The 13 best PS5 exclusive games that you can’t play on other game consoles

To many gamers, the list of a particular console’s exclusives is the key factor that helps them decide whether to buy the device. Over the years, Sony has released many titles exclusive to PlayStation, but recently, more of their games have received PC ports. Games like Uncharted, God of War, Ghost of Tsushima, and Marvel’s Spider-Man can now be found on Steam and other digital platforms. However, owners of competing consoles can only dream of these titles without splurging on Sony’s latest console. That being said, what are the best PS5 exclusives? Read on to find out!

What are the best PlayStation 5 games with console exclusivity?

As mentioned in the introduction, several PS5 exclusive games are now available on PC, but you’ll still find some of these titles on this list. However, you can’t play them on other consoles, meaning Xbox and Switch owners will have to do without them. Whether you enjoy cinematic action, rich narratives, fast cars, or grand JRPGs (and more!), this ranking should help you choose a bunch of extraordinary PlayStation 5 exclusives. Without further ado, let’s kick the list off!

Returnal

The developers at Housemarque are certainly well-known among fans of arcade games. Returnal is their first truly big-budget release and a truly astonishing achievement in the roguelike genre. In this title, you play as Selene, an astronaut who must escape a time loop and discover the truth about the mysterious planet.

The game makes excellent use of Sony’s current-gen features. The DualSense vibrations let the player feel every raindrop, and the shooting feels incredible thanks to adaptive triggers. With punishing yet fair gameplay and a fantastic narrative, Returnal is a true gem among PS5-only games and one of the best shoot ‘em up games on the market!

Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart

The latest entry in the classic series of action-adventure platformers just had to find a place in our ranking of PlayStation 5 only games. Yes, we know Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart was released on PC, but it still has console exclusivity, so there’s no mistake on our part!

And there are quite a few good reasons to include it on this list. For starters, it’s It’s one of the most fun and humorous titles on Sony’s consoles. The story will take you to several colorful planets with beautiful vistas and amazing rift sequences that make use of the device’s ultra-fast SSD. Getting this game is a great choice if you want to sit back, relax, and enjoy vibrant chaos on the screen.

Horizon Forbidden West

Aloy makes a triumphant return in the sequel to one of the most beautiful PS4 titles. Horizon Forbidden West takes the visuals to the next-gen level; it’s so stunning that you’ll likely take dozens (if not hundreds) of screenshots during your adventure. However, the graphics alone wouldn’t be enough to put it among the best PlayStation 5 exclusives, right?

The open world presented in Forbidden West is a joy to explore. Aloy moves smoothly as she faces robotic dinosaurs in intense battles. Shooting deadly arrows and placing clever traps to hunt mechanical creatures is just extremely fun. Not to mention an engaging story with memorable characters.

Resident Evil 4 Remake VR

Many consider the original version of this survival horror game to be the pinnacle of the genre. The original version left big shoes to fill, but Resident Evil 4 Remake managed to meet (and even exceed) high expectations of fans. That’s not all: you can embark this fantastic adventure in virtual reality!

To do so, you’ll obviously need not only Sony’s console but also the PlayStation VR2 headset. Is it worth it? Absolutely! Resident Evil 4 Remake VR is one of the best PS5-only games available in VR, with easily customizable settings and a new first-person perspective. Fighting against the hordes of Las Plagas has never been so immersive! Remember: You need to own the base game in order to play in VR mode.

To find more amazing titles that make the best use of virtual reality headsets, check out our list of the best VR games on PC!

Gran Turismo 7

Microsoft and Sony are in constant and fierce rivalry, both trying to take the lead in the genre of racing games. Since the scope of this article is limited to the best PS5 exclusives only, let’s focus on Gran Turismo 7. While it has a fair share of problems, such as the necessity to grind (or reach into one’s pocket) for the best cars, it nonetheless delivers a solid experience.

What’s so special about it? The simple feeling of joy that accompanies drivers. Gran Turismo 7 really shines in this aspect, especially since it makes fantastic use of the DualSense features. If you own Sony’s newest headset, the game is also playable in VR, and this mode truly takes racing to the next level.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered

Let’s face it, this game probably didn’t need a remaster, as it already looked amazing in its base version. Luckily, if you own the original, you can get The Last of Us Part II Remastered upgrade for $10. However, other gamers will need to spend a lot more to get their hands on it. Nonetheless, it’s definitely the most complete TLoU2 experience, thanks to the new features.

You’ve likely heard about the controversy regarding the story and already formed your own opinion about it, so let’s focus solely on the gameplay. Exploration of devastated Seattle, as well as other locations, feels tense, with danger (potentially) lurking around every corner. Whether taking a stealth approach or prefer the meaty gunplay, the combat is really satisfying. That’s why this game made the cut for the list of the best ps5 exclusive games.

Demon’s Souls

Console launch titles are often pretty good, but they tend to get somewhat forgotten in the end-of-generation roundups. Demon’s Souls, however, still sits comfortably among the best PS5 exclusive games and will likely remain in this position for a long time.

Yet, it’s the remake of the game that has started it all; the explosion of the soulslikes wouldn’t have happened without it. Environmental storytelling, difficult battles against relentless bosses, or springing to retrieve the souls after each death—all key elements of the genre are there. Beautifully remade by Bluepoint Games, Demon’s Souls is a thrilling journey for both long-time fans and newcomers.

Final Fantasy XVI

Our ranking of PlayStation 5 only games would be incomplete without the newest main entry in the classic series of great JRPGs. Final Fantasy XVI was released to positive reviews, but not all fans were pleased with its visibly darker, more violent tone. If you fancy this kind of storytelling, full of political intrigues and bloody deaths, Clive Redfield’s journey may be right up your alley.

What’s more, FFXVI offers great, fast-paced combat on a truly epic scale. If you’re tired of massive open worlds, you should be glad to hear that it’s not this type of game (though it has rather big locations). It’s certainly a bit of fresh air in the series, especially after FF13 and FF15, which usually place quite low among fans’ favorites.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Spidey’s new adventure was Sony’s biggest hit of 2023. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the long-awaited sequel to one of the top superhero games on the market, simply had to be greater than its predecessor, with better visuals, improved performance, and bombastic action to top it off. Did it manage to succeed in all these aspects?

It sure did! The sequel is simply bigger, better, and more badass. Peter gets some new moves, Venom’s introduction leaves a lasting impression, and swinging on the web never felt so great. While not everything turned out to be perfect (the story could use some improvements, for example), it’s an incredibly fun game to play. Definitely one of the finest in Sony’s catalog.

God of War Ragnarök

The 2018 reboot turned the series upside down by completely changing its tone, pacing, and combat system. The story focused on the relationship between the father and his son, trying to understand each other, so it became much more personal. God of War Ragnarök continues in a similar direction.

The gameplay remained mostly unchanged, but everything is more epic in scale, as suggested by the title. The eternal winter is here, and Kratos needs to avoid being a part of the Twilight of the Gods. It’s a grand spectacle that mixes fantastic battles with an engaging story.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

It won’t be an exaggeration to call Final Fantasy VII Rebirth one of the most anticipated releases in recent years, if not of all time. Jittery excitement overtook fans of the classic JRPGs since the first part of the remake trilogy ended with some surprising changes—and not all gamers found them satisfying.

Luckily, FFVII Rebirth turned out to be vastly superior to the 2020’s remake in nearly every aspect, quickly climbing the ranks of the best PS5 only games lists across the web. It’s an amazing adventure in a world brimming with activities. What’s equally impressive is the masterfully written story, which should bring tears (of both joy and sadness) to the eyes of people who have an unconditional love for FF7 and its cast. Are there any shortcomings? Sure—the visuals in performance mode get way too blurry at times!

Rise of the Ronin

After two Nioh games and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (among other releases), Team Ninja returns with another action-oriented experience. The combat is deeply engaging—but does Rise of the Ronin deserve a spot on the list of the very best PS5 exclusives?

For those who enjoy historical settings (19th-century Japan) and games like Assassin’s Creed with open worlds, the answer may be a loud “YES!”. Others may complain about bland side activities, a not-so-great story, pacing issues, and somewhat disappointing visuals. Still, once you finish a particularly epic encounter with a bunch of enemies and clean the blood off your katana, chances are you’ll feel extremely satisfied. And this fascinating dance of blades is definitely RotR’s biggest selling point.

ASTRO BOT

Nothing showcases DualSense’s impressive abilities as much as a polished, near-perfect 3D platformer. ASTRO’s Playroom (available for free on all PS5 consoles) is one of them, but it has a significant drawback: it is too short. Luckily, Sony Interactive fulfilled our dreams with the full-fledged entry of ASTRO BOT. 

This absolute gem goes beyond offering what you’d expect from the classic platformer by exceeding all of your expectations. As you take control of an adorable robot, you can not only move around, punch, and jump but also swim, interact with objects, gain special abilities, and solve puzzles. Its remarkable graphics and smooth-as-a-butter performance ensures nothing gets in your way of smothering the splendid level design.

Upcoming PlayStation 5 only games

If you’re wondering what’s next for Sony’s console, here are a few exclusives that should keep it warm during the next year (and beyond). To find out about even more potentially amazing releases, check out our article about the best AAA games coming in 2024.

Silent Hill 2 Remake

It’s time for another modern reimagination of a classic game. Silent Hill 2 Remake will have to face a tough crowd; after all, the original is one of the most beloved survival horrors of all time. Time will tell whether the story will hit us as strongly as it did over 20 years ago. For now, the title doesn’t have a confirmed release date, but it’s expected to launch in 2024.

Marvel’s Wolverine

After the big leak at Insomniac Games, we’ve learned quite a bit about Marvel’s Wolverine and a bunch of other upcoming titles. The narrative will have Wolverine attempt to save the mutants, and the combat looks pretty brutal. Overall, it shapes up to be among the best upcoming PS5 exclusives, but here’s a bummer: the release date is planned for 2026.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

We’ve seen some footage, but other than that not much is known about Death Stranding 2. There has been a lot of speculation about the game; after all, it’s being developed under the watchful eye of the quirky genius Hideo Kojima. The first entry in the series was highly innovative, so let’s hope that DS2 will be similar in that regard and introduce plenty of new, crazy ideas. Whenever it releases, it’ll climb high on the list of the popular PlayStation 5 games.

What do you think of our list? What are your favorite games available only on Sony’s current-gen console? Are you eagerly awaiting some of the upcoming releases? Let us know in the comments!