For gamers on the fence about whether a 4K TV is worth the investment, the PlayStation 5 readily answers the question. The PS5 includes an expected upgrade in graphics processing. This means that games have a new opportunity to reach frame rates and resolutions that beefy gaming PCs struggled with just five years ago.
With the PS5 also able to offer ray tracing to make games even more beautiful than ever, it’s tempting many gamers to upgrade their setups. Those who are worried there aren’t enough good games out there to make the transition worth it will find that there are several fantastic titles, both remakes and new releases, that can run at full capacity on the PS5.
Please note that a number of these games have a dynamic resolution, meaning they might upscale to 4K or reduce the resolution on occasion.
Street Fighter 6
Metascore: 92
Capcom’s legendary fighting franchise is back in full force. Street Fighter 6 rights so many of its predecessor’s wrongs, not least of which is the inclusion of a lengthy single-player mode known as World Tour. Players get to create a fighter and take them on an educational and fan-service-heavy journey, one that highlights SF6‘s genre-best combat, stylish visuals, and smooth gameplay.
As good as World Tour is, the mode is still largely a companion piece to Street Fighter 6‘s multiplayer, which takes the form of the Battle Hub. Here, players can take part in ranked matches, watch other people fight, or even play classic Capcom games like Street Fighter 2, Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo, or Vulgus.
Arcade mode generally runs at 4K and 60 FPS, but not World Tour.
Stray
Metascore: 83
Stray
- Released
- July 19, 2022
- Developer(s)
- BlueTwelve Studio
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
BlueTwelve Studio’s Stray garnered quite a bit of hype prior to its release, and the cyberpunk project managed to live up to the hype. As suggested by its title, this game casts players as a cat that finds their way into a city run by robots and androids. In order to make it back to its home, the adorable feline goes on an adventure filled with puzzles, platforming, and some combat.
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While quite short in terms of length, Stray makes up for it through beautiful and detailed locations that come filled with NPCs that have their own stories to tell. The gameplay is also pretty decent, and the campaign shakes things up frequently enough to ensure none of the mechanics overstay their welcome. Stray runs smoothly on the PS5, reaching both 60 FPS and a 4K resolution.
Persona 5 Royal
Metascore: 91
Originally released on the PS4, Persona 5 Royal is now available natively on the PS5. In the grand scheme of things, the fact Sony’s console can run a 3-year-old JRPG at 4K and 60 FPS is not particularly impressive; however, that does not take anything away from the fact that P5R looks and performs great. At this point, Atlus’ game is one of the most stylish projects across three PlayStation generations, and its anime visuals will undoubtedly stand the test of time.
As an improved frame rate does not have a significant impact on turn-based combat, the 4K jump is far more important in the case of P5R. Aesthetically, the JRPG has never looked better and cooler than it does on current-generation hardware (and PC).
Resident Evil 4 Remake
Metascore: 93
Capcom’s Resident Evil 4 remake preserves the publisher’s standard of quality when it comes to modern renditions of its most iconic projects, with the 2023 release reaching the high bar set by 2019’s Resident Evil 2. On the PS5, the game allows players to decide whether to prioritize the resolution or frame rate. In both cases, RE4 aims for 4K and 60 FPS, however, the performance mode uses a dynamic resolution while the resolution option will maintain 2160p at the expense of the frame rate.
Capcom’s remake is a fun update of the 2005 masterpiece, one that retains most of the original’s appeal while also implementing a fair few changes that might even catch RE4 veterans off-guard. The title generally runs well on most platforms, although the PS4 version has attracted quite a bit of criticism.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Metascore: 75
Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 builds nicely on the foundations laid by 2019’s Modern Warfare. Except for perhaps hack and slash games, first-person shooters arguably benefit the most from supporting 60 FPS, and performance takes priority over visuals for these projects. Luckily, PS5 owners do not need to select one over the other since Modern Warfare 2‘s campaign can maintain a dynamic 4K resolution and 60 FPS. For players who do not have a 4K monitor or television, the game also includes a performance mode that supports 2K and 120 FPS.
Modern Warfare 2‘s multiplayer is polarizing, which has become something of a trend for Activision’s franchise. However, the campaign has fared better, delivering an action-packed but still gritty story that tries to incorporate more options on how to tackle missions.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
Metascore: 76
Gearbox’s Borderlands spin-off finds Tiny Tina staging another game of Bunkers & Badasses, a twist on the Dungeons & Dragons formula. As the Fatemaker, players have to repel the revival of the Dragon Lord, a quest that delivers quite a few laughs and epic moments. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is not a huge departure from the mainline entries, but it does incorporate some traditional RPG concepts along with envisioning a classic fantasy world as the setting for the adventure.
On the PS5, players can either set the game to performance or resolution mode. The latter offers a dynamic 4K resolution and 60 FPS; meanwhile, the former drops the resolution to 1080p but doubles the FPS. As 120 FPS is noticeable in a first-person shooter, performance mode is definitely worth trying, although resolution mode delivers the best of both worlds.
Octopath Traveler 2
Metascore: 86
Although perhaps not the most graphically intensive game, Octopath Traveler 2 is nevertheless gorgeous. The JRPG uses an HD-2D art style that allows for lavish backdrops and detailed character designs, and the visuals have a timeless quality to them since they harbor back to the genre’s classic ’90s output. While Octopath Traveler 2 looks fine on every system, even the Switch and PS4, the game is a sight to behold on the PS5 (and PC, if a system’s components allow it).
The occasional frame rate dip notwithstanding, Square Enix’s JRPG offers native 4K and 60 FPS on Sony’s current console. The graphics are as crisp as they can be, while gameplay is generally smooth; furthermore, the PS5 iteration also comes with other (standard) benefits like DualSense implementation and short load times.
Far Cry 6
Metascore: 73
Ubisoft’s latest open-world shooter delivers a steady 60 FPS at 4K resolution on the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Far Cry 6 takes place on Yara, a fictional Caribbean island that is controlled by a ruthless dictator portrayed by the infallible Giancarlo Esposito. Like the previous entries in the series, Far Cry 6 is happy to let players run wild on its vast map as they find new and exciting ways to clear out outposts.
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Far Cry 6 doesn’t reinvent the wheel in any significant way, but the franchise’s formula is by no means broken. There is a lot of joy to be had here, as long as people go in expecting a typical Far Cry experience.
Astro’s Playroom
Metascore: 83
Astro’s Playroom
- Released
- November 12, 2020
- Developer(s)
- ASOBI Team
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
A free game designed the showcase the PlayStation 5’s power and the DualSense’s features, Astro’s Playroom is a rare tech demo that is also a genuinely great game. Modern Sony systems are not particularly known for their 3D platformers, but Astro’s Playroom stands comfortably alongside the genre’s strongest recent releases. Irresistibly charming and visually stunning, the game guides players through four worlds as they complete levels filled with nods to PlayStation’s past.
Astro’s Playroom is likely to be most people’s first PS5 game that supports 4K and 60 FPS, and it is more than good enough to satisfy those expectations. Lasting roughly 5 hours, the platformer never threatens to overstay its welcome or produce a dull moment. Considering Astro Bot Rescue Mission is also incredible, this franchise really deserves to become a Sony mainstay.
Diablo 4
Metascore: 88
Diablo 4
- Released
- June 6, 2023
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG , Hack and Slash
Blizzard’s Diablo 4 is undoubtedly one of the biggest releases of 2023, and the game is stacked to the brim with content; however, it is also not an especially demanding game on a technical level, at least compared to other AAA titles. Running at 4K and 60fps, the action RPG looks and plays great on the PS5, especially since the game builds on its predecessor’s strong console controls.
Diablo 4 has a reasonably lengthy campaign that tasks players with stopping Lilith from paving the way to hell. Narratively, the game does not offer too many surprises, and the side-quests are largely forgettable as well. Ultimately, the story is just there to keep people busy until they reach the endgame, which is when the real Diablo 4 experience begins. At this point, the game unshackles players, all the while significantly raising the challenge.
Genshin Impact
Metascore: 86
MiHoYo’s free-to-play action RPG made its way to the PS5 in April 2021, bringing 4K resolution and 60 FPS with it. Genshin Impact took the world by storm when it debuted in 2020; the game offers an expansive open-world in the form of Teyvat, a gacha system that gives players the chance to pull one of a plethora of playable characters, and a constantly evolving storyline.
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Genshin Impact isn’t quite as visually impressive as most high-end PS5 games, however, the RPG’s stylized graphics are charming and vibrant. The character designs are also top-notch, as are the animations used in battles. Genshin Impact is an impressive game considering it can be played for free, and it is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Monster Hunter Rise
Metascore: 87
Considering Monster Hunter Rise debuted on the Nintendo Switch, it should have been a given that Capcom’s PS5 and Xbox Series X/S ports would be able to handle 4K and 60 FPS. However, the publisher went a step further by adding a Graphics Mode that aims for a higher resolution than 4K, although this does come at the expense of a locked frame rate.
Featuring smaller areas than Monster Hunter World, Rise is a more streamlined experience, which just means that missions get to the core action as quickly as possible. While the environments are nothing to write home about, the visuals for the monsters are high quality; more importantly, the combat is as smooth as butter.
Ghost Of Tsushima: Director’s Cut
Metascore: 87
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
The PS4’s Ghost of Tsushima hits 60 FPS on the PS5 when played in Resolution Mode, but 4K isn’t possible. However, the Director’s Cut is an entirely different beast. Due to being native to the PS5, GoT: Director’s Cut offers a substantial boost in performance and visuals.
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The game still comes with two modes:
- Resolution Mode: 4K and the potential to reach 60 FPS. However, the latter might drop on occasion.
- Performance Mode: 1800p and a stable 60 FPS.
Both modes are pleasing to the eye, but Resolution Mode does a decent job of maintaining 60 FPS in most situations. The performance might just dip during the campaign’s more hectic moments. If someone owns a 4K TV, they should try Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut‘s Resolution Mode to see for themselves if the performances work for them. If they decide that the extra pixels aren’t worth uneven frames, Performance Mode will always be there.
Deathloop
Metascore: 88
Deathloop
- Released
- September 14, 2021
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Arkane Studios’ Deathloop is Groundhog Day with guns. An assassin has to take out eight targets in 24 hours, a process that proves to be anything but simple. Luckily (or unluckily, depending on someone’s perspective), Colt keeps on reliving the day, allowing him to accumulate information as he seeks to perform a perfect run.
Deathloop‘s gunplay is frantic, balanced, and accessible. The game combines a solid selection of weapons with an array of powers that develop throughout the campaign, along with other elements such as stealth and gadgets. Deep, unique, and plain old fun, Deathloop is the complete package.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R
Metascore: 86
Nowadays, Star Ocean does not get the same love as Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, but the franchise has a long and storied history that firmly cements it as one of the most influential properties in the real-time action JRPG sphere. Unfortunately, the series has struggled to recapture the magic of its original three games, although 2022’s The Divine Force was a positive step. That entry runs well on the PS5 and is a decent option for anyone looking for a modern entry; however, The Second Story R is the best Star Ocean game on current hardware.
This remake of a PS1 classic retains its ancestor’s spirit while also providing a substantial visual upgrade along with a plethora of quality of life adjustments. Graphically, The Second Story R utilizes an art style similar to Octopath Traveler, and it looks fantastic. Along with great combat, the story is also among the best in the franchise’s history.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion
Metascore: 78
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion
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- Released
- December 13, 2022
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
A remaster of a PSP release, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion is not quite as impressive of an update as FF7 Remake. However, that should not take anything away from the strong core package, which has aged surprisingly well. The story centers around Zack, a Soldier with ties to Sephiroth, Cloud, Aerith, and Tifa. A prequel to the main game, Crisis Core expands upon Sephiroth and Cloud’s origin stories, all the way delivering a solid, if convoluted battle system.
All things considered, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion is quite good-looking, even if its tiny stages and repetitive missions expose its handheld origins. The locked 60 FPS allows the hack and slash combat to shine, and the attacks’ visual effects are impressive.
Scarlet Nexus
Metascore: 80
New, successful IPs should be celebrated, particularly when it comes to ambitious RPGs. Bandai Namco’s Scarlet Nexus serves as a great introduction to a universe that, hopefully, will be further expanded upon by subsequent releases.
Visually, Scarlet Nexus can’t compare to the likes of Final Fantasy or Persona, but it delivers something on the same level as a Tales of game. Featuring real-time combat that is fast-paced and deceptively complex, Scarlet Nexus runs very well on the PS5.
Guilty Gear Strive
Metascore: 87
Arc System Works is among the best developers in the fighting game genre, even if the majority of the studio’s franchises can be overwhelming for newcomers. Guilty Gear Strive succeeds in reducing the license’s entry barrier while retaining the tight and punishing combat system that has defined the series since its inception.
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Guilty Gear Strive looks like an anime and runs brilliantly on the PS5, offering 4K visuals alongside 60 FPS. Players seeking a ninth-generation fighting game can do much worse than Guilty Gear Strive; just make sure to play through the tutorial.
Chivalry 2
Metascore: 85
Multiplayer games tend to be unpredictable due to their performance depending on a user’s connection; however, as long as no external factors interfere, Chivalry 2 runs at 60 FPS while managing a 4K resolution. Torn Banner Studios’ hack and slash game drops players in large-scale medieval battles with melee combat taking center stage.
Precision is the name of the game here as players must not only swing their weapons accurately and intelligently but parry any incoming attacks. Consequently, 60 FPS is crucial.
Devil May Cry 5
Metascore: 89
It might have taken a while but Capcom finally released the Devil May Cry game that fans deserve. Originally debuting in March 2019 for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC, Devil May Cry 5 went next-gen with its Special Edition, a version that includes Vergil as a playable option.
Permitting ray tracing is disabled, Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition runs at 4K and can reach roughly 60 FPS. The game comes with a variety of Performance Modes, including the ability to play at 120 FPS at 1080p. Devil May Cry 5‘s combat might be the most complete in the hack and slash subgenre, and the Special Edition offers the best version of it.
Rogue Legacy 2
Metascore: 90
Rogue Legacy 2
- Released
- April 28, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Cellar Door Games
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike , Metroidvania
A 2D roguelike running at 4K and 60 FPS on the PS5 is the bare minimum Sony’s console should be able to deliver, but that does not mean Rogue Legacy 2 is not worth highlighting. After all, Cellar Door Games’ sequel is comfortably among the best action titles of the last few years, and it is a particularly easy recommendation for people interested in Metroidvanias. Building on its predecessor’s extremely solid foundations, the sequel expands on the formula in ways that make it a considerable improvement, and that is not a criticism of the original Rogue Legacy.
At the beginning of a playthrough, players pick a class and head out on a quest that will take them to a few distinct areas. Obviously, they will fight enemies, find loot, upgrade their skills, and eventually die; rather than restart from scratch, failure results in the birth of the next generation, and players get to pick from three random classes that come with their own quirks and strengths. This system constantly shakes up the core gameplay, ensuring boredom never sets in.
Immortals Fenyx Rising
Metascore: 77
Ubisoft’s action-adventure game takes quite a bit of inspiration from Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, utilizing a similar visual style and puzzle system. Based on Greek mythology, Immortals Fenyx Rising follows the titular hero as he tries to defeat Typhon, a journey that puts Fenyx directly in the path of a number of gods.
Immortals Fenyx Rising boasts fast-paced hack and slash combat that blends melee and ranged weapons along with an array of incredible powers. The open-world is not all that dissimilar to Ubisoft’s standard fare, albeit with a more cartoonish aesthetic than the realistic visuals of Far Cry or Assassin’s Creed.
Fortnite
Metascore: 78 (PS4)
Fortnite
- Released
- July 25, 2017
- Genre(s)
- Survival , Battle Royale
Fortnite is a cultural icon that has absorbed players all around the world since its release. However, because of its complexity, console gaming limited the fidelity available to much of its player base. That’s no longer the case with the new generation of consoles.
The PS5 offers variety and caters to what gamers value in their high-action games. Fortnite players can look forward to building, looting, and battling at full 4K/60 FPS. Gamers who want to step beyond 60 FPS can play Fortnite at a lower resolution with an FPS of 120 (that is, if they have a TV that can support it!).
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
Metascore: 85 (PS4)
The newest mainline Crash Bandicoot game is a welcome revival of the classic series. Though there has been controversy over the game’s always-online requirement on PC, there exist no such limitations on the console. Console gamers looking to play the newest kid-friendly marsupial romp are served by the power of the PlayStation 5.
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The PS5 version runs at 4K/60 FPS and is noticeably smoother and sharper than on the PS4. The PS5’s solid-state drive also means that the game loads extremely quickly, which is a welcome change for anyone who remembers the original trilogy’s lengthy load times!
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Metascore: 84
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla is an ambitious entry to a long-running series. The Assassin’s Creed games have always been known for realizing beautiful historic settings. Valhalla is no different, bringing its feudal frontier to life as players explore and conquer the English countryside in the shoes of ninth-century Norse invaders.
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Like with other titles, gaming on the PS5 is a favorable prospect. Even with its graphical boost, the PS5 handily keeps up with Valhalla’s demands and ensures that the player experience is as seamless as it is immersive.
Tunic
Metascore: 86
Tunic
- Released
- March 16, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Andrew Shouldice
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Charming and gorgeous, Tunic might be the best isometric action game on the PS5, and it is the closest thing the console has to a classic Zelda adventure. Cast as a fox, players work their way through a beautiful but dangerous world that is structured similarly to a Metroidvania, in the sense that special abilities might need to be used to access certain areas. In terms of gameplay, Tunic has quite an involved combat system that takes a few hints from Souls-likes.
Visually, this is far from the most taxing project on Sony’s modern system, so it is not all that surprising that Tunic manages to offer 4K and 60fps on the PS5. That said, the game’s cartoonish graphics match its tone and story, and they should age gracefully over the coming decades.
Apex Legends
Metascore: 89 (PS4)
Apex Legends
- Released
- February 4, 2019
- Genre(s)
- Battle Royale , First-Person Shooter
Technically, Apex Legends was playable for more than a year on the PS5 before it started to take advantage of the system’s potential; however, in March 2022, Respawn released the next-gen update and brought the multiplayer first-person shooter up to speed. Since then, PS5 owners have been able to play the game at 4K resolution and 60 FPS, which makes a world of difference for this type of release. At this point, anyone remotely interested in EA’s free-to-play shooter has likely already made the plunge, and while not without its ups and downs, Apex Legends has largely succeeded in keeping a consistent fan base.
Battle royale games are a dime-a-dozen, but Apex Legends sets itself apart through its polished gameplay, squad-based matches, and incorporation of hero shooter ideas. Even more than four years after its original debut, Apex Legends is still a lot of fun to play, and the title runs beautifully on current-generation systems. If someone is looking for a first-person shooter and is not sure what to try, they can do much worse than Respawn’s successful project.
The Nioh Collection
Metascore: 87
Nioh 2
- Released
- March 13, 2020
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Nioh 1 & 2 were unexpected hits in the “souls-like” genre. While its seed of creativity dates all the way back to 2004, the last decade of success for challenging, immersive action RPGs breathed new life into its development over at Team Ninja.
Now, The Nioh Collection has a home on the PS5, offering great value for money as each entry in this series should keep someone busy for close to 50 hours. The Nioh Collection features both Nioh titles, which can be played at 4K resolution and beautiful smooth 60 FPS. High frame rates are especially welcome for challenging action games, which encourage precise “dodge and punish” gameplay.
Gran Turismo 7
Metascore: 87
The Gran Turismo series has always pushed the visual envelope. Now, its presentation on the PS5 approaches new levels of beauty by boasting both fluidity and clarity. Whereas 2017’s Gran Turismo Sport hovered around 30 FPS on PS4, Gran Turismo 7 boasts 4K resolution, a smooth 60 frames per second, and Ray Tracing to boot, although the latter two features cannot be achieved simultaneously.
While the racing game has attracted quite a bit of criticism for some of its practices, the gameplay itself is fantastic, ranking among the best on the market. Gran Turismo 7 looks amazing and runs beautifully.
Every PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, And PC Game Coming Out In The Future
In relation to the PS5, the best is yet to come. As studios grow more familiar with the tech’s potential, more games will come out that push Sony’s console to its limits. Here are all the upcoming PS5 games, along with the titles announced for the Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC: