The PlayStation 5 (PS5) has been out for over a year now, and in that time, Sony’s newest console has amassed an impressive lineup of high-quality exclusive games. As a proud PS5 owner myself, I’ve played through many of the system’s most acclaimed titles. In this article, I’ll be counting down the top 10 highest rated PS5 exclusives released so far, providing a comprehensive overview of what makes each one great.
1. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a true showcase of the PS5’s capabilities. This fast-paced 3D platformer makes excellent use of the console’s ultra-fast SSD to enable near-instantaneous teleportation between different worlds and dimensions. The dimensional rift mechanics lead to mind-blowing set pieces as you seamlessly jump between swirling alien vistas.
In my experience, Rift Apart’s visuals are easily some of the most stunning on PS5. The art direction pops with color, and ray tracing allows for new levels of realism. For instance, reflective surfaces showcase life-like properties, with light bouncing and refracting naturally. Rift Apart also sounds fantastic thanks to immersive 3D audio. From the satisfying crack of Ratchet’s weapons to orchestral scores, this game highlights the PS5’s aural potential.
Beyond the technical achievements, Rift Apart retains the classic Ratchet & Clank gameplay loop. The titular duo feel great to control, and blasting enemies with an imaginative arsenal nunca gets old. There are also adorable new characters like the rebels Rivet and Kit. With a playtime around 15 hours, Rift Apart is the complete package.
2. Horizon Forbidden West
Following up on one of PS4’s most beloved titles, Horizon Forbidden West brings Aloy to America’s post-apocalyptic west coast. This open-world action RPG significantly expands the original’s maps and mechanics for an epic adventure.
Forbidden West impresses right off the bat with its unmatched level of visual fidelity. Guerrilla Games has crafted an unbelievably detailed world, with dense forests, glistening waters, and crumbling ruins brought to life like never before. Ray tracing also enables impressive lighting effects and shadows that further enhance immersion.
Combat feels even better thanks to new tools like the grappling hook and glider. I loved strategically removing components from towering robot dinosaurs to disable their attacks. Side activities like the arena challenges and bandit camps provide fun diversions between story missions. With a lengthy narrative taking over 30 hours, Horizon Forbidden West never runs out of things to do.
For PlayStation fans, this is undoubtedly one of the PS5’s crowning exclusives so far. It’s a technical powerhouse with addictive gameplay and a captivating story.
3. Demon’s Souls
A complete remake of the 2009 classic, Demon’s Souls brings the pioneering “Souls” formula into the modern age with incredible visuals and quality of life improvements. This dark fantasy RPG delivers an immense challenge as you battle through the cursed kingdom of Boletaria.
On a visual level, Demon’s Souls is unmatched, making it one of the best showcases of the PS5’s capabilities. The bleak, atmospheric world is constructed with an unbelievable level of detail that simply wasn’t possible in the original. Hideous demons and decaying dungeons look scarily real. The haunting orchestral soundtrack perfectly complements each location’s foreboding ambience.
Besides the huge graphical overhaul, this remake provides new cinematic storytelling moments. Small additions like enhanced sound design and controller haptics also boost immersion dramatically. Of course, the methodical combat and rewarding progression systems will be familiar to Souls veterans. While certainly punishing, overcoming the brutal challenges provides unmatched gratification.
For Souls fans or those seeking a truly next-gen experience, Demon’s Souls is easily an essential PS5 exclusive. The remake treatment reinvigorates a classic while representing a huge graphical leap.
4. Ghostwire: Tokyo
For a one-of-a-kind paranormal adventure unlike anything else on PS5, look no further than Ghostwire: Tokyo. As a visually stunning FPS with Third-Person action, this game has you explore a haunted Tokyo overrun by dangerous spirits and unravel a deep mystery.
I absolutely loved exploring the intricately crafted rendition of Shibuya and its surroundings. The neon-bathed city streets feel eerily empty and quietly menacing. First-person movement and combat feel silky smooth, with cool spectral abilities complementing traditional weapons.
Battling the creepy Japanese ghosts and yokai is a tense, thrilling experience. Encounters range from small ambushes to epic boss fights. Story segments and audio logs gradually reveal the haunting narrative. With upgrades, side quests, and secrets, Ghostwire: Tokyo always motivates you to keep playing.
If you want to experience a setting and concept not found in any other PS5 game, Ghostwire: Tokyo is highly recommended. Tango Gameworks has created one of the most imaginatively unsettling worlds I’ve ever explored in a game.
5. Returnal
As a roguelike third-person shooter, Returnal provides a brutally challenging run-based gameplay loop with enticing hooks that kept me coming back. You play as Selene, a woman trapped on an alien planet, fighting to escape despite dying over and over.
The procedurally generated levels mean each run offers new layouts and items to discover. Combat is thrilling thanks to unique guns and tools along with deadly enemies that test your reflexes. With permanent progression systems, grinding runs never feels like a total waste.
Housemarque did a phenomenal job building atmosphere on PS5. The alien planet of Atropos looks incredible with huge draw distances and smooth effects like debris flying through the air. 3D audio clues you into threats just outside view, while DualSense haptics convey every shot fired and hit taken.
As a roguelike, Returnal demands patience and mastery, but provides immense satisfaction when you finally overcome the odds. For shooters with meaty combat and engrossing atmosphere, it’s a must-play PS5 exclusive.
6. Gran Turismo 7
The legendary racing sim series has made its PS5 debut with Gran Turismo 7. Representing the cutting edge of the genre, GT7 lets you control hundreds of meticulously modeled vehicles across famous real-world tracks and picturesque original environments.
Polyphony Digital has utilized the PS5’s power to enable photorealistic graphics with ray tracing support. Cars and locations look practically indistinguishable from reality. The DualSense’s adaptive triggers and haptic feedback heighten the simulation, letting you feel traction loss, braking, and terrain changes.
GT7’s racing mechanics remain best-in-class. An expansive tuning/upgrade system and driving assists allow players of all skill levels to customize their experience. Approachable for newcomers yet endlessly deep for veterans, the driving physics and handling capture the essence of racing like nothing else.
With numerous play modes including multiplayer along with a lengthy career mode, GT7 is the ultimate console racing simulator. If you want to virtually experience supercars in unparalleled detail, this PS5 must-have delivers.
7. Deathloop
For a thrilling, stylishly presented take on the immersive sim genre, Deathloop is a smash hit. As an assassin stuck in a time loop, you hunt targets across a dynamic open world while retaining knowledge between cycles.
The 60s-inspired setting of Blackreef overflows with personality. Vibrant architecture, groovy tunes, and colorful characters make every district memorable. Stealth and combat afford endless options with abilities, weapons, and environmental traps to utilize creatively against the visionary AI.
Finding clues, identifying schedules, and parsing environmental details are crucial to taking down your objectives across repeating days. The time loop mechanics force you to approach situations from new angles. With tons of player agency, no two runs feel the same.
Blending tight gameplay with compelling worlds to explore, Deathloop represents a novel twist on proven immersive sim foundations. For a thrilling adventure unlike any other, it’s easily one of PS5’s most innovative exclusives yet.
8. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Sumo Digital successfully brings the lovable LittleBigPlanet mascot Sackboy to a fully 3D platforming adventure in Sackboy: A Big Adventure. With its stunning yarn-crafted aesthetic and charming co-op mayhem, this game captures nostalgic platforming magic.
Vibrant, detailed environments pay homage to classic 3D Mario and Crash Bandicoot games while housing secrets and puzzles that require dexterous leaping between platforms. Special moves like the grappling hook rope add fun mobility options. Local co-op for the entire campaign delivers delightful chaos.
From themed worlds filled with witty references to endearing customization options, Sackboy oozes charm and polish. While accessible for younger gamers, late-game levels provide meaty challenges. With additional mini-games and creation tools, it’s easy to spend dozens of hours with this little hero on PS5.
For a delightful throwback platformer that also showcases PS5’s visual strengths, it’s hard to top the lighthearted fun of Sackboy: A Big Adventure.
9. Astro’s Playroom
While not a full sequel, this adorable 3D platformer pre-installed on every PS5 acts as a superb technical showcase and an excellent mini-game collection. As charming robot Astro, you journey through levels themed around components of the DualSense controller.
Vibrant, toy-like environments pair wonderfully with impressive graphical and physics details to perfectly showcase the new hardware. By far the biggest stars are the DualSense innovations. Astro’s Playroom displays the adaptive triggers, refined rumble, built-in mic, and motion controls better than any other launch title.
With plenty of secrets and challenges to discover across areas based on concepts likeGPUs and cooling, Astro’s Playroom takes you on an entertaining hardware tour. Approachable platforming and constant surprises make it suitable for all ages. For a dose of next-gen magic right out of the box, this delightful sampler deserves a playthrough.
10. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
While initially released for PS4, the expanded Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade featuring improved visuals and new story content is a must-play on PS5. This epic re-imagining of the iconic JRPG masterfully blends real-time combat, stunning cutscenes, and melodic soundtrack into an unforgettable adventure.
Running in buttery smooth 60 FPS, the base game looks and runs better than ever on PS5. Intergrade adds the action-packed Yuffie DLC episode that takes place alongside the main story. Her over-the-top moves and materia add even more combat variety.
Few games can match Final Fantasy VII Remake’s incredible production values. Voice acting and facial animations convey the ensemble cast’s personalities perfectly. Each location pulses with atmosphere thanks to impeccable art direction and a dynamic soundtrack.
For both nostalgic fans and newcomers, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is simply an essential, can’t-miss PS5 experience. The expanded RPG provides dozens of hours of gripping storytelling and thrilling real-time combat.
