PS5 Essential: The Must-Have Games That Define Next-Gen Gaming
When Sony launched the PlayStation 5, it wasn’t just unveiling a new console — it was redefining what immersive, next-generation gaming could feel like. With lightning-fast SSD load times, haptic feedback that makes every raindrop and explosion palpable, and 3D audio that wraps around you like a cinematic blanket, the PS5 promised an evolution. But hardware alone doesn’t make a generation. It’s the games — the experiences — that turn a powerful machine into a cultural phenomenon. That’s where PS5 essential comes in: not as a buzzword, but as a curated list of titles that must be in your library to truly understand what this console is capable of.
Whether you’re a veteran gamer upgrading from PS4 or a newcomer drawn in by the sleek white curves of Sony’s latest, knowing which games exemplify the PS5 essential experience is crucial. These aren’t just popular titles — they’re games that leverage the console’s unique capabilities, push creative boundaries, and deliver unforgettable moments that only this generation can offer.
What Makes a Game “PS5 Essential”?
Before diving into the list, let’s define our criteria. A PS5 essential title must:
- Utilize PS5-specific features — DualSense haptics, adaptive triggers, 3D audio, or SSD speed.
- Deliver a transformative experience — Whether through narrative, gameplay innovation, or visual fidelity.
- Be exclusive or significantly enhanced on PS5 — Multiplatform games are included only if the PS5 version is definitive.
This isn’t about popularity charts — it’s about impact. And with that, let’s explore the games that belong in every PS5 owner’s collection.
1. Demon’s Souls (2020) — The Rebirth of a Legend
Bluepoint Games didn’t just remaster Demon’s Souls — they resurrected it in 4K glory, with ray-traced lighting, silky 60fps performance, and environmental audio that makes every clang of steel echo through stone corridors. This is more than nostalgia; it’s a showcase of how the PS5 can breathe new life into classics.
The DualSense controller adds texture to every action: you feel the tension in your trigger as you draw a bow, the crunch of gravel underfoot, even the weight of your armor slowing your steps. For newcomers, it’s a brutal but beautiful introduction to Soulsborne gameplay. For veterans, it’s a homecoming — refined, elevated, and utterly essential.
Case in point: The Tower of Latria level, once a murky, disorienting nightmare, now pulses with eerie ambiance thanks to 3D audio. You hear enemies whispering from above before you see them — a terrifying advantage only the PS5 can deliver.
2. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart — A Technical Marvel
Insomniac’s interdimensional adventure isn’t just pretty — it’s impossible on last-gen hardware. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart uses the PS5’s SSD to enable instantaneous world-hopping. One moment you’re in a neon-lit metropolis, the next you’re leaping into a desert wasteland — without a loading screen. It’s seamless, stunning, and surreal.
Beyond tech, it’s a masterclass in character-driven storytelling and inventive weaponry. The adaptive triggers let you toggle between firing modes on weapons like the Enforcer or the Topiary Sprinkler — a small touch that deepens immersion. And let’s not forget Rivet — the new Lombax heroine who instantly became a fan favorite.
This game doesn’t just use the PS5 — it celebrates it.
3. Returnal — Roguelike Meets Psychological Horror
Housemarque’s Returnal is where the PS5 essential label earns its weight. It blends roguelike mechanics with a haunting, time-loop narrative set on an alien planet that reshapes itself with every death. The result? A game that’s punishing, poetic, and profoundly atmospheric.
The DualSense turns every weapon into a tactile experience — from the kickback of the Spitmaw Blaster to the charged hum of the Electropylon Driver. Raindrops patter across the controller as you explore, and enemy screeches vibrate with unsettling precision. Combined with 3D audio that lets you pinpoint threats behind you, Returnal turns your living room into a battlefield of senses.
It’s not for the faint of heart — but for those who crave intensity, innovation, and artistry, it’s non-negotiable.
4. Horizon Forbidden West — Open World Perfected
Guerrilla Games didn’t just expand Aloy’s world — they reimagined it. Horizon Forbidden West offers one of the most visually breathtaking open worlds ever created, teeming with mechanical beasts, lush ecosystems, and ancient ruins begging to be explored.
The PS5 enhancements are subtle but significant: near-instant fast travel, richer foliage density, and dynamic weather that responds to your movement. Climbing a Tallneck feels more tactile thanks to adaptive triggers, while the haptics simulate the scrape of metal claws against rock.
What elevates it beyond spectacle is its emotional core. Aloy’s journey — grappling with legacy, loss, and survival — resonates because the world feels alive. This isn’t just an open-world game; it’s an essential evolution of the genre.
5. Final Fantasy XVI — Cinematic Storytelling at Its Peak
Though multiplatform, Final Fantasy XVI’s PS5 version is