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The best PS5 exclusives

The PlayStation 5 has been out for a while, bringing us next-generation visuals, faster load times, and a slew of new features that have blown our socks off. Of course, all of these features are welcome, but the real stars of the show are the PS5’s games. What good is a new console if there are no games to play on it? Luckily, Sony’s next-generation system has you covered with lots of exclusives, ranging from wacky family-friendly adventures to experiences of superhuman proportions and even challenging action RPGs.

Since the PS5 is still only a few years old, its list of exclusives isn’t massive, but there are still several you absolutely need to check out. In this guide, we’ll round up the very best exclusive games the system has to offer. The PS5’s exclusive library will undoubtedly grow throughout its life cycle, and we will update this article accordingly as more games come out.

Games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Wolverine, and Final Fantasy XVI are still on the way, but in the meantime, there are plenty of exclusives to enjoy. These are the best PS5 exclusives.

The Last of Us Part I

The Last of Us Part I
4.5/5
M
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Naughty Dog
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
September 02, 2022
Serving as a remake of the hit PS3 (and PS4) game, The Last of Us Part 1 is the definitive way to experience this story. Not only does it include enhanced visuals and gameplay improvements, but it also features numerous accessibility options, allowing more players to enjoy it. The Last of Us Part 1 also utilizes a handful of PS5 functionalities, such as the DualSense’s haptic feedback. Even if you’ve played the original, this enhanced edition has enough to make it worth experiencing again.
The Last of Us Part I - Announce Trailer

Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West
4/5
T
Platforms
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Guerrilla Games
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
February 18, 2022

Serving as the followup to the hit 2017 open-world game, Horizon Forbidden West doubles down on many mechanics while introducing new ones. For the most part, most of the changes are for the better, such as the inclusion of new tools and improved combat. Most notably, traversal underwent changes, allowing players to get around the map much easier thanks to the use of a new paraglider. And of course, the combat is gripping and satisfying, as is the design of the giant mechanical dinosaurs that roam the world. While this game won’t break new ground, mostly all of its features are well-executed, making it a must-buy.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
90%
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Role-playing (RPG)
Developer
Square Enix
Publisher
Square Enix
Release
June 10, 2021

The 2020 version of Final Fantasy VII Remake was already a stellar experience, and the PS5 exclusive Intergrade edition makes it even better. What’s great about this version is that it includes a photo mode, new difficulty settings, visual and performance enhancements, and quality of life improvements over the 2020 game. The base experience is incredible, especially if you enjoyed Final Fantasy VII from 1997. The remake looks, plays, and feels like a modern action title, but still pulls from some of the mechanics in the original while telling mostly the same story. There are some key narrative differences that might surprise you, though we won’t spoil them here.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Sackboy: A Big Adventure
77%
E
Platforms
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Sumo Digital
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
November 12, 2020

Many games on this list are for mature audiences, but Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an exception. This is a 3D platformer made for all sorts of players, featuring the LittleBigPlanet star Sackboy. While you aren’t able to create your own levels in this game, it’s focused on platforming, with stages designed by Sumo Digital. Many of the levels are expansive, with plenty to do and collect, both solo and with a friend. That’s one of the selling points of Sackboy: A Big Adventure. It’s a fantastic, approachable experience that can be played with friends and family, but don’t let its cute visuals stop you — it’s superbly designed and is a blast to play.

Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered

Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered
81%
T
Platforms
PlayStation 5
Genre
Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
Insomniac Games
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
November 12, 2020
Arguably the best superhero game of all time is made even better in Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered. This enhanced version doesn’t fundamentally change the experience overall, but it does add ray tracing along with a performance mode that bumps the frame rate up to 60fps. In addition, many assets simply look better in the Remastered edition, so even if you’ve already played the PS4 game, it’s worth revisiting on PS5. The cool thing is that you can carry your save from PS4 to PS5 — including trophy progress — meaning you can get extra platinum with very little effort.

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
82%
T
Platforms
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Genre
Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
Insomniac Games
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
November 12, 2020
It’s hard to talk about Spider-Man without mentioning the follow-up game, Miles Morales. This takes place after the events of Marvel’s Spider-Man, but stars the titular Miles Morales, a new version of the web-head. Miles is young and is taken under Peter Parker’s wing, with the goal of protecting the city while the original Spider-Man is away. This is a much more condensed story than the first, but in many ways, that makes it better. It also has one of the best cast of characters in any video game ever, with authentic depictions of people of color. Miles Morales takes nearly everything from the first game, builds upon it, and surpasses it, which is impressive considering just how good the original is.

Returnal

Returnal
85%
4/5
T
Platforms
PlayStation 5
Genre
Shooter
Developer
Housemarque
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
April 30, 2021
There isn’t much like Returnal. This is a third-person shooter with roguelike elements, wherein you must explore a planet, pick up items, and defeat aliens. The twist is that each time you die, all your progress resets — as does the layout of each level. That might sound too difficult, but once the combat clicks and you begin making progress, it becomes far more fun. Even if the gameplay doesn’t grab you, it’s hard to ignore the striking sense of atmosphere — due in part to the artistic design of the creatures and levels. There’s an underlying sense of mystery throughout Returnal, and uncovering its secrets is one of the driving forces. 

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
89%
4/5
E10
Platforms
PlayStation 5
Genre
Shooter, Platform, Adventure
Developer
Insomniac Games
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
June 11, 2021

It’s hard to find a game that looks as good as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. In many ways, it’s a showcase for what the PS5 can do, featuring tons of explosions and particles across various encounters in the game. One of its highlights is the ability to travel to other dimensions on the fly, which would have been difficult to pull off on PS4. The characters are witty, the writing is clever, and the presentation looks expensive. This is yet another example of an approachable yet fun experience that is meant for a wide audience, even for players who aren’t as skilled.

Astro's Playroom

Astro's Playroom
86%
Platforms
PlayStation 5
Genre
Platform
Developer
SIE Japan Studio
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
November 12, 2020
The great thing about Astro’s Playroom is that it comes bundled with each and every PS5 console at no additional cost. This platformer is meant to showcase what the PS5 — and more importantly, what the DualSense controller — can do, following in the footsteps of its PSVR predecessor, Astro Bot Rescue Mission. Only you don’t need a PSVR headset to enjoy Astro’s Playroom. In it, you’ll be jumping, exploring, and taking out enemy robots — very much in the style of Nintendo’s best platformers. It’s a pack-in, so there’s no excuse to skip out on this one, especially since it’s not terribly long and is easy to get into.

Demon's Souls

Demon's Souls
87%
M
Platforms
PlayStation 5
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Developer
Bluepoint Games
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
November 12, 2020
Speaking of Demon’s Souls, this is one of the highlights of the PS5, showcasing absolutely stunning visuals made possible by Sony’s new system. This comes to us courtesy of Bluepoint Games, the team that developed the beloved Shadow of the Colossus remake, and from what we can tell, Demon’s Souls seems to be the company’s most ambitious project yet. While the level design, enemy placement, mechanics, and even movement cadence remain intact, the remake features 4K visuals built from the ground up, making it one of the most impressive-looking games ever to release on a console. It also comes with many quality-of-life improvements that make it easier to jump into, as well as slightly updated animations, and more customization options in its character creation mode. The main goal with Demon’s Souls on PS5 is to stay true to the original, while offering an experience that feels next-gen, and from what we’ve seen, it absolutely delivers on that front. Though, as with all Souls games, Demon’s Souls is tough and won’t be for everyone. Despite that, now is a great time to jump in, as it will be ripe with an online community to help you take down bosses, and is streamlined in many ways.

Gran Turismo 7

Gran Turismo 7
81%
4/5
E
Platforms
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Genre
Racing, Simulator, Sport
Developer
Polyphony Digital
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
March 04, 2022
It’s hard to beat Gran Turismo, a series that is classy through and through. Gran Turismo 7 is notable for including a proper single-player campaign after being absent from the previous installment. This simulation racing game has so much packed into it, with plenty of attention to detail, making it much more enjoyable for car lovers. But even if you aren’t as “in-tune” with the world’s finest automobiles, Gran Turismo 7 is still the most enjoyable driving game on the system.
Gran Turismo 7 - Announcement Trailer | PS5

God of War Ragnarök

God of War Ragnarök
94%
4/5
M
Platforms
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Genre
Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
SIE Santa Monica Studio
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
November 09, 2022
God of War Ragnarök is everything we could have asked for from a sequel. Sure, following in the footsteps of 2018’s God of War was no easy task, but Santa Monica Studio knocked it out of the park with Ragnarök. The sequel continues the thrilling story, offering a wide range of characters, fantastic combat, and a slew of improvements over its predecessor. In many ways, Ragnarök is much larger in terms of scope, expanding upon what made the 2018 game so great. If you liked the 2018 game and want more, or if you’re a fan of action games with gripping stories, you must play God of War Ragnarök.
God Of War Ragnarok - PlayStation Showcase 2021 Reveal Trailer | PS5

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
85%
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Naughty Dog
Publisher
Naughty Dog, Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
January 28, 2022
The Uncharted series is easily one of Sony’s most recognizable, and now you can play two of the best entries on PS5. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection includes Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, both of which have been upgraded for PS5. The package offers smooth 60-frames-per-second gameplay, along with a slew of additional accessibility options to appeal to a wide group of players. These are some of the best games in the series, with fantastic set pieces, wonderfully written characters, and action-packed gameplay. It might be a while before the next Uncharted game comes out, so these should hold us over until then.
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection - PlayStation Showcase 2021 Trailer | PS5
Joseph Yaden
Joseph Yaden is a freelance journalist who covers Nintendo, shooters, and horror games. He mostly covers game guides for…
The best traits to level first in Remnant 2
Three characters shoot at a boss in Remnant 2.

Much of Remnant 2's leveling process is based around increasing the ranks of traits that you'll discover throughout your journe. This will give you plenty of opportunities to build a character that best matches your playstyle. In the game's opening hours, however, each character will begin with just a few traits that can be leveled, and your equally limited trait points can make deciding which of those you want to invest in somewhat of a challenge. In this guide, we'll give you our opinion on which of these are best to focus on for optimizing the early part of your adventure. Here are the best traits to level first in Remnant 2
Best traits to level first in Remnant 2
When beginning the game with a new character, you'll have only five traits – one archetype trait exclusive to the archetype you've chosen and four core traits that every character begins with. Your archetype trait will level automatically as you play with that archetype, so you don't need to do anything with that trait. Instead, let's take a look at the four other core traits and discuss which ones are best to invest in.
Vigor
Vigor improves your overall health, which means you can take more damage before dying. This is likely the most important trait to pump points into, especially when first setting out into the dangerous world of Remnant 2. Enemies hit hard (especially bosses) and you have limited healing options during these opening hours, so you'll need every bit of extra health you can get. It wouldn't hurt to prioritize this trait until you get it to level 10, actually, as you'll be able to get plenty more points as the game progresses, and being able to take a few more hits against the game's first few bosses is immensely helpful. This is even more true for Challengers in team compositions where they'll be tanking and spending a lot of time in melee range.
Endurance
Endurance improves your overall stamina, which will allow you to run and roll more during combat. This is a great option to level up if you're playing a character that is focused on melee, as it will allow you to run more when you get surrounded or roll out of the way of enemy attacks without worrying as much about your stamina meter. For primarily ranged players, though, it's a bit less useful, so you're probably better putting those points elsewhere early on. As with Vigor, though, Challengers will likely benefit most from the trait due to their tendency to be a group's close-quarters combat specialist.
Spirit
Spirit improves your weapon mod power generation. This helps you to earn the ability to use your weapon mods more often in combat, meaning that its usefulness is entirely dependent on how useful your weapon mods are to your build. At the beginning of the game, your weapon mods will be most helpful during boss battles, and you're likely to end them before generating a second use of your mod anyways. Because of this, Spirit is likely better saved for leveling later on so that you can focus on survivability first. Gunslingers, however, are likely to see this as a good option in group settings because they're designed to be a DPS powerhouse.
Expertise
Expertise improves the cooldown speed of your archetype skills. This will aid you in using these skills more frequently, which can be a help against bosses and packs of deadly foes. However, like with Spirit, the usefulness of this trait in the initial few hours of the game is limited due to the already long cooldowns and the speed at which many bosses are likely to fall anyways. While Vigor should still be a priority for most classes, Expertise can be a particularly worthwhile trait for Medics who are playing with a group, as it's vital to keep their healing capabilities available as much as possible.

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The best upcoming PS5 games: 2023, 2024, and beyond
An ominous red portal opens up in a field in the Mortal Kombat 1 trailer.

The PlayStation 5 has been out for some time now, and its reception has been mostly positive. It includes lots of quality-of-life improvements over its predecessor, the PlayStation 4, such as faster load times, a solid-state drive (SSD) instead of a regular hard disk drive (HDD), and an improved controller in the form of the new DualSense. However, a console is only as good as the games available on it, and thankfully, the PS5 has you covered on that front as well.

While the machine already has a worthy library of great PS5 games, there are even more to look forward to, with some releasing as soon as this month, while others are still years away. In the video game world, it's not uncommon to be aware of games that are still several years out from release. It's also normal for a new game to be revealed and launched within just a couple of months. In this comprehensive list, we'll go through the major PS5 releases scheduled for 2023 and speculate on future games.

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PS Plus adds 2021’s ‘Game of the Year’ but loses Stray in July
The main cat from Stray looking into the foreground with cyberpunk buildings behind him

Sony confirmed the next batch of games coming to and leaving its PlayStation Plus Extra and PlayStation Plus Premium game catalogs. There are lots of great new additions, with The Game Awards' 2021 Game of the Year, It Takes Two, headlining the batch, while two Twisted Metal games also arrive ahead of its Peacock TV show. That said, PlayStation Plus' catalog will lose Stray, the viral cat game from July 2022, which was the first day one release on PlayStation Plus Extra.

Here's a complete list of PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium games coming to the service on July 18.

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