10 Best PS5 Games to Play in 2026 — Our Top Picks

Not every memorable PS5 experience needs a dramatic storyline or a final boss. Gran Turismo 7 makes the simple act of learning to drive a little better feel like meaningful progression.

What I find particularly convincing is the way its driving school, license tests, car collection and track challenges appeal to different levels of interest. You can approach it as a car enthusiast discovering vehicles or take the racing much more seriously by improving braking points, cornering and consistency.

I've placed it at number ten because its focus on realistic driving and racing appeals to a more specific audience than the action and adventure games ranked above it. Players who prefer immediate arcade-style excitement may find its progression and attention to driving technique less appealing.

However, for someone interested in cars and racing, I would not hesitate to recommend it ahead of several higher-ranked games.

Sometimes moving through a game's world is enjoyable enough to become a reason to keep playing. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 understands that better than most open-world adventures.

Switching between Peter Parker and Miles Morales creates variety in both combat and storytelling, while the expanded New York setting gives players considerable freedom to move between missions. The Web Wings also make travelling across the city feel different from conventional fast-travel systems.

I think its greatest strength is immediacy. You can return after a few days away and quickly find something entertaining to do without relearning an elaborate set of RPG systems.

The reason I placed it below the larger adventures is that its open-world activities and progression are comparatively familiar. It is an accessible, energetic superhero experience, but it does not offer the same depth of player choice as the strongest RPGs in this shortlist.

Resident Evil Requiem approaches horror from two distinct perspectives, shifting between vulnerable survival and more aggressive, combat-focused encounters.
Grace Ashcroft's sections emphasize vulnerability, investigation and careful management of limited resources. Leon S. Kennedy brings a more combat-oriented approach, creating a contrast between trying to survive danger and being equipped to confront it directly.
That difference is the reason I chose Requiem over simply adding another familiar action-horror recommendation.
The tension is not built around continuous combat. Much of its appeal comes from how differently the player must think when the character, available equipment and immediate objective change.
I would rank it higher for someone specifically looking for a modern survival-horror experience. Its relatively focused campaign and disturbing content make it less broadly suitable than the larger adventures above it, but they also help give the game a stronger identity.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is at its strongest when the journey matters as much as the destination.
Cloud and his companions travel across a series of large environments, with character relationships, exploration and an elaborate combat system sharing the spotlight. Battles combine direct action with tactical decisions, giving players reasons to think about party composition and abilities rather than relying on reflexes alone.
What makes it especially appealing is the attention given to its characters. Their interactions help make the adventure feel personal even as the world and overall stakes grow considerably.
My biggest reservation is its scale. Optional activities and minigames provide variety, but anyone trying to clear every icon and objective may find the pacing uneven.
I would put it considerably higher for players already invested in Final Fantasy VII Remake. For a general PS5 audience, though, its lengthy commitment and narrative continuity make it a more considered purchase.

Ghost of Yōtei takes the familiar appeal of a wandering warrior adventure and gives it a new character, setting and personal conflict.
Atsu's journey across the landscapes surrounding Mount Yōtei is driven by revenge, but the open-world structure allows players to decide how much time they spend pursuing targets, improving equipment and exploring the region.
I think the setting is one of the most persuasive reasons to choose it. The natural environments are not merely background scenery; they contribute to the feeling of travelling through an unfamiliar place while slowly building the abilities needed for difficult encounters.
Its combat also rewards attention to weapons and enemy behaviour, making preparation more meaningful than simply collecting upgrades.
The trade-off is that players who are already tired of large third-person action adventures may recognize some of its underlying structure. Even so, it provides a compelling balance of exploration, character motivation and combat.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 proves that turn-based combat does not have to mean sitting back and watching animations play out.
Combat blends turn-based strategy with real-time defensive actions, requiring players to time their dodges, parries and counterattacks while planning each move. That combination changes the player's relationship with each encounter: choosing the right ability matters, but executing defensive actions can be equally important.
What stood out to me during the comparison is how effectively this design separates Expedition 33 from conventional RPG recommendations. It asks for both strategic thinking and active concentration without abandoning the underlying party-building systems.
The mysterious world, distinctive artistic direction and emotionally focused story give those mechanics a strong narrative setting.
I would hesitate to recommend it to someone who wants a completely relaxed turn-based experience. Players uncomfortable with precise timing may find its combat demanding. For everyone willing to engage with that challenge, however, it offers a particularly memorable RPG structure.

God of War Ragnarök is a reminder that spectacular combat becomes more meaningful when the characters have something worth fighting for.
Kratos and Atreus continue their journey through Norse mythology, with their changing relationship providing the emotional foundation for the adventure. The game also expands the range of enemies, equipment and combat possibilities while retaining the close, deliberate fighting style established in God of War (2018).
What I value most about Ragnarök is the connection between its narrative stakes and the player-facing adventure. Major encounters, quieter conversations and exploration all contribute to the same overarching journey.
It does have a substantial amount of optional content, and the game's pacing will not appeal equally to players who prefer uninterrupted action.
Still, for someone who enjoys strong character development alongside weighty combat, I think Ragnarök remains one of the most convincing recommendations on PS5.

Most role-playing games give players choices. Baldur's Gate 3 is particularly compelling because those decisions can substantially change the situations that follow.
Dialogue, party composition, exploration and tactical combat frequently intersect. Problems may have several possible solutions, and the game encourages players to experiment with character abilities and their surroundings rather than always following an obvious route.
I think this freedom is its biggest advantage over the more cinematic adventures in the shortlist. You are not simply progressing through a predetermined set of encounters; your approach can alter relationships, quests and outcomes.
The compromise is accessibility. Its systems demand patience, and players unfamiliar with tabletop-inspired RPGs may need time to understand the combat rules and character-building options.
For someone who values agency and replayability above immediate action, however, I would consider Baldur's Gate 3 an even stronger purchase than its third-place position might suggest.

Elden Ring makes exploration feel important because the player cannot always predict what waits beyond the next location.
The Lands Between contains dangerous enemies, hidden areas, optional encounters and numerous ways to develop a character. Rather than tightly controlling the route through every challenge, FromSoftware allows players to explore elsewhere, experiment with equipment and return with a different approach.
The more I compared Elden Ring with other large open-world games, the more I valued that freedom. Its world encourages curiosity without making every discovery feel like another item on a checklist.
Combat can be demanding, and the game is often deliberately reluctant to explain everything. That sense of uncertainty is exciting for some players and frustrating for others.
I would rank Elden Ring first for someone who wants difficult encounters, experimentation and genuine exploration. It finishes second here only because its challenge and minimal guidance make it less universally approachable than our top recommendation.

What makes Astro Bot my number-one choice isn't its size or complexity. It's how quickly the game draws you in with responsive controls, imaginative levels and playful mechanics that remain enjoyable throughout the adventure.
Its levels are built around movement, experimentation, playful abilities and a steady introduction of new ideas. The game continually changes what Astro can do, giving each environment a clear personality without forcing players to memorize complicated systems.
I particularly value how closely the experience connects with the PS5 itself. DualSense feedback, imaginative level design and recognizable PlayStation references contribute to a game that feels purpose-built for the console.
It does not offer the narrative complexity of Baldur's Gate 3 or the freedom of Elden Ring. Some optional challenges can also become demanding despite the cheerful presentation.
Yet when I consider accessibility, creativity, pacing and the consistency of its ideas together, Astro Bot becomes my strongest overall recommendation for someone asking what they should play on PS5.