30. Until Dawn Remake

As good as the original? Well, no, especially when it comes to the soundtrack selection for certain scenes, specific lighting changes in the beginning, etc. However, Until Dawn’s remake does offer vastly superior performance and character models alongside new content and death animations. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll encourage someone to experience the original and see first-hand why it’s superior. For now, at least it’s better than the movie (not that that’s a high bar to clear).

29. Rise of the Rōnin

Unfairly compared to Ghost of Tsushima when it first launched, Team Ninja’s open-world action-adventure has its share of bright spots despite the story shortcomings. Combat is top-notch, as expected from the Nioh team, and hey, you can use a bayonet as a hybrid melee/ranged weapon, which is really cool. It may not quite have the budget, but you can’t deny Rise of the Rōnin’s ambition, especially with the sheer number of factions, branching paths, and combat depth.

28. Sackboy: A Big Adventure

LittleBigPlanet may be on ice for who knows how long, but Sackboy: A Big Adventure did help fill that void. The vaster movesets, coupled with returning tools like the grappling hook, made for an endearing adventure, especially when playing with a friend. While it didn’t necessarily break new ground in the genre, it was still a joyful romp through Craftworld.

27. The Nioh Collection

Two excellent titles in one package alongside all their paid DLC and updates for hundreds of hours of masocore action RPG fun – what more could you want? Well, maybe a reprieve from the difficulty. However, The Nioh Collection is a sheer testament to Team Ninja’s post-Ninja Gaiden design, blending that combo potential with Souls-like fundamentals and more grounded action, even if the loot chase isn’t for everyone.

26. Mafia: The Old Country

We never really got all our answers about how Mafia: The Old Country ties into the rest of the series (save for it being a prequel and containing a few cameos). Nevertheless, it was a strong return to everything that made the franchise so memorable, from the gripping narrative and strong characterization to the deeply involving themes. That Sicily looked so stunning to explore is also a plus.

25. Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

Jokes about remastering a title that wasn’t even a decade old aside, Guerrilla Games poured a significant amount of time and resources into revamping Horizon Zero Dawn for the remaster. Environments were changed, matching Forbidden West in terms of graphical quality, and entire cutscenes were overhauled and improved thanks to re-recorded dialogue. Otherwise, its gameplay fundamentals are as enjoyable as ever.

24. Demon’s Souls Remake

Aggravating as it is that Bluepoint was relegated to making a live-service title for all these years, at least we got the long-requested remake of Demon’s Souls. Purists may scoff at some of the visual choices and their effect on the atmosphere. And yet this remake brings the FromSoftware title into the contemporary age, idiosyncrasies and all, proving that some classics truly are timeless.

23. Sword of the Sea

Fancy hovering around some stunning environments on a hoversword, trying to piece together the sordid history of the place within three hours? Sword of the Sea may satisfy that urge…or leave you confused afterwards. Regardless, it’s a seamless blend of snowboarding, surfing, and platforming with deft pacing and more than a few surprises.

22. Returnal

From arcade shooters that it claimed wouldn’t sell to delivering one of the most pulse-pounding third-person action games of all time, Housemarque has had quite the journey. Returnal is a heck of a stop on the way, with Atropos presenting environments that are as brutalising as they are lovingly surreal. Its take on the rogue-like formula may not be for everyone, but when it comes to fast-paced action and bullet hell mechanics, few games can top it.

21. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

Showcasing the sheer speed of the PS5’s SSD, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart’s clever usage of rifts allowed for a dimension-hopping adventure the likes of which the series had never seen. But even if you ignore the technical wizardry, it’s just a stellar platformer all-around with its traversal mechanics, combat, and the sheer charm of its leading duo.

20. Helldivers 2

The sole success of Sony’s live-service initiative, and it’s easy to see why. Arriving almost out of nowhere to deliver explosive co-op action that’s easy to get into and impossible to put down, Helldivers 2 has grown into a behemoth of weapons, enemies, mission types, and whatnot. It’s almost detrimental in a way, given the technical issues, but when you can run around together in Killzone and Halo armor sets, it’s beyond worth it.

19. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Last year saw Microsoft finally release its first-party titles on PS5, but this year saw a once-iconic character returning to where it all began. We’re of course talking about Senua, whose first game debuted on PS4 before coming to Xbox. Suffice it to say that Senua’s Saga offers more of the same but with far more gorgeous visuals, and it works, despite the familiarity of it all.

18. Absolum

The very best in beat ’em up combat is mixed with deceptively simple upgrades and a branching world design that suits the genre as much as the storytelling. Saying it looks downright amazing would be an understatement, but it also packs in a surprisingly great soundtrack with a who’s who of composers on board. Suffice it to say that if you’re going in for more Streets of Rage 4-style goodness, Absolum will easily surpass those expectations.

17. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

After successfully reviving Silent Hill, it was the turn of Metal Gear Solid, that too where it all chronologically began. And while Delta: Snake Eater threw in some notable new features, from the over-the-shoulder camera to the revamped visuals and quality-of-life, it was, unabashedly, exactly like the original. Love it or hate it for that reason, it’s still a fantastic remake for one of the greatest of all time.

16. The Last of Us Part 2: Remastered

Yes, The Last of Us Part 2 isn’t technically a native PS5 title, and yes, the series’ re-releases are getting a little too excessive. On the other hand, it’s still a fantastic game with a story and twist that’s vehemently argued about to this day. The mix of survival mechanics and responsive gameplay, coupled with larger environments to explore and even more heart-pounding set pieces, all wrapped up in that signature post-apocalyptic atmosphere – it’s still a powerful combo to this day. Throw in the rogue-like No Return and other goodies, and you’ve got an even better deal.

15. Borderlands 4

It’s a good day when you can wake up, play a new Borderlands title and come away with “Not bad.” Featuring the gunplay of Borderlands 3 and none of the same narrative treatment, its main appeal is the vast world, laden with interesting activities, and more build-crafting opportunities than ever before. The looter shooter genre as a whole may seem tapped out, especially on this scale, but Borderlands 4 is still a fun time if you’re into the grind.

14. Forza Horizon 5

For years, PS5 players have heard about the brilliance of Forza Horizon 5. The extensive roster of cars (now at 900 and counting), the attention to detail of Mexico, its various jaw-dropping locations, and the sheer amount of content to experience. But for all its intricacies, systems, and realistic physics (if that’s what you’re into), Playground Games’ open-world racer is just the perfect fantasy for any car enthusiast to let loose.

13. Gran Turismo 7

The most drop-dead, stunning game in Polyphony Digital’s long, illustrious history and also the most controversial. But has that stopped Gran Turismo 7 from delivering the very best racing sim action this generation (especially after Forza Motorsport fumbled)? Not by a long shot, and the plethora of updates thus far, including the upcoming Spec 3 update, have made it even more worthwhile.

12. Silent Hill f

With the first hurdle of a competent remake surpassed, Konami faced its next big challenge: Delivering a new Silent Hill that was not only fun but downright terrifying. So naturally it went scorched earth by having Ryukishi07 pen the narrative and kera to design the creatures alongside a rural 1960s Japanese town as the setting. Even with complaints surrounding its combat, if there’s any horror title you need to experience this year, it’s Silent Hill f.

11. Days Gone Remastered

Even in the absence of a new game, you can’t keep ol’ Deacon St. John down. Finally arriving on the PS5, Days Gone Remastered offers everything that fans loved about the original with visual improvements and faster loading times. Permadeath and Speedrun modes provide fresh new challenges, while the brand new Horde Assault puts an arcade spin on surviving against an overwhelming amount of Freakers, complete with its own progression.

10. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Bigger, better and somehow offering the same runtime, Insomniac’s sequel puts a somewhat darker twist on Peter Parker’s journey as Spider-Man. In reality, it expands on the original in some truly spectacular ways, from the varied playstyles to the customization and plethora of suits. Plus, Manhattan, alongside Brooklyn and Queens, has never looked better or flowed as seamlessly as you web sling through them at breakneck speeds.

9. Astro Bot

A pitch-perfect platformer with a presentation that’s equal parts stunning and endearing, packed with the best that the genre has to offer in terms of levels and mechanics…all without any fluff, and paying tribute to PlayStation’s extensive history? That somewhat describes Team Asobi’s Astro Bot in a nutshell, but you could also just call it a masterpiece. It may not boast the same scale as many of Sony’s other heavy hitters, but its heart is unmatched, making for an exclusive that everyone should play. However, at the very top of the PS5 mountain sits…

8. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

That Sandfall Interactive’s first title could launch this year and catapult up the list of must-play games of all time is a testament to its brilliance. And make no mistake – Clair Obscur is brilliant in every single way that should matter in a role-playing game, full of wondrous locales to explore, an involving story with memorable characters, a fantastic combat system that mixes turn-based and real-time actions to excellent effect, and the music. Oh, the music. If you haven’t experienced it already, then what are you waiting for?

7. God of War Ragnarok

Sony’s Santa Monica Studio is no stranger to going all out when it’s time to end a story, and Ragnarok is no exception. Themes of family, betrayal, belonging, and more are tackled; vast lands teeming with dangerous new threats are revealed; and the sheer amount of combos that you can potentially pull off is even more insane than ever. Ragnarok is the studio’s magnum opus, and the fact that it added an entire rogue-lite expansion, Valhalla, on top as an epilogue for free only further sweetens the deal.

6. Black Myth: Wukong

It’s not often that something so unbelievably gorgeous delivers on its mountain of expectations, but Black Myth: Wukong made it look easy. The stunning art direction and presentation are backed by an equally involving combat system and some of the coolest boss battles in a video game. Wukong is more than just a great action RPG, though – it’s also a testament to the sheer game development talent in China.

5. Horizon Forbidden West: Complete Edition

Let it not be said that Guerrilla Games didn’t follow the rule of “more” with Horizon Forbidden West. More Machines, weapon types, armor sets, activities, side quests, fidelity, characters, locations – the list goes on (and Horizon Zero Dawn isn’t a small game). Amid all this, it even offered some shocking revelations, not to mention a much-requested boss fight in the expansion, Burning Shores. It’s been almost four years since its release, but Horizon Forbidden West remains an addictive open-world experience.

4. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Venturing beyond the confines of Midgar didn’t just mean experiencing the broader world of Final Fantasy 7 as a whole – it also meant a completely new approach to exploration. More mini-games and optional activities, not to mention side quests where key party members took the lead to go with additional challenging bosses, all wrapped up in an open world format. And that’s not even getting into all the improvements with the combat, summons, and the sheer insanity of the story. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth gets some flak for certain sequences going too long, but for long-time fans and RPG enthusiasts alike, it’s simply breathtaking in almost every way.

3. Elden Ring + Shadow of the Erdtree

You probably saw this coming, but like a certain Scarlet Rotted Blade, Elden Ring and its expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, simply won’t know defeat. Are there areas where it falters, especially in performance? Absolutely, but for us, it’s such a masterclass in open-world design and action RPG combat. That first moment where you step out and gaze upon Limgrave; that moment where Stormveil Castle is conquered and you look out upon the deeper world; the first nightmarish moments of Caelid; and who can forget wandering into the Land of Shadow and getting uppies from the Furnace Golem? Elden Ring wears its influences – from Breath of the Wild to Dark Souls – on its sleeve, and delivers a magical journey that few other games have managed to surpass.

2. Ghost of Yōtei

Plenty of revenge sagas ask how far you’d go, but Ghost of Yōtei offered a slightly different twist, which led to a more layered narrative. Of course, it also took everything about Ghost of Tsushima and elevated it to whole new levels, whether it was the natural flow of its open world, the sheer variety in activities, or the responsive combat. Overall, a fantastic title and more than a worthy follow-up to its 2020 predecessor.

1. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Much has been said about Hideo Kojima and his, let’s say, unique storytelling. However, Death Stranding 2 didn’t just up the emotional quotient while introducing various unforgettable new characters. It also made vast improvements to the original’s gameplay, accommodating those who favored stealth, going in guns blazing, or the familiar friction-filled hiking. The sheer visual fidelity is top-tier among games this generation, and it all ties together into a satisfying tear-jerker of an ending.

Demon’s Souls

What better place to start your journey with some of the best single-player titles on the PS5 than with the remake of a classic that also happens to be a launch title for Sony’s current generation of consoles? Sure, the remake of Demon’s Souls, courtesy of Bluepoint, doesn’t quite nail the intense atmosphere of the original, but the game still happens to be an absolute treat when it comes to visuals, and more importantly, it’s still excellent evidence that FromSoftware – the studio behind the original Demon’s Souls – knew what it was doing when it came to gameplay, combat, and level design, even all the way back in 2009.

Evil West

While the current landscape of video game releases is largely populated by massive big-budget AAA games as well as indie titles made by smaller crews, Evil West manages to prove that there also exists a solid middle-ground. While not polished to a mirror sheen like a AAA title would have been, Evil West is an excellent third-person action-adventure game that, despite looking like it was ripped straight out of the PS3/Xbox 360 console generation, still happens to be a good time even today.

Returnal

Quite easily one of the more challenging games on the PS5, Returnal is a great example of some of the capabilities of the console. Alongside featuring excellent gunplay, Returnal also makes great use of some of the PS5’s core features, including near-instant load times, the use of haptic feedback on the DualSense controller, and even offering resistance through the controller’s triggers to offer up multiple firing modes for your weapons. The plot in Returnal is also quite interesting, playing into some classic tragedies through the lens of a sci-fi time-loop story.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

How does one follow up on what is widely regarded as one of the best superhero titles out there? Why, you make it bigger and better, of course. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 builds on both of its predecessors by featuring multiple protagonists, as well as a whole new set of antagonists Peter Parker and Miles Morales to fight against. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is essentially an improvement over the last couple of games in every way, complete with more content, as well as expanded gameplay features and new abilities. Playing as Venom was just an icing on the cake!

The Last of Us Part 1

While the fact that The Last of Us Part 1 is essentially the third time the same game is being re-released, there is a good reason for this: it’s just an all-round excellent game. Featuring intense gameplay that seamlessly switches between a variety of genres, from running-and-gunning, to stealthily taking out groups of human enemies, to even a fair bit of horror as you try and avoid the horrific cordyceps as you journey alongside Joel and Ellie across America. The story and characters of The Last of Us Part 1 are especially notable, with strong writing and character dynamics good enough that it inspired an HBO adaptation.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered follows up on what is considered by many to be one of the best games ever made by giving us a wide, sweeping story that tells us a story about vengeance, and the cycle of hatred that keeps getting perpetuated. Featuring multiple playable characters throughout the game, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered goes to great lengths in not only humanizing even the enemies you often end up fighting, but also allowing us to understand their actions, as heinous as they may have been. This is paired with some excellent gameplay that expertly blends melee and ranged combat, as well as a heavy dose of stealth.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade

Final Fantasy 7 Remake kicks off what is set to be a trilogy in retelling the story of the seminal Final Fantasy 7, complete with modern visuals, as well as gameplay that blends the original’s turn-based combat with real-time action in a way that not only feels satisfying thanks to the tactical options it opens up, but also allows for some great gameplay customization. The game is also notable since, rather than just being a 1:1 remake of the original, Final Fantasy 7 Remake is also trying to explore what the very concept of a remake can be, complete with a meta narrative that shifts the core themes and foundations of Final Fantasy 7 in meaningful and interesting ways.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Following up on Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth sets players loose in a vast, expansive open world. Picking up right after the events of the first game, Rebirth not only gives us a greater look at the world, but thanks to its many bits of side-content strewn throughout its world, also allows us to understand the various nations, civilizations, and even flora and fauna that dot the landscape. While zooming out for its grand tale, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth also zooms into its individual characters, giving us a much deeper look at various characters like Cloud, Aerith, and Barret.

Astro Bot

While 3D platformers are quite rare outside of the indie space and Nintendo’s platforms, Team Asobi knocked it out of the park with Astro Bot, giving us one of the most fun, endearing, and joyful games on the system. Astro Bot features levels and characters from all over PlayStation’s history, along with a great soundtrack that pays homage to many of these games, as well as fantastic platforming gameplay that, while accessible for just about anyone that might be interested in playing games, can also offer up a decent level of challenge in its later stages.

God of War Ragnarok

Following up on the story of the 2018 reboot, Fimbulwintr has arrived, and things are looking quite grim in all the realms. While Atreus has to figure out how he can deal with the coming apocalypse as well as the machinations of their foes, Kratos, on the other hand, has to figure out how to deal with a particularly vengeful mother, while also keeping his son safe. Ragnarok builds on the gameplay foundations laid by its predecessor, bringing with it a large variety in terms of not only combat options, but also enemy types, locations, and challenges that can be taken on.

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

An excellent entry in the long-running franchise, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart brings with it quite a few new interesting gameplay twists that make full use of the PS5’s hardware. One of its biggest contributions to the franchise is the introduction of a new protagonist in Rivet, who, much like Ratchet, is a Lombax that has a knack for using improbable weapons to deal with problems at hand. The game also features excellent visuals, as well as frantic combat thanks to the rift mechanic that allows players to instantly transport themselves between various places during a fight.

Final Fantasy 16

While far from the most-loved game in the RPG genre, Final Fantasy 16 still proves itself to be an excellent entry thanks to its fantastic combat mechanics. Final Fantasy 16 tells the story of former slave Clive Rosfield, who has set out to rid the world of slavery, while also fighting to take on challenging encounters that threatens the existence of all humanity in the land of Valisthea. Along with its fast-paced action gameplay, Final Fantasy 16 players can also expect to enjoy epic boss fights where Eikons clash against each other in arenas of improbable scale and size.

Control Ultimate Edition

Control is quite easily one of the strangest modern games to have been released. Taking place in a mysterious building known as the Oldest House, which also happens to serve as the headquarters for an inter-dimensional government agency known as the Federal Bureau of Control, players take on the role of Jesse Faden, who is exploring the building in an effort to find her long-lost brother. Thanks to a series of strange events, Jesse finds herself becoming the new Director of the FBC, uncovering and using new powers as she continues her exploration. The gameplay in Control revolves around fast-paced shootouts, coupled with players making use of Jesse’s psychic abilities to throw things around and fly in the air.

The Nioh Collection

Two of the most unique takes on the Souls-like genre, both of the Nioh games have an emphasis on precise, fast-paced combat which serves a sharp contrast to the more slow-paced gameplay the genre is known for. Players also have an incredibly-vast arsenal of weapons, each with different movesets that also change depending on the stance the player takes. It’s also worth noting that both games also feature loot-based progression along with character-based mechanics, which encourages further replayability, thanks to the presence of ever more challenging encounters as the players experience their own rise in power.

Baldur’s Gate 3

One of the most celebrated titles of recent times, Baldur’s Gate 3 is an expansive RPG that is absolutely stunning. Playable characters tend to have their own stories, motivations, and goals. The game also features an in-depth turn-based combat system that gives players an immense level of freedom in taking on encounters, which can range from simple hack-and-slash tactics, to throwing your Halfling friend at an enemy Ogre to keep them distracted while you lay explosive traps all over the place.

Elden Ring

FromSoftware’s most recent Souls-like release has essentially become one of the definitive takes on the genre. The game features excellent combat that rewards players striking their enemies with efficiency, along with a large open world that players are completely free to explore, as long as they can survive. Elden Ring got a DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, which takes place in the Land of Shadows, where players take on a journey to discover why they decided to come to the Lands Between to begin with.

Resident Evil Village

While Resident Evil Village is more action-oriented than its predecessor, it still manages to maintain the classic horror vibes that the series is well-known for. The game puts players in the shoes of Ethan Winters, who has set off to a rural European city to find his daughter. The game features a number of different styles of horror, ranging from classic gothic horror in dealing with Lady Dimitrescu, to more stealth-based body horror when the player finds themselves trapped in that haunted house. Resident Evil Village also serves as an ending to the story of Ethan Winters, complete with an expansion that explores the physical and mental state of a grown up Rosemary Winters.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Following in the foundations of the new gameplay systems laid by Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth once again returns players into the shoes of Ichiban Kasuga, who finds himself traveling to Hawaii because of events that derail his life in Yokohama. The game sees the return of the turn-based combat system from the previous game, but with more gameplay features to make better use of environmental weapons, as well as an expanded list of Jobs that players can switch between for a larger variety of abilities to use in fights. And if that isn’t enough, there’s also an entire Pokemon-style game, complete with its own combat system and storyline.

Alan Wake 2

A sequel more than a decade in the making, Alan Wake 2 is one of the best horror experiences out there. The game features some downright fantastic gameplay, dual protagonists each with their own unique gameplay mechanics, and a story that, while also tying up the threads left dangling by the original Alan Wake, also manages to tell its own tale in a fun way. Alan Wake 2 puts players in the shoes of the titular Alan Wake, as well as FBI agent Saga Anderson, each of whom is trying to solve the mysteries surrounding Bright Falls. A big theme in Alan Wake 2 is light, and along with some great level design and fun combat, the game also features a fantastic two DLCs that are an absolute must play.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 puts players in the shoes of protagonist V and sets them loose in Night City where they aim to build up their own legend and become remembered like the mercenaries of old. The game features a fantastic story that has V grapple with their own mortality, as well as question the very nature of a person’s soul. Along with a fun cast of side characters, including Johnny Silverhand played by Keanu Reeves, the game also got a DLC release – Phantom Liberty – which features a whole new area, as well as a new story, and new characters. Cyberpunk 2077 is also a visual treat, pushing even modern console hardware to its limits in its gorgeous rendition of Night City.

Hi-Fi Rush

Developed by the studio behind The Evil Within and its sequel, Hi-Fi Rush is a bright, cheerful, colourful third-person hack-and-slash action game with a twist: it’s also a rhythm game. The protagonist, Chai, has a music player implanted into his heart, which not only ends up giving the game a rather fantastic soundtrack, but also encourages players to hack-and-slash their way through enemies to the rhythm of the music. The unique title features a fun cast of characters, as well as some rather fantastic boss fights, all with excellent gameplay mechanics.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 offers one of the most unique open-world RPGs out there. The game features a dynamic combat system that encourages players to come up with their own combinations of attacks and special ability, as well as a progression system that doesn’t limit the player to any single archetype, allowing them to freely switch between ranged combat as a Ranger, to melee combat as a Knight, and even spell-casting. While the game suffered from performance issues at launch, constant updates since then have made playing the title a much smoother experience.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

While Mass Effect 3 stumbled quite a bit in its storytelling, the original Mass Effect trilogy is still remembered fondly, and the Legendary Edition proves that nostalgia doesn’t have anything to do with it. Even when compared to modern contemporaries, the Mass Effect trilogy features a downright fantastic sci-fi story set in a believable galaxy where humanity finally achieved interstellar travel. The game also presents players with plenty of choices to make along the way, which further define not only how the world reacts to them, but how the story plays out as well.

Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut

Set during the Mongol invasion of the island of Tsushima, Ghost of Tsushima revolves around Jin Sakai, who takes up arms and rallies the survivors into driving the Mongols out. Throughout his time on the island, Sakai is forced to grapple with the duality of the Samurai code of honor, as well as the need to take out powerful enemies stealthily. The game features fast-paced combat, a fun stealth system, plenty of tools to use in and out of fights, and a drop-dead gorgeous island to explore in order to find better equipment and materials to upgrade your swords. It can also often be just as fun to relax in a hot spring, pet some foxes, or write a haiku every once in a while. Oh and don’t miss its fantasy expansion, Iki Island!

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown provides a platforming experience that would rival some of the best titles in the genre. The game puts players in the shoes of Sargon, who finds himself trapped in a temporal labyrinth. In his quest to discover the mysteries surrounding the kidnapping of a certain character, Sargon must fight his way out of the labyrinth as he explores the game’s intricate world and unlocks new powers to unleash on his enemies.

Stray

Far from a high-stakes action game like many other titles in this list, Stray is a more relaxing adventure title where players take on the role of a cat that is trying to get back to their family. The game focuses more on environmental storytelling than using traditional methods, and has players explore an intricately-made cyberpunk world where humans don’t seem to exist anymore, and the world is instead populated by robots.

Jusant

A unique title about self-discovery, Jusant is a game about climbing. Taking on the role of an unnamed boy, players will get to work, climbing up a gigantic rock tower. As they get higher and higher, players will discover just what happened to the world through environmental storytelling, as well as notes or pieces of art left behind. Interestingly, players can’t really die in Jusant, which acts as encouragement to continue exploring and discovering the secrets of the tower.

Horizon Forbidden West

A follow-up to Horizon Zero Dawn, Forbidden West once again has players take on the role of Aloy who must respond to a new threat, since the Derangement hasn’t yet stopped. As its name might imply, the game takes place in the lawless land in the west, where Aloy is equipped with new abilities and tools at her disposal to explore, as well as take on new machines. Along the way, Aloy will also find new technologies, as well as secrets about her own past. Its expansion Burning Shores is a visual masterpiece and something you should not miss.

Lost Judgment

While protagonist Takayuki Yagami developed quite a bit thanks to the events of Judgment, Lost Judgment puts his convictions to the test with an intense story about schoolyard bullying gone too far, and resulting in a series of deaths. The game takes place in Yakuza 7: Like a Dragon’s setting of Yokohama, revolving around the local high school. When it comes to gameplay, Lost Judgment features a number of enhancements to its combat system, including new stances that Yagami can learn to help him better take on enemies through either counter-based gameplay, or straight-up boxing.

Lies of P

While most Souls-like games tend to be more inspired from titles like Dark Souls, Lies of P instead decided to take its lessons from Bloodborne. Taking on the role of a Pinocchio in a dark retelling of the classic tale, players will explore the city of Krat as they try and look for Mr. Geppetto. The game features an intense, fast-paced combat system that also has players mix-and-match between various weapon parts to violent results.

The Quarry

The first standalone game by developer Supermassive Games since it started its Dark Pictures Anthology, The Quarry is a throwback to classic horror movies of old. The game puts players in the shoes of a number of teenagers who manage to find themselves at the mercy of a mysterious, seemingly monstrous killer on their last day as camp counselors. As they play through the game’s story, players will find themselves making choices that not only affect the story in minor ways, but will also essentially decide who survives the whole ordeal. It’s worth noting that The Quarry has quite an impressive cast, played by actors like David Arquette, Ted Raimi, and Justice Smith.

Black Myth: Wukong

Set some time after the events of the Journey to the West, Black Myth: Wukong puts players in the shoes of the Destined One. His enemies launch an assault on the monkey people, which prompts the Wukong, into action. Along the way, players will have to take on several challenges, including combat against mysterious creatures. The graphics are outstanding, the gameplay is simply superb and there are a ton of secrets to be found. Quite easily, Black Myth Wukong is this year’s game of the year contender.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

Taking place in a distant future full of giant mechs, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon puts players in the shoes of a mercenary Armored Core pilot that is taking on missions from the highest bidder in order to carve out a place for themselves in a war scarred world. The game features fast-paced mech combat that not only rewards reflexes, but also strategy thanks to the in-depth mechanics of your mech’s loadouts. The game also features an intricate story that tells the grand story of an epic war through the lens of the various missions you take on.

System Shock Remake

While it doesn’t really deviate too much from what the original System Shock, the remake certainly manages to make itself the definitive way to experience the classic first-person horror title. Not only does it feature more modern gameplay, complete with a redesigned HUD, it also expertly simulates the original’s visual style in a modern way by making use of high-resolution visuals that somehow look retro in all the best ways. System Shock Remake is one of those rare remakes out there that manages to hang on to its roots, while also bringing in more accessible gameplay that would allow more players to experience the classic.

Nobody Wants to Die

A narrative adventure game, Nobody Wants to Die is a cyberpunk noir story that puts players in the shoes of James Karra, a detective with the NYPD’s Department of Morality. Karra is tasked with figuring out the secrets behind a murder of an important person in a world where dying – especially for the rich – isn’t really a problem anymore. As players uncover layers of conspiracies happening all around them, they will also find themselves making choices that affect the world, all while they’re hot in the trail of a serial killer that is targeting the elite of New York.

Dead Space Remake

Dead Space Remake manages to be more than just a fresh coat of paint. While it manages to hang on to the original’s core identity, the remake also brings with it a host of changes to various aspects, including a better-balanced arsenal that protagonist Isaac Clarke has more reason to use, as well as some impressive gory visuals thanks to how detailed the horrifying necromorphs can look at times. The Dead Space Remake is definitely well worth your time, especially if the thought of dismembering your enemies from a distance sound like an appealing prospect.

Sniper Elite 5

Taking place directly after the events of Sniper Elite 4’s Deathstorm DLC, Sniper Elite 5 once again puts players in the shoes of Karl Fairburne as he takes on Nazi forces. The game takes place before the events of the infamous Normandy’s landing on D-Day, with players tasked with taking out key targets and gathering intel that will allow the allied powers to take on the Nazis. While a third-person shooter, Sniper Elite 5 places a heavy emphasis on scouting and sniping enemies, as well as stealth–based gameplay. Much like other titles in the franchise, Sniper Elite 5 also features the special camera angles that allow players to see exactly how they’re killing enemies from a distance.

Sifu

An intense martial arts experience, Sifu tells the story of a student who sets out to avenge the murder of their master. The game features a unique mechanic where, the more the player dies, the older their character gets, allowing them to do more damage. On the other hand, being older also means that you have less health, and can’t take as many hits from enemies. The game’s fast-paced combat system allows players to live out their favourite martial arts movie fantasies, allowing players to take on enemies with quick hand-to-hand combos, intricate grapples, and even improvised weapons grabbed from all over the level.

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy has players taking on the role of Star-Lord, joined by other members of the eponymous Guardians, including Gamora, Draxx, Rocket Raccoon, and Groot. The game features a unique combat system that has players make use of all of their crew members’ various abilities, each with unique effects, along with a fun story that could just as easily be ripped right out of the pages of a comic book. The game is well-regarded for its excellent dialogue and writing, and the scoring system manages to keep the combat interesting throughout its runtime.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits

Developed by a studio known for its work in animation in the film industry, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is definitely a visual treat. The game features some downright wonderful art and animations that could just as easily be ripped out of a big-budget animated movie, while also featuring good action gameplay. The story revolves around the titular Kena, who is on a journey to uncover the secrets of an old abandoned village. Kena: Bridge of Spirits features fast-paced combat, adorable critters, and downright jaw-dropping visuals and animations.

Conscript

A unique take on the horror genre, Conscript throws players into the trenches of the World War as they take on not only enemy soldiers, but also try and scavenge for supplies. The game features pixel-art visuals that, despite their simplicity, do a great job of instilling a sense of dread and urgency in players. As they continue their journey of survival through the trenches, players will also find themselves trapped in an intricate web of trenches and bunkers that they must navigate if they want to have any hope of surviving. There is also quite a bit of replayability, thanks to additional difficulty options, as well as endings to unlock.

Stellar Blade

A stylish sci-fi action game Stellar Blade, the player is tasked with reclaiming Earth for humanity. The game features fast-paced combat, and players will take on a variety of different enemies with various weapons and abilities that they find throughout their time.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster

A remaster of a game originally released on the Xbox 360, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster has players take on the role of reporter Frank West, as he sets out to investigate the mysterious events surrounding a mall in Willamette, Colorado. The game features a unique gameplay structure where players are expected to make slow progress, often involving dying and restarting, and finding more powerful improvised weaponry, as they take on massive zombie hordes in a mall. The game also features a 72-hour time limit, giving players a sense of urgency in their hunt for answers and fight for survival.

Until Dawn Remake

While the original PS4 release is well-regarded in its own right, the remake for Until Dawn allows more players than ever before to experience the classic schlocky slasher horror story. Featuring a memorable cast and crew, the actions of whom lies in the player’s hands depending on the choices they make, Until Dawn also promotes replayability thanks to the fact that the story and endings can change in interesting ways depending on who lives and who dies throughout the harrowing encounters the game offers.

Silent Hill 2 Remake

Developed by Bloober Team, the remake of Silent Hill 2 pays homage to the seminal PS2 horror game while still maintaining its own identity. While it focuses on retelling the story of protagonist James Sutherland who has reached the eponymous town in search of answers to mysterious questions, the remake features a number of new gameplay elements, including a new over-the-shoulder camera, as well as brand new visuals and voice acting that aim to give a new life to what is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror games ever made. And boy, it succeeded with a bang!

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

A follow-up to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Survivor once again puts players into the shoes of Jedi Knight Cal Kestis. The game takes place five years after the original, with Kestis taking the responsibility of rebuilding the Jedi order on his own shoulders. The title features the same gameplay as Fallen Order, along with new additions, including the ability to make use of different types of lightsabers, including the iconic dual-bladed lightsaber first introduced in the hands of Darth Maul in A Phantom Menace. The game also features new force abilities, as well as additional lightsaber stances that players can make use of to take on the various combat challenges the game throws their way.

Hitman: World of Assassination

Hitman: World of Assassination allows players to play through the entire storyline of the Hitman games, complete with new gameplay mechanics. Taking on the role of Agent 47, players will travel to various locations as they take on contracts to eliminate key characters in a vast criminal conspiracy. The game also features its own unique take on the roguelite genre in the form of the Freelancer mode, which gives players randomised targets and methods of assassination as they build up their arsenal of weapons, tools, and even disguises by making money.

Hogwarts Legacy

Widely accepted as one of the first great games set in the expansive Harry Potter universe, Hogwarts Legacy divorces itself from its source material by taking place in the past, well before the events of the original books take place. As a fresh transfer to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, players will have the chance to create their own character and live out their fantasies of learning magic among the school’s iconic teaching staff. Along the way, players will also take part in magical duels, as well as take on threats including a goblin uprising, as well as wizard criminals.

Dead Island 2

In Dead Island 2, players take on the role of one of six survivors who find themselves in Los Angeles. The world has moved on from being scared of the walking dead, and some people have even found themselves enjoying the carnage that results from fighting the shambling hordes. The game features crazy weapons, as well as a host of new tools and items which will allow you to pull off some crazy zombie kills.

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals

Taking place six years after the events of the original Oxenfree, Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is a brand new coming-of-age story, this time around focusing on Riley Poverly, who is investigating a mysterious radio interference coming from Edwards Islands. Players have to explore the island while completing their mission of placing transmitters at key locations, and ultimately deal with a malevolent force that is threatening the world. Much like the original, gameplay in Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals once again revolves around the player interacting with the locals as they try and figure out what is happening on the island.

Viewfinder

A unique game that relies more on the player’s sense of perception and logical puzzle-solving than their twitch action reflexes, Viewfinder gives players a camera and sets them loose in a virtual reality world. The game features many themes, especially ones dealing with environmental issues, as players are forced to deal with the problems created by man-made structures, including a weather-control machine that might end up being the solution to the global problem of climate change.

Lords of the Fallen

Lords of the Fallen is a unique take on the Souls-like genre. Lords of the Fallen takes place in a Mournstead that is on the brink of collapse. The player, referred to in the game as the Lampbearer, has to travel between the material and Umbral world as they take on the hellish new challenges throughout the land. The game features an excellent combat system that gives players a greater level of freedom in how they tackle enemies.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

Featuring Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: Lost Legacy, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection is a bundle that tells the story of the final adventure of series protagonist Nathan Drake, as well as a side adventure featuring characters that Drake has encountered throughout his different games – Chloe Frazer from Uncharted 2 and Nadine Ross from Uncharted 4. While featuring the same over the top action that the series is well-regarded for, the duo of Uncharted games in the bundle also feature their own unique twists in the series, including the addition of a small, open world in Uncharted: Lost Legacy where players have more freedom to take on objectives in a variety of different ways.

Dying Light 2: Stay Human

Taking place in a time well after the zombie apocalypse has ravaged mankind, Dying Light 2: Stay Human puts players in the shoes of Aiden Caldwell, who finds himself in the city of Villedor in search of his missing sister. The game features a number of new gameplay mechanics over its predecessor, supplementing the melee combat and parkour-based movement with a variety of new abilities, including a glider and a grappling hook that greatly increases the mobility offered to players. The game also got a series of DLC releases, each of which added new gameplay elements as well as new story content for players to experience and earn epic loot in.

Ghostwire: Tokyo

A single-player action-horror title, Ghostwire: Tokyo is an interesting game thanks to the unique look it offers players with Tokyo’s famous Shibuya district. The city has been struck by a strange fog that has allowed spirits to roam its streets, and the protagonist, Akito, finds himself torn between the living and dead thanks to the machinations of the spirit KK. The game features a dense open-world where players can explore the various nooks and crannies of Shibuya to their heart’s content, while also taking on malicious spirits with a host of spiritual weapons. The game also got a DLC in the form of Spider’s Thread, which brought with it a new map, along with new abilities, and even a new roguelite game mode.

Grand Theft Auto V

Sure, the game might be more than a decade old at this point, but few other titles out there can provide players with the same experience as Grand Theft Auto 5. The single-player campaign of the game puts players in the shoes of Michael, Trevor and Franklin as they pull off a series of escalating heists, all of which ultimately pits them against more conspiratorial forces, while also making each one of the characters question their loyalty to each other. GTA 5 also features the multiplayer Grand Theft Auto Online mode, which allows players to become the ultimate crime boss in Los Santos, while also teaming up with, or fighting off other players with similar aspirations.

Sword and Fairy: Together Forever

A unique take in the RPG genre that makes use of the developers’ East-Asian influences, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever sets players free in a world that mixes classical Asian aesthetics with ancient stories. The game features a whole party of unique characters, each with their own personalities, motivations, and abilities, as they take on the massive challenges that will ultimately decide the fate of the game’s world. Despite being the latest entry in a long-running franchise, Sword and Fairy: Together Forever is meant to be a good point of entry for newcomers to the series, featuring a standalone story that doesn’t rely on a player’s knowledge of the previous titles.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is the first mainline entry in the classic platforming franchise since all the way back in the PSOne days. Featuring the return of classic mascot character in Crash Bandicoot and his friends, the game involves players trying to fix a hole in the space-time continuum that was caused due to the events of Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped. The game features excellent platforming gameplay that players expect from the series, along with new gameplay mechanics, as well as incredibly trippy visuals.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

A follow-up to A Plague Tale: Innocence, Requiem once again puts players in the shoes of Amicia and Hugo de Rune in their journey through hell. The game picks up right where its predecessor left off, with the two siblings trying to find the cure for the ailment Hugo is suffering from. A Plague Tale: Requiem will have players fight and sneak their way through plague-infested locations, while making use of Amicia’s new abilities thanks to her experience in dealing with fraught situations in the first game. And the rat hordes…those are hordes are absolutely massive this time around.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Although admittedly not Bioware’s best work, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a decent action role playing game that will give you dozens of hours of gameplay. Sure, the game has issues but it features excellent combat mechanics, beautiful graphics and great looking environments that are filled with details. If the developer had put in more work into the game, The Veilguard would have surely been a better game but as it stands right now, it’s a fine single player experience that is fun in more ways than one.

One year later, we’re looking back on the 25 best games released thus far for the PS5. So without further ado, let’s get into it.

Hades

Hades is many things. It’s a showcase of Supergiant Games’ deft character writing with a litany of well-written characters based on Greek mythology, each with hundreds of lines and dozens of interactions. It’s an incredible rogue-lite which balances its progression with the story, slowly unraveling more plot details with each escape attempt. And most importantly, it’s a great action game with stellar variety thanks to Boons and weapon upgrades that you want to jump into again and again, especially at 4K/60 FPS on the PS5.

Update: Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo have confirmed that Nioh 2’s total worldwide shipments and digital sales have crossed two million till date.

Original Story:

In a recent tweet, Team Ninja announced that the Nioh series has sold over five million units worldwide. The developer expressed its “deepest gratitude” to players and said it hopes they’ll look forward to “Team Ninja’s new titles.” While updated sales numbers for Nioh 2 weren’t provided, publisher Koei Tecmo revealed that over 1.4 million copies had been shipped as of January 2021.

Nioh 1 first launched in February 2017 and would come to PC later that year. Nioh 2 released in March 2020 for PS4 first before eventually coming to PS5 and PC this past February. Instead of William, the protagonist is Hide, a half-yokai demon slayer, who contends with the enigmatic Kashin Koji. The goal is still slaying hordes of yokai but this time, players can shift into different yokai forms to counter attacks. Soul Cores also drop from defeated foes which bestow yokai abilities.

Like its predecessor, Nioh 2 received three story DLC and numerous updates that have been collected into Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition. You can check out our review for The Nioh Collection, which features remasters of Nioh 1 and 2 for PS5, here. As for the future, the series has currently reached a “resting point” with Team Ninja starting full-scale production of other titles this year. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

【 「仁王」シリーズ 全世界500万本突破】
「#仁王」シリーズの全世界累計販売本数が500万本を突破しました。
2017年2月の『仁王』発売より、長きにわたって支えてくださったプレイヤーの皆さまへ、改めて深く御礼を申し上げます。

引き続き、TeamNINJAの新作にご期待ください。#仁王２ #Nioh2 #Nioh

— 「仁王」シリーズ公式アカウント (@nioh_game) April 28, 2021

The entire series has now been brought over to the PS5 with the Nioh Remastered Collection, which includes Nioh, Nioh 2, as well as all DLC and expansions for both. We also get 120Hz modes (for the framerate enthusiasts), a 4K mode (for the image quality enthusiasts), enhanced graphics, much better load times (which is a blessing in a game that loads up every time you die – and trust me, you’ll be dying a lot), and bells and whistles such as support for the advanced haptics in the DualSense controller.

Understanding, also, that asking people to start over in games as long and hard as these ones is an unreasonable ask, the games also come with cross-save support. Going even further above and beyond, Team Ninja and Tecmo have also enabled cross-platform co-op play between PS4 and PS5 owners of the two games – meaning that you don’t have to hold off on a PS5 purchase out of the fear that the potential community on the console might be far smaller and less populated than it would be for the PS4 versions.

"Since you are no longer faced with the sometimes daunting prospect of sitting through a loading screen that can last the better part of a minute every time you die, and then having to make your way back to where you did, deaths sting far less than they did before, meaning you’re likelier to be less conservative, more daring, and more appreciative of the various nuances to the games’ combat mechanics."

On the whole, then, they’re pretty great remasters. The games look stunning now (to be fair, they always looked stunning), and the image quality in the 4K mode is a treat for the eyes (even though, apparently, the resolution is a dynamic 4K rather than being a steady hold at 2160p – I think this just goes to show how good looking the games ate at their core that even such drops as there may be were barely perceptible or noticeable to me). While I personally do not have a display capable of 120Hz (and so was unable to test out the 120fps gameplay), the prospect of being able to play games emphasizing combat and reaction times as much as Nioh games do is definitely alluring, and I have to admit it’s one of the most exciting additions in the package as well.

Other changes make an overall positive impression as well – the load times, in particular, minimize any potential friction that you would expect from repeated deaths, since it takes all of a few seconds to be right back into the game and the thick of things. Since you are no longer faced with the sometimes daunting prospect of sitting through a loading screen that can last the better part of a minute every time you die, and then having to make your way back to where you did, deaths sting far less than they did before, meaning you’re likelier to be less conservative, more daring, and more appreciative of the various nuances to the games’ combat mechanics.

On the other hand, I wasn’t really too big on the haptics. Now, to be entirely honest, I have generally found the haptics features in PS5 games to be extremely overhyped – while I appreciate how well they are implemented, they have not felt to me to be the sort of revelatory, generation defining experience they have to others. So it is entirely possible my being underwhelmed at their implementation in the Nioh remasters comes down to my general ambivalence towards the feature. However, even accounting for that, I feel like, in my experience, Nioh has one of the less exciting implementations of haptics that I have experienced yet in a PS5 game.

"Even accounting for how much work has gone into making this collection the definitive edition of the series, however, the strength of the package is definitely down to the games themselves being as great as they are."

Even accounting for how much work has gone into making this collection the definitive edition of the series, however, the strength of the package is definitely down to the games themselves being as great as they are. All the strengths of the two games – their frenetic and exacting combat, their thrilling and taxing boss battles, their fantastic enemy design, their incredible build variation induced by the glut of loot available, their imaginative locations – all of that is here, and it still feels about as great as it always did (something that’s more remarkable for the four year old Nioh than the just-a-year-old Nioh 2, to be fair). Simultaneously, most of the various weaknesses the games had – which include some unfair level design and encounters (especially towards the back half of both games), as well as an almost interminable length, especially for Nioh 2 – are here too (though one particular issue with both games, which was their load times, has been addressed thanks to the PS5’s SSD, as noted). Even with their few remaining weaknesses, however, the quality of the core package, on top of the various enhancements and quality of life improvements, don’t really register much – certainly not any more than they may have during your first go with these games.

And that’s really what it comes down to – if you weren’t ever sold on Nioh before, this collection isn’t going to change your mind, because the games themselves are relatively untouched, beyond visual improvements and minor bells-and-whistles. Unless your big reason for not loving Nioh was the load times – and sure, maybe there’s someone, somewhere, for whom that holds true – then these remasters aren’t going to address your complaints. The corollary of that, however, is that if you liked these games, you’re going to appreciate them even more now. This collection helps sand off some of the rougher edges the two games had, and adds enough garnishing on top that the flaws that do remain can be masked out.

And what if you haven’t ever played the games to begin with? Well, if you were even remotely interested, you owe it to yourselves to check this series out. Nioh and Nioh 2 are fantastic action RPGs, and a wonderful take on the FromSoft Souls template, that actually do many things better than the pioneering Dark Souls series. And if you’re going to be trying these games out for the first time, the PS5 collection is the way to go – in every sense of the word, this is, truly, the definitive edition of these games.

This game was reviewed on PlayStation 5.

Team Ninja’s Nioh 2 launched last year to strong critical acclaim on the PS4 and has received three story DLC packs since then. It’s now finally available on PC as Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition, though PS4 players can also avail of all the same as well. Check out the release trailer below.

Along with the launch of Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition is the release of The Nioh Collection on PS5. This contains Nioh Remastered – The Complete Edition and Nioh 2 Remastered – The Complete Edition, complete with support for 4K/60 FPS and 120 FPS gameplay. Crossplay and save transfer from PS4 to PS5 is also possible with Nioh 2 while Nioh Remastered receives a new Photo Mode feature on PS5.

Nioh 2 has shipped 1.4 million units as of January 25th and done fairly well for publisher Koei Tecmo. However, for all intents and purposes, the current story has come to a close and there are no plans for Nioh 3. Team Ninja also isn’t working on a new Ninja Gaiden though it wouldn’t be opposed to a new installment. We’ll just have to wait and see what comes next.

Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo are bringing double the Nioh action to PS5 players when The Nioh Collection launches tomorrow. It includes Nioh Remastered – The Complete Edition and Nioh 2 Remastered – The Complete Edition with both titles supporting 4K/60 FPS and 120 FPS gameplay. Check out the launch trailer in the meantime to see them in action.

Along with their base campaigns, both remasters include all of their respective expansion packs. Other features include cross-play and save transfer for Nioh 2 players on PS4 and PS5 along with a free upgrade option (which sadly doesn’t apply to Nioh 1). On the other hand, Nioh Remastered – The Complete Edition does get a snazzy new Photo Mode, exclusive to PS5.

Along with The Nioh Collection on PS5, Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition will also release for PS4 and PC tomorrow. The PC version should be worth checking out since it supports Ultrawide monitors, HDR and 120 FPS gameplay. For more details on how the base Nioh 2 experience fares, check out our review here.

To prepare for its release this week on PS5 and PC, Team Ninja’s Nioh 2 has received a new update. Cross-save management for PS4 to PS5 players has been added, allowing PS4 save data to be uploaded and then downloaded to the PS5 version. If you want to transfer from PS5 to the PS4 version, this will also be possible but in both cases, the same PlayStation Network account is needed.

Cross-save transfer also applies to Trophies – any that have been earned on PS4 will be automatically unlocked on PS5. As for balance changes, Burst Attacks for bosses like Nue, Shuten Doji and Otakemaru are now easier to Burst Counter. Bug fixes like special effects, Guardian Spirit actions and Onmyo Magic not activating when the Purified or Sanctity Talisman appeared have also been fixed.

Check out the full patch notes below for more details. Available now for PS4, Nioh 2 will release as Nioh 2 Remastered – The Complete Edition on PS5 and Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition for PC and PS4 on February 5th. It will also be included with The Nioh Collection which launches on the same day. For things you should know before buying it, head here.

https://twitter.com/TeamNINJAStudio/status/1356029498936807430

All Nioh 1 and 2 Content

The Nioh Collection includes Nioh 1 and 2, both remastered and with all of their DLC and free updates. It marks the series’ debut on the PlayStation 5 and provides the complete story in one package. Of course, if you’re only interested in playing one of the games, then they’ll also be available separately as Nioh Remastered – The Complete Edition and Nioh 2 Remastered – The Complete Edition. There are certain ways to upgrade and a few restrictions but we’ll get to that in a bit.

Story and Setting

The first Nioh takes place primarily in Japan in 1600. Before being unified under the Tokugawa Shogunate, the various clans were at a war for supremacy. Yokai have also started cropping up due to the conflict. As William Adams, the player ventures to the region to find Edward Kelley and ultimately becomes embroiled in the war, encountering numerous historical figures like Hattori Hanzo, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Tachibana Ginchiyo and many more.

Nioh 2’s story begins in the late 1500s. Instead of William, players control a new hero named Hide, a demon hunter that’s half-yokai and capable of utilizing demonic powers. The main adversary is Kashin Koji who seems to know about Hide’s past and also has his own machinations for the fate of Japan. The DLC has its own story that ties into the base games while expanding on the conflicts at large.

Gameplay

Nioh has been described as a Souls-like due to its use of stamina (known as Ki here), light/heavy attacks, and losing Souls – in this case, Amrita – upon death. However, there are numerous differences that set it apart. Stamina can be recovered using a technique called Ki Pulse, which also serves to purify any harmful Yokai effects. One can also use multiple stances for attacking, each with its own unique abilities depending on the weapon type used. There also Guardian Spirits which confer different benefits when equipped on top of unleashing powerful skills of their own.

Nioh 2 further builds on this with Yokai abilities that can be earned by defeating foes and equipping the Soul Cores that they drop. The protagonist can also Yokai Shift to activate a powerful Yokai form that deals increased damage. There are also various Burst Counters that can be initiated against foes depending on the Yokai form equipped. Some enemies unleash attacks that can only be Burst Countered so there is an incentive to be more aggressive.

Also on a side-note – Nioh 2 has a custom character creator, allowing one to create their own version of Hide. William’s appearance in Nioh is fixed though one can unlock the ability to take on other characters’ appearances later.

Action RPG Elements

Another way that Nioh 1 and 2 distinguish themselves from your average Souls-like is the extensive loot system. Various weapons and armor have their own rarity from Common to Exotic (and even higher tiers as one progresses to the end-game). There are also various additional stats tied to each which can be re-rolled at the Blacksmith. Items can also be enchanted for additional benefits or broken down into crafting materials to make new weapons and armor.

Various upgrades also apply, whether it’s unlocking and improving different skills and abilities, mastering different spells or simply improving the strength of one’s Guardian Spirit. There’s a fairly in-depth loot game to be had especially with all the different set bonuses, and you can spend a lot of time min-maxing a build to perfection.

Total Playtime

Given that this collection is $70, there’s a lot of playtime that one can get out of it. HowLongToBeat.com lists Nioh Complete Edition as taking 145 hours to complete. The base Nioh 2 experience takes about 104 hours with all of its DLC providing an additional 35 to 40 hours. Activities like the Abyss, which consists of 999 floors of enemies and bosses to battle through, along with numerous difficulty modes in both titles can keep you playing for even longer. Suffice to say that if you can get into it, The Nioh Collection is well worth the money.

Fast Loading Times

Perhaps the biggest gameplay benefit to Nioh players on PS5 is the console’s SSD. No longer will you have to wait several seconds to respawn after dying unceremoniously. You can simply leap back into the fray at a moment’s notice. This also applies when loading into a new mission from the region map. Though loading times were never too crazy in the original releases, being able to jump back in without any delays fits the fast-paced nature of the action.

Multiple Graphical Modes

The Nioh Collection offers three graphical modes on PS5. The first is 4K resolution at 60 frames per second; the second is at 1080p resolution but runs in 120 FPS; and the third runs at 1080p/60 FPS but offers improved graphical effects for the shadows, foliage and model textures. Both games have been noted for their different graphical modes providing options for performance and fidelity so it’s good to see The Nioh Collection offering these choices as well.

DualSense Support

Of course, DualSense is also supported even if the implementation isn’t super over-the-top. The controller’s haptic feedback will apply to different combat abilities while the adaptive triggers will come into play when using the bow and arrow. For the latter, the sensation of pulling the bow-string and loosing the arrow is replicated using the adaptive triggers, adding to the overall immersion.

Upgrades and Save Transfer

If you already own Nioh 2 on PS4, then it can be upgraded to the base version on PS5 for free. Any DLC expansions purchased separately will also carry over along with save data. This also applies to purchasing Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition on PS4 – a free upgrade to the PS5 remaster will be provided. Unfortunately, there’s no free upgrade for the first Nioh, whether it’s the base game or Complete Edition. The only way to play it on PS5 is to either purchase it separately or purchase The Nioh Collection. Whether save data transfers will apply for the original game is currently unknown.

PS4 and PS5 Crossplay

Nioh 1 and 2 can be played and completed solo but both titles also support co-op. Though it doesn’t seem to apply to the first game, Nioh 2 Remastered – The Complete Edition will support cross-play between PS4 and PS5 players, as per to game director Fumihiko Yasuda in an interview with WCCFTech. Unfortunately, PlayStation players can’t team up with PC players when Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition comes to Steam.

Photo Mode

Interestingly enough, Nioh Remastered – The Complete Edition will be getting its own unique feature – Photo Mode. While its exact features haven’t been outlined yet, one can reposition the camera’s angle for dramatic shots and apply different filters while adjusting the aperture, focal length and so on. This feature is currently exclusive to the PS5 version with no mention of it coming to PS4 or PC.

No Xbox Series X/S Release Plans

The obvious question one has to ask – is there any chance of The Nioh Collection coming to Xbox Series X/S at some point? Speaking to VideoGamesChronicle, Yasuda responded that there are “no current plans” to bring the Nioh series to Xbox consoles at this point. However, he did state that if a new Ninja Gaiden title happened, the development team would “definitely like that to be on Xbox consoles” given the franchise’s history with Microsoft.

No Plans for Nioh 3

Whether a new Ninja Gaiden releases or not, the current story for the Nioh series has come to an end. Yasuda noted that with the release of Nioh 2 and its DLC, “It’s reached a good point in the story where all the loose ends are tied up” and that there are currently no plans for a sequel. While it’s possible that the franchise is revisited at some point, The Nioh Collection is as definitive as the story gets.

The Nioh Collection (PS5)

Team Ninja’s critically acclaimed Nioh series is coming to PlayStation 5 on February 5th, the same day that Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition launches for PS4 and PC. The Nioh Collection offers much more though, bundling Nioh Remastered – The Complete Edition and Nioh 2 Remastered – The Complete Edition together. Both games with all DLC and updates are included along with 4K/60 FPS and 1080p/120 FPS modes. They’ll also take advantage of the PS5’s SSD for super-fast loading times and the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. The $70 price tag is always pretty hefty, even for PS5 games, but it’s hard to argue against the value of The Nioh Collection.

Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood

Based off of White Wolf Publishing’s tabletop RPG, Cyanide’s Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood takes a more action-oriented approach with its gameplay. As Cahal, you’re fighting against the evil Pentex corporation, taking on missions in the American Northwest and even venturing to the spirit world for additional challenges. The main appeal is the shape-shifting – Cahal can choose between human, Lupus and Crinos modes, either sneaking and stalking his prey as a regular wolf or going berserk as a werewolf. The World of Darkness series hasn’t had the most stellar of releases in recent years but Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood could break the curse when it launches on February 4th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Ys 9: Monstrum Nox

More than three years after his last adventure, Adol Christin returns in Ys 9: Monstrum Nox. Instead of washing ashore on a strange island for the millionth time, Adol finds himself trapped in the prison city of Balduq and involved with the mysterious Monstrum. Much like Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana, players can control multiple party members with differing styles. Movement has also been expanded to be more free-form and vertical. Ys 9 is out on February 2nd for PS4 – hopefully, the English localization won’t be a complete disaster like the previous game.

Little Nightmares 2

Little Nightmares 2 goes beyond The Maw and ventures to The Pale City with the bag-wearing Mono as the new protagonist. Six is still around but this time controlled via AI (and with no co-op available). The two will venture through various locales, solving puzzles and avoiding creepy figures like The Teacher and The Hunter en route to the Signal Tower. Who is the Tall Man and what is his plan? We’ll likely find out when Little Nightmares 2 launches on February 11th on PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Continuing its trend of re-releasing Wii U titles for the Switch is Nintendo’s Super Mario 3D World. While it’s still the same excellent 3D platformer with improved visuals, the big difference is the addition of Bowser’s Fury. This new experience sees Mario and Bowser Jr. traveling to Lake Lapcat, a new free-roam area, to stop the rampaging Bowser. Along with collecting new Cat Shines, Bowser Jr. – who can be controlled by another player – can join in and attack foes. This is all for the sake of the Super Bell which Mario can use to turn into Giga Cat Mario and take on Fury Bowser in a true clash of the titans. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is out on February 12th for Switch.

Persona 5 Strikers

Omega Force’s Musou-style of gameplay is back again but hits a bit different in Persona 5 Strikers. Developed along with P-Studio, it features real-time combat along with pausing for utilizing Personas. Much of the gameplay from Persona 5, like switching between and fusing different Personas, the Third Eye and All-Out Attacks make a return. The story also takes place six months afterwards with the Phantom Thieves traveling to a strange new version of Tokyo to battle Shadows. Persona 5 Strikers arrives on February 23rd for Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PC.

Control: Ultimate Edition (PS5, Xbox Series X/S)

Control has been available since 2019 while the Ultimate Edition launched for PC, Xbox One and PS4 last year. However, it launches for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on February 2nd, allowing new console owners to experience the supernatural adventure at last. Along with the base game and two expansions, The Foundation and AWE, there will be two graphics modes to choose from. Performance Mode offers 60 FPS gameplay while Graphics Mode runs at 30 FPS with ray-tracing and material quality improvements. If you haven’t played Control yet, then the Ultimate Edition is well worth picking up (even with the controversy surrounding the lack of upgrades for base game owners).

Ghosts ‘n Goblins: Resurrection

The return of Ghosts ‘n Goblins isn’t the most expected surprise of the year but it is definitely welcome. Ghosts ‘n Goblins: Resurrection is based on the first two entries in the series – Ghosts ‘n Goblins and Ghouls ‘n Ghosts – and features revamped visuals. Despite “taking cues” from those titles to create “something entirely new” as per Capcom, the brutal difficulty of the gameplay is still intact. Along with Knight Mode, there are two other paths – Squire and Page – for relatively newer players to jump in while Legend Mode promises the toughest challenge. Ghosts ‘n Goblins: Resurrection is out on February 25th exclusively for Nintendo Switch.

Bravely Default 2

Another big Switch exclusive is Bravely Default 2, developed by Claytechworks and presenting a brand new story and cast. Much of the same gameplay carries over, like the turn-based combat, Brave Point system and the ability to change characters’ Jobs. The overall presentation looks incredible, whether it’s Savalon, the Land of Drought with its sweeping desert, or Wizwald, the Land of Magic, with its forestation overrunning civilization. Bravely Default 2 releases on February 26th for Switch but you can download and try out the Final Demo now to see how it plays.

Destruction AllStars

Originally slated for the PS5’s launch, Lucid Games’ vehicular combat title is finally out this February. It’s also going to be available free to PlayStation Plus subscribers for two months but what exactly can you expect? For starters, there’s a roster of 16 AllStars to choose from, each with their own unique abilities. Matches are all about wrecking other racers but if you’re wrecked, there’s still a chance to come back. Each AllStar can dodge incoming attacks and eventually commandeer a new vehicle to continue with Hero Vehicles eventually turning the tide. Four game modes are available at launch – Mayhem, Carnado, Stockpile and Gridfall – which can be played offline with AI or online in multiplayer. Unique challenges against AI foes will also be available for unlocking new cosmetics and additional game modes, events and seasons are coming post-launch.