These are the very best PS5 games. The PlayStation 5 library is large and growing, so we’ve rounded up a selection of our absolute favorites, ranging from new PS5 games to modern classics, big-budget AAA releases to indie gems, and everything in between. As a new year begins, it’s a good time to catch up on games you may have missed, and this list should serve as a starting point. Every game on this list gets our mark of approval as the very best the platform has to offer.
This list includes recent favorites like The 2024 Game Awards winner Astro Bot and one of GameSpot’s Games of the Year, Metaphor ReFantazio, as well as more recent games like Nioh 3. Plus, there’s no shortage of other first- and third-party hits, like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Diablo 4, and Street Fighter 6.
The PlayStation 5 is leading the market at more than 92 million units sold. The console has also gotten a facelift with the PS5 Slim model, the beefy PS5 Pro refresh, and a portable peripheral (of sorts) in the form of the streaming PlayStation Portal.
For even more recommendations to get the most out of your PS5, be sure to check out our best PS5 controllers and best PS5 headsets. While you’re at it, check out some of our selections for the best games on other platforms, best Xbox Series X games, best Xbox One games, and best Nintendo Switch games.
007 First Light
007 First Light proves that James Bond doesn’t need to be a relic of a bygone era, as Hitman developer IO Interactive puts its signature spin on Britain’s favorite secret agent. The studio charts a new origin for the world-famous character, establishing a new foundation that has everything a Bond fan could ask for: gadgets, guns, and one-liners. Every stage in this globe-trotting adventure is a playground of possibility, anchored by exceptional performances from the cast and a story that shows just how Bond earns his 00 status. It’s arguably the best Bond adventure in decades, as IO Interactive makes excellent use of its license to thrill.
Read our 007 First Light review.
Alan Wake 2
The long-awaited sequel to the psychological thriller Alan Wake was worth the wait. The game follows Alan Wake as he seeks to escape from the Dark Place, while a concurrent campaign follows FBI agent Saga Anderson. The twisting (and very meta) story lets both characters inform and illuminate one another, delivering a visually striking and eerie experience full of moments like you’ve never seen in a game.
Read our Alan Wake 2 review.
Astro Bot
PlayStation mascot Astro had already debuted on PlayStation 5 with Astro’s Playroom, a pre-installed tech demo that showed off the capabilities of the DualSense controller. In Astro Bot, the adorable little Sony mascot comes into its own with a full-fledged sequel that is also, as of now, the best-reviewed game of the year. Not only does Astro Bot squeeze technical wonder out of the PS5 capabilities, but it’s also just a constantly surprising and impeccably well-crafted platformer that earns a place next to the very best the genre has to offer. It’s a can’t-miss on PS5, especially if you enjoyed the little taste from Astro’s Playroom.
See our Astro Bot review.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Larian’s masterpiece RPG is an incredible display of player agency and choice. The game replicates the Dungeons & Dragons experience like no other, giving you the freedom to approach scenarios in almost any way you can imagine, truly crafting your own tale as you engage with a multitude of memorable characters. It’s mechanically complex but approachable, often beautiful to watch, and always gripping.
Read our Baldur’s Gate 3 review.
Blue Prince
What if you inherited an old manor house, but it changed radically every time you entered it? That’s the core premise of Blue Prince, one of this year’s best-reviewed games. The first-person puzzle game has you exploring the Mount Holly house, with its ever-shifting layout that you help to draft as you goal. The primary goal is to reach the final room and earn your inheritance, but the house holds many mysteries that unfold beautifully as you make your way through.
Read our Blue Prince review.
Cairn
We’re living in a golden age of mountain-climbing games thanks to releases like Baby Steps and Jusant, but Cairn might just be the best of the bunch. An artistic trek through a beautifully realized landscape, Cairn invites you to slow down and soak in the scenery. Reaching for a new handhold is an intense battle of coordination and planning, but between those moments of high-altitude danger and zen-like reflection, Cairn tells an emotional story that pushes you to keep climbing higher.
Read our Cairn review.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
The Call of Duty series has been among the top sellers for years, but some CoD games are clearly better than others. Black Ops 6 is a smart and varied action spectacle, and the best the series has been in some time. The 1990s paranoid thriller sets you on thrilling missions set against the backdrop of global events in the 1990s. On the multiplayer side, the new omni-movement makes matches feel fast and fluid, especially with the addition of inventive new maps that let you explore the space in a variety of ways. A revision to the perks system helps you specialize to fit your playstyle. Call of Duty has earned its reputation for a reason, and this latest release shows why.
Read our Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign review and multiplayer review.
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Easily one of the biggest surprises of the year, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a harmonious fusion of turn-based JRPG gameplay and souls-like combat. The end result is a riveting gameplay experience full of fist-pumping moments of joy when you nail the timing on parries and dodges. The game also features a story that pulls no punches, thanks to an all-star cast flexing their dramatic muscles as they breathe life into a cast of lovable heroes and believable villains.
Read our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review.
Control: Ultimate Edition
While Control was a great game when it launched in 2019, it had some issues with performance on PS4, especially on base models. With the power of the PS5, Control runs amazingly well. The particle physics really pop in 4K, and the performance is silky smooth. The Ultimate edition comes with both of Control’s expansions, which expand on a story that’s full of surprises and gripping performances. In Control, you play as Jesse Faden, the new director of the Federal Bureau of Control, a secretive agency that investigates supernatural events. Control’s combat is thrilling, with a great mix of standard third-person gunplay and abilities that ooze with style. The story is thought-provoking and, at times, mind-bending. It’s also elevated by a foreboding atmosphere and beautiful art style. If you missed out on Control the first time around, you can now play it in its ideal form on PS5.
See our Control review.
Crimson Desert
You can tell that Pearl Abyss spent years crafting Crimson Desert because the game has an astonishing amount of content. A grand fantasy adventure, Crimson Desert offers an unparalleled amount of freedom within its sandbox. Whether you want to continue along the story’s golden path or get up to hijinks of the wacky variety, Crimson Desert will give you all the tools to make your journey across Pywel feel special. It’s also one of the best-looking games of the year, so don’t be too surprised to sink dozens of hours into this massive open-world experience.
Read our Crimson Desert review.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Years in the making, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is legendary developer Hideo Kojima at his best. It’s a wonderfully weird and masterfully crafted post-apocalyptic adventure that’s stuffed with small details to savor and substantially improved gameplay. Death Stranding 2 is also a surprisingly sincere experience, one full of moments of subtle reflection from a developer at the top of his game.
Read our Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review.
Deathloop
Deathloop is set on Blackreef island, a strange place where the party never stops and everyone wants to kill our protagonist, Colt. The island is stuck in a time loop, and the only way to break it is by hunting down and killing a list of targets. Colt retains his memories from each loop but so do all of his targets. They know he’s coming. Deathloop is an absolutely enthralling shooter that deftly weaves into systems into the loop in a coherent manner that gradually builds over time. It also tells a gripping tale and features some incredible acting. It earned a rare 10/10 in our review.
See our Deathloop review.
Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition
A fast-paced action game with stylish combat is the perfect candidate for a PS5 upgrade. Enter Devil May Cry 5 Special edition, the definitive console version of Capcom’s 2019 action game. DMC 5 Special edition is impressive from a technical perspective and offers three different graphics and performance settings that offer different combinations of improvements such as ray-tracing, 4K resolution, or even gameplay at up to 120fps. It also comes with the Vergil DLC, which lets you play through the game as Dante’s twin brother. Two new modes are included as well: Turbo and Legendary Dark Knight. Turbo speeds the game up, while Legendary Dark Knight adds more enemies to the fight. Overall, the technical improvements and new content make DMC 5 Special Edition worth playing even if you already beat the original on PS4. It’s one of the best action games in recent years and includes one of the deepest combo systems ever in the genre.
See our Devil May Cry 5 review.
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred
Diablo 4 was already a fantastic game when it launched, with Vessel of Hatred further polishing its grimdark gameplay systems. Lord of Hatred builds on that momentum, combining fantastic quality-of-life improvements with two new classes and a narrative that pulls no punches. The new Warlock and Paladin classes are a blast of fun that make you feel like a powerhouse in Sanctuary, endgame content is more approachable, and the much-needed update to skill trees is well-designed. Like Lord of Destruction and Reaper of Souls before it, Lord of Hatred elevates Diablo 4 and is a must-play part of Blizzard’s dark fantasy series.
Read our Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred review.
Dispatch
We’re far removed from the glory days of Telltale Games, but Dispatch shows just how good a tightly constructed narrative adventure can still be. A workplace drama set in the world of capes and tights, developer AdHoc Studio’s ambitious game merges episodic storytelling with a refreshingly novel take on superhero drama. Polished writing gets you emotionally invested in each character, while the actual art of successfully dispatching heroes to combat threats to society makes for an engaging challenge.
Read our Dispatch review.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Elden Ring was the runaway hit of 2022 and our Game of the Year. We’ve been patiently awaiting the promised Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, and this year From Soft delivered in a big way. The DLC provides a massive new area to explore, dense with secrets to uncover and new challenges to overcome. The smart balancing system lets you experience the feeling of progression even with your most overpowered build, and it deepens and expands upon the beloved Elden Ring lore in rich, sometimes shocking ways.
Read our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review.
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
Oblivion is an odd game to remaster. It’s admittedly a rough diamond, caught between two distinct eras of The Elder Scrolls games and full of “quirky” gameplay issues, but that’s what makes it so charming in the first place. Bethesda Game Studios and Virtuos Studios knew this as well, as the studios seemingly managed the impossible: Overhaul Oblivion without losing any of its essence. The results speak for themselves, because Oblivion Remastered is a bridge to the past that is worth crossing thanks to its modern enhancements.
Read our The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered review.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Final Fantasy VII Remake impressed us with how it rethought the very structure of what a classic game remake could be. The second in the planned trilogy, Rebirth, expands its scope outside the steampunk city of Midgar and into a lush open world, giving you no shortage of activities and minigames to occupy your time as you pursue the deadly Sephiroth. While this middle chapter loses some of the focus of its predecessor, it makes up for it by further polishing the already tightly designed combat, introducing a wide cast of new and familiar faces, and deepening the mysteries at the heart of the remake trilogy. Plus, we just can’t get enough Queen’s Blood, the new card game that’s so good it could stand on its own as a separate release.
See our Final Fantasy VII Rebirth review.
Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima was the last major exclusive to release on PS4 and made the most of the hardware since it already looked incredible and ran extremely well. The free PS5 upgrade makes the details of Tsushima’s lush open world even more rich and expressive. If you missed out on Ghost of Tsushima at the end of the PS4’s lifecycle, the upgrade, which supports gameplay at 60fps and 4K resolution, makes it look and feel like a native PS5 game. You play as Jin Sakai, a samurai who barely staves off a violent death and sets off on an adventure to thwart the first Mongol invasion of Japan. Ghost of Tsushima has great, fluid combat and well-integrated stealth mechanics. The open-world quest structure does feel fairly familiar, but all of the other aspects make it worth the occasional repetition.
Outside of the campaign, there’s a surprisingly awesome co-op multiplayer mode dubbed Legends that adds numerous new layers to an already-great game. You can also opt for the Director’s Cut, which includes a brand-new story expansion that adds to the overall narrative.
See our Ghost of Tsushima review.
Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei sticks very closely to the template set by Ghost of Tsushima, making for a comfortably familiar game if you spent a few hours with its predecessor. It might offer few surprises in the gameplay department, but Ghost of Yotei still excels as a tentpole PS5 release: it’s gorgeous, you can sink dozens of hours into its romanticized slice of feudal Japan, and its gripping tale of revenge is full of surprises along the way.
Read our Ghost of Yotei review.
God of War / God of War Ragnarok
God of War is one of the most stunning PS4 games, and it is even prettier on PS5. The PS5 update adds a performance mode with 4K resolution that runs at 60fps. God of War is one of the best PlayStation exclusives in a long time already, so it’s definitely worth revisiting or playing for the first time on PS5 if you haven’t yet. Its sequel, God of War Ragnarok, is a massive expansion of the concept and a continuation of the story. It’s just as visually outstanding, while refining the already stellar combat and giving you new tools and RPG-like features to help you make the combat your own. It also continues, and possibly concludes, the apocalyptic story that the first game began, making these two a perfect duology to experience on your PS5.
See our God of War Ragnarok review.
Hades 2
The original Hades was a sublime roguelite, but its sequel takes everything that made the first game great and transforms it into an exceptional follow-up. A good roguelite is all about working toward that one perfect run, an idea that Hades 2 excels at with its polished gameplay, varied arsenal, and powerful boons from the gods. At its core lies a captivating narrative, a story that’ll keep you coming back for more, and as a sum of its parts, Hades 2 is a sublime sequel.
Read our Hades 2 review.
Hitman: World of Assassination
IO Interactive’s Hitman reboot trilogy has proven to be one of the most inventive and interesting stealth-action series ever made. Hitman 3 caps off the World of Assassination trilogy on an all-time high note for the franchise as a whole. The hallmark of the trilogy has been player choice in intricate sandbox-style levels, and that is readily on display in Hitman 3, giving players a dizzying number of ways to tackle objectives as Agent 47. Brilliant level design is complemented by lively characters who draw you into this mesmerizing and often absurd world. Hitman 3 also places a greater emphasis on its story, which trickles down to the atmosphere to create a campaign that feels more consequential. With the “World of Assassination” update, you can play through all three games of content along with the engaging roguelike Freelancer mode.
See our Hitman 3 review.
Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West is an excellent demonstration of the power of the PS5. Arguably the most beautiful open-world game ever made, Horizon Forbidden West is a visual triumph whether you’re playing in performance or graphics modes. Aloy’s second adventure takes place after the events of Zero Dawn, with the heroine on a new quest to unearth answers to the past in order to save the future of the world. Horizon Forbidden West has a nice mix of stealth and action-oriented combat when it comes to the signature machines (robot dinosaurs). If you’re looking for a gorgeous open-world game with near endless activities, Horizon Forbidden West is bursting at the seams with content. The main quests are the stars of the show, but there are a bunch of compelling sidequests that encourage players to explore. While there might actually be too many systems in Forbidden West, those who like these sorts of open-world games will undoubtedly appreciate how much there is to see and do.
See our Horizon Forbidden West review.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
The historical epic RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance was a surprise hit in 2018, and now its sequel has come to expand upon the world. This is a role-playing game with an emphasis on actually playing a role, as both the combat and conversation systems are rich with layers to explore and craft your own path through the world. The combat has been streamlined and feels more fluid, but not at the expense of its predecessor’s depth. And the quests are well-written and draw you deeper into the world.
Read our Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 review.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
Capcom has had a string of wins with its established franchises, recently releasing a steady stream of well-received new games like Street Fighter 6 alongside remakes like Resident Evil 4. Kunitsu-Gami shows the publisher hasn’t lost its step for new franchises, producing an inventive blend of demon-slaying action and tower defense strategy that each feel intense and satisfying in their own ways, and especially combined together. Inspired by Japanese folklore, you need to constantly balance purging the demons, rescuing villagers, and building traps. It’s a lot to manage, but spinning these plates simultaneously creates a compelling gameplay loop that’s hard to put down.
Read our Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess review.
Lumines Arise
A synesthesia-fueled sequel. Lumines Arise successfully transitions the cult-classic puzzle game series to the Tetris Effect field. Each puzzle is as engrossing as ever, Journey Mode is complemented by several other modes, and the game is a must-have for PlayStation VR2 owners. It might have a high skill ceiling, but once you find your flow, Lumines Arise quickly becomes an experience that effortlessly evokes emotions with its beautiful level design.
Read our Lumines Arise review.
Marathon
Bungie’s return to its Marathon roots is a fresh spin on the classic IP, one that’s full of fist-pumping highs thanks to its extraction shooter setup and painful lows when things don’t go according to plan. It’s that constant sense of risk and reward that makes Marathon stand out, while clever ideas like the Contracts system to keep the story flowing alongside a customization system that incentivizes experimentation all add up to create a memorable trip to the abandoned ruins of Tau Ceti IV.
Read our Marathon review.
Marathon Standard Edition
$35.49 (was $40) | Releases March 5
Marathon Deluxe Edition
$51.59 (was $60) | Releases March 5
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Following the blockbuster success of the first Spider-Man game from Insomniac and its interstitial sequel Miles Morales, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 lets the two Spider-Men join forces in a sprawling and gorgeously rendered New York City. The two are come face to face with Kraven the Hunter, who has come to New York targeting Spidey’s rogues gallery. The dual protagonists lets you play with two sets of powers, while the cinematic story is a treat for long-time web-heads.
Read our Spider-Man 2 review.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Persona series director Katsura Hashino has returned with his first new game since 2016, and it’s a fantastic one. Metaphor: ReFantazio is similar structurally to the Persona series, but it features a new original storyline set in a fantasy world, and a wide array of characters to find and classes to unlock. The turn-based RPG combat unfolds beautifully into deep layers of strategy, and the story is an affecting meditation on the power of storytelling. Metaphor: ReFantazio is one of the few games in our history to earn a 10/10 review.
Read our Metaphor: ReFantazio review.
MLB The Show 25
The annual baseball season means a new MLB game, and this year’s MLB The Show 25 is the best it’s been in years. A revised progression system makes Road to the Show better than it’s been in years, and this iteration makes significant tweaks to the defensive and free agent systems. The Storylines mode remains a standout, delivering another season of the Negro Leagues story, albeit without a new individual story to set it apart. All in all there’s a reason The Show has gained a reputation as a premiere annual sports franchise and this year’s doesn’t disappoint.
Read our MLB The Show 25 review.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
Who would have thought that one of the best Monster Hunter games in the entire franchise would be its spin-off, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection? That’s what makes this threequel such a pleasant surprise, as it takes the key elements of the Monster Hunter IP and freshens them up with thrilling turn-based combat and a story that keeps you on your toes.
Read our Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection review.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds takes the basic framework we’ve come to know and expect and improves it in numerous ways. The new style of open world allows you to seamlessly move back and forth from the village where you’ll organize hunts to the actual area where you’ll engage in combat. The core loop of hunting and crafting new gear remains as engaging as ever, and it’s made all the better when played online with friends. Capcom has sanded off some of the edges–making for a simpler experience overall, but one that is still not especially welcoming to newcomers. What’s here is still a very deep action-RPG you can spend countless hours with, and the urge to go on just one more hunt remains as strong as ever.
Nioh 3
Nioh 3 doesn’t stray too far from the playbook that it wrote in its previous outings, as this Team Ninja-developed game requires 110% of your attention at any given time when facing off against deadly adversaries. A solid jumping-on point for newcomers, Nioh 3 features a refined sense of gameplay that enhances its core systems, making it easily the best entry in the series to date. It asks a lot of a player with a combat style that emphasizes careful planning and quick reactions, but in return, it provides a satisfying experience to savor.
Read our Nioh 3 review.
No Man’s Sky
No game had a better comeback story last generation than No Man’s Sky, the ambitious space-exploration sim from Hello Games that originally launched to mixed reception in 2016. In the years since, Hello Games has changed the narrative from unfulfilled promises to exceeding expectations. From adding a bevy of new features like base-building and space fleet management to introducing entirely new ways to play thanks to multiplayer, No Man’s Sky has become a wonderful experience. On PS5, No Man’s Sky runs in 4K at 60fps, has more detailed planets, and features better lighting and shadows. For a game that focuses on exploration and discovery, No Man’s Sky’s visual and technical improvements make it an even worthier voyage across space.
See our No Man’s Sky Next review.
Pragmata
It feels like Capcom can’t stop winning in 2026, as after the release of Resident Evil Requiem and Monster Hunter Stories 3, the company’s next game is a sci-fi adventure full of heart and interesting gameplay systems. An excellent shooter built around the idea of hacking your opponents to weaken them before you deliver a killing blow, Pragmata balances that strategic depth with a heartfelt story. With millions of units already sold and a sequel looking likely, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this new breakout hit from Capcom.
Read our Pragmata review.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
2024 opened with a pleasant surprise, as the classic and influential platforming series Prince of Persia returned as a metroidvania. The mysterious Mount Qaf is a perfect setting for an exploration-focused adventure, with biomes ranging from a royal library to a dank catacombs. Combat is tight and focused, with enough depth and nuance in its parry and counter system to provide a satisfying challenge, and flexible difficulty options to let players of almost any skill level feel appropriately tested.
What stands out most about The Lost Crown, though, is its array of thoughtful metroidvania choices. Subtle visual cues and smart map options make it clear that this was a labor of love from fans of the genre, and the result is a new leader in the space. Expect to see other metroidvanias following the Prince’s lead.
Read our Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown review.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
A PS5 exclusive, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a thrilling adventure in the action-platforming series, and it looks and feels incredible on next-gen hardware. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart introduces a lovable new character, Rivet, who teams up with the iconic duo after they’re thrust into an alternate dimension. With gorgeous visuals, immersive DualSense functionality, and new traversal tools that refine platforming and combat, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart was one of the first games that felt truly “next-gen” and is a must-play for any PS5 owners.
See our Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart review.
Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4 is one of the most revered third-person action games of all time, and one that helped set the standard for years to come. Capcom’s decision to remake the classic couldn’t have come lightly, but the studio pulled off the feat with aplomb and met the understandably high expectations. The remake of Resident Evil 4 is not just a significant visual improvement over the original. It’s a thoughtful reimagining of the best parts of RE4, and a reinvention of the pieces that were less successful. The result is a game that is both recognizable and fresh, paying homage to a fantastic game and making it feel utterly modern in the process.
See our Resident Evil 4 review.
Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem is the best of the franchise’s two distinct eras, as it expertly juggles the sweat-inducing terror of its survival-horror past with the tight power fantasy of the later survival-action games. Grotesquely gorgeous to look at and full of moments that put a new spin on the bioterror of the franchise, Requiem is both a love letter to Resident Evil and an exciting glimpse of what its future could be.
Read our Resident Evil Requiem review.
Returnal
Returnal is not a game for everyone–it’s extremely difficult and its roguelite structure can feel overwhelming at first–but those who keep playing will be rewarded with one of Housemarque’s best games. Essentially a AAA-level third-person shooter with arcade sensibilities, it retains the essence of Housemarque’s older, smaller games like Nex Machina and Resogun, with dodging through enemy projectiles and memorizing their attacks playing a huge role. But on top of this is a surprisingly deep story focused on an astronaut named Selene and a planet that she just can’t seem to escape, even in death. Shortcuts and a little bit of luck can make the run between the game’s six different biomes much less daunting, and little tidbits of exposition and world-building make even your failed runs feel worthwhile. And that’s good, because you’re likely going to have a lot of them before you see the ending.
See our Returnal review.
Saros
Saros might look like Returnal 1.5 on the surface, but you don’t have to dig too deep to see how Housemarque has improved on its predecessor’s formula of roguelike third-person action. Featuring exhilarating moment-to-moment action and gorgeous visuals on PS5, Saros is also a roguelike for the masses with smart options that keep you in the fight for longer. Various gameplay systems also guarantee a sense of progression and satisfaction with each run, while an unlockable toolkit of intelligently designed gameplay modifiers gives you a fighting chance when you explore the hostile alien landscape of Carcosa.
Read our Saros review.
Silent Hill F
Swapping the misty streets of the US for Japan, Silent Hill F is a strong reminder as to why the survival-horror series has been a cult-classic for so many years. More than just an intense and surreal journey that unfolds across labyrinthine streets, Silent Hill F is both gorgeous and grotesque. The game also tackles heavy themes throughout its narrative, and combined with masterfully crafted gameplay and replayability, it cements its status as the definitive Silent Hill experience.
Read our Silent Hill F review.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Like the best ninja, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance feels like it struck from the shadows. Developer Lizardcube knows a thing or two about resurrecting a Sega classic–just look at the studio’s work on Streets of Rage 4–and the new Shinobi game is both a tribute to the past and an evolution of its gameplay with combo-heavy action and gorgeous art direction. At around eight hours, the game is both short and sweet, but it’ll keep you coming back to polish your ninja-skills with its infinitely replayable boss rush and arcade modes.
Read our Shinobi: Art of Vengeance review.
Split Fiction
Hazelight has made a name for itself as the premiere cooperative game studio, and Split Fiction is just the latest display why it’s earned the title. The platform action game follows the story of two aspiring writers–one sci-fi author and one fantasy author–whose worlds are smashed together by a high-tech firm. What makes Split Fiction stand out is Hazelight’s characteristic inventiveness, consistently surprising the players with new challenges that test their cooperative prowess.
Read our Split Fiction review.
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Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter 5 was a divisive part of the long-running fighting franchise, and clearly Capcom intended Street Fighter 6 to be a reset. It appears to be mission accomplished, as the latest game is getting praise across the board for being an excellent entry for fighting game veterans as well as a great entry point for those who have had trouble penetrating the scene. A newly refined combo system also helps novices learn not just how to pull off complicated moves, but also the strategy behind when and why to do it. Perhaps the wildest revision is a new World Tour mode, which has you create a custom fighter with their own blend of moves that you learn from several masters–famous Street Fighter characters like Ken and Chun-Li. And the fighters themselves are a diverse set of strange and inventive new characters alongside classic faces like Blanka and Dhalsim. It all comes together to be the best Street Fighter package in years.
See our Street Fighter 6 review.
The Talos Principle 2
The philosophical first-person puzzler The Talos Principle demanded a sequel as ambitious and heady as it was, and the second game delivers. Talos Principle 2 is once again a contemplative experience that raises big questions even as you stay occupied with a series of clever puzzles. You’ll explore deep existential questions and unravel the nature of the world. The first game was an unexpected treat but The Talos Principle 2 shows that developer Croteam can still create a delightful puzzle box even when we think we know what to expect.
Read our The Talos Principle 2 review.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4
Pulling off sick tricks, defying gravity, and grabbing a few collectibles along the way were hallmarks of the Tony Hawk Pro Skater franchise, and this remaster of the best games in the series matches the quality of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. While the changes to Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 might be disappointing to fans of the original, you’re still getting a slick remaster full of iconic locales to revisit, familiar faces to jog your memory, and gameplay that’ll reawaken your skateboarding muscle memory.
Read our Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 review.
Trails In The Sky 1st Chapter
The Trails series might just be the longest-running JRPG franchise you’ve never dipped your toes into. With multiple entries, spin-offs, and decades of history behind it, where does one even start? Right at the beginning, as Trails In The Sky 1st Chapter revitalizes the IP with a remake of the very first game that meets the expectations of the modern gamer. Trails In The Sky 1st Chapter hits that sweet spot for preserving its original story and enhancing it for a new generation, keeping things lean, simple, and approachable. It’s a faithful remake with a wonderful cast of characters, and we’re hoping to see the rest of the vintage Trails games get the same treatment.
Read our Trails In The Sky 1st Chapter review.
Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2
The cult classic Space Marine has finally received a sequel more than a decade later, and it’s just what fans have been waiting for. The new game retains its predecessor’s brutal and bloody action, but with refinements that make it feel more fluid and tactile. It uses the Warhammer tabletop license to great effect with excellent world-building and an overwhelming sense of scale, but its crunchy combat should appeal to those who have never delved deep into the franchise as well.
Read our Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 review.
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