Six years into the PlayStation 5 era, the console has matured into a true powerhouse of next-gen gaming. Its library now offers a staggering range of experiences: cinematic adventures that feel like Hollywood films, chaotic shooters that test your reflexes, sprawling RPGs that let you live out epic fantasies, and playful platformers that remind you why games are fun in the first place.
If you’ve been on the fence about diving into the PS5 ecosystem, or you’re a long-time owner looking for the games that define 2026, you’re in the right place. These 10 titles are some of the must-play experiences, each pushing the boundaries of storytelling, gameplay, and immersion.
Here are the best PlayStation 5 games to play in 2026:
Emmanuel Umahi
1. Ghost of Yotei
Studio/Developer: Studio Arashi
Genre: Action-Adventure/Historical Samurai
Plot & Setting: Step into the snow-covered mountains of Japan as Atsu, a samurai whose clan has been betrayed and destroyed. Fuelled by vengeance and honour, you’ll traverse frozen forests, war-torn villages, and stunning mountain temples in a story that grips from start to finish. The narrative weaves personal tragedy, political intrigue, and intense duels, making you feel every sword strike and every moral choice.
Game Structure: 12 cinematic chapters with linear storytelling but rich optional side quests. Multiple endings ensure replayability, and branching combat paths let you tackle encounters in creative ways.
2. Astro Bot
Studio/Developer: Japan Studio/Team Asobi
Genre: 3D Platformer
Plot & Setting: Who said platformers couldn’t be joyful and heartwarming? Astro Bot puts you in control of a tiny robot trying to rescue his lost crew across worlds bursting with imagination. From lush jungles to futuristic space stations, every level is filled with quirky enemies, clever puzzles, and surprise mechanics. The game radiates personality in every frame, combining humour and charm with inventive level design.
Game Structure: 5 worlds, roughly 10 levels per world, mostly linear. Hidden collectables, bonus stages, and mini-games boost replay value, ensuring there’s always something new to discover.
3. Baldur’s Gate 3
Studio/Developer: Larian Studios
Genre: RPG/Turn-Based Strategy
Plot & Setting: Set in the legendary Forgotten Realms, Baldur’s Gate 3 lets you step into a world of magic, monsters, and moral dilemmas. Your choices determine your allies, your battles, and the fate of entire regions. Every encounter whether a tense negotiation, a brutal fight, or an exploration of ancient ruins can end differently depending on your decisions. It’s a Dungeons & Dragons adventure brought vividly to life.
Game Structure: Open-world exploration with 20+ story-driven acts. Branching dialogue, multiple endings, and replayable combat encounters make each play-through unique and deeply personal.
4. Returnal
Studio/Developer: Housemarque
Genre: Roguelike/Third-Person Shooter
Plot & Setting: On the hostile alien planet Atropos, you play Selene, an interstellar explorer caught in a mysterious time loop. Every death reshapes the world, revealing more of the planet’s secrets while constantly keeping you on edge. The narrative blends horror, sci-fi, and personal story arcs as you piece together Selene’s past while fighting for survival.
Game Structure: Procedurally generated biomes across 10+ zones. Linear missions reset with every death, but each run offers new challenges and insights, creating intense replayability for strategy-minded players.
5. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Studio/Developer: Insomniac Games
Genre: Action/Platformer
Plot & Setting: In this dimension-hopping adventure, Ratchet and Clank chase a villain who threatens the multiverse. From futuristic cityscapes to lush alien jungles, every world is alive with colour, humour, and creative enemies. The story balances heartfelt moments with cartoonish chaos, making it one of the most visually stunning and playful PS5 adventures.
Game Structure: 20+ levels across five visually distinct worlds. Mostly linear but with optional collectables, mini-bosses, and weapon upgrades that encourage replaying stages for mastery.
6. Death Stranding 2
Studio/Developer: Kojima Productions
Genre: Action/Open-World/Adventure
Plot & Setting: Sam Bridges returns in an apocalyptic Australia, tasked with reconnecting isolated societies while protecting a kidnapped Bridge Baby. The landscapes are hauntingly beautiful deserts, mountains, and urban ruins and every delivery, every encounter, reveals more of the game’s strange, metaphysical narrative. Kojima blends story and gameplay into a singular, surreal experience.
Game Structure: Open-world with 15 main missions and dozens of optional side deliveries. Exploration, hidden collectables, and narrative choices boost replayability and reward curiosity.
7. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Studio/Developer: Luminous Studios
Genre: RPG/Adventure
Plot & Setting: Set in a Belle Époque-inspired fantasy world, heroes face a cruel god threatening the realm. From opulent city streets to mystical forests and perilous courts, the story combines epic battles with intimate character moments. Every choice impacts your party, the world, and the unfolding drama, making each journey feel personal.
Game Structure: 10 chapters with 40+ quests. A semi-open world allows exploration while maintaining story focus. Multiple endings and branching narratives make replayability a core feature.
8. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Studio/Developer: Square Enix
Genre: RPG/Action
Plot & Setting: Cloud Strife returns alongside his companions in a reimagined adventure spanning Midgar and beyond. This game blends classic turn-based combat with real-time mechanics, creating a modernised experience that still honours its iconic story. Fans will find old favourites alongside brand-new characters and locations, making it both nostalgic and fresh.
Game Structure: 15 chapters with a linear main story but open areas for exploration. Side quests, collectables, and alternate story paths ensure each play-through feels unique.
9. ARC Raiders
Studio/Developer: Embark Interactive
Genre: Co-op Shooter/Sci-Fi
Plot & Setting: On a ruined Earth, you and a team of players battle rogue robots, loot resources, and navigate post-apocalyptic cities. Every raid blends chaos and strategy, forcing you to balance teamwork, survival, and high-stakes action. It’s a fast-paced co-op experience that rewards both planning and improvisation. Game Structure: 10 main missions per campaign. Open zones with side objectives, loot opportunities, and co-op mechanics provide huge replay value.
10. God of War Ragnarök
Studio/Developer: Santa Monica Studio
Genre: Action/Adventure/Mythology
Plot & Setting: Kratos and Atreus return to traverse frozen Norse realms and battle mythic monsters while uncovering the fate of the gods. The story combines intimate father-son dynamics with world-spanning epic events, offering one of the most cinematic PS5 experiences available.
Game Structure: 15+ main missions across multiple realms. Linear with optional side quests, collectables, and difficulty modes that reward mastery.
Emmanuel Umahi
