Just unboxed your shiny new PS5? Before diving into the vast gaming universe, here are five must-play games that perfectly showcase the console’s power, innovation, and storytelling brilliance-each offering a unique gateway into next-gen gaming that you won’t want to miss. From the charming platforming of Astro Bot to the adrenaline-pumping action of God of War Ragnarok, these picks will make your first PS5 hours unforgettable.
The PlayStation 5 has amassed a sizeable library of exciting games to play since it first launched back in 2020, from spectacular first-party exclusives to terrific third-party releases. Here at AELGAMES, we’ve put together our top picks for which games new PS5 owners should play first in order to get the most out of their new console.
There’s a ton more games to choose from than just what’s on this list, as our exhaustive list of the best games on PlayStation 5 can attest. These are our recommendations of where you should start before gaming to your heart’s content.
Astro’s Playroom
Astro’s Playroom is a charming 3D platformer that comes preinstalled on every PlayStation 5, designed as a delightful introduction to the console’s capabilities. Players control Astro Bot as they explore four creatively themed worlds inspired by PS5 hardware components, each filled with collectibles and nostalgic PlayStation artifacts. The game uniquely showcases the DualSense controller’s advanced features, such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, through engaging mechanics like tilting, pressing, and swiping. Beyond its platforming fun, Astro’s Playroom serves as a loving tribute to PlayStation’s history, making it a must-play for both new and veteran gamers eager to experience the full potential of the PS5 right out of the box.
Everyone with these two traits loves Astro’s Playroom. First, they have a copy of Astro’s Playroom and second, they’ve played that copy of Astro’s Playroom. Normally there wouldn’t be much distance between those two traits; however, Astro’s Playroom comes bundled with the PlayStation 5 and, as a result, I often worry it goes unnoticed because Big AAA Game is the priority.
So I’m here to make sure that you, as someone with refined tastes, do not make that mistake. Fire up Astro’s Playroom and be rewarded with a charming, three-ish hour journey that is equal parts PlayStation 5 tutorial and PlayStation history tour with just enough precise platforming that you may find yourself going back to clean things up for . make that four, no five hours. And when it’s sadly all over, you can queue up the soundtrack on repeat (shout out to “I’m Your GPU”) and begin the long, painful process of awaiting its successor. -Christopher Grant
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on PS5 offers an immersive open-world RPG experience set in the sprawling Night City, where you play as V, a customizable mercenary navigating a futuristic world of power and body modification. This edition includes the base game, the acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion, and exclusive physical and digital extras such as a sticker set and in-game items. Enhanced for next-gen consoles, it features improved visuals, ray tracing, faster load times, and gameplay updates like revamped perks, cyberware, and vehicle combat. With a rich narrative shaped by your choices and a vast city to explore, it’s a must-play for PS5 owners seeking a deep, action-packed adventure.
CD Projekt Red’s open-world first-person role-playing game set in the dystopian world of Mike Pondsmith’s Cyberpunk tabletop universe has been on a wild journey over the past three years. A notoriously buggy and broken initial release in 2020 turned to critical reappraisal following the game’s 1.5 patch and the effusive reception to the game’s first (and only) expansion. Cyberpunk 2077 has undergone one of the most dramatic redemption arcs seen of any game of the past couple years. After all that’s been said and done, you likely have only two questions: Is Cyberpunk 2077 worth playing? Is the game finally ’fixed’?
The answer to both questions is yes, and there’s never been a better time than now to play it. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition comes complete with the original 60-hour base game in addition to this year’s Phantom Liberty expansion, as well as all the subsequent fixes, updates, and free content added to the game post-launch. Tear through the dark future of Night City’s streets and make your name as a legend among the city’s mercs. -Toussaint Egan
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE is an enhanced and expanded version of the critically acclaimed FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE, optimized for the PlayStation 5. It features significantly improved graphics, including upgraded textures, lighting, and environments that bring the city of Midgar to life like never before. Players can choose between two modes: a 4K graphics mode and a 60fps performance mode, ensuring smooth and stunning gameplay. The game also introduces the new Episode INTERmission, starring Yuffie Kisaragi in a fresh story arc with additional gameplay content. Enhanced PS5 features such as haptic feedback via the DualSense controller and a fully customizable Photo Mode allow players to immerse themselves deeper in the experience and capture memorable moments.
The PlayStation 5 glow-up version of Final Fantasy 7 Remake includes not only the award-winning original game but also the PS5-exclusive DLC starring Yuffie, a hyperactive teen girl activist with way more emotional energy than the moody Cloud Strife. But if you’re a new PS5 owner who didn’t play FF7 Remake on the PS4, Intergrade is even more of a must-have. Despite having the word “remake” in the title, FF7 Remake is much more than that, as it’s a total reimagining of the original 1997 RPG’s story. -Maddy Myers
MLB The Show 23
MLB The Show 23 on PS5 delivers a highly immersive baseball experience with over 5,000 new gameplay animations, including realistic fielding and throwing mechanics that emphasize player attributes like fielding and arm accuracy. The game features revamped competitive gameplay, new offensive quirks, and enhanced visual presentation with 4K resolution and smooth 60 FPS performance. It also offers multiple modes such as Franchise, March to October, Road to the Show, and Diamond Dynasty, alongside cross-platform play and co-op options, making it a comprehensive and engaging choice for sports fans on the new console.
If you’re a baseball fan who owns a PS5 (or an Xbox Series X, or a Nintendo Switch), I have to imagine that you’ve already tried Sony’s perennially terrific MLB The Show series. But I’d strongly recommend 2023’s edition regardless of your feelings about the sport, thanks to its terrific new mode Storylines, which lets players learn about and relive the history of Negro League baseball.
The mode tells the stories of Negro League legends like Satchel Paige through sequences where you play as them in period-accurate uniforms and ballparks. These segments are accompanied by educational videos narrated by the charismatic Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick, which provide more color about these athletes’ careers and lives – without shying away from the awful reality of life under segregation. Major League Baseball is undertaking a long-overdue effort to acknowledge and grapple with this shameful history, and doing it in a video game makes MLB The Show 23 a truly special work. -Samit Sarkar
Returnal
Returnal is a visually stunning and intense third-person shooter exclusive to the PS5, developed by Housemarque. It combines fast-paced bullet-hell combat with roguelike progression, set on the mysterious, ever-changing alien planet Atropos. Players control Selene, an astronaut trapped in a time loop, who must fight through diverse, hostile environments filled with unique creatures and hazards. The game leverages PS5’s advanced hardware for near-instant loading, immersive 3D audio, and adaptive DualSense controller features, delivering a seamless and immersive experience. Its challenging gameplay, dynamic world, and deep narrative make Returnal a must-play for new PS5 owners seeking a thrilling and replayable adventure.
Returnal is one of the must-play games on PS5 simply because there’s nothing else like it on the platform. There’s nothing else like it anywhere, frankly. Most bullet-hell games give you the benefit of a bird’s-eye view – far enough away that you can weave through the deluge of projectiles from a removed distance, hopefully safely. Returnal, meanwhile, throws you right in the thick of it.
The “thick of it,” in this case, is an exoplanet whose biomes look like playable heavy metal album cover art. Pretty much everywhere you go, some jerk alien is lobbing a ceaseless torrent of energy globules toward you. Without fail, whenever you think you’ve dodged everything and eliminated your aggressors, you will die, and then you will die again, and then again (and again). Eventually, through grit and perseverance (and possibly a replacement DualSense controller or two), you won’t die. And the subsequent feeling of victory? It’s one of a kind. -Ari Notis
Which of these five games will redefine my PS5 experience first
Among the five games to play first on your new PS5, God of War Ragnarok stands out as the title most likely to redefine your PS5 experience first. It delivers a deeply emotional narrative combined with stunning visuals and gameplay that fully leverage the PS5’s power, making it a favorite for many players starting their PS5 journey. Additionally, Astro Bot offers a whimsical and innovative use of the DualSense controller and next-gen mechanics, providing a uniquely charming introduction to the console’s capabilities. However, for a transformative and immersive experience that showcases the console’s graphical and storytelling prowess, God of War Ragnarok is often recommended as the first must-play.
Which game offers the most groundbreaking visuals on PS5 first
The game that offers the most groundbreaking visuals on PS5 first is widely considered to be Demon’s Souls Remake. It is praised for its absolutely stunning environments and detailed world design, making it a standout showcase of the PS5’s graphical capabilities.
Other visually impressive contenders include Horizon Forbidden West, known for its high-quality textures and vibrant colors, and God of War Ragnarok, which also delivers stunning visuals with refined detail and smooth performance. However, for an immediate visual impact that redefines next-gen graphics on PS5, Demon’s Souls Remake is often highlighted as the most visually groundbreaking title to experience first.
