Now that the PS5 is out, we have gathered our full list of PS5 launch game reviews right here and ranked them to provide you with a definitive list of every PS5 launch game ranked. Therefore, you can easily find out what to spend your money on and which games to avoid in the coming months as you build up your PS5 library.
- 23. Warhammer Chaosbane: Slayer Edition
- 22. Godfall
- 21. Watch Dogs Legion
- 20. Spirit of the North: Enhanced Edition
- 19. NBA 2K21
- 18. Fortnite
- 17. Bugsnax
- 16. Overcooked! All You Can Eat
- 15. DiRT 5
- 14. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
- 13. Dead By Daylight
- 12. Immortals: Fenyx Rising
- 11. Observer: System Redux
- 10. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Remastered
- 9. Borderlands 3
- 8. WRC 9
- 7. Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
- 6. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- 5. The Pathless
- 4. Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales
- 3. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
- 2. Astro’s Playroom
- 1. Demon’s Souls
Every PS5 Launch Game Ranked – All Of Our PS5 Launch Game Reviews
23. Warhammer Chaosbane: Slayer Edition
Nacon – November 12/November 19 – $59.99/£49.99
Coming in at the bottom of our list of ranked games is Warhammer Chaosbane: Slayer Edition. Reviewed by our own John-Paul Jones, the game doesn’t manage to make an impact on PS5 due to its poor or limited use of the technology and the DualSense controller.
The game is apparently “filled with content, quests to complete and monsters to slay”, and “Warhammer: Chaosbane can be fun if you’ve friends to experience it with and can tolerate the grind.” But the lack of significant upgrades and the niche it fills means it isn’t really worth the buy.
Warhammer Choasbane: Slayer Edition PS5 Review
22. Godfall
Gearbox Publishing – November 12/November 19 – $69.99/£69.99
Ahhhh, Godfall. What was the first PS5 game to ever be revealed turned out to be one of the most disappointing launch games for the platform. Eric Hauter took this one on for us and came away severely disappointed with how repetitive the gameplay got, despite looking gorgeous on PS5.
Described as a “soulless Franken-game that feels empty”, the game struggles to give reasons for players to keep playing and the different Valorplates don’t offer much of a gameplay change. According to Eric “everything is here for a seemingly fun, mindless loot grind, but Godfall ends up feeling like a stroll through a beautiful lifeless museum.
21. Watch Dogs Legion
Ubisoft – November 12/November 19 – $59.99/£59.99
While visual enhancements and speedier load times do improve the overall experience in Watch Dogs Legion, the open world fatigue and messy storytelling still hold the game back from being a stellar romp in your PS5 launch line-up. Neil Bolt reviewed the PS5 version of the game, commending the developers for reducing load times between missions, switching characters, and fast travel, as well as improving the visuals with Ray Tracing and better textures.
Where the game falls flat is in “anyone is playable” gimmick, making you feel disconnected from a relatable protagonist in an overall lacking story. Also, for PS5 players, there is limited DualSense implementation.
20. Spirit Of The North: Enhanced Edition
Merge Games – November 26 – $24.99/£29.99
As far as launch titles go, Spirit Of The North Enhanced Edition is the most middle of the road title here. With nothing bad about it, but a fairly mediocre remaster with not many new features it doesn’t offer much of a reason to buy.
Joe Apsey took this on as his first review and came away impressed by the visuals, but disappointed in other areas, stating “Spirit of the North Enhanced Edition may look great at 4K and run smoother at 60 FPS, but with no gameplay changes, barely any meaningful use of the DualSense, and a lack of gameplay improvements the indie-adventure doesn’t offer much of a reason to play.”
Spirit Of The North Enhanced Edition PS5 Review
19. NBA 2K21
2K – November 12/November 19 – $69.99/£64.99
The best basketball experience is found in NBA 2K21 on PS5. According to PSU’s Timothy Nunes, NBA 2K21 “nails the 3 when it comes to gameplay and performance.” The PS5 unlocks visual fidelity not yet seen in a sports title, making player authenticity a key selling point. In addition, loading times are reduced, letting you jump back into games much faster. Haptic feedback using the DualSense controller also seems to be put to good use. It reacts to player performance, creating resistance when performing poorly to smoother trigger input when performing well.
The only thing holding NBA 2k21 back is the lack of compatibility with the PS4 version. As of this writing, MyPlayer cannot transfer from PS4 to PS5. This might deter you if you have already sunk quite a few hours into the game. “Lack of MyPlayer transfer keep the PS4 version relevant when it comes to time investment and previous playtime,” Nunes writes. “With The City being more spread out and barriers put up between modes, NBA 2K21 on PS5 feels disconnected.”
18. Fortnite
Epic Games – November 12/November 19 – Free To Play
Competitive battle royale players rejoice with all-new PS5 enhancements to Fortnite. Now you can traverse the island with your friends in vibrant 4k resolutions while maintaining a consistent 60fps framerate. PSU’s Joe Apsey reviewed the PS5 version adding that the DualSense implementation provides useful and accurate haptic feedback. “Haptic Feedback is very satisfying in both Battle Royale and Save The World,” he wrote. “[It] takes away some of the janky feeling controls Fortnite has always had.”
In addition, Activity Cards help players jump right into battle, targeting specific goals they are working on. If you own a PS5, Fortnite is worth checking out. Especially since it’s free to play.
17. Bugsnax
Young Horses – November 12/November 19 – $24.99/£17.99
As a pretty off the wall creation already, Bugsnax gets a slight bit weirder on PS5 with DualSense features, such as the various Bugsnaxs talking to you through the controller.
In our review from Adam Byrne, he states that “A performance cleanup thanks to PS5’s added juice coupled with some well-implemented usage of the DualSense controller means that Sony’s newest console is the best place to play Young Horses’ second indie offering”.
16. Overcooked! All You Can Eat
Team17 – November 12/November 19 – $49.99/£39.99
Fans of the series will find that the PS5 is the definitive place to play Overcooked! All You Can Eat. It features both of the original Overcooked! games as well as all expansions / DLC content. Also, the game features all the enhancements you’d expect on the PS5 including; 4k resolution at 60fps, reduced load times, and DualSense implementation.
John Paul Jones reviewed Overcooked! All You Can Eat, expressing that it’s one of the “best co-operative games to ever grace PlayStation.” The game can be played locally or online, with support for cross-play as well. If you’re looking for a good party game for the holidays, look no further.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat PS5 Review
15. DiRT 5
Codemasters – November 12/November 19 – $59.99/£54.99
Shift into gear and hit the pedal to the metal in this authentic rally racing sim. DiRT 5 takes you on a ride across 75 unique tracks from snowy tundras to dirt courses with gravel and mud. John Paul Jones took things for a spin, stating that “though the various visual modes require some work, Dirt 5 is nonetheless a breath of fresh air for the long-running rally racing franchise that widens the audience duly and marks a commendable debut for the franchise on PlayStation 5.”
DiRT 5 can be played in 4k resolution at 60fps, or upped to 120fps but at a dropped resolution to 1080p. There have been some hiccups in the visual fidelity in the 120fps mode, but nothing that the talented developers at Codemasters can’t patch up.
14. Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Activision – November 13 – $69.99/£64.99
The latest entry in the Call of Duty series has us travel back to the 80s, during the peak of the nuclear warfare scare with Russia. Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War features all the tropes that fans of the series are used to from the single-player campaign to the multiplayer modes, Warzone and Zombies. The PS5 version does see some upgrades including support for 3D audio, DualSense implementation and Ray tracing at 60fps or 120fps in multiplayer / ray tracing turned off.
Ernest Lin covered the game for PSU. “It all feels so classic,” he wrote. “Between multiplayer, Zombies, and the return of a proper (and surprisingly less-linear) campaign, there is plenty of value for the soldier in all of us.”
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War PS5 Review
13. Dead By Daylight
Behaviour Interactive – November 12/November 19 – $29.99/£24.99
Dead By Daylight hops to the PS5 with a stunning visual upgrade and improvements that help the game run on next-gen consoles. In our review, John-Paul Jones said “With it’s upgraded visuals, improved loading times, massive content offering, gargantuan progression opportunities and just the sheer fun of being an escaping victim or a predatory killer, Dead by Daylight feels like it can at last live up to its sizable premise. And I am absolutely here for it.”
The game is available for all owners on PS4 and comes with PS5 features and more in the future, such as improved DualSense support.
12. Immortals: Fenyx Rising
Ubisoft – December 3 – $59.99/£59.99
As Ubisoft’s second title on this list, Immortals: Fenyx Rising differs from its usual open-world efforts by telling a more focused story and engaging you with fast combat and an open, explore-as-you-go playstyle.
Our reviewer, Neil Bolt wrote in his review “With Immortals: Fenyx Rising, Ubisoft has created a refreshingly compact throwback open-world adventure that can be forgiven for its aggressive repurposing of other games best bits because it shapes them to fits its own style. The exploration is brisk and eventful, the puzzles are varied, with the right level of challenge and simplicity, and the approach to storytelling ultimately pays off.”
Immortals: Fenyx Rising PS5 Review
11. Observer: System Redux
Bloober Team – November 12/November 19 – $29.99/£24.99
Observer was already a thrill ride through a cyberpunk horror world, but with Observer: System Redux you are able to feel that even more with improved visuals, stunning ray-tracing, and the addition of realistic DualSense features. Our own Garri Bagdasarov called it a “shining example of what ray tracing and the DualSense are capable of”.
In his review he highlighted that the game is “A fantastic world brought to life by great storytelling, world-building, and visual and audio design… The Ray Tracing breaths life to a dusty and decrepit building while the DualSense allows you to feel the various actions Lazarski performs.”
Observer: System Redux PS5 Review
10. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Remastered
Sony Interactive Entertainment – November 12/November 19 – $69.99/£69.99 (Included In The Ultimate Edition of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Only)
Our own John Paul Jones is back with another review, this time for Marvel’s Spider-Man: Remastered which is a gorgeous remaster of the 2018 superhero game. In his review, he highlighted that it is “a sterling remastering of one of 2018’s best games.”
“Marvel’s Spider-Man: Remastered is must-have gaming for everyone who has yet to sample the heroic adventures of the original friendly, neighbourhood Spider-Man.” So, if you are picking up Miles Morales, make sure you get the Ultimate Edition so you can get this remaster as well!
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Remastered PS5 Review
9. Borderlands 3
2K – November 12/November 19 – $59.99/£59.99
Borderlands 3 was already a solid looter shoot but PS5 gives it features that were sorely needed at launch. John Paul Jones writes “Finally realising its potential, Borderlands 3 goes from great to essential on PlayStation 5, thanks to its new visual features, DualSense implementation and the ability to have up to four players blasting their way through the game locally. If you’ve been holding off playing Borderlands 3 until now, your watch has ended.”
With a host of new features now is the time to pick up Gearbox’s looter shooter, especially if you want to play with friends and get the most out of the experience.
8. WRC 9
Nacon – November 12/November 19 – $49.99/£49.99
WRC 9 was one of the best racers of the year when it released earlier this Fall and PS5 provides some nice improvements to cement its place on the podium with that title.
Writing in his review, John-Paul Jones says “Kylotonn has provided a delectable coat of polish to what is already considered to be one of the finest rally games in years. If you’ve got a PS5 and you want a rally racing sim to cut your teeth on, they don’t come any better than WRC 9.”
Related Content – Sony PS5 Complete Guide – A Total Resource On PlayStation 5
7. Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
Capcom – November 12/November 19 – $39.99/£34.99
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition is the definitive version of Capcom’s action RPG and one of the best launch titles on the PS5. As one of our first PS5 reviews, Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition is great.
John-Paul Jones wrote in his review that “A fantastic way for newcomers and lapsed series fans to get back into the Devil May Cry franchise alike, Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition is a value stuffed offering that lays a coat thick, next-generation paint across the surface of one of the best hack and slash yarns of recent years.”
Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition PS5 Review
6. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Ubisoft – November 12/November 19 – $59.99/£59.99
Michael Harradence took on his first PS5 review for us with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, which is a Viking epic brimming with content and stories to discover.
Simply put, “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on PS5 is the definitive version of Ubisoft’s epic Viking title. With a sharper resolution, silky-smooth frame rate and a reduced number of bugs and glitches, Sony’s new console offers a more seamless and enjoyable platform to experience this mammoth, engrossing open-world game on.”
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla PS5 Review
5. The Pathless
Annapurna Interactive – November 12/November 19 – $39.99/£29.99
The Pathless is Sebastian Hawden‘s first PS5 review for us and it is a belter, heavily praising the soothing and charming adventure, which is brought to life on PS5.
“A subtle, immersive upgrade to an already brilliant game. The Dualsense really shines in making your traversal and combat feel more alive. The game runs brilliantly, looks beautiful, and has a great score to match. You cannot go far wrong with The Pathless”. This is definitely a title you should get your hands on.
4. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Sony Interactive Entertainment – November 12/November 19 – $49.99/£49.99
The second of Insomniac’s games on this list, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is an amazing action-adventure which nicely progresses and evolves the game from its 2018 predecessor. John-Paul Jones reviewed this ahead of the PS5’s launch and was thoroughly impressed.
He writes “A stunning and must-have PlayStation 5 launch title, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a beautifully digestible superhero yarn that not only maintains the formula of its 2018 predecessor but which also lays down an enticing blueprint for a full-blown sequel to follow. This is essential stuff.”
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales PS5 Review
3. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Sony Interactive Entertainment – November 12/November 19 – $59.99/£59.99
Sackboy makes his return on PlayStation in our PS5 review of Sackboy: A Big Adventure, reviewed by John-Paul Jones. Focusing on platforming, rather than creation, this is one of the best titles at launch and a must-play for any member of the family.
Described in our review as “An astounding triumph of imagination, Sackboy: A Big Adventure isn’t just one of the best platformers ever made, it’s also a proper highlight of the PlayStation 5 launch line-up that is steeped in such fun and freewheeling creativity, that it deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as other PlayStation platforming heroes such as Jak & Daxter and Ratchet & Clank.”
Sackboy: A Big Adventure PS5 Review
2. Astro’s Playroom
Sony Interactive Entertainment – November 12/November 19 – Available Pre-Installed On Every PS5 Console
As possibly the best pack-in title ever released, Astro’s Playroom is phenomenal, acting as a great showcase of the DualSense and the unique things developers can do with it.
Writing in our review, John-Paul Jones stated “Astro’s Playroom is a fundamentally excellent platformer that commendably stands on its own merits. Equal parts a stirring demonstration of the capabilities of the DualSense and PS5 console as it is an excellent traditional platformer, Astro’s Playroom might just be the best pack-in title of all-time.”
1. Demon’s Souls
Sony Interactive Entertainment – November 12/November 19 – $69.99/£69.99
Bluepoint at this point can do no wrong, with the release of the outstanding remake of Demon’s Souls. Coming in as the top game in our list, Demon’s Souls is definitely worth your time whether you are a returning player or completely new to the game.
In our review, John-Paul Jones praises it heavily stating “An absolute blueprint on how to remake a beloved title and meaningfully improve upon on it in ways that new cutting edge technologies make possible, Demon’s Souls on PlayStation 5 is more than just the best launch game for any system in recent memory.”
The PS5 and all these games are out now.