As the PlayStation 5 enters its sixth year on the market, its library has matured into a formidable collection of interactive entertainment. Whether you're a long-time owner or a newcomer to the current console generation, navigating the wealth of available titles can be daunting. To help, we've curated a list of 15 essential games that showcase the power, creativity, and diversity of the PS5's offerings for 2026.
Epic Adventures and Landmark Role-Playing Games
The PS5 is home to some of the most ambitious and critically acclaimed role-playing games in modern history. Leading the charge is Baldur's Gate 3 from Larian Studios, widely hailed as one of the greatest fantasy RPGs of the era. It offers near-limitless narrative freedom, akin to a table-top Dungeons & Dragons campaign, as players battle the sinister mind-flayers.
FromSoftware's Elden Ring, complete with its massive Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, presents a grandiose and challenging open world filled with spectacular landscapes and formidable bosses. Similarly, the Demon's Souls remake meticulously updates the original dark fantasy masterpiece with stunning visuals and refined combat, remaining endlessly rewarding.
Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continues the stunning reimagining of the classic, following Cloud Strife and his allies in their pursuit of Sephiroth. It brilliantly mixes real-time and turn-based combat, rejuvenating a beloved story for a new generation.
Newer RPGs are also making a significant impact. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, set in a world inspired by Belle Epoque France, tasks heroes with defeating a cruel god. It's a multi-award winning adventure praised for its astonishing style and genuine emotional weight.
Innovative Indies and Captivating Narratives
Beyond blockbuster budgets, the PS5 hosts uniquely brilliant independent experiences. Blue Prince is a standout mind-bending puzzle game where you must find room 46 in a constantly shifting mansion. Every step counts, and the layout resets each night, demanding careful strategy and note-taking.
Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding 2 shifts its metaphysical post-apocalypse to Australia, following Sam as he searches for his kidnapped Bridge Baby. The sequel is noted for punchier combat and more varied missions within its fascinating, stylish world.
For narrative intensity, The Last of Us Parts I and II Remastered remain industry landmarks. These updated PS5 versions of Naughty Dog's brutal, beautiful stories—following Ellie and Joel through a fungal apocalypse—are as moving and invigorating as ever.
Returnal offers a merciless but glorious time-loop shooter experience, where crash-landed astronaut Selene must break a cycle of life and death on a hostile alien planet.
Spectacular Action and Family-Friendly Fun
The console excels with breathtaking action-adventures. God of War Ragnarök continues Kratos and his son's epic Norse saga, widely considered one of the most gripping interpretations of mythology in any medium.
Ghost of Yotei, the sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, follows new protagonist Atsu on a bloody, gorgeous quest for revenge in feudal Japan. Meanwhile, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 sees Peter Parker and Miles Morales team up to save New York from Venom in a lovingly envisaged superhero romp.
For pure, joyful platforming, Astro Bot is frequently cited as one of the best in the genre. The luscious 3D adventure sees the robot hero reassembling his mothership across vibrant worlds. Similarly, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a visually astounding, sensory-feedback-rich multiverse adventure with two furry heroes.
Looking ahead, the sci-fi extraction shooter ARC Raiders is poised to dominate the 2026 co-op scene, pitting players against aggressive robots on a ruined planet.
This selection demonstrates the incredible range of experiences available on the PlayStation 5. From the emotional depth of award-winning RPGs to the inventive genius of indie puzzlers and the blockbuster spectacle of first-party exclusives, these 15 titles form the cornerstone of any discerning gamer's collection.
