While some people might be shouting screeds with their fingertips into the Internet about anti-consumerism, controller compatibility, and subscription services, the fact of the matter is that the next generation of hardware will bring not just arguments about console wars, but also a whole batch of new games. Some of those will only be on the PlayStation 5. Some of them look really good!
There’s a lot to be excited about regardless of which console(s) you get (if any), and while we’re not here to take sides, we have gone ahead and picked out some PlayStation 5 titles to keep on your radar. All of these games will be either exclusive to the PlayStation 5 or have timed exclusivity on the console.
1) Horizon Forbidden West
Part of what made 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn so fantastic was that it was a big risk for both PlayStation and developer Guerrilla Games—any new IP is. Of course, it paid off in spades and was one of the PlayStation 4’s greatest games. Horizon Forbidden West is definitely a safer bet, considering it will build off its predecessor’s success, but we’re incredibly excited nonetheless. Aloy was a phenomenal character, and it will be interesting to see how her story and the brilliant lore of this post-post-apocalyptic world expands. It will also be great to fight robot dinosaurs without seeing characters’ hair flip-flopping through their shoulders all the time.
2) Demon’s Souls
The original’s spiritual successor, Dark Souls, might get more attention, but that’s only because Demon Souls has been locked to the PlayStation 3—until now. Bluepoint Games, the same folks who recreated Shadow of the Colossus in 2018, seem to have done it again. This remake looks stellar, and any fan of the Soulsborne series is going to want to get in on this action, especially if they never had the chance to before.
3) Returnal
The title might sound like it has something to do with a public toilet, but the actual game looks pretty interesting. Returnal is a new IP from developer Housemarque and looks like a pretty cool combination of the films Edge of Tomorrow and Annihilation. Here’s to hoping it turns out as exciting as the trailer looks.
4) Stray (timed exclusive)
Cyberpunk 2077 meets Cats? Yes, please! While we’ve yet to see much more about this title since its initial preview, publisher Annapurna Interactive has a strong record for putting out bold and innovative games, such as What Remains of Edith Finch, and 2019’s unsung GOTY, Outer Wilds. We think it looks like this could be their next little masterpiece. Did we mention there are cats?
5) Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
The Ratchet & Clank series has long been a staple franchise for the PlayStation, and this latest entry, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, looks like it will live up to the hype—and truly use the next-generation hardware. The interdenominational mechanics look really impressive, and Clank has never been shinier.
6) Project Athia (timed exclusive)
While it’s a little disappointing Project Athia developed by Square Enix isn’t the next mainline Final Fantasy game, whatever this is does look pretty rad. Fantastical worlds with crazy looking monsters? Check. Jumping around through lush terrains? Check. Trendy sneakers? Check. And who knows—maybe it is a Final Fantasy game. Square Enix has done stranger things with marketing, that’s for sure.
7) Gran Turismo 7
If you’ve heard of the Gran Turismo series, you know this next entry will be one of the best racing games on the market. If you haven’t heard of the Gran Turismo series, we’re willing to bet you might not actually be into console racing simulators. But maybe you are! In that case, you’re welcome: now you know what to get next.
8) Bugsnax (timed exclusive)
Whoever thinks the next generation of video games needs to be exclusively gritty realism and high-fidelity graphics should take a look at Bugsnax. You’re not going to want to miss the trailer (it’s got a killer theme song), but Bugsnax is exactly what the title tells you. In the game, you’re on the island of Bugsnax, where all the bugs look like lunch-time snacks. You eat the bugs. Parts of your character’s body turns into said snacks. Sound strange? It is. But this weird hybrid of Katamari Damacy and Kirby looks pretty great.
9) Sackboy A Big Adventure
Sackboy is back! This latest entry in the popular PlayStation series, LittleBigPlanet, looks like it will feature some of the best digital burlaps we’ve ever seen. We’re hoping this title will include the franchise staple, “Create Mode,” which allows players to make their own in-game content, but either way, it will be great to have a solid platformer on the console for both solo fun and cooperative play.
10) Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales
While there was initially some confusion over what Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales will be, it looks like it will be another stellar (albeit smaller and standalone) adventure. Developer Insomniac Games knocked it out of the park with their first web-swing through New York City, and we’re pretty sure they’ll do it again with this one.
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