“With the latest PSSR update, Silent Hill f now delivers an even smoother gameplay experience than before,” said Konami’s production team. “Fine details – from swaying blades of grass to shadows cast across the ground – are rendered with greater clarity, deepening immersion in the fog-shrouded Japan of the 1960s.” A short new trailer highlights the difference between the current PSSR and its upgraded version with the latter pretty much eliminating any flickering.

Ninja Theory head, Dom Matthews, noted the team’s excitement to collaborate with Sony while also being impressed by “the quality of particle effects with this latest update, helping to bring key gameplay moments to life through enhanced visuals.” Remedy’s graphical technical director, Tatu Aalto, also noted how the improved image upscaling resulted in “efficient stochastic sampling without sacrificing image stability” and how it “responds quickly to visibility changes in games, keeping motion clear while improving temporal stability.” The result is even “better, more stable image quality” in Control and Alan Wake 2.

Those worried that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on consoles would never fully depict the beauty of its characters’ hairstyles should also rejoice. Director Naoki Hamaguchi notes how “fine details such as character’s hair are naturally restored.” Of course, “less flickering and afterimage feeling” is also a bonus. You can also expect sharper edges for wildlife scenery in Nioh 3, whether it’s foliage or various flowers.

And while Capcom didn’t provide any additional comments on the technology, it will be available for Monster Hunter Wilds and Dragon’s Dogma 2. Resident Evil Requiem was the first title that leveraged Upgraded PSSR, and the results have been quite stunning thus far. Stay tuned for more details on other titles that will implement it in the coming weeks.

Many of these games are so addictive and well-designed, you’re probably going to be thinking about them when you’re not playing them. Let’s get started!

1. Where Winds Meet

This wuxia-based RPG is simply unmatched when it comes to the number of activities it offers you, the quality of each one, and the variety you can find. It’s an open world where exploration without having a specific destination in mind is the best possible way to experience it, with a lot of great side content baked into the game aside from a compelling main campaign.

With online multiplayer and MMO elements integrated into the gameplay loop, and combat and gear systems that are great for creating unique PvP characters, there’s just so much to do in this game, and so much more to come with subsequent updates, that hitting triple figures on your playtime is almost an inevitability.

2. EA Sports FC 26

The football simulator that’s been around forever continues to be a viable option for a game that has you coming back to it every chance you get, for a very long time after you first boot it up. With a very detailed Career mode, regular online events, the option to pit your team against your friend, or perhaps have a buddy join your team instead, there’s a lot to experience.

The gameplay on offer is also quite solid, with a lot of realism baked into the experience to make you feel like you’re on the pitch and not staring at it through a screen. However, its systems and some of its challenges are going to require that you literally put your best foot forward on the pitch. If you decide to dive into this one, the game is on and is going to stay that way for a while.

3. Fortnite

Once again, there’s so much to do in Fortnite, which is more of a platform than a game at this point. With so many modes on offer, regular content being added into the game, social features that make it a blast when it’s enjoyed in company, and a PvP Battle Royale mode that has become quite popular in its own right, this one’s definitely a game where 200 hours might go by before you even notice.

Dive in and you’re going to find a lot of freedom for self-expression, and a lot of fun to be had on the islands. Just be careful not to put too much of a strain on your wallet, as those outfits and goodies can be very tempting indeed.

4. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim + Expansions

Step into the shoes of the Dragonborn and begin your journey into Skyrim, and you’re probably not going to look at another video game until you’ve explored every corner of its sprawling map. Anything can happen along the road to your next point of interest, and with some of the finest RPG mechanics to grace the genre, you’re going to spend a lot of time tinkering with your build.

This is an RPG that has more than earned its popularity and ranks high among modern gaming’s finest for a reason. It’s also smart to dive in now and perhaps brush up on the story ahead of the sequel that’s eventually coming our way. The expansions are worth a mention, and can add a significant amount of hours to your total playtime. Every second of them is going to be worth it, though.

5. GTA Online

A thriving community of players, a massive map to explore in San Andreas, and interesting activities to engage with. GTA Online was kind of a no-brainer for this list. With heists to plan and execute, quests to carry out for some of the main story’s characters, and a reputation to build for your silent protagonist, this one’s going to have you avoiding plans and spending your weekends indoors for a while.

It’s GTA at its finest, and if the delay to GTA VI has had you feeling down, perhaps this one can act as a suitable placebo until the real thing gets here.

6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt + Story Expansions

Geralt’s search for Ciri, and all the shenanigans he can get up to in the process, continues to be among the best open-world games we’ve played despite it being a decade old at this point. CDPR’s ability to hide a frankly overwhelming amount of secrets across three vast maps, and a whole lot of quality side content to distract the Witcher from looking for his adoptive daughter, is nothing short of a marvel.

The story expansions are a whole other ball game, bringing some very satisfying arcs full of possibilities to change the narrative’s direction, along with excellent new monsters to hunt and more secrets and lore to uncover. You might not be able to get enough of this one, if we’re being honest.

7. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

The first open-world Metal Gear Solid is a great option for those of you who like a game that takes a while to outstay its welcome. Big Boss’s adventures continue in a main campaign that works very well as a bridge between previous entries, while side ops, Metal Gear Online, and the Forward Operating Base systems are all reasons for this one to have you enjoying many entertaining hours of espionage and skullduggery.

Indeed, a significant part of your playtime is going to be planning the best possible route to your objectives without your enemies being none the wiser to your presence. This is a hunt that takes a satisfyingly long time and is definitely worth considering.

8. Destiny 2

This award-winning online FPS title from Bungie has a staggering amount of content for you to take on in its story-based PvE mode, while your multiplayer options range from cooperative three-player missions to PvP battles. There’s a lot to take in, both in terms of the game’s lore and the amount of gear and potential build options you can find.

With a lot of content to get through, and a lot of fun to be had as you dive into all it has to offer, Destiny 2 is a dream come true if you’re an FPS player who wants a game that can take over their holidays.

9. Elden Ring + Shadow of the Erdtree

FromSoftware’s ambitious open-world and the Tarnished’s incredible journey is nothing short of a masterpiece. The Lands Between are full of places to explore, mysteries to uncover, NPCs with haunting stories, and a lot of weapons, armor, gear, and loot to plunder as you try to become Queen Marika’s consort and impose your will on the world.

It’s easy to forget about all that as you ride your horse through the Lands Between, and that feeling only intensifies when you finally make your way to the Land of Shadow in the game’s DLC. Tracing the steps of Miquella is an adventure worth taking on, and coupled with the base game, this one’s a behemoth.

10. Monster Hunter: World + Expansions

Taking on the role of a representative of the Research Commission and exploring every region and zone of the New World was a fun and engaging experience from start to finish. There are so many monsters to hunt, so much to discover, and a whole lot of activities to engage in at your camp and the main base.

Quests flow from one to another almost as smoothly as the water in some parts of the New World, and you’re going to be helping your fellow companions and NPCs while having tons of fun along the way. It helps that this is a game that’s both charming in its writing and enchanting on the visual front. You can’t go wrong with this one, and it’s going to have you getting very creative in your approach to each distinct monster you’re tasked with bringing down.

11. Dragon’s Dogma 2

This sequel was an excellent new addition to Dragon’s Dogma. It was a pleasure to step into the shoes of the Arisen once again, and each of the playable classes brought something interesting to the table. But it’s when you begin to dive deeper into the world’s mysteries and begin to discover more about it that this one’s true depth shows itself.

You’re going to want to place your teleporting stones quite carefully, as the rest of the world actually has you travelling across it, navigating set pathways via a travel system, while the world’s unpredictability can make those trips quite treacherous indeed. This is an experience that is both memorable and filled with so much content and so little hand-holding that you’re going to be obsessed with discovering more about the world and the people you meet within it.

12. Red Dead Redemption 2

Arthur Morgan is an obvious contender for a place on this list of massive games, and his adventures are so extensive that it can be hard to believe one man lived through them all. From kicking back with mini-games to exploring some truly bizarre stories that can come to you in multiple ways, this is a game that can have you walking and talking like a cowboy from the Wild West every chance you get.

It’s among the finest games in modern gaming, and its world is so full of clever little details to discover that hopping on your horse for a new day of exploring is going to take precedence over your leisure time for a very entertaining and lengthy block of time.

13. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla + Expansions

As the largest one in the franchise, Valhalla’s unique take on living your life as a noble Viking and uncovering the conspiracy across England, is a world worth getting lost in.

The game’s expansions do more to set up a lot of things, while coming with some brilliant new adventures for Eivor to pursue, complete with members of shadowy organizations to hunt down. It’s quite a tale, and a very large one full of fun things to do. Switching the cinematic camera on during a boat ride could have you spending more hours on this one than you’d like to admit.

14. No Man’s Sky

As one of modern gaming’s greatest comeback stories, this is a game that stands in its own class in terms of its shelf life. It’s an almost endless adventure, its narrative justifying multiple playthroughs in a way that makes total sense, while the completely random worlds that you get to explore and engage with are quite hard to leave once you start with them.

No Man’s Sky is a story about enjoying the journey, while also waiting eagerly to see what you’re going to find at its destination. It’s going to have you pushing past your bedtime with a smile on your face, and a sense of wonder compelling you to move forward and see just what you’re about to find.

15. Baldur’s Gate 3

With a stellar cast of actors bringing several NPCs to life, and an expertly narrated Dungeons and Dragons-based tale to have their settings intertwine with yours, Larian Studio’s banger continues to be a game that you can keep replaying, with astounding build variety and stories that never truly take place the same way when you play them.

There’s the Honour Mode, cross-platform modding support, co-op and online multiplayer, and a very dark take on the story to play through. Faerun is a great holiday destination, although the things you might find there can stay in the darkest corners of your mind rent-free.

16. Stardew Valley

We weren’t going to leave out one of the ultimate farming simulations from this one. Stardew Valley belongs here, with a playtime that doesn’t really end. You’re going to keep coming back to the farm that you grew from scratch, a town gradually building out of the effort you sink into, and the relationships with its many NPCs you build along the way.

No two days are the same out in this valley, and bringing in the online component is a great way to make this one as immersive as it can be, thanks to a thriving community of die-hard fans. You’re going to feel very welcome in this one, and you might choose to stay with it for a very long time to come.

17. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

This life sim always has a goal to reach, and things to do to get there. The Nook Miles system is its highlight, while the charming world and its uniquely retro art style make it stand out. Building out your presence in its world is an activity on its own, and you’re going to be quite obsessed with placing your buildings in a layout that’s to your liking, while getting them constructed has you constantly checking back into the game.

This is a game where you come to relax, and do that quite often, thanks to how entertaining it is to play, and how satisfying it is to stay with.

18. Gran Turismo 7

This PlayStation-exclusive racing sim is a great option for those of you who’d like to spend your time behind the wheel of a fast car on some of the world’s most iconic tracks. With PSVR2 support, incredible visuals, a very realistic translation of each car’s real-life track performance, and a lot of options to enjoy races at your disposal, you’re going to rack up a lot of miles on your ODO once you get started with this one.

The astounding visuals work very well with the game’s many systems that work well together to make your time on the track feel truly authentic, and push you to try taking those corners as well as you can. It’s time to let those engines loose and enjoy the results for hours on end.

19. Satisfactory

For a game carrying its title, this one is more than satisfactory, and can have you very immersed in building out your space base in your role as the Pioneer. Your factories are soon going to have you thinking about them while you’re away from your PC, and the potential for self-expression is almost humming with endless possibilities.

While its map is almost overwhelmingly large for most players, the ones who invest the time in hunting down as much to do as they can in this game are going to have a lot of fun building out their factories and playing their part in developing the corporation that put them there. Satisfactory is unique, visually distinct, well-executed, and simply fun to play, plain and simple.

20. Mass Effect Legendary Edition

This is the definitive way to enjoy a trilogy of legendary titles, bringing improved visuals and performance while also bringing in each title’s DLC and expansions into one title with a single character creator and the option to launch any of the three games from a unified menu.

If you’re familiar with the Mass Effect games, you already know that you’re going to be spending inordinate amounts of time with each one. You also know that their replay value is off the charts, and it can be easy to lose yourself in this trilogy’s expansive universe, where spending several hours making memories in it can become an entire holiday on its own.

That wraps up our list of the largest games you can get your hands on. We hope you have as much fun playing them as we did, and that the one you pick gives you many fond memories as you play it.

Fortunately, that isn’t the case with the PS5 Pro. There are quite a few titles that make the most of its power, and it’s gamers who win as they get to experience games like never before! Here are a few great titles that have made the most out of Sony’s latest powerhouse, and come out all the better for it.

We’ve put together some of our favorite ones for you to check out. Let’s dive in!

1. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Insomniac’s take on the neighborhood-friendly webslingers is nothing short of a masterpiece on the PS5 Pro, with New York City coming to life on the Performance Pro mode. With full ray tracing via PSSR and a smooth 60fps guiding the action along, swinging across the game’s urban sandbox is a visual treat while making the entire experience feel authentic and immersive.

Of course, the grand set-pieces also benefit from the PS5 Pro’s raw power, making this one a game you shouldn’t miss on the console.

2. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

While the PS5 version of the game was certainly a looker, Insomniac really took things up a notch with the PS5 Pro update on this one. While the Performance Pro mode offered the standard version’s Fidelity mode at 60fps, the new Fidelity Pro mode brings some serious ray-traced goodness to push the visuals to the maximum.

With increased reflections and even pedestrian density in certain areas, this game makes great use of the PS5 Pro’s abilities to make the entire experience look and feel incredible to those of you playing through the iconic characters’ latest adventure.

3. Callisto Protocol

Although Striking Distance’s implementation of its new graphical improvements might not have been as impressive as other titles on this list, there’s no denying that the new ray-traced Performance mode makes the entire experience feel significantly better than the base version.

Additionally, the use of TAAU did make the game perform better, which is always a good thing for an experience that’s as riveting and scary as this one.

4. Gran Turismo 7

Codemaster’s excellent use of PSSR to improve the image quality on offer both on the track and outside of it earns Gran Turismo 7 a place on our list of PS5 Pro games that push the powerhouse to its limits. Diving into a race with the new graphical bells and whistles at 8K is quite immersive, with your car’s interiors now appearing more detailed, and tracks come to life as you blaze through them.

This is a title whose amazing visuals get even better when you play it on the PS5 Pro.

5. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

The developers took advantage of the PS5 Pro’s versatility mode to build on the PS5 version of this sequel to Final Fantasy VII Remake, combining the best of the base version’s Quality and Performance modes to make it the definitive way to enjoy Cloud Strife’s adventures.

This is a title that is a great showcase of just how well PSSR can function to bring incredibly designed worlds to life in all their glory.

6. F1 25

Codemaster certainly knows how to make use of the PS5 Pro’s power, with F1 25 bringing three different graphical options to the console. As if running races at 4K/60fps with Quality mode wasn’t enough, Performance Mode took the framerates up to 120fps on compatible displays.

But the real star of the show is Resolution Mode, which bumps things up to 8K/60fps for an experience that comes pretty darn close to the real thing, thanks to ambient occlusion, reflections, and shadows bringing incredible visual details to the track. This is a game that you might use to show off your PS5 Pro’s real power.

7. Death Stranding 2

Hideo Kojima’s follow-up to the original Death Stranding is simply stunning on the PS5 Pro. The Decima engine really shows off its chops in the game’s performance mode, allowing for an experience that you must see to believe.

Sam’s trek across Mexico and Australia is a visual treat that’s made even sweeter on the PS5 Pro, although the base PS5 also does a great job of bringing this new world to life.

8. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

The decision to set the game in Sengoku Japan has been quite well-received, with a solid gameplay loop backing up an intriguing setting. The open world makes the experience even better when it’s played on the PS5 Pro’s Balanced mode, which offers a superb mix between Quality and Performance modes on the base PS5.

With ray tracing and 40fps enabled on compatible 120Hz displays, the PS5 Pro version of Shadows is the best balance of smooth graphics and incredible visuals that push the console to its limits.

9. Alan Wake 2

Remedy Entertainment’s survival horror experience does very well on the PS5 Pro, bringing an almost perfect balance between the base versions’ Performance and Quality modes. While the differences might not be as evident on paper, playing through this title on the new console makes the entire experience feel that much more immersive, drawing you into Alan Wake’s bizarre world right off the bat.

Playing the game at 40fps with ray tracing enabled across the board is something we’d do over and over again, thanks to how great it makes the experience look and feel.

10. Cyberpunk 2077

The PS5 Pro simply brings Night City to life in a way that makes it a very strong option for those of you looking to enjoy CD Projekt Red’s take on a dystopian future. With 40fps on Quality Mode and 80fps in Performance Mode, this is a title that really pushes the PS5 Pro and makes great use of its power.

Cyberpunk 2077 has certainly come a long way from its messy launch and is now a game that’s right up there with modern gaming’s greatest hits.

11. Resident Evil Village

Playing through Ethan Winters’ search for his daughter in the titular village on the PS5 Pro’s 120Hz mode is a great way to let the game’s many horrors terrify you even more than they did on the base console.

The official Pro patch makes good use of PSSR to bring ray-traced immersion and a solid framerate to enable new levels of immersion to the experience on offer, and earns Village a place on this list.

12. Dragon’s Dogma 2

Although we were quite impressed by Dragon’s Dogma 2 when it first came out, there’s no denying that the experience needed a lot of improvement on the base PS5. However, the game’s balance mode bought a lot of those improvements and then some to the table.

Performance was nearly locked at 60fps while ray tracing brought a fresh coat of paint to the Arisen’s world, making this one quite the looker on the PS5 Pro.

13. Returnal

How did Housemarquee make an excellent shooter even better? By giving it a free PS5 Pro update that brought a significant resolution boost, along with a buttery smooth 60fps to the table.

The end result is a game that showcases the Pro’s graphical prowess like no other, with the particle physics and visually stunning world and enemies looking their very best, while the gameplay loop keeps its players coming back for more. Returnal is a fun game to play on any platform, and a graphical marvel on the PS5 Pro.

14. Battlefield 6

We’re quite impressed with the graphics on offer in this one, even if its main campaign has drawn a bit of flak since its release. However, the Fidelity mode on offer for PlayStation gamers brings an impressive level of visual detail accompanied by excellent framerates that simply cannot be ignored.

If you’re looking to dive into this one on a console, the PS5 Pro is the one to beat.

15. Ghost of Yotei

Sucker Punch’s follow-up to Jin Sakai’s touching tale brings a lot of meaningful changes to the formula it set up in 2020. Among them is a visually stunning open world that comes alive from the second you first behold its expansive vistas as Atsu.

On the PS5 Pro, Ezo is an absolute stunner, with the RT Pro mode being the option that makes the game blend all of its visual splendor into an experience that can have you spending hours just exploring away while the Yotei Six wonder where the onryo meant to bring them to justice vanished off to.

And that’s a wrap on our picks for the games that push the PS5 Pro to its limits. Were there others that you think deserve a place on this list?

Atomfall

Atomfall represents an interesting experiment by Rebellion – a studio known for its World War 2-based series of games where you take control of an elite sniper taking down hundreds of Nazi soldiers. Instead of arming the player to the gills and taking them through a roaring adventure, Atomfall instead makes sure the player is constantly scavenging for resources just to survive as they slowly uncover an epic story through their own investigations. Atomfall offers a unique single-player experience that blends investigation, stealth, survival, and just a hint of intense combat to keep things spicy.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Picking up directly after the events of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth takes us deeper into an epic story about environmentalism and the evils that mega corporations are capable of when allowed an unchecked monopoly. This time around, however, we get a massive open world to explore, complete with its own set of secrets for players to discover, as well as a host of fun minigames that help further flesh the world out. Pair this with an evolution of the already-fantastic combat system from its predecessor, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth tends to make for dozens of hours of pure fun.

Silent Hill 2 Remake

Trying to remake a game that is seen by many as one of, if not the best horror game ever made is no easy task, but Bloober Team managed to make it look almost effortless with its remake of Silent Hill 2. Much more than a remake, however, Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2 gives us a look at how the seminal horror game would have been if it were made in the modern day – none of its feels even remotely dated, and the game makes use of the dense atmosphere and spookiness of its setting perfectly. Pair this with gorgeous visuals, incredible level design and wonderful creature design and you basically get one of the best horror experiences out there today.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

While it may have been a bit controversial when it first came out, The Last of Us Part 2 features some downright phenomenal storytelling thanks to strong writing and excellent voice work and facial capture, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered features some of the best third-person action combat in any game today. Add on top wonderful encounter design and clever, but tense, boss fights, and you get what essentially feels like a wild roller coaster ride of emotions along with high-octane third-person action.

Elden Ring + Shadow of the Erd Tree

What hasn’t already been said about the brilliance of FromSoftware’s single-player opus Elden Ring, as well as its critically-acclaimed DLC Shadow of the Erd Tree? The base game, on its own, is a culmination of over a decade’s worth of game design that FromSoftware had originated, improved, and ultimately mastered. Add on top some excellent and tense combat, plenty of character build options, and a wide-open world where only your own skill level can really block your path, and you have a title that deserves just about every accolade it has gotten since then. And once you’re done with the base game, Shadow of the Erd Tree offers an entirely new level of challenge, complete with a brand new landmass to explore, new bosses to fight, and even more of the intricate lore to uncover.

Astro Bot

Astro Bot is a game that proves that Nintendo isn’t the only major gaming company that can make a beloved 3D platformer. The title, essentially a love letter to just about every aspect of PlayStation, also manages to be a great game on its own thanks to its excellent level design, great visuals, fantastic soundtrack and tight gameplay. While the story is simple enough, with Captain Astro trying to reunite with the PlaySquadron after the PS5 mothership is wrecked by Nebulax, what really elevates Astro Bot along with its core gameplay is the reverence it has for all things PlayStation. The game is also filled with plenty of nods and references to the history of the console, including even references to niche titles like Loco Roco.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

While the 2017 release of Horizon Zero Dawn was no slouch when it came to visuals and gameplay, the whole game got massively upgraded thanks to the Remastered release, bringing it up to par with its sequel. Essentially an origin story, players are put into the shoes of Aloy who is trying to figure out how she can stop the wars between the neighbouring tribes. Along the way, plenty of mysteries are uncovered, including the very nature of the world and the mechanical beasts that roam its lands. Horizon Zero Dawn is an excellent open-world action-adventure game which offers a great mix of strong writing in its main campaign, as well as optional objectives through side quests as well as open-world collectibles.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

While Valhalla was met with mixed reception, especially with some of its gameplay elements, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is evidence that the genre is still capable of strong games with fun open worlds to explore. Besides Syndicate, we now get to play as two distinct protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, each with their own distinct playstyles – the combat-oriented Yasuke and the stealth-oriented Naoe. Through the two characters, we get a unique take on Sengoku-era Japan, with the duo trying to figure out the conspiracy behind not only the death of Oda Nobunaga, but also the death of Naoe’s family as well.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate feature incredibly strong writing full of interesting things to do, as well as by offering players an almost infinite amount of freedom when it comes to figure out solutions to problems. Baldur’s Gate 3 takes place during an invasion by mind flayers, with the player themselves being implanted with a tadpole that will at some point also turn them into a mind flayer. After escaping from the captivity of the mind flayers, the player finds themselves, along with other unlikely heroes, on an island, where they must work together to figure out a way to not only make it to the city of Baldur’s Gate, but also to get rid of the parasitic tadpoles that they have all been implanted with.

Days Gone Remastered

Days Gone offers a unique take on the open-world zombie survival game by giving the player one of the most important tools you can have in such a situation – a motorcycle. Along with his bike, protagonist Deacon must explore the world, deliver supplies, protect his friends, and in the process, figure out what led to the “Freaker” outbreak, and how he can save his wife. The game also has a unique system that allows for incredibly massive hordes of zombies to attack the player if Deacon accidentally trips an alarm that attracts them to his location. Coupled with fun combat courtesy of a mix of melee and ranged weapons, and Days Gone Remastered has all of the ingredients to make for a fun time.

Dead Space Remake

The original Dead Space was rightfully praised for its excellent atmosphere and strong gameplay paired with intense claustrophobia and incredible monster designs. The remake of Dead Space takes these elements and cranks it all the way up to eleven. While you’re still going to be stepping into the shoes of Isaac Clarke as he explores the USG Ishimura, several things have been redesigned, from the massive planet cracker class ship’s layout making more sense, to weapons getting rebalanced so that the Plasma Cutter isn’t the only good weapon you have access to. The story also gets some expansion thanks to Isaac no longer being a silent protagonist. The presence of a new kind of collectible also ends up adding a few more interesting wrinkles to an already-strong story.

Resident Evil Village

A few years after the series managed to reinvigorate itself thanks to Resident Evil 7, the franchise decided to take a more action oriented approach. Much like the transition from classic horror Resident Evil games to Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil Village ups the ante on not only the action, but also the scares and the story. Taking place after the events of RE7, Village involves protagonist Ethan Winters once more setting out against unimaginable horrors in a mysterious village to rescue his daughter. The title features plenty of boss fights, great combat encounters, and one of the most insane endings to a game out there. The Winters Expansion also brings with it new content, as well as a third-person mode for the main campaign.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 

The first title by studio Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition managed to set the world on fire in large part thanks to its deep and thoughtful story, imaginative and gorgeous visuals, and a clever combat. What sets Clair Obscur apart from others in the genre is how it makes use of not only parrying and dodging as active actions the player has to time with enemy attacks, but also the fact that each of its characters has unique mechanics of their own, be it Gustave’s Overcharge system, or Lune’s element juggling, or Maelle’s stance system.

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered

A remastered release of a classic open-world RPG that came out all the way back in 2006, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is not only a great game in its own right, but also acts as a fun history lesson to help us understand just how Bethesda got to its follow-up, Skyrim. Oblivion Remastered takes place in idyllic pastures of Cyrodiil in the midst of an invasion from the various Oblivion realms. The player will also get to explore several cities and villages, while also partaking in epic questlines for various activities, from stealing to assassination, and even gladiatorial combat. Despite the almost two decades since its original release, the level of freedom offered by Oblivion still manages to feel unparalleled.

Cyberpunk 2077 + Phantom Liberty

With Cyberpunk 2077 and its Phantom Liberty expansion CD Projekt RED ended up creating one of the most ambitious urban open-world games out there. Along with telling a deep and compelling story with themes about rebellion, mortality, and the sense of self, Cyberpunk 2077, along with its spy thriller expansion, also managed to offer plenty of fun side-activities for players to do as they drive around Night City and try out their fancy cybernetic implants against gang members, corrupt cops, and corporate mercenaries.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is one of the most unique open-world fantasy RPGs out there. Along with a unique class system where the player is encouraged to keep switching between different classes to mix and match abilities, the game also features some epic boss fights in the form of mythical monsters to kill. Oh, and there’s also the Pawn system, where a player can create a companion for themselves who can also be sent out to other players’ games to assist them and come back with experience and new items. Pair this with a mind-bending plot that involves the world also getting messed up because of the player’s own actions, in turn opening up even more epic boss fights for adventurous players to take on. And now that most of its technical issues have been ironed out, Dragon’s Dogma 2 has become an excellent way to spend a weekend or two.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

While several games have tried to put players in the shoes of characters inspired by Indiana Jones, few have done it as well as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The first-person action-adventure game melds puzzle solving with intense action sequences, some platforming courtesy of Indy’s whip, and plenty of stealth as players try to avoid crossing paths with hostile soldiers.

Lies of P + Overture

While we may not be getting ports or remasters for FromSoftware’s Bloodborne any time soon, we did get the next best thing in the form of Lies of P and its Overture DLC. The Soulslike action RPG puts players in the shoes of “puppet mechanoid” Pinocchio with a simple mission – find Mr. Geppetto. As he explores the city of Krat, however, he comes across deranged hostile puppets that he must deal with. Along the way, players get plenty of choices when it comes to what kind of weapon they’ll use thanks to the game’s unique weapon system where a player is free to mix-and-match different handles and edges to get unique weapons with their own movesets and special abilities. The Overture DLC expands things further by sending players into Krat’s past, where they get to see the city before its fall.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black

A remastered release of classic hack-and-slash action game Ninja Gaiden 2, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is by far one of the toughest games available these days. Putting players in the role of ninja Ryu Hayabusa, the story revolves around the machinations of the Black Spider Ninja Clan as they launch an assault against Hayabusa Village. As Ryu fights off these threats, players will have to learn how to effectively wield his various tools, from the straightforward katana to more advanced items. The game also allows players to dismember enemies, and while they can still attack after losing limbs, they can at least be killed off for good by using the Obliteration Technique.

Shadow Labyrinth

While Shadow Labyrinth might not look like much from the outset, it ends up being quite a clever platforming game that melds exploration with gameplay inspired by classic arcade titles. Players take on the role of Swordsman No. 8, who wakes up on a mysterious planet. As they spend time exploring this planet accompanied by Puck, players will have to discover secrets and get new abilities as they figure out how to take on many of the various challenges they will face throughout their time in Shadow Labyrinth.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

While the Ratchet & Clank franchise had gone mostly silent after the 2016 reboot, it came back with a bang on the PS5, not only acting as a great showcase for the hardware capabilities of the at-the-time new console, but also being a fantastic action/adventure game in its own right. Along with telling a fun story with everyone’s favorite Lombax, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart also introduces us to new character Rivet, who serves as a deuteragonist in the story. As the two desperately jump across different dimensions to stop the evil machinations of Dr. Nefarious, players will also find themselves making use of new, strange and funny weapons to take on the enemies they face.

RoboCop: Rogue City + Unfinished Business

RoboCop: Rogue City being such a fun experience with a surprising level of polish is the biggest example for the fact that the AA games scene still exists, and maybe even thriving. The game puts players in the shoes of RoboCop as he takes on a variety of different missions in crime-ridden Old Detroit. Along the way, players will get to make plenty of choices that further help define just how much humanity RoboCop still has within him. The standalone expansion Unfinished Business adds even more content to the game, bringing with it a host of new challenges for RoboCop to take on as he takes on mercenaries and new enemy types occupying OmniTower.

Sifu

While action games have always been incredibly popular, few have ever managed to nail the martial arts genre as well as Sloclap did with Sifu. With players taking on the role of a martial artist out for revenge for the murder of their mentor, Sifu features unique action mechanics where players can make use of their own Kung Fu-styled movesets, as well as the environment to take on groups of enemies. The title features 15 different locations, across which players will get to take on a wide variety of enemies. Along with this, the title also features a unique mechanic where a death leads to the protagonist aging, making their strikes deadlier but also making them more frail. Sifu has also gotten quite a bit more content thanks to extensive post-launch support by Sloclap.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins

While Koei Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors franchise has seen its fair share of ups and downs, the company undoubtedly struck gold with the release of Dynasty Warriors: Origins. The game, introducing a brand new protagonist, also brings with it some of the grandest battles that the franchise has ever seen. The gameplay largely revolves around the player cutting down large swathes of enemy soldiers across various battlefields as they also try and complete objectives to further continue the campaign of the various factions warring for supremacy over Mainland China.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

After the success of Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the sequel served as a way for the studio to expand on every aspect of the game. With five years having passed since the events of Fallen Order, Survivor once more puts players in the shoes of Cal Kestis as he sets off on a battle against the Empire. While things start out well enough, a mission eventually goes badly enough to force Cal to get some allies for his struggle, including brand new characters as well as returning characters from Fallen Order. The gameplay offers considerably more options than its predecessor, with new stances that offer more chances for unique gameplay, as well as a more interesting skill tree this time around.

Suikoden 1 & 2 Remaster

A remastered release of seminal RPGs that were originally made for the original PlayStation, Suikoden 1 & 2 Remaster is a great way for a new generation of players to experience a pair of the most unique RPGs to have ever been made. Along with the player taking on the role of a protagonist, players will also have to find and recruit special characters known as the Stars of Destiny into their own army as they fight off the forces of evil. Both titles also feature heavily political storylines, with corruption playing a central role throughout their stories. What makes both titles even more fun to play back-to-back is the fact that they take place in the same world, so the sequel becomes a great way to see what has changed since the events of the first game.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

While the Uncharted series has been one of the most iconic franchises for PlayStation since the first game came out on the PS3, all good things must come to an end. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves features two titles – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: Lost Legacy. While A Thief’s End focuses on the final adventure of protagonist Nathan Drake, Lost Legacy is a smaller-scaled game with brand new protagonists in Chloe and Nadine, as they face off against a warlord named Asav can get it. When it comes to gameplay, both titles feature third-person action, plenty of areas to explore, puzzles to solve, and in the case of Legacy of Thieves, even one larger space where more experimental gameplay can be tried out.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

While many of the best games out there can be described as being subtle, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is not one of them. Every bit as loud, brutal, and exaggerated as the Warhammer 40,000 setting demands, Space Marine 2 puts players in the power armour of Ultramarine-turned-Deathwatch Soldier-turned-back-into-Ultramarine Demetrian Titus as he ends up on Imperial planets Avarax and Kadaku in the midst of the first Tyrannic War. Facing off against hordes of Tyrannids, players must make use of the game’s hybrid ranged and melee combat system to stop all opposition and complete various objectives. Once you’re done with the campaign, the game also features extra missions in the Operations mode which, while meant to be played in co-op, can also be enjoyed solo along with AI-controlled team mates.

God of War Ragnarok

Taking place a few years after the events of 2018’s reboot, Ragnarok kicks things off with the coming of Fimbulwintr, as the player figures out how to best keep their people safe from their enemies. Ragnarok features a blend of excellent level design and offers several enhancements to gameplay, with bigger worlds to explore, and plenty of more skills to make use of in the game’s frantic, high-impact combat.

System Shock Remake

A remake of a classic sci-fi shooter/RPG hybrid from 1994, System Shock Remake does a masterful job of recreating the feeling of playing the original thanks to its unique art style that melds modern graphical technologies with a low-fi look that maintains the vibrant color palette of the original. System Shock Remake is also one of the best ways to experience the origins of iconic evil AI SHODAN, who serves as the primary antagonist for the player as they explore Citadel Station and try to figure out how they can survive, and ultimately, escape. Along the way, players will have to fight, sneak, and shoot their way through enemies that were once the human inhabitants of Citadel station.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist

While the indie game space has many 2D platforming titles, few have reached the quality that Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist manages to reach thanks to the title’s strong level design, well thought out upgrades, and interesting story. The game takes place in the Land of Fumes which, because of unchecked science, has started turning artificial beings, dubbed Homunculi, into feral monsters. Players take on the role of an Attuner named Lilac who can save the Homunculi from their gruesome fate. Players will get to explore a variety of zones, from abandoned laboratories to ancient caverns and vibrant fields, as they explore the Land of Fumes and unlock new abilities to further aid exploration and combat.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

The genre is no stranger to crafting compelling open-world games, and this quality is shown off quite well in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. While it might be easy to brush aside as a movie tie-in game, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora ends up being a fantastic way to explore the world first seen in James Cameron’s Avatar movies. In Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, players must ultimately defend Pandora against the forces of the RDA. The game features a compelling main campaign, along with several side missions that help further flesh out the world.

Gran Turismo 7

Quite easily the standard bearer for the modern driving sim game, Gran Turismo 7 has just about everything that a fan of cars and the culture surrounding cars and driving could hope for. Along with franchise classic gameplay mechanics like license tests returning, Gran Turismo 7 also features a massive collection of cars for players to collect, as well as constant updates that further improves the car collection of the game, as well as bringing in new events across various vehicle classes that players can compete for.

Hitman World of Assassination

Essentially the most complete package in terms of the Hitman trilogy, Hitman World of Assassination features quite a bit of content for the intrepid single-player game fan. Along with an epic campaign spanning three games’ worth of locations and targets, the title also features the Freelancer mode, which combines the title’s free-form gameplay with a roguelite progression mechanic. Hitman World of Assassination offers players plenty of unique ways to take out their targets, alongside a wide variety of items and weapons that can be used to accomplish just about any task the game throws the player’s way throughout its levels, which span from the US, to South America, to India, and even Dubai.

Alan Wake 2

Quite easily one of the strangest games to have come out in recent times, Alan Wake 2 is a survival horror title that picks up more than a decade after the original Alan Wake. While the titular character serves as one of the protagonists, quite a few parts of the game have players take on the role of FBI agent Saga Anderson who is visiting Bright Falls to investigate the brutal, ritualistic murder of fellow FBI agent Robert Nightingale. Along the way, the paths of Saga and Alan intersect in interesting, fourth wall-breaking ways, and Alan Wake must ultimately figure out the best way to end the story of Saga Anderson.

Neva

Equal parts platforming game and atmospheric experience, Neva puts players in the shoes of a young woman, Alba, and a friendly wolf as they explore a world that is on the verge of dying. As is to be expected from a game by the developers of Gris, Neva features downright gorgeous art and a gripping soundtrack that adds several layers to the atmosphere as they explore a dying world. The gameplay revolves around Alba and her wolf companion slowly learning to work together as they complete platforming sections, combat encounters, and even a few puzzles along the way, all while the duo try and figure out how they can survive.

Little Nightmares 2

A low-key experience, Little Nightmares 2 explores the wider world outside of the first game’s setting of the Maw. With players in the shoes of a young boy named Mono, as he explores the Pale City. The game makes use of a more minimalistic style of storytelling, leaving it up to the player to figure out the secrets behind the Pale City, the signal tower, and the things that lurk within the tower.

Nobody Wants to Die

While narrative adventure games can often be quite fun, few match the level of polish and visual fidelity of Critical Hit Games’ Nobody Wants to Die. Taking place in the year 2329, the player takes on the role of NYPD detective in the Department of Mortality James Karra. With the gameplay largely revolving around puzzle solving and exploring the overall narrative, players will have to figure out the strange circumstances behind a mysterious death affecting a victim that wasn’t supposed to die – a member of the New York City elite. As the mystery unfurls, players will find themselves in the hunt for a serial killer, as they also explore concepts of morality, and what immortality truly means for a person that has more money than they could spend over several lifetimes.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

A direct sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence, A Plague Tale: Requiem picks things up around six months after the events of its predecessor. The story revolves around siblings Amicia and Hugo de Rune, who decide to travel south in order to try and look for a cure for Hugo’s affliction. The gameplay is an iteration over the first title, with players taking control of Amicia and being helped out by Hugo from time to time. However, both characters also have plenty of new abilities to play around with in combat encounters. A Plague Tale: Requiem also acts as an absolute feast for the eyes considering its incredible level of visual fidelity and strong art direction.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster

An RE Engine remake of a classic zombie game, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster has players take on the role of intrepid photojournalist Frank West as he is exploring the circumstances surrounding a military-enforced lockdown in the sleepy town of Willamette, Colorado. In a series of events, West, along with a bunch of other survivors, find themselves trapped in a mall that also happens to house hordes of zombies, as well as a few psychotic lunatics lurking around. West only has three days of real-world time to figure out a way to escape from the mall with as many allies as he can. The original Dead Rising, and by extension the Deluxe Remaster, is famous for the immense level of customisation offered by the game when it comes to its weapon crafting system, focusing primarily on melee weapons.

Pacific Drive

A unique take on the roguelite formula, Pacific Drive combines the sense of adventure one might find in exploring randomly-generated levels, along with the joy that often comes from working on a beaten up car to gradually improve it with better parts over time. The player is put into the shoes of “The Driver” as they explore the Olympic Exclusion Zone after accidentally getting pulled into it through a vortex. The zone is full of strange activity, however, with even roads constantly shifting and moving about, and the player must find other survivors and eventually, a way out. To help the player accomplish this, they have a car known only as the Remnant, which can be improved with new loot that you find, as well as new parts that you can craft once you get the right materials.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

While the original Citizen Sleeper was a, pardon the pun, sleeper hit in its own right thanks to excellent writing and unique gameplay elements inspired by Disco Elysium, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is an improvement in just about every aspect. Carrying over its predecessor’s strong anti-capitalism slant with an interesting story, Citizen Sleeper 2 revolves around the player trying to figure out a way to escape the “ownership” of Laine, and in the process, ending up in a lawless portion of the Hellion star system, known only as the Belt.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

While Kojima Productions’ first outing as an independent studio after Konami – Death Stranding – was an interesting and unique game in its own right, the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, takes things up a notch in every way possible. Along with broadening the core gameplay loop of making deliveries across long treks, Death Stranding 2 also features a more grand story of wider scope, with more interesting main villains. Along with this, the core combat has also seen massive improvements, giving players more tools to take on an even wider variety of enemies, ranging from well-armed humans to massive kaiju-sized BTs. This along with a jump in visual fidelity makes Death Stranding 2: On the Beach a journey well worth taking.

Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong features some downright fantastic boss fights and is further elevated by the fact that the game’s combat can be described as being nothing short of absolutely joyous in how well it controls, how responsive the game feels, and how well the encounters are set up to get players to use every tool they have in their kit. There’s a reason, after all, why Black Myth: Wukong would launch to immense success in terms of concurrent player counts as well as copies sold.

Hogwarts Legacy

It’s easy to describe Hogwarts Legacy as an open-world action/adventure game, but that would be ignoring how lovingly it recreates the world of Harry Potter that long-time fans of the book series could finally explore in depth. While the title doesn’t really do anything new, it is still a fantastic way to spend some time owing to the care with which the titular Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and its surrounding areas have been recreated. Players can live out their dreams of being an aspiring wizard in the world of Harry Potter, attending classes, getting stronger at magic, and even helping quell a goblin rebellion in the process.

Star Wars Outlaws

While Star Wars Outlaws may have been released to middling reception and suffered from plenty of problems, several updates since its release have turned the game into a must-play adventure, especially for fans of Star Wars. Now that plenty of the game’s fundamental issues, like broken stealth mechanics, have been fixed, the story of Kay Vess is quite a bit of fun to experience, especially thanks to the open-world structure of the title, complete with different factions vying for your attention. The adventure also continues thanks to the release of two expansions for the game – Dead Man’s Hand and A Pirate’s Fortune – both of which add plenty more content to an already feature-rich title.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream

A unique take on narrative games, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream has players exploring the city of Eriksholm in the shoes of Hanna. With an emphasis on stealth, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream gives players plenty of chances to figure out the story behind the world as Hanna slowly continues her quest to find her brother. The game also features gorgeous visuals, with the city of Eriksholm being one of the most interesting settings for a game in recent times. Along with this, players will also get to make use of an extensive arsenal of tools as they sneak around the guards of the industrializing city.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

While 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man was a fantastic return of the web-slinging superhero to video games, its sequel – appropriately titled Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – decided to expand on the original’s ideas in epic ways. Along with featuring two Spider-Men, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 also gives us a deeper look into the stories and motivations behind both of the superheroes. Pair that with an incredible open-world that is an absolute joy to traverse through thanks to Spider-Man’s set of abilities, as well as a fun rogue’s gallery to take on throughout the story and side-content, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is in many ways one of the best superhero experiences currently available on the PS5.

Horizon Forbidden West

A follow-up to Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West once again puts players in the shoes of Aloy as she decides to explore parts of the western coast of the continent. Along with brand new visuals and a deeper look into the overall world and lore behind the Horizon franchise, Forbidden West also gives us improved combat that feels a lot more dynamic, along with more fun and intense boss fights that will have players make use of just about every tool they have at their disposal. Horizon Forbidden West, along with its Burning Shores expansion, can in many ways be described as the ideal sequel, where it builds on the foundations set by its predecessor in new and interesting ways.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

In a genre that is dominated by fantasy and sci-fi works, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 manages to stand out thanks to its use of a real-world historic setting. Along with exploring the lands of Trosky in the 1400s, players – who once more take on the role of Henry – not only get embroiled in a plot that can be best described as a political-thriller-meets-war-story, but they most also live in an interestingly simulationist game world. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 of will have you squint your eyes as you try and make out text in a book, depending on Henry’s level of literacy, and train with swordmasters to learn new ways to swing your sword, all while also trying to make sure that you don’t die of starvation or villagers don’t run away from because you haven’t had a bath in a while. These gameplay systems makes for a great way to kill a few dozen hours.

Hi-Fi Rush

The last hurrah – at least for the time being – for Tango Gameworks before the studio was shut down by Microsoft last year, Hi-Fi Rush is a unique hack-and-slash action game that rewards players that have good rhythm. The unique hook of the game is that players are encouraged to attack, jump, and dodge their way through fights to the beat of the background music. While you can still finish the game if you miss every beat, landing the beat with good timing rewards you with higher damaging moves. Pair that with a vibrant art style, hilarious writing, an excellent soundtrack, and some downright fantastic boss fights, and you get one of the most fun and unique action games out there.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

When it comes to third-person action RPGs that have a heavy emphasis on their narratives, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is one of the most interesting releases of the lot. Taking place in the unique setting in 1695, players take on the role of Banishers as they set out to explore the lands, figure out the origins of curses, and most importantly, unravel mysteries that could lead to some very uneasy answers to important questions.

The First Berserker: Khazan

In the over a decade and a half since the release of the first game that could be called a Soulslike – Demon’s Souls – we’ve seen plenty of studios take a stab at making their own. Few have gotten as close to the standards set out by FromSoftware as Neople with The First Berserker: Khazan. Alongside taking place in an interesting world based on the DNF franchise, The First Berserker: Khazan also offers some strong action RPG gameplay, complete with a wide variety of weapons and incredibly challenging boss fights. Pair this with a downright gorgeous art style and you are bound to end up with a good time.

Jusant

At the outset, Jusant looks like it will be an incredibly simple game. Its core gameplay mechanic revolves entirely around climbing, after all. However, while the gameplay mechanics themselves might feel simple enough, Jusant also uses those same mechanics to deliver an incredibly powerful story that is slowly unraveled as the player – in the shoes of a nameless boy climbing a gigantic rock tower – makes their climb. Sure, there might not be much in the way of stakes, especially since you can’t really die in the game. However, the strong, often emotional writing throughout Jusant more than makes up for any shortcomings that might be present in the gameplay department.

Mafia: The Old Country

While Mafia 3 might have served as a bit of a detour for Hangar 13 with its focus on open-world gameplay, with Mafia: The Old Country, the studio went back to the franchise’s roots in more ways than one. Not only is it a linear story-based game with set missions that players will take on, its story is also taking us all the way back to the eponymous Old Country, where the Sicilian Mafia first originated. The gritty early-1990s mob story features Enzo Favara as the new protagonist, as players live out his fight for survival in his attempts to get a better life for himself after living through a brutal life filled with forced labour. Mafia: The Old Country is an incredible return to form for Hangar 13.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

While the original Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was an interesting game anchored by strong performances, especially from lead actor Melina Juergens as the titular Senua, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 cranks just about everything up to eleven. Not only has the gameplay seen plenty of improvements, the story itself, along with the presentation have been upgraded so much, the word “cinematic” hardly does the title justice. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 once again takes us to Viking Iceland where Senua has to take on difficult battles against the forces of tyranny to save not only victims, but also save herself in the process.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

When it first came out, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was widely considered to be one of the best games for its home platform – the PlayStation 2. 21 years later, we now have a remake in the form of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Not only do we get upgraded visuals and improved gameplay with modern control schemes in the remake, we also get to re-experience a fantastic spy thriller set during the Cold War, the events of which end up having repercussions for the entire Metal Gear franchise as a whole. Snake Eater has players take on the role of Naked Snake as he sets off on Operation Snake Eater to take down The Boss, her elite squad known as the Cobra Unit, as well as commander of GRU Volgin.

Gears of War: Reloaded

It’s no secret that the original Gears of War was one of the most important games on the Xbox 360, helping spawn an entire franchise that is still going on to this day. Celebrating this history, developer The Coalition has bought back the Gears of War Ultimate Edition with a fresh coat of paint. Calling it “faithful remaster”, Gears of War: Reloaded features high-resolution assets, as well as full optimisation to run on all modern-day gaming platforms, including the PS5. Along with the excellent campaign that kicks off the saga of Marcus Fenix in his war against the Locust threat, Gears of War: Reloaded also includes plenty of multiplayer features, including co-op mode for the campaign, as well as competitive multiplayer.

Echoes of the End

While a debut outing for studio Myrkur Games, it could be easy to assume that the developers behind Echoes of the End have had quite a bit of experience with game design. The game may not feature complex customization options and deep puzzles. Rather, it features fun combat, a gorgeous world, and puzzles with just the right level of complexity to not get you too frustrated. Pair that with some excellent writing and characterisation for protagonist Ryn and her travelling companion Abram Finlay, and you have a great single-player campaign that doesn’t overstay its welcome thanks to its 14-hour runtime.

Animal Well

While at first glance, Animal Well might not look like much thanks to its art style making use of stark colour contrasts, often with black backgrounds in most of its scenes. Spending a little time with the tidal, however, reveals one of the most interesting platforming titles to have come out since maybe Hollow Knight. Animal Well puts players in the shoes of a small creature that has freshly hatched from a flower, and must now explore the world to figure out their own life. What sets the title apart is how well it makes use of its art style – which features wonderfully detailed environments all over the place – not only for the sake of gameplay, but for atmosphere as well. Along with its platforming trappings, Animal Well also serves as a horror title thanks to the player not having ways to fight back against creatures that might harm you; players must instead make clever use of the world around them to figure out ways around dangerous obstacles.

This console generation has given us gamers with certain experiences that adhere to this principles of best design, and with this feature – we will be discussing exactly that as we run down 10 of the best PS5 games where going off the beaten path is more fun than sticking to the main quest.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding was a novel idea that birthed an entirely new genre in the medium of gaming – the Strand genre. It wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but those who stuck around found a lot to love in Kojima’s post-apocalyptic adventure. With the sequel, however, Kojima Productions has taken what came before to new heights – making the core gameplay a lot better this time around with plenty of new tools and tricks.

Much like the predecessor, a lot of what makes Death Stranding 2 so fun and addictive isn’t nestled in its main quest, but rather what surrounds that central narrative pillar. The many side quests littered throughout the map are quite literally fetch requests, but Death Stranding 2 smartly introduces complexities and interesting situations onto these objectives that make them tick off your journal more than chore-like.

Doing deliveries and building structures strengthens your social strand level, gives you more information about this new world, and makes this rendition of the real world feel eerily alive.

]]> 625242 https://gamingbolt.com/15-games-that-instantly-grab-the-player Thu, 17 Apr 2025 03:03:20 +0000 https://gamingbolt.com/?p=616580 There’s no rule that says games have to be at their very best instantly out the gate – after all, some of the most incredible games you’ll ever play take their sweet time to really get going – but you can’t say it’s not a bonus. There’s something special about experiences that grab your attention as soon as they kick off, those that take no time in showing just what their highest highs can look like. Here are fifteen such games.

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN

The moment you start swinging around New York City in Marvel’s Spider-Man, the game instantly has a hold on you. Luckily enough, that moment is mere minutes (if not seconds) into the game. From the physics-based swinging to the quick and zippy combat, from the game’s take on the Spider-Man universe to opening with an excellent boss fight against Wilson Fisk, aka the Kingpin- Marvel’s Spider-Man works overtime to make sure it puts its best foot forward right off the bat.

30. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

Don’t Nod’s second major action RPG, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden was released early last year, and it turned out to be a way better experience than Vampyr. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden was an excellent action role playing game with plenty to do with story being its main focus. Throughout the game’s narrative, players would have to make tough decisions which can result in any of the five endings.

While next year looks even more jam-packed with incredible adventures, what are some of the best role-playing games from 2024 that deserve your attention? Join us as we sift through the dozens of choices and present the 20 best RPGs of the year that must be experienced.

Path of Exile 2

For all the complaints against its rewards, end-game, map layouts, etc., Path of Exile 2 is still an incredible action RPG, even in early access. Each class and their Ascendancies presented multiple new options; the Skills are impressive while combat feels visceral; and the bosses present some of the best encounters in the genre. The fact that such a sizable end-game is available right now, complete with pinnacle bosses, is also incredible. Yes, there are plenty of things to improve, but Path of Exile 2 is proving just as addictive as its predecessor and will receive double the amount of content before early access ends.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

After their success, many wondered where BioWare’s next game could venture. Few expected Star Wars; even fewer expected perhaps the best story in the franchise to date with Knights of the Old Republic. As an amnesiac Jedi, players explore well-worn and brand-new locations while becoming reacquainted with the Force. With stellar writing and companions, an excellent combat system, and the alignment system dictating one’s bent towards the Light or Dark side, Knights of the Old Republic is an iconic title for any RPG and Star Wars fan.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: HEART OF CHORNOBYL

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 made grand promises about its size and scope leading up to launch, and it makes good on those promises without a shadow of doubt. Even seeing the main story alone to completion requires a hefty time investment, but if you’re trying to experience every single thing the game has to offer, you’re easily going to clock in at least a hundred hours, if not more.

MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2024

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is exactly the sort of game for you if you like pouring endless hours into a single game. Like its 2020 predecessor, it lures you in with the promise of a large, authentically recreated digital twin of our planet and flight simulation mechanics, while this time, there’s an even greater amount of content and attention to detail in general to be impressed with. Chances are, if the game gets its hooks in you, you’re going to keep going back to it for some time to come.

LIKE A DRAGON: INFINITE WEALTH

A long Like a Dragon game? Who’d have thunk, eh? Of course, almost dauntingly long runtimes have been a key characteristic of Yakuza games for a long time now, but even by the series’ standards, Infinite Wealth is particularly beefy. Even the quickest of playthrough of this colossal RPG can easily take between 50-60 hours, but players who want to experience everything in the game are easily looking at over a hundred hours.

FINAL FANTASY 7 REBIRTH

“Epic” doesn’t begin to describe the scope of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Square Enix truly went all out with this game, as illustrated by just how much has been crammed into the experience. This is a massive open world RPG that – if, in addition to the main story, you’re also doing all of the side quests and every single side activity while taking the time to thoroughly explore each map – can keep you glued to your screen for upwards of even 150 hours.

PALWORLD

In its early access form, Palworld isn’t technically a “finished” game, but Pocketpair’s open world survival MMO is still a sizeable game. How sizeable exactly? Well, given its genre, it is designed around being highly replayabe, which gives it an inherent leg up in this area. Though a 30-40 hour playthrough is technically enough to get through the game’s critical path, Palworld has enough meat on its bones to keep you occupied for more than twice as long.

HELLDIVERS 2

The beauty of endlessly playable live service multiplayer games like Helldivers 2 (i.e. the good ones, which is admittedly a bit of a rare breed) is that you can play them almost infinitely. Not literally, maybe, but Arrowhead Game Studios’ co-op shooter is so incredibly well made and boasts such a strong core gameplay loop that many have already clocked an almost unreasonable amount of time into the game since it came out earlier this year.

ONCE HUMAN

Starry Studio’s open world multiplayer survival game Once Human is definitely a flawed piece, with issues such as some tedious mechanics, combat issues, rough storytelling, and more dragging it down. There is, however, plenty to enjoy here as well, and if that stuff does end up grabbing you, the good news for you is that Once Human has no shortage of content to get lost in.

THRONE AND LIBERTY

We’ve mentioned a few multiplayer-centric games here that find different ways to keep players coming back- but that is, of course, baked into the very DNA of an MMORPG. That is admittedly a genre with a historically low hit rate, and though Amazon Games’ Throne and Liberty is far from perfect, it does give players plenty of reasons to keep diving into its fantasy world. Grindiness may be an issue, but at least there’s plenty to do.

TEKKEN 8

A good fighting game has several tricks up its sleeve to keep players glued over a prolonged period of time, and Tekken 8 is one of the very best fighters out there, which means this is the sort of game that you can completely lose yourself to. You can technically see the game through to full completion in under 20 hours, but Tekken 8 delivers one of the most addictive and captivating fighting experiences out there, which means pouring in that amount of time multiple times over is very much conceivable.

DRAGON BALL: SPARKING! ZERO

Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is a very different kind of fighting game from Tekken 8, but it, too, is not only good enough, but also substantial enough to keep players busy for long stretches. The core mechanics are immaculate, there’s plenty of content on offer, and the roster is stupidly crowded. Dragon Ball fans can spend days upon days just pitting an infinite combination of characters against each other.

RISE OF THE RONIN

Team Ninja’s open world debut did not go as well as many would have hoped, and Rise of the Ronin is certainly nowhere near as good as the Nioh games, but though it’s got its share of rough edges, it’s also undoubtedly a large game. It does suffer from rote and repetitive design, which means not everyone may have the patience for everything that the game encompasses, but given the fact that the combat and traversal mechanics always remain highly enjoyable at their core, spending close to a hundred hours playing Rise of the Ronin might have some appeal.

SATISFACTORY

Over five years in early access had assured many that Satisfactory would be good, and sure enough, it’s good. How good? Well, just its main story alone requires over a hundred hours, while a completionist run is going to take you roughly twice as long. And in spite of those daunting demands, this is still a game that those who’ve played it will heartily will recommend to you. That’s how good Satisfactory is.

DRAGON’S DOGMA 2

Sticking to the critical path to finish the main story will see you putting roughly 25-30 hours into Dragon’s Dogma 2, but honestly, that’s one of the worst possible ways to play this game. Capcom’s open world action RPG constantly begs players to go off the beaten path, mess around with its sandbox systems, follow your curiosity, and be distracted by the abundant optional content on offer. There’s lots to do in Dragon’s Dogma 2, the majority of which is a blast, to the extent that even a comprehensive 100-hour playthrough can pass by in a flash.

ELDEN RING: SHADOW OF THE ERDTREE

From Software has made it a habit of delivering expansive, action RPGs that can keep you busy for long, long stretches, and Elden Ring’s expansion Shadow of the Erdtree doesn’t buck that trend. From a lengthy critical path line to plentiful side content to a number of difficult to find secrets, Shadow of the Erdtree has no shortage of things to do- and thanks to its slick combat, engrossing boss fights, and eye-popping art style, you’re going to have an absolute blast as you’re doing all of it.

GRANBLUE FANTASY: RELINK

Simply playing through its main story is a solid enough way to get a taste of Granblue Fantasy: Relink, but Cygames’ action RPG is at its best when you truly dive into its co-op offerings, optional content, and its sizeable endgame. Repetitive quest design and grindy progression can be grating, but the game’s pros outweigh its cons, which is why so many of its players have happily sunk over a hundred hours into it.