20. Elden Ring (PS5)

Elden Ring’s crowning achievement is taking a relatively niche gameplay loop – refined over the years with Demon’s Souls, Bloodborne, et al – and presenting it to the masses. FromSoftware’s open world magnum opus is a staggering achievement: a sandbox bursting at the seams with vulgar secrets, all presented with enough ambiguity to make combing every square inch of its dramatic Lands Between backdrop feel like true discovery. With a complex combat system enabling an eclectic array of gameplay styles, and some of the most devilish encounters in gaming history, this is an unmissable experience – and then some.

19. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (PS5)

After a few missteps, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard brings the series back to its survival horror roots while entering new territory at the same time. Played in first-person, we're introduced to Ethan Winters, who is lured into danger when his missing wife contacts him. The ensuing adventure is dripping with atmosphere and intrigue as you escape the horrifying Baker family and uncover a supernatural mystery. It's a great game, and made better on PS5 thanks to better resolution, faster loading, and more.

18. Pistol Whip (PS5)

Rhythm games and virtual reality go together wonderfully, and one of the best examples of that is Pistol Whip. Revamped for PSVR2's bells and whistles, this flashy game is essentially an on-rails shooter set to music. It's a simple idea but executed so well, oozing style and allowing the player to pull off some super cool moves. Firing your guns to the beat and dodging incoming attacks with perfect timing is endlessly satisfying, and the Hollywood-inspired levels are all a treat to look at, too.

17. Hades (PS5)

Bored of his immortal life in the Underworld, Zagreus takes it upon himself to escape the reaches of his godly father. In the brilliant roguelike Hades, you'll aid the prince in his attempts to reach the surface, engaging in countless runs through the ever-shifting realms. With each death comes plot development, however; a story is expertly interwoven with the gameplay loop, giving you a small taste of what each character has been up to before you dive back into the dungeons once more. With slick, fast-paced combat, an endless variety of perks and power-ups to try, and an escalating challenge for those that stick around, this is a fantastic action game that makes the most of its looping structure.

16. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PS5)

Up until Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart released, Insomniac Games’ dynamic duo had been wilting in the wilderness a little bit. The PS4 reboot, Ratchet & Clank, was well-received – but it felt lightweight compared to classic series entries, like Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time. Fortunately, while Rift Apart doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel, it does deliver the series’ first full-scale adventure in well over a generation. This is a game that feels great to play, thanks in part to stunning DualSense integration and some of the glitziest special effects this side of the galaxy. It’s a little more throwaway than many of the PS5’s other exclusives, but its thoroughly entertaining while it lasts, and the introduction of new characters like Rivet mean there’s a lot of life left in this series yet.

15. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PS5)

Masterful in its storytelling, characters, and visuals, Kojima Productions went bigger and better with a sequel that comfortably dwarfs what the Japanese team achieved in its first delivery experience. Main character Sam is once again tasked with reconnecting a land mass to the chiral network, but this time his deliveries are further and expanded to encompass proper combat scenarios. Death Stranding 2 is a cinematic achievement on all fronts that will remain one of the crown jewels of the PS5 library forever.

14. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PS5)

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a direct sequel to Final Fantasy 7 Remake, as Cloud and the gang embark on their post-Midgar adventure. Featuring open world areas, there's a much greater emphasis on exploration, and while the core story of Final Fantasy 7 does take a backseat for a lot of the game, there's an enjoyable focus on character interactions. What's more, Rebirth is utterly stuffed with things to see and do. Side quests, minigames, treasure hunts — it's a massive release, and although we'd argue that it feels a bit bloated at times, there's no questioning the amount of effort Square Enix poured into this second part of the trilogy.

13. Horizon Forbidden West (PS5)

The sequel to Guerrilla Games' breakout hit, Horizon Zero Dawn, is bigger and better than its immediate predecessor in every single way. Horizon Forbidden West may retread familiar territory with its open world RPG adventure, but it improves upon the writing, introducing a worthwhile cast of characters for heroine Aloy to bounce off. New combat and exploration wrinkles, including a grappling hook, intensify the action, while the eponymous Forbidden West is a diverse sandbox, bursting with varied biomes and secrets to discover.

12. 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.

11. Dead Space (PS5)

One of EA's best-loved games returns with this PS5 remake of Dead Space. Retelling the original story of Isaac Clarke exploring the decimated corridors of the USG Ishimura, this updated version is more than just a fresh coat of paint. On top of modern visuals, the remake turns the ship into one interconnected environment, expands many areas, adds voice acting for Isaac, and more. Aside from all that, this is the same great Dead Space you remember — intense atmosphere, unique enemies and weapons, and a memorable story.