Best PS5 Games (2026)

TL;DR

• Best overall: Elden Ring — $39.99 (as of 11/06/2026 14:10 UTC - Details) · Check price on Amazon
• Best value: Hades II — see store.playstation.com

Three outlets keep a current best-PS5 list, and they agree on the top of the platform. IGN's top 25 puts Elden Ring first, Baldur's Gate 3 second, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 third, God of War Ragnarok fourth, Hades II fifth and Astro Bot sixth. [src2] GamesRadar+'s top 30 has Astro Bot first, Elden Ring second, God of War Ragnarok third and Baldur's Gate 3 fifth. [src1] TechRadar's 42-game list is not ranked; it includes Elden Ring, Astro Bot, God of War Ragnarok and Baldur's Gate 3. [src3] On Metacritic's PS5 scores, Elden Ring and Baldur's Gate 3 lead at 96, ahead of Astro Bot, God of War Ragnarok and Hades II at 94. [src4]

Elden Ring is the top pick because it is first or second on both ranked lists and level-highest on Metacritic. Baldur's Gate 3, which this card did not compare before, is added: it was the only game in the top ten of both IGN's and GamesRadar+'s lists that was missing. [src1, src2, src4]

2026 has been a strong year on PS5 without producing a new No. 1. Hades II reached PS5 on April 14, 2026 and has the year's highest PS5 Metascore (94), but IGN dates its first release to 2024, so it is this card's value pick rather than its new release. [src5, src2] Of the games first released in 2026, Resident Evil Requiem (89) has the best Metascore among those on at least two of the three lists. GamesRadar+ ranks Nioh 3 higher (11th, against Requiem's 15th), and IGN's top 25 includes four 2026 games, led by Onimusha: Way of the Sword in 15th; TechRadar names Onimusha in its current top three. [src1, src2, src3, src5] Saros (87), 007 First Light (87) and Pragmata (85) are each on two lists. [src1, src2, src3, src5] Marvel's Wolverine launched on September 15, 2026 with a PS5 Metascore of 75, with 63% of its critic reviews positive. [src18, src19] None of the three lists includes it.

Five more games are on all three lists but are not compared here: Resident Evil 4, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and Ghost of Yōtei, which GamesRadar+ and IGN both describe as a PS5 exclusive. [src1, src2, src3]

Still to come: Grand Theft Auto VI arrives on PS5 on November 19, 2026, and Forza Horizon 6, out on Xbox and PC since May 19, 2026, reaches PS5 on January 26, 2027. [src20, src21, src22]

Top Pick: Elden Ring (no purchasable offer at Amazon in our checks through 2026-10-09) — Check price

IGN ranks FromSoftware's open-world action RPG the best game on PS5 and calls it "a fantastic starting point for seeing what the 'Souls' genre is all about": its open world lets you walk away from a boss you are stuck on, and IGN says the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has since kicked it up a notch. [src2] GamesRadar+ ranks it second, behind only Astro Bot, and calls it one of the best open-world games of the modern era, while warning that it "can be exceptionally punishing" and is not for everybody; it lists Elden Ring as not PS5 Pro Enhanced. [src1] TechRadar includes it and says no prior knowledge of the genre is required. [src3] Its PS5 Metascore of 96 is the platform's highest, level with Baldur's Gate 3, and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion scores 94. [src4] Availability: the Amazon listing we link had no purchasable offer in our last three daily checks, through 2026-10-09. That is an availability note, not a change to the ranking. Best you can buy today: the same game from the PlayStation Store, which listed the Standard Edition (PS4 & PS5) at $59.99 when we checked on 2026-10-10; the Shadow of the Erdtree Edition, which adds the expansion, was $79.99. [src6]

Best Value: Hades II — Check price

IGN ranks Supergiant Games' roguelike fifth of all PS5 games: the original Hades "defined what a modern action roguelite could be, and the sequel miraculously managed to be even better". IGN singles out the choice of two separate paths at the start of each of Melinoë's runs and a voice cast it calls near-unparalleled. [src2] GamesRadar+ ranks it 20th and calls it "a bigger, better roguelike experience", although its reviewer found that it "occasionally stretches itself too thin". [src1] It reached PS5 on April 14, 2026, and its PS5 Metascore of 94 is the highest of any PS5 release this year; that score rests on 11 critic reviews. [src5, src17] IGN dates its first release to May 2024, which is why it is the value pick here rather than the new release. [src2] The PlayStation Store listed it at $29.99 when we checked on 2026-10-10; we link that digital version. [src7]

Best Exclusive: Astro Bot — Check price

GamesRadar+ ranks Team Asobi's platformer the best PS5 game of all: "movement is perfectly weighted and challenge carefully calculated", and it is "one of the best system showcases that the PS5 has to offer". [src1] IGN ranks it sixth, says it "can easily go toe-to-toe with games like Super Mario Odyssey", and finds that few other games use the DualSense's haptics as well. [src2] TechRadar includes it. [src3] Metacritic lists it on PS5 only, with a Metascore of 94. [src9] Availability: in our check on 2026-10-09, the Amazon listing we link was in stock only from a marketplace seller, with low stock.

Best New Release: Resident Evil Requiem — Check price

Capcom's 2026 Resident Evil splits its campaign between newcomer Grace, whose sections play as horror, and a returning Leon Kennedy, whose sections play as action; you can play from a first- or third-person view. GamesRadar+ ranks it 15th of all PS5 games, and its reviewer calls it "the most cinematic, bloody, surprisingly emotional moment for the franchise to-date". [src1] TechRadar calls it "a blast" that combines the slow-build horror of Resident Evil 7 with the action of Resident Evil 4, and says Grace's opening hospital section is among "the finest hours of Resident Evil the series has ever seen". [src3] Its PS5 Metascore is 89. [src16] It released on February 27, 2026. [src5] Availability: in stock from Amazon.com in our check on 2026-10-09. The listing we link is Amazon's exclusive edition of the game.

Best RPG: Baldur's Gate 3 — Check price

IGN ranks Larian Studios' Dungeons & Dragons RPG second of all PS5 games. It warns that the tactical combat can be quite intimidating to get into, but says that once you do, "you're in for over 100 hours of all-thriller, no-filler questing", and that "even when holding a controller, it's one of the best times you can have on a PS5". [src2] GamesRadar+ ranks it fifth, calls it "the best RPG of the generation", warns it will consume your spare time, and lists it as not PS5 Pro Enhanced. [src1] TechRadar calls it "simply one of the best RPGs you can play on PS5". [src3] Its PS5 Metascore of 96 ties Elden Ring for the platform's highest. [src4] We link the PlayStation Store, which listed it at $69.99 when we checked on 2026-10-10. [src8]

Best Action-Adventure: God of War Ragnarok — Check price

GamesRadar+ ranks Santa Monica Studio's Norse sequel third and calls it "a must-play; a staggering spectacle". [src1] IGN ranks it fourth and calls it "hands down one of the easiest games to recommend to anyone asking what they should play first on their PS5": combat that rewards precision but works even if you use a fraction of the moves, though some may take issue with the pacing of quieter parts. [src2] TechRadar credits its emotive narrative and clever evolutions to combat. [src3] Its PS5 Metascore is 94. [src4]

Best Turn-Based RPG: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Check price

IGN ranks Sandfall Interactive's debut third of all PS5 games: an ode to Final Fantasy of the past whose turn-based battles add real-time dodges, parries and button combos, and which swept "every award going" in 2025. [src2] GamesRadar+ ranks it 23rd, and its reviewer calls it "an outstanding visionary debut". [src1] TechRadar calls it "an unbelievable game" and "surely one of the best looking games ever made". [src3] Its PS5 Metascore is 92. [src4]

Best JRPG: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — Check price

IGN ranks it ninth: a 70- to 80-hour middle chapter of Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy that "hits hard, even if you never touched the 1997 classic", with Synergy abilities adding tactical layers to its real-time combat. [src2] GamesRadar+ ranks it 14th and suggests playing Final Fantasy VII Remake first. [src1] TechRadar points to its hundreds of side activities. [src3] Its PS5 Metascore is 92, and it is now also on PC, Xbox Series X and Switch 2. [src12]

Best Superhero Game: Marvel's Spider-Man 2 — Check price

GamesRadar+ ranks Insomniac Games' sequel seventh; you switch between Peter Parker and Miles Morales as you swing across New York, and its reviewer calls it "the quintessential superhero game". [src1] IGN ranks it 17th and credits its near-instant load times and fast travel. [src2] TechRadar calls it "the definitive PlayStation superhero experience". [src3] Its PS5 Metascore is 90, and it is also on PC. [src11]

Best Hunting Game: Monster Hunter Wilds — Check price

TechRadar includes Capcom's hunting game as the series' most accessible entry yet: a seamless open world, combat reworked across all 14 weapons, and two weapons per hunt. [src3] It is on neither GamesRadar+'s nor IGN's list. Its PS5 Metascore is 88, and it is also on PC, Xbox Series X and Switch 2. [src13]

Best Stealth Action: 007 First Light — Check price

IGN ranks IO Interactive's James Bond origin story 23rd and calls it "the best translation of a Bond movie into a video game to date. Yes, even better than GoldenEye." [src2] TechRadar says the Hitman studio's DNA shows in semi-linear missions with "tons of options to progress", whether you prefer shootouts or espionage. [src3] It released on May 27, 2026, and its PS5 Metascore is 87. [src5] The listing we link is the Specialist Edition.

Best New Exclusive: Saros — Check price

GamesRadar+ ranks Housemarque's 2026 roguelike shooter 28th, praising its solid 60fps and DualSense haptics; its reviewer calls it "a lean fusion of sci-fi action and eldritch horror" that broadens the appeal of Returnal. Each death makes you stronger through permanent progression. [src1] TechRadar: "If you loved Returnal, you'll love Saros, too." [src3] It released on April 30, 2026, Metacritic lists it on PS5 only, and its Metascore is 87. [src5, src10]

Saros's Predecessor: Returnal — Check price

GamesRadar+ and IGN both rank Housemarque's 2021 roguelike shooter 16th. GamesRadar+ says "there's still nothing quite like Returnal available on the platform" and calls it deliberately challenging. [src1] IGN says the inability to suspend a run held it back at release, "but that issue has since been patched". [src2] Its PS5 Metascore is 86, and it is also on PC. [src14]

Best Sci-Fi New IP: Pragmata — Check price

GamesRadar+ ranks Capcom's 2026 shooter 30th and calls it "an innovative take on the third-person shooter": android Diana hacks enemies open for engineer Hugh to shoot. [src1] TechRadar describes the hacking as "a clever arcade-like minigame". [src3] It released on April 17, 2026, and its PS5 Metascore is 85. [src5]

Best Multiplayer: Helldivers 2 — Check price

GamesRadar+ ranks Arrowhead's squad shooter 21st and calls it "undoubtedly one of the best PS5 multiplayer games of the generation", best with up to three friends and with crossplay. [src1] IGN also ranks it 21st and notes that new updates keep landing regularly. [src2] TechRadar says its Starship Troopers comparisons are fair. [src3] Its PS5 Metascore is 82, and it is also on PC and Xbox Series X. [src15]

Head-to-Head Comparisons

Elden Ring vs Baldur's Gate 3

Both score 96 on PS5. [src4] IGN ranks Elden Ring first and Baldur's Gate 3 second; GamesRadar+ ranks them second and fifth. [src2, src1] Elden Ring is real-time action that GamesRadar+ warns can be exceptionally punishing; Baldur's Gate 3 is a choice-driven Dungeons & Dragons RPG whose tactical combat IGN says can be quite intimidating to get into. [src1, src2]

Pick Elden Ring if: you want exploration and real-time combat that rewards persistence.
Pick Baldur's Gate 3 if: you want a story shaped by your choices and tactical combat, and you have 100-plus hours to give it.

Elden Ring vs God of War Ragnarok

Elden Ring (96) is an open world you can tackle in any order, and GamesRadar+ warns it can be exceptionally punishing. God of War Ragnarok (94) is a directed, cinematic adventure that IGN calls one of the easiest PS5 games to recommend, with combat that works even if you use a fraction of its moves. [src1, src2, src4]

Pick Elden Ring if: you want open-world freedom and difficult combat.
Pick God of War Ragnarok if: you want a directed story and a gentler difficulty curve.

Resident Evil Requiem vs Saros

Both are 2026 releases. Resident Evil Requiem (89) is a story-led survival-horror campaign split between Grace's horror and Leon's action. [src1, src3, src16] Saros (87) is a roguelike shooter in which each death makes you stronger, and it is PS5-only. [src1, src10] GamesRadar+ ranks Requiem 15th and Saros 28th. [src1]

Pick Resident Evil Requiem if: you want a cinematic horror story.
Pick Saros if: you want replayable runs with permanent progression.

Astro Bot vs Returnal

Two PS5 showcases with opposite moods. Astro Bot (94) is a charming 3D platformer with carefully calculated challenge; Returnal (86) is a deliberately challenging roguelike shooter set on a strange alien planet. GamesRadar+ ranks them first and 16th, IGN sixth and 16th. [src1, src2, src9, src14]

Pick Astro Bot if: you want a polished, approachable platformer.
Pick Returnal if: you want hard, high-intensity combat and a mysterious story.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth vs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Both score 92 on PS5. [src4] IGN ranks Clair Obscur third and Rebirth ninth; GamesRadar+ ranks Rebirth 14th and Clair Obscur 23rd. [src2, src1] Rebirth is a 70- to 80-hour action RPG and the middle of a trilogy; Clair Obscur is a new studio's debut with turn-based battles that add real-time parries and dodges. [src2, src1]

Pick Final Fantasy VII Rebirth if: you know Final Fantasy VII, or have played Remake, and want a huge world.
Pick Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 if: you want a self-contained story and turn-based combat that tests your timing.

Decision Logic

If user wants the single best PS5 game regardless of genre

→ Elden Ring. IGN's No. 1, GamesRadar+'s No. 2 and the joint-highest PS5 Metascore (96). If the Amazon listing has no offer, the PlayStation Store sells it digitally ($59.99 when we checked on 2026-10-10). [src2, src1, src4, src6]

If user dislikes very difficult games

→ Astro Bot or God of War Ragnarok, GamesRadar+'s No. 1 and No. 3: Astro Bot's challenge is carefully calculated, and Ragnarok's combat works even with a fraction of its moves. [src1, src2]

If user wants games they can only play on PS5

→ Astro Bot, then Saros, the two games on this card that Metacritic lists on PS5 alone. GamesRadar+ and IGN also describe Ghost of Yōtei as a PS5 exclusive; it is on all three lists but not compared here. [src9, src10, src1, src2]

If user wants the best 2026 releases only

→ Resident Evil Requiem (89), then 007 First Light (87), Saros (87) and Pragmata (85). For a game that is new to PS5 this year, Hades II (94). [src5, src1, src2, src3]

If budget is under $30 per game

→ Hades II, which the PlayStation Store listed at $29.99 when we checked on 2026-10-10. For the other games, the picks table at the top has today's prices. [src7]

If user prefers multiplayer or co-op

→ Helldivers 2 for four-player co-op shooting, or Baldur's Gate 3, which GamesRadar+ notes you can play with a friend. [src1, src2]

Default recommendation

→ Elden Ring. For someone who dislikes hard games, Astro Bot. [src1, src2]

• No new No. 1: no game first released in 2026 makes the top ten of either ranked list. The highest-ranked are Nioh 3, 11th at GamesRadar+, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword, 15th at IGN. [src1, src2]
• A port leads 2026's scores: Hades II, which came to PS5 on April 14, 2026, has the year's highest PS5 Metascore (94) and is IGN's No. 5. [src5, src2]
• Fewer exclusives: Astro Bot and Saros are the only games on this card that Metacritic lists on PS5 alone. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is now also on PC, Xbox Series X and Switch 2, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Returnal are on PC. [src9, src10, src12, src11, src14]
• Wolverine misses: Marvel's Wolverine launched on September 15, 2026 to a PS5 Metascore of 75, with 63% of its critic reviews positive. [src18, src19]
• Still to come: Grand Theft Auto VI on November 19, 2026, and Forza Horizon 6 on PS5 on January 26, 2027. [src20, src21, src22]
• PS5 Pro: GamesRadar+ marks most of its top 30 as PS5 Pro Enhanced, but not Elden Ring, Baldur's Gate 3 or Hades II. [src1]

• Prices are US prices. Amazon prices come from our daily checks, and the picks table at the top has the live figures. Disc and digital prices often differ: on 2026-10-10 the PlayStation Store listed Elden Ring at $59.99, against $39.99 on the Amazon listing we link, which had no purchasable offer. [src6]
• Metascores keep moving as reviews arrive. Hades II's PS5 score rests on 11 critic reviews. [src17]
• Two links go to a particular edition: 007 First Light to the Specialist Edition, and Resident Evil Requiem to Amazon's exclusive edition. Both are editions of the game the outlets reviewed.
• The lists use different rules. IGN counts only games that first arrived on a Sony console on PS5, with no remasters or ports, so some of GamesRadar+'s picks, such as Cyberpunk 2077 and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, cannot appear on it. TechRadar's list is not ranked, so the table only says whether a game is on it. [src2, src1, src3]
• Grand Theft Auto VI and the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 6 are not out yet and are not ranked. [src20, src21]