Do keep in mind that this list only includes games that are natively available on PS5- no PS4 titles that are only playable on PS5 via backward compatibility won’t be featured. No, no Bloodborne, either.

#15. HADES

Roguelites love to push back against the player, and Hades does that quite effectively. Obviously, there’s a lot of RNG involved, with the upgrades that you unlock across the length of any given run having a significant impact on how things pan out for you, but ultimately, this is a game that isn’t afraid to throw some real challenge your way.

Beyond the Tower

Most of Ghostrunner 1 was in the tower, as Jack ventured to the top to defeat the Keymaster. Other factors were in play, including factions like The Climbers, whom Jack would converse with through Zoe. For the most part, the story takes place in the tower.

The sequel takes place one year later, with the tower in chaos and Jack and Zoe working together to gather clues on someone named Mitra. Based on the recently released opening cutscene, Jack is seemingly not the last Ghostrunner, but the others seem to have a plan that spells bad news for the tower’s residents. How it ties into the AI cult that Jack is hunting as he ventures outside into the wasteland remains to be seen.

New HQ and Dialogue System

One More Level is expanding on the overall lore of the Ghostrunner universe in some new ways with the sequel. While Ghostrunner 1 saw you going from mission to mission, obtaining snippets from the dialogue and audio logs, the sequel features a base of operations to take a break between levels. There are also NPCs to interact with and a dialogue system for delving more into the narrative.

Alternate Routes

One immediate change in Ghostrunner 2 compared to its predecessor is the many approaches for different situations. As seen in the recent demo, you could take one route and fight a group of enemies up close in a blitzkrieg. Stealth-minded players can crawl through the vents and get the drop on them instead, making for a much easier encounter. Of course, you also find collectibles (like the first game), hidden areas, secrets and shortcuts, so it’s worth going off the beaten path.

More Environmental Interactivity

Along with more ways to navigate levels and approach different situations, Ghostrunner 2 also offers more interactivity than its predecessor. Blowing up explosive barrels and bursting through breakable walls is one thing, but you can also pull down walls with your grapple, crushing enemies underneath. Utilizing that interactivity while evading damage is important to survival.

New and Revamped Enemies

Some classic enemies from the first game return in revamped form, with AI seeing improvements to better react to the player’s tactics. Ghostrunner 2 also has several new enemy types, and while details are sparse, we have seen some powerful new bosses and the odd creature here and there. All in all, expect a variety of threats to slice and dice.

Overhauled Progression

The original game had an upgrade system where you would allocate modules within a limited space. It was also a bit like Tetris, which makes more sense when you see it in action, allowing for abilities like an additional charge and reduced cooldown for Dash, easier deflects and greatly increased Focus regeneration.

As for Ghostrunner 2, it’s hard to say because developer One More Level hasn’t said anything. It hypes a “completely redone” progression system, providing opportunities to experiment and customize gameplay.” So we’ll have to wait and see what that means.

New Abilities

Along with Dash, Deflect and Focus (for slowing down time), Jack had four Skills in Ghostrunner 1 – Surge for firing an energy wave at enemies, a close-range force push in Tempest, Blink for dash-striking to enemies and Overlord for taking control of small fry. Each had upgrades to improve their functionality.

Dash and Deflect are still very much here in Ghostrunner 2 (with Jack now capable of dashing twice in the air), but there are also new abilities. Shuriken is a helpful projectile for exploding barrels and assassinating targets at range, though some may deflect it if alerted to your presence. Others include Shadow, which leaves behind a clone to distract enemies, cloaking and new “ultimate” attacks, and these can be mixed and matched as the player desires.

Blocking Attacks

Another new component in Ghostrunner 2 that was lacking in the original is the option to block. If stuck in an unsavory situation, blocking provides another second or two of survival. Since it drains the stamina gauge and only works in one direction, constantly standing still and taking damage while being swarmed from everywhere isn’t possible. Nevertheless, compared to Ghostrunner 1, where you could only dodge or deflect, it’s a welcome new addition.

Perfect-Parry

Unlike the previous game, you can also Perfect-Parry some attacks. If you time the block button just before a melee attack hits, Jack will perform a counter and slay his opponent. The demo saw this used against an enemy who you can still kill by activating Focus and dodging to the side to attack. Perfect-Parry provides a means to save on stamina and Focus for other threats. Of course, the timing on this is pretty tight, so hopefully, there’s a skill which makes things easier.

Bike

One massive new feature in Ghostrunner 2 is the Bike. It has its own set of levels (eventually weapons), with players dodging laser grids, riding on walls and narrowly getting ahead of closing gates. Interestingly, motorbike levels are touted as “far more complex and open world” than the typical levels. Perhaps that applies outside the tower, but we’ll have to wait and see.

More Involved Boss Fights

Remember the T-073-M from Ghostrunner 1? It was the first “boss” fight (quote-unquote), though it was more of a platforming challenge. Given that this meant grappling and ducking through rotating lasers and wall-running while avoiding waves of ascending energy, it’s a tough platforming challenge but not a typical boss fight.

Based on the gameplay showcased thus far, the first boss in Ghostrunner 2, Ahriman, is a different story. Without spoiling too much, there’s a fair bit of hack-and-slash combat, platforming, and even calling in some friendly assistance. Is it less of a difficulty spike than the original? Sure, but it’s also a more combat-oriented encounter. We’ll see if subsequent boss fights can go even higher.

New Modes

Ghostrunner offered the standard Story Mode and later added Wave Mode, with 20 waves of difficult encounters and a rogue-like structure. New modes are coming in Ghostrunner 2, and though there aren’t any additional details yet, you can still compete on the leaderboards. They’re also available for friends on the same platform – a small but welcome change.

New Cybervoid Sections

In Ghostrunner 1, the Cybervoid provided a break from the fast-paced parkour and insta-death action by offering different puzzles. While still the case in the sequel, One More Level promises “more freedom” and “non-limited movement” in the Cybervoid compared to the original. Furthermore, there will be some combat sections to spice things up.

Community Challenges

In addition to leaderboards, Ghostrunner 2 will have community challenges. These will be added periodically, with players earning different rewards for showcasing their skills. Interestingly, said challenges encompass multiple aspects, from speedrunning to creating art. Of course, while all participants will likely receive prizes, the top competitors can claim “exclusive” rewards.

PC Requirements

Ghostrunner 2 is a significant step above the first game with its PC requirements. Even comparing size, the first game only needs 22 GB of space while the second requires 65 GB – almost three times as much (also, only Windows 10 64-bit is allowed). For Ghostrunner 1, an Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD Phenom II X4 965 with 8 GB RAM and a GTX 1050 and Radeon RX 550 were good for 720p/60 FPS on Low settings. The sequel requires an Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX-8350 with 8 GB RAM and GTX 960, Radeon RX 480 or Intel Arc A380 for the same.

As for recommended settings, the first game necessitated a Core i7-6700K or Ryzen 5 1500X with 8 GB RAM and a GTX 970 or Radeon RX 5700. This delivered 1080p/60 FPS at High settings. Ghostrunner 2, on the other hand, requires a Core i9-9900k or Ryzen 5 5600X, 16 GB RAM and either an RTX 2070 Super, Radeon RX 6800 XT or Intel Arc A770 with DirectX 12. The given specs are subject to change, and since the sequel is a current-gen console exclusive, expect the requirements for 4K to be even higher.

System Shock Remake (2023)

System Shock is considered to be one of the most important games of its time, as it was one of the earliest pioneers of systemic game design applied in a first-person space. But even apart from it, System Shock is an impressive game with a gripping story and a detailed world with plenty of lore to surround it all. Nightdive was hard at work on a full-fledged remake of the original, and System Shock Remake was finally released earlier this year to great reviews. It does a great job of modernizing this classic with plenty of clever design tricks and changes that make this experience a more digestible one for fans accustomed to modern first-person games. 

In a new Steam Community post, developer One More Level originally planned to announce the latest milestone when it hit two million sales. However, due to excitement for the sequel, it “quickly jumped” to over 2.5 million. While the team anticipates reaching the three million sales milestone soon, it received a plaque and poster from 505 Games to celebrate the achievement.

As for Ghostrunner 2, it releases on October 26th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC (with pre-orders gaining 48 hours of early access). It’s bigger than the first game and even has Jack, the protagonist, using a high-speed bike. Check out the latest trailer here to see it in action.

CELESTE

That Celeste, a small-budget indie game made by a tiny team, is unequivocally one of the best platformers we’ve played in years absolutely cannot be taken for granted. That, of course, is down to the fact that it works within its limitations to deliver something so unique and well-made. Particularly on the platforming front, it’s a game that can be gruelingly difficult. Even if you’re sticking to the critical path, grappling with Celeste’s demanding platforming trials can be quite the task, though it’s the optional content that really provides the truly difficult challenges. Thankfully, thanks to the game’s pixel perfect platforming and incredible level design, that rarely ever feels overbearing.

While demo discs have faded away from mainstream popularity in recent years, more and more developers are starting to give fans a taste of the final product through demos – both free and otherwise. To that end, we present some of the best PS5 demos that we have all played time and time again.

Astro’s Playroom

Astro’s Playroom comes pre-installed with every PS5, and it’s highly likely that it was the first game that you booted when you unsheathed your shiny new console. And while it’s meant as a showcase of the PS5’s DualSense capabilities, it ends up being so much more than that. In so many ways, Astro’s Playroom is a celebration of everything PlayStation – and those who have grown up with the brand would surely have been overcome with nostalgia as they explored every nook and cranny of 4 sprawling levels set in the console’s internals. Astro’s Playroom is filled to the brim with mementos of the past and easter eggs for some of the best PlayStation games of all time.

But even those who haven’t grown alongside PlayStation would have a fun time regardless since the platforming is pretty fun as well with well-designed controls and fun level design. And then of course, there’s the impeccable use of the DualSense’s haptics which alter vibrations to reflect the intensity of an incoming sandstorm or the shattering of a glass among other things. Despite the short runtime of less than an hour – it ends up having a long-lasting impact on the player.

Ghostrunner

Ghostrunner is one of the most mechanically sound games of the last couple of years, and this journey through the rain-soaked streets of Dharma City constantly throws new challenges on top of its already brutal one-hit one-kill design. The short demo takes you through the opening moments of the game, and it’s a perfect introduction of Ghostrunner’s parkour elements and combat mechanics.

Ghostrunner is a game that demands mastery of its mechanics to be better at the game, and replaying the same sections over and over really pays off as you gain a better understanding of the encounters and your cyberninja’s moveset and pull off slick stunts that you previously thought were impossible. And then it becomes a well-earned power fantasy.

Outriders

While Outriders may not have been the game that many might have expected it to be, its demo slice of gameplay was a really fun one. People Can Fly’s latest shooter featured plenty of content for a free demo, and it comes with the entire first chapter of the game. This means you get the much-needed exposition alongside plenty of main missions and side missions which help you get a taste of the gameplay and build out your character better as you prepare for the final encounter.

But then Outriders’ gameplay changes significantly with your player class, so once you get through the roughly 3-hour demo with one class – you could do it again with a different class to see how that shakes up things and see what suits your style for your full playthrough.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Ninja Theory is evolving its signature take on the Souls formula with Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, a new game set against the backdrop of the Han Dynasty. The demo gives you access to a giant area where you must make your way through hordes of enemies to the final boss. While that may sound limiting in scope, it’s anything but. The starting area is vast in scope, and you get to face different kinds of enemies and even a couple of mini-boss encounters before facing the big baddie – which by the way has 2 different phases and swift attacks.

The fast-paced combat feels like an evolution of Nioh’s combat system, and new elements like the Morale Rank system and companion beasts are useful additions to the experience. Plus, you also get to experiment with different weapon combinations and classes which also encourage you to go through it all over again.

Destroy All Humans!

Black Forest Games’ Destroy All Humans! successfully translates this cult classic experience into something that’s more palatable for the modern generation. The demo is inarguably the best way to get a taste of the full game. The visuals look superb and the changes to the gameplay really add up for a wonderful experience, and while the content may be on the shorter end of the stick with only the first mission being available in the package – it’s quality stuff regardless. But on the more positive side, you also get a bonus challenge to play as well.

Resident Evil: Village

Much like Astro’s Playroom that we discussed before, Resident Evil: Village is a celebration of everything Resident Evil as it effortlessly dances between different shades of horror ranging from psychological to survival to full-blown action. And while the game’s demo might not be as versatile as the final game, it’s really amazing nevertheless. You start out in a dimly-lit dungeon in Castle Dimitrescu which is undoubtedly one of the best sections of the game, and you make your way through it all by solving puzzles.

The game constantly plays on your fear of the unknown, with abnormal sounds and spooky notes about the dungeon’s inhabitants – but in actuality, you don’t face any mortal threats throughout the short duration of the demo. And when you reach the end, you see Lady Dimitrescu towering above you like a giant and you know it’s not going to end well. And this was just the one PS5 exclusive Maiden demo, and other demos that were released prior to launch are equally fun and scary as well.

Forspoken

Forspoken isn’t out until early next year, but it already has us excited about what’s in store – thanks to the recently released demo. It puts you in the middle of the action after a short tutorial, and you need to complete five different objectives to complete the demo. These range from combat encounters to crafting to open-world activities, and these tasks help you in getting a feel for how the combat, traversal, and player progression works.

Of course, you’re free to roam around these landscapes as well – and veering away from the main path will reward you with treasure boxes and useful resources for upgrading Frey. And once you are done with the main objectives, you also get a final boss encounter as a bonus which is just like an icing on the top of this cake. It only takes around an hour to complete if you rush through it, but you could easily stretch it to much longer if you want.

Tormented Souls

Tormented Souls is a love letter to the original Resident Evil games, and everything from the tank controls to spooky mansions to item-based puzzles is the game carrying that influence proudly on its sleeves. The demo takes you through a small slice of the game, but it’s enough to prove the sheer love and appreciation that the developer has for the source material. And since we couldn’t wait for the final release back then, we were playing through it over and over again.

During a recent stream celebrating Ghostrunner’s two-year anniversary, One More Level provided some brief new details on the game, touting it as a bigger and more ambitious title, but one that will be more of an evolution than a revolution, with the primary focus being on providing players more ways to play. A challenging and fast-paced blend of parkour and action is still going to be at the heart of the experience. Meanwhile, One More Level also says the sequel will give “better exposure” to the story and characters, though the game will still adopt a “gameplay first” approach.

Some new pieces of concept art have also been shared for Ghostrunner 2, offering the first glimpse at some of the game’s locations and characters. You can check them out below. Meanwhile, One More Level has also confirmed that the title will be releasing for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC sometime in Q4 2023. More details on the game will start arriving in Spring 2023.

Meanwhile, 505 Games has also announced that the original Ghostrunner has sold over 1.5 million copies.

Originally released in October 2020, the story focuses on Jack, a lone Ghostrunner who awakens with no memory. He’s instructed to free the Architect in Dharma Tower and with time, one learns more about the Burst and its consequences on the world. Along with the base game and its fast-paced first-person platforming, Ghostrunner: Complete Edition includes all of the post-launch updates and cosmetic DLC.

It also includes Project_Hel, the recent expansion that focuses on Hel, one of the bosses. It offers new levels and bosses, a new story and various new abilities. For more details on the base game, check out our review here. In the meantime, Ghostrunner 2 is also in development for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC though no release window has been announced.

Check out the previous part here.

Shadow Warrior 3

The one where Wang gets a grappling hook. Shadow Warrior 3 does away with its predecessor’s wide array of melee weapons and focuses on one single constant – the Dragontail katana. Being able to quickly whip it out and slice an opponent feels more intuitive, and each slash feels more responsive. Upgrades also allow for directional inputs to call down lightning, shoot fire or unleash a wave of water which is also nice.

Hel has her own progression system and as such focuses more on combat (with the ability to survive one additional attack). But there’s still plenty of wall-running and fast-paced parkour to be had across the DLC’s six levels. There are also new bosses, enemies and six new music tracks by electronic musician Daniel Deluxe.

Ghostrunner: Project_Hel costs $15 so stay tuned for when it goes live in your region. One More Level is also working on a sequel to Ghostrunner for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. A release date hasn’t been announced so stay tuned for more details in the meantime.