20. Chicory: A Colorful Tale (PS5)

If you're looking for a breather after those big, violent blockbusters, Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a perfect antidote. This charming indie game will pull you in with its adorable characters and cartoonish aesthetic, but it pairs all that with compelling gameplay and a touching story. You wield a magical brush with which you can paint the environment however you see fit, and you'll also use colour to solve puzzles and even fight bosses, solo or in co-op. An imaginative and heartfelt game.

19. Cyber Shadow (PS5)

Do you have a fondness for side-scrolling action games that kick your arse? Cyber Shadow fulfils that role with gusto. Playing as a cyborg ninja, it's up to you to rescue the rest of your clan and fight back against a metallic menace. It's a pretty challenging game, but it does afford you new powers and abilities at a good pace to deal with all those blasted bots. Despite one or two small issues holding it back from true greatness, this is a fun, no-nonsense title with excellent pixel art visuals to boot.

18. The Artful Escape (PS5)

The Artful Escape is certainly a unique offering. It's a trippy, music-fuelled adventure game about an artist named Francis Vendetti discovering who he really is. This plays out through an audiovisual ride, taking you to some wild places full of vivid colours and excellent music. Featuring Hollywood talent and an entertaining script, this is one of those games that'll impress with its presentation more than anything. Gameplay-wise it's a little shallow, but don't let that stop you from taking this magical mystery tour.

17. OlliOlli World (PS5)

OlliOlli World is the third entry in Roll7's side-scrolling skateboarding series, and it takes things in a brilliant new direction. The gameplay is about the same, tasking you with pulling off tricks with the left stick as you speed through each level. However, the addictive, score-chasing core that keeps you hooked is wrapped in new layers that make it far more appealing. A cel-shaded look is complemented by a chilled out soundtrack and an eclectic range of characters, making for far more pleasant presentation. Full customisation gives you much more control of your skater's look, and asynchronous multiplayer gives you a practically limitless supply of stages to master. A compulsive and fun-loving take on the extreme sport.

16. The Pedestrian (PS5)

There are a zillion platformers out there, but how many take place across various warning and traffic signs? Probably just one — namely The Pedestrian. This is a 2D puzzle platformer that tasks you with reaching the "exit" of each sign, which then connects to another in a 3D environment. That little man who appears on all sorts of signage and iconography we see every day needs your help to reach his goal, and you'll go through all kinds of inventive puzzles to do so. It's not particularly long, but while it lasts, this is an inventive and unique indie title worth checking out.

15. Thumper (PS5)

One of the stars of the original PSVR’s launch lineup, time has not dulled Thumper’s rhythm violence. Playing as a space beetle careening down a tunnel, PSVR2’s improved visual fidelity and haptic feedback has meaningfully enhanced this contemporary classic. While it can also be played on a standard television screen, virtual reality is transformative for this title, embedding you in its otherworldly environments in a way no traditional 4K panel can.

14. The Pathless (PS5)

The Pathless lives up to its name with a gorgeous open world to explore, but it's how you get around that sets this adventure apart. Playing as an archer, firing arrows at targets dotted throughout the map provide you a speed boost, letting you blitz through the natural environments and mysterious ruins with amazing flow. This traversal leads you to discover the secrets of a corrupted world, and you'll solve puzzles and tackle fearsome creatures in your quest to cleanse the land. A beautiful game in many ways, this is quietly one of PS5's best.

13. F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch (PS5)

F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch might be a pain to type, but the game itself is a great Metroidvania. You play as a rabbit with an enormous robotic arm in a cyberpunk-like world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals. Off to rescue a friend, the freedom fighter finds himself caught up in all kinds of mess, and it'll be down to you to fight through it. Engaging combat is at the heart of the game, but you're also rewarded for exploring the world, and the story is kept interesting by some great characters.

12. Overcooked: All You Can Eat (PS5)

Overcooked: All You Can Eat serves up everything from Overcooked and Overcooked 2 in one delicious meal. All that content has been refreshed and remastered, with online play now spread across both games, and even more DLC added on top. The brilliance of this series is how it forces you to truly work together — if you don't, chaos can quickly take hold, and you'll never get those three-star ratings on each level. It's also extremely accessible, with easy-to-grasp controls and objectives. Looking better than ever on PS5, it's the ultimate way to enjoy one of the best co-op party games in recent memory.

11. Stray (PS5)

Playing as a lost cat in a mysterious underground cybercity, Stray is a truly unique title. This is a short but sweet adventure game that emphasises exploration and investigation from a feline perspective, and it works wonderfully. Linear levels are punctuated by more open areas that are a real treat to explore with your catty dexterity, letting you meet robotic buddies as you weave through the streets and rooftops of a decaying town. While you're busy scratching up furniture and knocking things over, an intriguing sci-fi narrative unfolds around you. Gorgeous art direction and brilliant animation are the icing on this adorable cake.