Best PS5 Games (2026)

TL;DR

Top pick: Elden Ring (~$40) -- the highest-rated PS5 game of all time (Metacritic 96) with hundreds of hours of open-world exploration.
Best new release: Resident Evil Requiem (~$60) -- best-reviewed 2026 launch (Metacritic 92 on PS5) with record-setting 9.5 user score.
Best exclusive: Astro Bot (~$50) -- the definitive PS5 platformer (Metacritic 94), free with new PS5 consoles.

2026 has already delivered exceptional PS5 games including Hades II (93), Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (93), and PS5 exclusive Saros (88) from Housemarque. [src4, src3]

The PS5 library in 2026 is at its peak. Between established masterpieces and an exceptionally strong wave of new releases, there has never been a better time to own Sony's current-gen console. Elden Ring remains the highest-rated PS5 game on Metacritic at 96, while Baldur's Gate 3 (96) matches it in critic consensus. God of War Ragnarok, Astro Bot, and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion continue to define what PS5 exclusives and enhanced experiences can achieve. [src4, src2]

2026 has been a landmark year for new releases. Capcom alone has published three top-ten-rated titles: Resident Evil Requiem (Metacritic 92 on PS5, record 9.5 user score), Monster Hunter Wilds, and Pragmata. Supergiant's Hades II arrived on PS5 in April 2026 with a 93 Metacritic score, while Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive stunned critics with a 93 and the highest user score on the platform (9.7). Housemarque's PS5 exclusive Saros launched April 30 to an 88 Metacritic, making it the studio's highest-rated game ever. [src6, src7]

Looking ahead, GTA 6 is confirmed for November 2026, and Marvel's Wolverine from Insomniac Games is also expected this year. The PS5 Pro Enhanced program means many of these titles look and perform better than ever on the upgraded hardware. [src1, src3]

Best Overall: Elden Ring (~$40) -- Check price

The highest-rated PS5 game on Metacritic at 96, Elden Ring delivers hundreds of hours of open-world exploration, challenging combat, and discovery across the Lands Between. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC (Metacritic 94) adds substantial endgame content. GamesRadar called it one of the best open-world games of the modern era. [src2, src4]

Best PS5 Exclusive: Astro Bot (~$50) -- Check price

Game of the Year 2024 winner with a 94 Metacritic score. GamesRadar ranks it the number one PS5 game for its finely tuned movement, carefully balanced difficulty, and celebratory showcase of PlayStation's legacy. Comes free with new PS5 consoles. [src2, src3]

Best New Release 2026: Resident Evil Requiem (~$60) -- Check price

The best-rated mainline Resident Evil in over 20 years. Metacritic 92 on PS5 with a record-setting 9.5 user score. Visually stunning with excellent exploration, puzzles, and terrifying survival horror segments. [src7, src3]

Best RPG: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (~$50) -- Check price

Metacritic 93 with the highest user score on the platform at 9.7. Visually spectacular art direction, deep active turn-based combat, brilliant voice performances, and a gripping narrative. [src3, src4]

Best Roguelike: Hades II (~$30) -- Check price

Supergiant Games' sequel arrived on PS5 April 14, 2026 with a 93 Metacritic score. Combat is faster, deeper, and more varied than the original, with an endlessly replayable structure. [src4, src5]

Best Action/Adventure: God of War Ragnarok (~$40) -- Check price

TechRadar's number one PS5 game with emotive storytelling, clever combat evolutions, and massive scope. PS5 Pro Enhanced for improved visuals. [src3, src1]

Best PS5 Exclusive 2026: Saros (~$60) -- Check price

Housemarque's latest PS5 exclusive with Metacritic 88 -- the studio's highest-rated game ever, surpassing Returnal (86). A lean fusion of roguelike sci-fi action and eldritch horror. [src6, src1]

Best JRPG: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (~$50) -- Check price

Metacritic 92 with exceptional narrative design, fluid combat, and captivating character chemistry. A massive and substantial action RPG experience. [src3, src4]

Best Co-op: Monster Hunter Wilds (~$60) -- Check price

Capcom's most accessible Monster Hunter yet with a seamless open world and breathtaking seasonal changes. Playable solo but best in online co-op. [src3, src1]

Best Multiplayer: Helldivers 2 (~$40) -- Check price

The breakout co-op phenomenon of the PS5 generation with squad-based combat and a community-driven galactic war metagame. Still actively supported with new content. [src1, src2]

Best Value Exclusive: Returnal (~$30) -- Check price

Housemarque's PS5 exclusive roguelike shooter that defined the console's early generation. Lightning-fast combat, DualSense haptic showcase, and a haunting sci-fi narrative at budget pricing. [src1, src3]

Best Superhero Game: Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (~$50) -- Check price

PS5 exclusive from Insomniac Games with two playable Spider-Men, the symbiote storyline, and a massive open-world New York City. Near-instant load times and stunning visuals. [src2, src1]

Head-to-Head Comparisons

Elden Ring vs God of War Ragnarok

Both are consensus top PS5 games but offer fundamentally different experiences. Elden Ring (96) provides unmatched exploration freedom and challenging combat across hundreds of hours, while God of War Ragnarok (94) delivers a tightly directed, emotive narrative in 30-40 hours. [src3, src2]

Pick Elden Ring if: you want open-world freedom, challenging combat, and 200+ hours of content.
Pick God of War Ragnarok if: you prefer a directed narrative, accessible difficulty, and a cinematic experience.

Resident Evil Requiem vs Saros

Both are standout 2026 releases but target different audiences. Requiem (92) is carefully crafted survival horror mixing first-person terror with third-person action. Saros (88) is a fast-paced roguelike shooter with arcade-style replayability. [src7, src6]

Pick Resident Evil Requiem if: you want a cinematic horror narrative with exploration and puzzles.
Pick Saros if: you want replayable arcade combat with roguelike progression.

Astro Bot vs Returnal

Both PS5 exclusives from Sony's first-party studios but couldn't be more different. Astro Bot (94) is a joyful, family-friendly platformer. Returnal (86) is an intense, punishing roguelike shooter with a dark sci-fi atmosphere. [src2, src3]

Pick Astro Bot if: you want a polished, accessible platformer suitable for all ages.
Pick Returnal if: you want challenging, high-intensity combat with a mysterious narrative.

Hades II vs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Both scored 93 on Metacritic but represent different RPG traditions. Hades II is a fast-paced roguelike with short runs. Clair Obscur is a 40+ hour turn-based RPG with a linear narrative and deep combat systems. [src4, src3]

Pick Hades II if: you want fast action in short sessions with roguelike replayability.
Pick Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 if: you want a deep, narrative-driven turn-based RPG.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth vs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Two exceptional RPGs competing for the same audience. FF7 Rebirth (92) offers action-RPG combat with open-world exploration and beloved characters. Clair Obscur (93) is a new IP with active turn-based combat and a darker, more melancholic tone. [src3, src4]

Pick Final Fantasy VII Rebirth if: you love JRPG traditions, open-world exploration, and the FF7 universe.
Pick Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 if: you want a fresh RPG with interactive turn-based combat and stunning art.

Decision Logic

If user wants the single best PS5 game regardless of genre

→ Elden Ring (~$40). Highest Metacritic score on PS5 (96), consensus pick across all major outlets. [src4]

If user just got a PS5 and wants to start with exclusives

→ Astro Bot (often free with new PS5), then God of War Ragnarok, then Marvel's Spider-Man 2. These three showcase what PS5 can do. [src3]

If user wants the best 2026 releases only

→ Resident Evil Requiem (92), Hades II (93), Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (93), Saros (88), and Pragmata. [src6, src7]

If budget is under $30 per game

→ Hades II (~$30) and Returnal (~$30). Watch for PS Store sales where older titles frequently drop to $20-30. PS Plus Extra subscribers get many titles included. [src1]

If user prefers multiplayer or co-op

→ Helldivers 2 for squad-based co-op, Monster Hunter Wilds for co-op action RPG, or Elden Ring for Souls-style co-op/PvP. [src1, src3]

Default recommendation

→ Elden Ring (~$40). Safest pick when preferences are unknown. If user dislikes difficult games, recommend God of War Ragnarok or Astro Bot instead. [src4]

• Capcom dominates 2026 releases: Resident Evil Requiem, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Pragmata all landed in Metacritic's top ten for 2026. [src1, src7]
• GTA 6 looms over Q4 2026: Rockstar's next Grand Theft Auto is confirmed for November 2026, with PlayStation reportedly securing the marketing deal. [src1]
• PS5 Pro Enhanced games: Many titles receive visual and performance upgrades on PS5 Pro, making the upgraded console increasingly attractive. [src2]
• New IP breakouts: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 achieved a 93 Metacritic from a debut studio, while Pragmata offered a refreshingly original Capcom experience. [src3, src4]
• PS5 exclusivity strategy shifting: Sony has slowed PC porting, reinforcing PS5 console exclusives like Astro Bot, Saros, and Spider-Man 2. [src1]

• Prices are approximate US retail prices as of May 2026. Physical disc, digital PS Store, and regional pricing all vary. PS Store sales frequently discount older titles by 50-75%.
• Metacritic scores reflect critic consensus at time of verification. Scores for recent releases may shift as more reviews are published.
• PS Plus Extra and Premium subscribers may have access to many of these titles at no additional cost beyond the subscription fee.
• "PS5 Exclusive" status changes over time. God of War Ragnarok, FF7 Rebirth, and Helldivers 2 were originally PS5 exclusives but have since launched on PC.
• GTA 6 and Marvel's Wolverine are excluded because they have not yet been released. Both are expected in 2026.