Here are the first 5 games you need to play on your new PS5

If you just bought (or were gifted) a PS5 console (or PS5 Pro console) this holiday season, we welcome you to the club! You’re a little late to the PS5 party, but that’s actually a good thing. Over the last four years, Sony’s flagship console has built up a very extensive library of the best PS5 games, including selections to suit just about every gaming taste, giving you plenty to catch up on. And that’s before you consider that the PS5 is compatible with (almost) every PS4 title.

Once you’ve connected your PS5 console to your TV and completed the initial boot process (an oddly enjoyable experience in this writer’s opinion), it’s time to decide which PS5 games you want to play first. However, with so many options, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s why I’ve created this guide that covers five essential PS5 games that provide an ideal starting point.

These are not them only PS5 games worth playing, but each showcases the console’s capabilities in some way, making them a great introduction to the world of PS5 gaming. So let’s take a look at the five PS5 games you should play first on your new console…

AstroBot

Astro Bot screenshot

(Image credit: Sony)

Every PS5 comes with a pre-installed copy of Astro’s Playroom. This two-hour experience is an effective preview of the power of the console and the unique features of the DualSense controller. But if Astro’s Playroom is the appetizer, then Astro Bot is the complete meal. This recent Game of the Year winner at the 2024 Game Awards is not only a tribute to all things PlayStation, but a phenomenal platformer that rivals even Mario’s best.

You play as a little hero on a mission across the galaxy to resurrect your robot friends (some dressed as iconic gaming characters), and each varied level is bursting with creative ideas and secret collectibles to find. The most exciting are the stages that revolve around a specific PlayStation title like God of War or Uncharted. Astro Bot’s colorful graphics also look stunning on PS5, and the DualSense controller is once again used to great effect to simulate various sensations, from walking across sand to the rumble of an active volcano. Regardless of age, Astro Bot is an essential PS5 game that reminds us how fun gaming can be.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Screenshot from Spider-Man 2

(Image credit: Sony)

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is an extremely confident sequel. Developer Insomniac Games has created not only one of the best superhero games of all time, but also one of the best Spidey media of all time. Building on the foundation of its PS4 predecessor, Spider-Man 2 lets you play as two Spider-Mans – Peter Parker and Miles Morales – As they face some of their toughest challenges yet, including the emergence of a mysterious symbiote suit that offers devastating new powers, albeit at significant personal cost to Parker.

The biggest draw in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is the highly cinematic campaign, which features everything from playful comedy to dramatic character moments. And when you’re not engaged in a battle against Kraven the Hunter and Venom, you can explore the newly expanded New York City. Swinging through the skyscrapers of Manhattan remains exciting, but now you can glide through Brooklyn and Queens with your trusty mesh wings. If you’re new to PlayStation’s take on the webhead, be sure to play Spider-Man Remastered and Spider-Man Miles Morales first.

The Last of Us Part 1

Screenshot of The Last of Us Part I.

(Image credit: Sony)

If you’ve upgraded from a PS4 (or even a PS3) to a PS5, you’ve probably already played The Last of Us. Developed by Naughty Dog in 2013, this title is often listed as one of the best video games of all time and has already been remastered for Sony’s fourth-generation console. But The Last of Us Part 1 is the definitive way to experience Joel and Ellie’s cross-country journey, and believe me, it stands up to rewatching. A decade later, it’s still a clear masterpiece.

“The Last of Us Part 1” is a completely new remake of the original. There are no narrative additions (although the excellent Left Behind DLC chapter is included), but almost every visual aspect of the game has been improved. Additionally, there are some minor gameplay changes to make combat encounters smoother than ever before. I’d call this remake an essential experience even for seasoned TLOU players, but it’s even more of a must-play for newbies who’ve never had the chance to endure (and survive) The Last of Us.

return

Return image

(Image credit: Sony)

Returnal is one of the PS5’s true console exclusives and a seriously underrated game in the system’s library. Players looking for a challenging experience (that isn’t Demon’s Souls) should pick up this sci-fi shooter that combines a rogue-lite structure with bullet-hell gameplay. And yes, this blend is just as intoxicating in practice as it sounds on paper. But be warned: Returnal fights back and punishes players who don’t react quickly.

In Returnal you play an astronaut who crashed on a mysterious, hostile planet. As if being stranded on an alien world full of nightmarish creatures wasn’t bad enough, you’re also stuck in a time loop. Each time you die, you awaken at the crash site and must set out again to face the planet’s many threats and get closer to the truth about the Loop. The ambiguous story will frustrate some players, but even if the narrative doesn’t captivate you, the fast-paced gameplay of dodging bullets bright as hell will.

Helldivers 2

Screenshot from Helldivers 2

(Image credit: Arrowhead)

Helldivers 2 was one of the biggest hits of 2024 and the obvious choice for any PS5 owner looking to experience co-op action on their shiny new console. Helldivers 2 is a sequel that is bigger and better than its smaller predecessor in almost every way. You team up with up to three other players and drop onto the surface of various sprawling planets to complete randomly generated objectives that contribute to a grand game. major war effort.

Developer Arrowhead has nailed down the basics of third-person shooting. Picking up a high-powered rifle and firing a volley of bullets is a satisfying feeling. What makes Helldivers 2 so special, however, is its penchant for chaos. Friendly Fire is enabled by default and you will often do more damage to your allies than your enemies when you call in an airstrike to decimate your enemies. But far from being frustrating, that’s part of Helldiver 2’s immense charm. Plus, you’ll be compelled to play this game for dozens of hours as there are tons to unlock, including weapons, outfits, base upgrades, and more.

Do I need PlayStation Plus?

PlayStation Plus Collection feature

(Image credit: PlayStation)

When you boot up your PS5, one of the first questions you’ll be asked is whether you want to sign up for PlayStation Plus. There are three unique tiers, but the base tier is PlayStation Essential for $10 per month (or $79 per year). The Essential membership gives you access to online multiplayer (you can play offline without PlayStation Plus), cloud save features, exclusive PlayStation Store discounts and a rotating selection of monthly games.

The next level up is Extra ($15 per month, $100 per year). This gets you all of the benefits mentioned above, plus access to a large catalog of more than 400 PS5 and PS4 games, including The Last of Us Part 1 and Returnal. Finally, there’s Premium ($18 per month, $120 per year), which gives you all of this in addition to the “Classics Catalog” which includes select PS1, PS2, PS3 and PSP games, all of which are playable on the PS5 (although some only via cloud streaming).

PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium offers a great way to get access to hundreds of games for a single monthly fee. However, it usually takes a while for recently released games to make their way into the subscription library (if at all). If you want a more comprehensive breakdown of the differences, check out our full list PlayStation Plus Essential vs. Extra vs. Premium Guide.

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Here are the first 5 games you need to play on your new PS5

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