5. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (PS5)

Capturing the heart and soul of Warhammer 40k isn't easy, but Space Marine 2 is just about as good as it gets. This gory third-person action-shooter is a brilliantly robust adaptation, boasting a well-paced campaign (that can be played in co-op), a full set of online co-op missions, and even competitive multiplayer. In many ways it's a throwback to simpler times, when such shooters were so common, but it brings the brutality forward with some stunning visuals and a deeply satisfying, visceral combat system. A damn good time for everyone involved (except the Tyranids, obviously).

4. Granblue Fantasy: Relink (PS5)

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a fairly straightforward, but really well executed action RPG. There's a lot to like about its hectic combat system, and it's got some outstanding boss battles. Its mission-based structure may not be to everyone's tastes, but if you can settle into the grind, powering up your favourite characters is super addictive. Besides, it's just nice to have a campaign that's all killer, no filler across its 20-hour runtime — a rarity among its RPG peers!

3. It Takes Two (PS5)

When you think of co-op games, one should spring to mind immediately: It Takes Two. This action adventure is from the makers of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and A Way Out, and sees you and a partner take on the role of an estranged couple. Turned into dolls by their daughter's tears, you and a friend must go on a wildly imaginative, endlessly varied, adventure to return to normal. Constantly presenting you with new puzzles and ideas, each as good as the last, you'll never grow weary of this brilliant game, playable locally or online.

2. Returnal (PS5)

Returnal is a frantic, ultra-tight third person shooter dressed up with some rogue-like elements to add variety and unpredictability to the mix, and the result is wonderful. Trapped in a loop on a hostile alien world, Selene is forced to relive her fateful crash landing each time she dies. Its mysterious story melds brilliantly with the roguelike structure, and between that and the excellent gameplay, Returnal is a difficult game to put down — and that's before mentioning online co-op, daily challenges, and the highly replayable Tower of Sisyphus.

1. Demon's Souls (PS5)

Sony comfortably hooked the enthusiast crowd by adding Demon’s Souls to the PS5’s launch lineup. FromSoftware’s legendary action RPG – which would go on to spawn the so-called Soulsborne series and, eventually, even Elden Ring – was snubbed by the Japanese giant during the PS3 era, as it felt early builds were simply not up to snuff. Publishers like Atlus and Bandai Namco eventually picked it up, and it went on to become a cult classic. Perhaps as a tacit admission that it made a mistake, its recruited tech specialists Bluepoint Games to remake the game for a modern era – and the results are remarkable. This version uses original PS3 code to make for an incredibly authentic experience, but its visuals are among some of the best you’ll find on Sony’s new-gen console. It’s an extraordinary blend of old and new that comes highly recommended.

What do you think are the best co-op games on PS Plus right now? Tell us in the comments section below.