in game that everyone who owns a PlayStation has access to right off the bat, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it isn’t one of the console’s best games. It absolutely is, and it actually might be one of the best 3D platforming experiences we’ve had in years.
Astro’s Playroom is the ultimate PS5 tech showcase with its fluid visuals at 60 fps and ultra-sharp 4k textures. Most importantly, though, it unleashes the full potential of the console’s superb DualSense controller, with adaptive trigger functionality and haptic feedback that just feels so cool to experience.
Although, to praise Astro’s Playroom purely for its technical prowess would be to sell it short. It’s genuinely a brilliant game that features clever level design and thrilling gameplay. There’s a whole collect-a-thon aspect to the experience, too, challenging players to find iconic pieces of PlayStation memorabilia, from previous consoles to controllers and various peripherals, scattered throughout levels that are riddled with amusing easter eggs that remind us of the brand’s storied history.
Hitman 3
Best PS5 Games 2022
IO Interactive’s Hitman series has enjoyed a huge resurgence since its soft reboot back in 2016, and the latest game in the series represents its biggest achievement yet. With a new focus on exploration across larger, more detailed sandbox levels, the same beloved assassination gameplay loop that fans have enjoyed for over a decade has never felt more compelling.
On PS5, Hitman 3 plays particularly well, boasting the best iteration of IO’s Glacial Engine to date, with true 4K texture quality. There’s even VR functionality for those who want to experience the action from an entirely new and engrossing perspective.
As with all of IO’s recent Hitman titles, the developer is committed to a roadmap of future content drops that will continue to add fresh new contracts and levels to the game, which means that even if you jump in now and complete everything on offers there’s more to come down the line.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Best PS5 Games 2022
Square Enix surpassed expectations with its brilliant Final Fantasy VII Remake, which did so much more than revamp an old classic with better graphics. A superb action-RPG battle system and some interesting new storylines made for an experience that feels familiar but entirely fresh at the same time, and it really is a must-play regardless of whether you’re typically a fan of JRPGs or not.
Of course, it was already exceptional on PS4, but it’s been upgraded for PS5 with smoother performance and much faster loading times. But there’s more on the way for PS5 owners; a huge PS5 upgrade in the coming weeks with the release of FFVII Remake Intergrade.
This is a specially enhanced version of the game for PS5 that makes improvements to the game’s framerate, resolution, and overall graphical fidelity. Better still, it also comes with a new playable episode featuring Yuffie, the iconic ninja from Wutai.
Resident Evil Village
Best PS5 Games 2022
Capcom’s new generation of Resident Evil games, which began with the brilliant RE7 Biohazard, has this year continued with Resident Evil Village, a sequel title that follows main protagonist Ethan Winters on another terrifying survival horror. This time, zombies and other nightmarish creatures have been replaced by a whole smorgasbord of spookies, from Lycans and vampires to monster babies and killer dolls. It’s a mad, schlocky adventure that’s earned high praise from critics and fans alike, and it plays superbly on PS5.
The RE Engine that powered Biohazard and the recent remake titles have never looked more impressive running on PS5 hardware, with native 4k resolutions and some incredible particle effects. Capcom has also integrated support for the console’s brilliant DualSense controller, which adds adaptive trigger and haptic feedback technology into the mix and makes for an even more immersive experience.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Best PS5 Games 2022
Assassin’s Creed games should be familiar to most gamers at this point –Ubisoft’s longstanding open-world series is one of the most popular of all time, after all–, but if you haven’t yet played Valhalla then trust us when we say this is easily one of the best the developer ever made. After years of trying to get the new RPG-focused formula right, Valhalla finally finds the right balance between exploration, progression, and a combat system that is satisfying when played both stealthily or aggressively.
But Valhalla’s best attribute is its premise and setting. The Viking era is such a compelling era of history, and especially the raids on the British Isles, which see Norse, Saxon, and Celts clash in a struggle to control the fertile lands of England, which are still dotted with ancient Roman ruins from hundreds of years before.
It all looks utterly beautiful on PS5, too, which offers up to 4k resolution, 60 fps gameplay, lightning-fast loading times, and adaptive trigger functionality. Having played both on previous and current-gen PlayStation systems, Twinfinite was astounded at the difference between the two versions; it really is a different experience on PS5.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Best PS5 Games 2022
If you’re looking for a charming 3D adventure platforming game that truly makes use of PS5 hardware then Sackboy: A Big Adventure should be firmly on your radar. The unique art style is utterly beautiful in 4k resolution, with almost photorealistic textures juxtaposed against the fantastical appearance of the game’s different characters and settings. There’s something transformative about the world of Sackboy that feels as though you’ve been whisked away into the daydreams of a child, and we absolutely love it for that.
But no 3D platformers would be worth recommending unless it was fun to play, and thankfully Sackboy doesn’t disappoint here. It just feels fun to control, and there’s a pleasant mix of challenging platforming sections and puzzle-solving to keep you locked in throughout the experience. And when you’re in the mood to share the action with friends, Sackboy supports up to four players in couch co-op.
Control Ultimate Edition
Best PS5 Games 2022
Control earned critical acclaim for its enthralling gameplay and unique story premise, and for 2021 it has received a revised next-generation edition that enhances the experience even more. Improved graphics and the addition of new DLC content have ensured it’s still a must-play despite all the other brilliant games vying for our attention on Sony’s new hardware.
Developer Remedy Entertainment’s signature third-person gameplay has arguably never felt better in Control, which mixes shooting mechanics and supernatural abilities in a way that makes you feel so incredibly powerful. Yet, it’s extremely challenging, too, with tricky boss battles upping the difficulty in between dealing with waves of strange enemies called the Hiss.
The entire game takes place within an eerie federal building that constantly shifts and changes throughout the story, keeping you guessing as to what on earth is going on right until the very end.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
Best PS5 Games 2022
Midway through the PS4’s lifecycle, if you had asked PlayStation fans if Crash Bandicoot was likely to see the sort of resurgence it has enjoyed recently, few would have bet on another mainline entry to the series releasing. But here we are, and the name says it all: Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time delivers the 3D platforming adventure fans have long been craving, and it sees the return of PlayStation’s most iconic mascot.
If you’ve ever played a Crash Bandicoot game then you’ll know what to expect. It’s all about navigating a myriad of colorful levels with dodges, leaps, and crazy spins as you seek to thwart the sinister Doctor Neo Cortex. In the latest game, a bunch of different mounts and even other playable characters keep things interesting throughout.
WRC9
Best PS5 Games 2022
If you’re looking for a quality racing simulation that truly feels next-generation then WRC9 is perhaps the cream of the crop on PS5 as of right now. Running on Sony’s new hardware it looks crisp at 60 fps and 4k resolution, while the addition of haptic feedback and adaptive trigger functionality make for an incredibly immersive driving experience.
French developer Nacon has honed its gameplay over years with the longstanding WRC series, and it’s never felt as good as in this latest iteration. The volume of content in WRC9 is brilliant, too, with a meaty career mode that spans a number of superbly detailed rally stages, including New Zealand and Japan. Whether you’re a serious racer or just a casual looking for some fun on the dirt roads, you just can’t go wrong.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Best PS5 Games 2022
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is hands down one of the best showcases of next-generation console performance yet. It honestly feels as though every time Insomniac releases a new game in the series we’re declaring “it’s like playing a Pixar movie!” — but seriously, we really mean it this time!
Of course, it’s also a heck of a lot of fun to play, too. Beyond just its sumptuous good looks, the gameplay is top-notch and proved not just one of 2021’s big highlights but one of the platforming genre’s all-time high watermarks.
Rift Apart is tactile in feeling and a complete joy to control across the board. It’s one of those games that puts a smile on your face every time you pick up the DualSense and start moving around; particularly so, with the added layer of immersion brought about by haptic feedback technology. Speaking of layers, the innovative dimension-shifting mechanic, which has been cleverly weaved into the experience, represents an industry-leading design that deserves a special mention.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Best PS5 Games 2022
We here at Twinfinite fell in love with the premise of Kena: Bridge of Spirits even before it launched:
A young girl seeking to fulfill her destiny, a gorgeous Pixar-like aesthetic from an esteemed animation studio, that magical fantasy forest setting, and those cute fluffy things that roam around helping Kena throughout her adventure? Sign us up, we thought!
Of course, a game has to play as well as it looks, and while it’s fair to say Kena: Bridge of Spirits didn’t blow us away with innovative gameplay and features, it’s still undeniably fun and engaging. It’s a familiar sort of action/adventure experience, with typical platforming and third-person combat that works well enough — even if it feels very “safe” by comparison to other recent titles of the same genre.
Still, with that being said, Kena: Bridge of Spirits was still worth the wait and we absolutely recommend it.
Deathloop
Best PS5 Games 2022
Arkane Studios has a storied history of developing innovative stealth-action titles, and Deathloop is another stellar example of such a game. It’s absolutely replete with creative design and clever innovation, and it’s fair to say that it astonished us when it launched back in 2021 and is still one of the best modern console games in 2022.
At a glance, Deathloop is a first-person sandbox shooter familiar to anyone who’s played the Dishonored series. But while it’s true that it shares many of the same features, from controls and special abilities to the uniqueness of its aesthetic, the experience differs in that it revolves around a brilliant time-loop mechanic. This not only governs progression but also how one goes about engaging with its gameplay; Blackreef Island and the story of Deathloop is a giant interconnected puzzle that can only be solved by rinse-and-repeating different locations and different times of the day.
With Deathloop, Arkane Studios produced another brilliant game that has us excited to see what the studio has up its sleeve for future projects.
Published: Jun 9, 2022 08:00 am