The Best PS5 Games 2022
Two years after the launch of PS5, the console offers enough games to be a tempting option for undecided buyers. In the best PS5 games list below, we present our favorite games released in the last two years.
It took a while for the PS5 game library to really grow. With the retreat of exclusivity, multiplatform games become more popular, and it is no different with PS5. This list includes the games that we still passionately play today. In the selection, we were primarily guided by the quality of the games, but also their popularity among today's players. Below you can find the best PS5 games in 2022.
The last two years may not have been the best for the PS5, but that just means that the best PS5 games are yet to come. In the list below, you'll find plenty of interesting games - from RPGs to action games and platformers. We'll be updating our list on a regular basis so that you can always find the current best PS5 games for 2022 here.
The best PS5 2022 games
- Demon's Souls – one of the best soulslikes - certainly FromSoftware's prettiest game.
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – who doesn't love Ratchet? The best adventure game on PS5 with amazing weapons.
- The Last of Us: Part 1 Remake – a masterpiece of action games with an amazing storyline.
- Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time – we played it 15 years ago, we play it now. Crash is back in a really good game.
- Diablo 2: Resurrected – Diablo 2 returns in a slightly higher resolution than 800x600.
- Destiny 2: Witch Queen – Bungie is still developing Destiny 2 and that's a good thing, because it's a game that's a lot of fun. Online, multiplayer, pve and pvp.
- Dying Light 2 – zombies, parkour and a pretty ok storyline.
- Elden Ring – probably the best soulslike on the market. Open-world.
- Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker – a really good MMO in the Final Fantasy world.
- Genshin Impact – a Chinese game about children who swing big swords.
- Gran Turismo 7 – a classic of racing games.
- Horizon Forbidden West – ahe second part of a new IP from Sony. Huge post-apo map and great combat.
- LEGO Star Wars: Skywalker Saga – Lego and Star Wars - what could go wrong?
- No Man's Sky – currently one of the most interesting games about space exploration. Survival and base building.
- Returnal – roguelike with an interesting story.
- Sifu – kung-fu. A challenging combat.
- Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin – spin-off Final Fantasy. Action game. Not jrpg.
- Tiny Tina's Wonderlands – fun, pretty and a cool spin-off of the Borderlands series.
Demon's Souls
Developer: Bluepoint Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release Date: November 12, 2020
You just can’t talk about best PS5 games 2022 without Demon's Souls initiated the soulslike craze. When the inexperienced Hidetaka Miyazaki took over the project still deep in the development hell, no one expected that From Software would become a regular deliverer of great and well-selling games in a dozen or so years. So, no one was really surprised that Sony chose a remake of this game as one of PlayStation 5 launch titles.
Bluepoint Games studio approached the game with great respect, transferring the production to a new graphics engine, adding support for pretty constant 60 frames per second, improving the basic gameplay, without changing anything else about the original. This obviously allowed seasoned veterans of the series to feel well at home, while also allowing new players to see for themselves where the rage for soulslike began. Despite almost 2 years since the debut, Demon's Souls remains one of the most beautiful productions of this generation of consoles.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release Date: June 11, 2021
If you’re looking for best PS5 games, check Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart. After a fairly strong launch, PlayStation 5 entered some pretty lean months. Due to the pandemic, a significant number of games became postponed. The first half of 2021 among exclusive titles was thrust by Returnal. A while later, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart joined this noble club and immediately showed that it deserved the title of the best 3D platformer, the best looking-game, and a hit of 2021.
Following up on the events of the last installment (on PlayStation 3), Ratchet, fighting his eternal enemy, Dr. Nefarious, accidentally destroys the machine for interdimensional travel. The instability of the multiverse sends him to an alternate dimension, where he meets his female counterpart – Rivet. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart remains faithful to the established mechanics, expanding them with gaps that we use to travel between dimensions. You won't get a better platformer on PS5, certainly not one that offers such phenomenal graphics.
The Last of Us: Part 1 Remake
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release Date: September 2, 2022
Well, The Last of Us 1 is the best PS3 game, the best PS4 game and now it’s also one of the best PS5 games. Remaking a game less than ten years after its release makes questionable sense. The facts, however, are that in this case, Naughty Dog decided to refresh a game that changed electronic entertainment industry forever. The story of Joel and Ellie is one to remember, and such a well-written story in a high-budget Western game can be hardly found elsewhere.
The slight change of title in the PlayStation 5 remake is primarily followed by graphic updates. The Last of Us: Part 1 now runs on the sequel engine, offers much more accurate character models, renewed locations with rebuilt lighting. In addition, a lot of the quality-of-life improvements from the sequel have been moved to this edition as well. If you haven't had the chance to play The Last of Us so far, the remake will be your best choice. What about the people who have already played it? Well, the biggest fans will definitely want to try it, right?
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
Developer: Toys for Bob
Publisher: Activision
Release Date: October 2, 2020
22 years separate the third (Crash Bandicoot: Warped) and the full-fledged, fourth installment of the Crash Bandicoot series. If not for the 2017 remake of the PlayStation trilogy, fans could have been concerned about the brand ever coming back. Fortunately, Vicarious Visions showed they knew what they were doing, as did Toys for Bob, which took the baton and brought a phenomenal game to the market under the name Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is faithful to the original, bringing some useful changes. The levels are longer, more extensive and offer more variety. There are new powers at Crash's disposal as well. In addition to the title Jamray, we can also play as Dr. Neo Cortex, Dingodil or Crash's former girlfriend – Tawna. The title is currently available on PS Plus Essential subscription, so I encourage you to check it out yourself. But yeah, we know – it's an old game but still it's one of the best PS5 games out there.
Diablo 2: Resurrected
Developer: Vicarious Visions
Publisher: Activision Blizzard
Release Date: September 23, 2021
The trend of bringing old IPs back to grace is nothing new in pop culture. However, video games only recently started taking more advantage of it, effecting in increasingly high-quality remasters and reboots. The remake of Diablo 2, a genre-defining, cult classic, withstood the pressure of expectations and made me feel like a teenager again, cracking demonic cows for hours on end on the Moo Moo Farm.
Diablo 2: Resurrected is a role model for not only refreshed games, but also the entire hack'n'slash genre. Over the years, other studios have struggled to mimic Blizzard's magic. Everything worked almost perfectly. The atmosphere of the game, the available character classes, the gameplay loop, thanks to which killing the same boss a hundred times over, hoping that this time we will get the item we need. Additionally, Vicarious Visions constantly develops the game. They add seasons, new runic words, and QOL options to improve gameplay. So yes, if you’re looking for the best PS5 games out there, Diablo 2 Resurrected is one of them.
Destiny 2: Witch Queen
Developer: Bungie
Publisher: Bungie
Release Date: February 22, 2022
New and one of the best PS5 games. Playstation 5 is the console for many multiplatform titles and Destiny 2 has come a long way since its release in 2017. From wasted potential, to an impressive return to top performance with the addition of Forsaken, to the strange state of suspension in subsequent expansions. Witch Queen is the first expansion that introduces us to the inevitable clash with the Darkness. Like previous DLCs, the developers added new locations, activities and weapons to obtain.
Bungie managed to create a game that, despite years going by, still has the power to attract players new and old. Arguably the best thing about the game is the sublime gunplay – it's definitely among the best shooters available. A slew of activities, even after some of them were removed, make it a production for tens, if not hundreds of hours.
Dying Light 2
Developer: Techland Games
Publisher: Techland
Release Date: February 4, 2022
After years of development and several delays, Dying Light 2 arrived in February this year. Expectations for the game were high despite earlier rumors about production problems. Fortunately, the title met the expectations of fans who were hoping for more thrilling parkour in zombie-infested city, improved gameplay and better storyline. The action is set 20 years after the first installment, so you don't need to know the original story. Improved parkour, new gadgets and better combat took the series a level higher.
Despite some technical problems on release, new updates have been published from the very beginning, successfully eliminating errors and adding new content. The first story DLC is also bound to appear in the coming weeks, expanding the story with new plots and locations. If we take into account the fact that the first installment of Dying Light received new content even 8 years after its release, Dying Light 2 has a long life ahead of it.
Elden Ring
Developer: FromSoftware
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release Date: February 25, 2022
Definitely the best game of the year so far and a strong candidate for the title of the best game of this generation! FromSoftware developed the idea of soulslike by throwing it into fully open world. Before the release, the title was surrounded by some doubts whether the magic of this genre will not be diluted by this decision. Fortunately, the studio managed to create a huge, beautiful world full of secrets and hidden locations.
The gameplay in Elden Ring hasn't changed that much compared to the Dark Souls series, although it should be noted that the ability to jump and horse riding significantly boosted the formula. The game also boasts the toughest bosses from all games in FromSoftware's portfolio, which is just an additional incentive to check it out. There are at least several dozen hours of fun waiting for those willing to take the challenge.
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
Developer: Square Enix Creative Business Unit III
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: December 4, 2021
The ever-growing popularity of Final Fantasy XIV may come as a surprise to some. It is true, however, that the production, which was built on the ashes of the original FF XIV in 2010, gained more players each year with successive expansions. It only took the release of Shadowbringers – and the pandemic – to let the game break out to the mainstream.
The latest expansion, Endwalker, concluded the story of the Warrior of Light and mysterious Ascians that had been stretching from the beginning of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. The story became truly epic, surpassing even the level of Shadowbringers. The new character classes perfectly fit the existing content, and new elements provided players with dozens of hours of fun. Despite the requirement to pay a monthly subscription, the content of the game makes it worth spending a dozen bucks each month.
Genshin Impact
Developer: MiHoYo
Publisher: MiHoYo
Release Date: April 28, 2021
One of the biggest phenomenons of this generation will soon be celebrating its second birthday. However, Genshin Impact appeared on PlayStation 5 in April last year and has remained at the top of the most-played list on Sony console. Not surprisingly, considering the fact that this game is completely free, it offers a gigantic world and a lot of content waiting to be explored. In addition, the ability to play both on PC and mobile encourages playing the game for longer.
Already at launch on PS5, Genshin Impact had several regions waiting to be explored, and since then the game has received more updates supplementing the game with new characters, quests and events. There are new products every few weeks, which means that the title is constantly evolving. If you're looking for a free game that's really engaging and offers high production values, then you couldn't have found a better place. Even the typical gacha aspects don't make the game ignorable.
Gran Turismo 7
Developer: Polyphony Digital
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release Date: March 4, 2022
The seventh installment of the Gran Turismo series didn't keep PS5 owners waiting for too long. Even despite a slight delay (the game was originally supposed to appear in 2021). After the criticism that fell on Polyphony Digital following the launch of GT Sport, Gran Turismo 7 offers extensive single-player modes from the very beginning. The classic campaign is back with lots of races and challenges, and typically for this series – licenses that teach us how to drive a car. All this is connected by an extensive encyclopedia devoted to motorsport.
The gameplay has taken a step forward, though it still upholds a neat balance between simulation and arcade driving model. The simcade, as this particular gameplay fomula was dubbed, works perfectly for Gran Turismo 7. The game offers a low entry threshold and anyone can enjoy the content of this production, while the most passionate players can master it, breaking their own records and competing over the network in the Sport mode. Continuous support from the developers is an assurance that GT7 will be alive for the next year or so.
Horizon Forbidden West
Developer: Guerrilla Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release Date: February 18, 2022
The Guerrilla Games team, having abandoned the Killzone brand and focused on the RPG genre, surprised many with the debut of their new IP. Horizon Zero Dawn turned out to be quite a success and despite some shortcomings, the players liked it. Continuation in the form of Horizon Forbidden West develops the series not only on the narrative side, but, above all, gameplay-wise. The technical layer also made a solid leap in quality, and despite the fact that the game was also created with PS4 in mind, it can delight with the graphics.
Where predecessor failed, Horizon Forbidden West made the necessary corrections. The facial expressions aren't scary anymore, Aloy moves more responsively, side quests are much more interesting and keep pace with the main story. The main novelty are flying creatures and the ability to dive, which expands the larger game world with many new nooks and crannies. Also, the combat system, which was already a lot of fun in the predecessor, has been given some additional touches, so that hand-to-hand combat makes as much sense as using ranged weapons and traps. In a single sentence – a successful sequel worth the price.
LEGO Star Wars: Skywalker Saga
Developer: Traveller's Tales
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
Release Date: April 5, 2022
When creating the new version of the LEGO series, the Traveller's Tales team decided to reach for the roots and take the Star Wars IP back to the drawing board. This time, however, instead of breaking the saga into individual episodes, all nine films were combined in one game that also took care to update the formula, which was already becoming outdated.
It worked perfectly. Not only is LEGO Star Wars: Skywalker Saga the fastest-selling title in the entire series, but it has also received a very warm reception from reviewers and the players themselves. The enormity of the content makes the production ideally suited to the modern trends of games with an open or semi-open world, able to keep the players engaged for several dozen hours.
No Man's Sky
Developer: Hello Games
Publisher: Hello Games
Release Date: November 12, 2020
After FF XIV, No Man's Sky is the second best example that you should not write a game off even despite the most botched release. When the game debuted on PlayStation 4, the small Hello Games studio fell under a flak of harsh criticism, providing an overall ambitious, but heavily underdeveloped title. The developers, however, didn't give up and, in the sweat of their brow, initially fixing bugs, and then expanding their title with new options along with new (most importantly) free add-ons.
After the premiere, the options for traveling between galaxies were expanded, the survival mode was added, the possibilities of building bases were enhanced, the flora and fauna became more diverse, and missions added some storylines. The project was also developed in technical support, including the introduction of VR support, better graphics and sound, and with its debut on PS5 – the title rose even higher, offering more novelties. At the moment, it's the best game telling about the cosmos, its infinite possibilities and the freedom it gives.
Returnal
Developer: Housemarque
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release Date: April 30, 2021
According to Housemarque, Returnal is the result of almost 30 years of experience in the production of arcade games. Before the release of this production, the Finnish studio was famous for smaller titles that treated the plot rudimentarily, focusing on making the gameplay simpler, while keeping it engaging and fun to master. Returnal was a step towards AAA and, as the reviews, awards and player feedback have all shown – it was an extremely successful one.
The combination of roguelite with arcade gameplay turned out an excellent idea. Support from Sony allowed for the creation of an impressive audiovisual setting, and thanks to the studio's new approach, the storyline is highly engaging and full of secrets. After the release, the updates came, introducing, among others the option to pause the game (as requested by the players), and a few months ago, a free expansion added co-op gameplay mode to the main campaign, along with a completely new mode – Tower of Sisyphus.
Sifu
Developer: Sloclap
Publisher: Sloclap
Release Date: Fabruary 8, 2022
Sifu is another independent game that managed to combine two, seemingly distant genres. Roguelite elements have been added to the classic beat 'em up formula, and this combination is the core of the game. In the game, we play as a Chinese master of martial arts who takes avenges his father's death. By winning successive fights with increasing numbers of opponents, we slowly creep towards discovering the truth. When we die, the magic amulet resurrects the hero, allowing him to start over, but also making him older in the process, which translates, on the one hand, into stronger attacks, and on the other – lower health.
This particular gimmick/element made Sifu a game that appealed to thousands upon thousands of players. It's up to us whether we go head-on and finish the game as an old sage who can die from one hit, or as a tough, inexperienced youngster. The game also boasts an interesting combat system, atmosphere and story. Shortly after its premiere, the title could boast over a million copies sold. Also after the release, a patch allowing to select an easier level of difficulty appeared.
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
Developer: Team Ninja
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: March 18, 2022
The announcement of Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin seemed to have buried the title for good. The video material gave rise to a multitude of ridiculous memes. The title itself didn't look too impressive, and even Nioh series co-creators present on the credits list were not able to reverse the opinions of players. Fortunately, the closer it got to the release, the better shape the game took, to finally surprise us by becoming a solid candidate for the title of the dark horse of 2022.
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin builds the core of the gameplay around the soulslike genre, mixing it, like the aforementioned Nioh series, with a dynamic combat system. What distinguishes the production from the competition is a system of classes unique to the Final Fantasy brand, which we can change on-the-fly. This makes the combat constantly riveting and the hours of grinding to get better equipment are really pleasant. The is also a big surprise, as at the beginning it seemed that it would be rudimentary at best, yet it maintains even level and is able to surprise you with a plot twist at the end.
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands
Developer: Gearbox Software
Publisher: 2K Games
Release Date: March 25, 2022
In order not to "exhaust" people in a short time with the next installment of the Borderlands series, Gearbox decided to release a spin-off focusing on the character of Tina Tina and her love for board games from the Dungeons & Dragons series. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, however, doesn't change the core of the gameplay, and it's still a looter shooter filled with absurd humor, dripping with content for single and multiplayer (co-op included).
What has changed is the character class system, which allows for greater possibilities of matching a given hero to your own style of play. We also develop characters using special points. For the first time in the series, we can use the class of melee weapons and spells that fit into the general theme of this production. Like Borderlands 3, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands will receive post-release support, providing new stories, levels and items, so that the title will stay alive and if we decide to buy it even in a year, we should find people still willing to play.
Paul Musiolik | Gamepressure.com