8 PS5 Games That Surpassed Expectations

PlayStation’s track record of amazing games is basically unlimited. Spanning several decades, a company that hosts a library of industry-defining titles that are generational in their caliber and quality, and have paved the way for many titles to follow. Shooters, RPGs, story games, and more, the impact that PlayStation has had on gaming is immeasurable, and the PS5 and its long list of exceptional games are yet another reminder that they are here to play and here to stay.

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While exclusivity as a concept is certainly less restrictive than it used to be, with more and more games seeing multi-platform releases or being timed exclusives that get to be experienced on PC at a later date, there are still plenty of games that were born on the console and are only now entering the wider world for the rest to see. Plenty of titles remain locked to the PS5, providing more than enough incentive to pick one up. The level of quality that has come from this generation alone is unlike any other, and there are more than a few games that have cemented themselves as some of the greatest experiences in the history of gaming.

8

Rise Of The Ronin

Shape Your Destiny

Rise of the Ronin arrived with tempered expectations, especially being a departure from Team Ninja’s previous Soulslike titles, but it quickly asserted itself as one of the most distinctive open-world experiences on the PlayStation 5. Japan might be an oversaturated video game location, but the game still manages to deliver a grounded historical narrative that is full of character and allows players the freedom to shape the course of revolution through moral choices and shifting alliances. The combat system is heavily steeped in swordplay and traditional weaponry and is just as brutal and precise as any samurai game on the market, striking a satisfying balance between challenge and fluidity.

Despite flying under the radar for many casual players, the game’s attention to detail and refined mechanics propelled it into conversations usually dominated by more established franchises, and now that the game is available on PC, a whole new wave of players gets to experience the title’s beauty and individuality. Its blend of RPG progression, stealth, and action offers a surprising amount of depth, encouraging players to engage with every corner of its meticulously crafted world, and has positioned itself as a serious contender among the PS5’s strongest exclusives, surpassing expectations with its ambition, scope, and compelling storytelling.

7

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Swinging Into Action Once More

If the first entry into the modern Marvel world wasn’t exciting enough, then Spider-Man 2 is more than enough to satisfy any open-world lover looking for some satisfying mobility and awesome action sequences. Bringing in Miles Morales as a secondary protagonist adds an extra level of depth not only to the story but to the gameplay itself. The ability to swap between the two gives the players a lot of control over how they approach certain situations, and with a unique set of abilities that each offers a slightly different playstyle, there is more than enough to keep players entertained no matter the mission or location.

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The power of the PS5 really allows the game to shine, as the settings and graphics just look stunning, and it is almost as if the game was built for the console. Now that PC players can get their hands on the game, those limits will surely be pushed even further and open the door for so many more players to experience the title and for things like mods to become more widely available than before. It’s the perfect action game for some more super-hero oriented fun, that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still provides a story that is equally memorable and engaging.

6

Silent Hill 2

Welcome Back, Mr Sunderland

A return after so long, seeing the foggy streets of Silent Hill 2 feels just as strange and eerie as the setting itself, considering the time between its initial release and now. PlayStation and PC players both get to enjoy the game in all its glory, and even though the series is widely recognizable and an absolute horror classic, the success of this modern revival was both unexpected and extremely welcome, and can only lead to more successes and amazing games in the series down the line.

Part of what makes the remake so great is that it sticks to its roots. Much of the gameplay and the environment remain roughly the same, only with significantly better visuals and cleaner mechanics that remove all of the clunk, whilst keeping the horror intact. Millions of copies sold within the first few months, and it’s no mystery why. The game just feels amazing to play, and the atmosphere oozes from the screen and touches the players in ways that other games struggle to. The psychological horror, combined with the gorgeous graphical fidelity, makes the game come alive and stands as one of the best remakes in the horror genre.

5

Returnal

A Surprising Bullet-Hell Hit

An unexpected gem that came out of nowhere, Returnal is a genre-blending fiesta that combines several elements and mechanics from roguelikes and shooters to create a truly distinct experience that was a surprising hit when it first landed on PS5 in 2021. Players jump into a looping world of aliens and technology straight out of a sci-fi fan’s dream, incorporating progression mechanics that keep the game feeling fresh and having a core gameplay loop that is as punishing as it is rewarding.

Every moment is action-packed, and there are very few moments where the player gets any time at all to breathe before another set of attacks comes flying from across the screen. Now that the game is available on PC, players can really unlock the full potential of the title, as shooters are notoriously better to play with a mouse, and the game feels completely different, whilst still having all the same individuality that made it so successful on the PS5. A great shooter game that brought something new to the table, which will hopefully be blessed with a sequel in the near future.

4

Demon’s Souls

The Best A Remake Can Be

FromSoftware and PlayStation have a close and complex relationship that has spanned over a decade. The Souls games have always had a home on the PlayStation consoles, beginning with the original Demon’s Souls back in 2009, with each new game in the catalog being found on the platform, including the coveted Bloodborne, a game that fans hold very near and dear. So with the announcement of a remake of the first in the series, the PS5 seemed like the obvious place to house the title, and the results speak for themselves.

All the charm and all of the stunning concepts remain, but are now so much nicer to look at and can be appreciated with significantly higher resolutions and fidelity, thanks to the PS5. The combat feels so much smoother, taking many of the elements from the later games and updating the feel to make the game more modern, whilst still retaining all the charm of the original. A remake of a classic title is a scary project to take on, but in this case, it was a massive success and blew away any expectations fans of the series had, as well as offering many newer fans the opportunity to experience the game that started a revolution.

3

Stellar Blade

Elegant And Beautifully Bleak

A surprise standout among recent PS5 exclusives, that is now being made available for PC players, Stellar Blade has quickly established itself as a bold and stylish action title that exceeded expectations and delivered a familiar yet distinct experience in the genre. Combining lightning-fast combat with cinematic storytelling, the game has positioned itself alongside genre titans like Bayonetta and Nier: Automata as a female-led action title that isn’t afraid to show off. What began as a flashy tech showcase evolved into a tightly constructed, narrative-driven experience, with protagonist Eve delivering both high-intensity battles and emotional depth that is rarely seen elsewhere.

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What truly sets Stellar Blade apart and how it defied expectations was the level of polish and ambition present throughout. Oftentimes, a flashy new title can appear amazing on the surface, but fall short in execution when it releases. But here, the outcome is far greater than the impression, and the level of quality and depth is on par with titles coming from significantly more established developers in the scene. From dense enemy encounters that demand split-second timing to expansive environments filled with hidden lore and side quests, every element is designed to reward exploration and mastery. While some initially dismissed it as style over substance, the final product proves that both can coexist, and the game stands as an excellent entry into the action genre that not only justifies its place among the PS5 exclusives but also redefines what can be expected from a debut title on new hardware.

2

Helldivers 2

Movie Levels Of Action

There have been several cases of games taking concepts and worlds from an original title, and shifting the gameplay over to a completely new perspective in an attempt to keep the universe intact, whilst offering something new for more players to enjoy. Helldivers 2 does exactly that, taking ideas that spawned from a top-down shooter, and bridging the gap between the original and a third-person shooter that is unapologetically absurd and wildly fun in every single way.

Whilst not being exclusive to the PS5, the game really thrives on the system thanks to the computing power it offers and the ability to show off the grandeur of the battles in all their glory. Combining extraction shooter mechanics with a battlefield full of insanity and hilarity, the game stands out as an exceptional shooter title that has very few others in the genre that compete with it. The fun is basically limitless, and the game is very much player-first, allowing them to engage with each mission however they choose, with increasing difficulty and levels of action that continue to impress every single time.

1

Astro Bot

A Return To Pure Fun

Sometimes, the best games come from a place of love for the industry and don’t try to overwhelm the player with complexity, and choose simple charm and fun instead. Astro has been around for a long time as a lovable mascot for the PlayStation consoles, but what started as a tutorial character to show off the new hardware has now become an icon of the gaming world in his in-game Astro Bot. It doesn’t break any boundaries, blow many minds, or deliver an experience that will rock the player to the core. It does exactly what a game should: just be fun.

The world is simply a joy to explore and includes countless references and call-backs to iconic titles from all eras of PlayStation gaming. Cute worlds full of satisfying puzzles and crispy platforming, that never pushes the player too much but keeps them engaged for many hours on end, Astro Bot is a return to the days of old, where games were about making the player smile, and the game delivers that from start to finish. An unexpected game of the year winner, but certainly a deserving one, the fun and enjoyment that comes from the game should serve as a reminder that sometimes, players just want to have fun, and many future games should use Astro Bot as the crowning example of how to do it right.

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