30. Stellar Blade (PS5)

Console debuts simply don’t get much stronger than Stellar Blade, a throwback combat-centric adventure that channels retro PS2 energy in all the best ways. This sturdy single player campaign has a strong visual identity, a stunning soundtrack, and some outstanding art direction. It’s also bursting with unlockable, off-the-beaten-path content, like a bunch of outfits and accessories you can unlock.

29. Death Stranding Director's Cut (PS5)

Death Stranding Director's Cut takes the truly unique "strand game" adventure and dials things up a notch for PS5. Hideo Kojima and his team created a haunting and strange world with the original game, tasking players with traversing a desolate and dangerous landscape to make deliveries. It shouldn't work, but it does — every step you take can be a risk, and this need to watch your footing is an interesting way to create tension, especially when those nasty BTs show up. Director's Cut enhances the experience with improved graphics and performance, DualSense support, 3D audio, and a range of new content.

28. Hitman 3 (PS5)

The culmination of a generation of effort from the highly talented Danish developer IO Interactive, Hitman 3 is not only a sensational stealth game on its own – but it also compiles all of the locations from the World of Assassin trilogy, bringing them under one umbrella for near limitless espionage. The series blends large, intricately designed sandbox stages with clockwork-like gameplay, which is open to manipulation in any way you see fit. Your objective in each mission is to murder your marks without being spotted – and how you go about it is entirely up to you. A truly unique and flawlessly designed experience.

27. Vampire Survivors (PS5)

Probably one of the most moreish games on the market, Vampire Survivors is a fascinatingly fun roguelite. With attacks firing off automatically, all you have to do is avoid enemies and survive each 30-minute round, gathering XP and leveling up your abilities as you go. While it doesn't look like much in static screens, it'll surprise you just how chaotic things can get, and building your character to become a literally unstoppable force is satisfying every time. The sheer amount of unlocks and secrets to discover means practically every run gets you something, too. We can't recommend this one enough, but be warned — you might never play anything else again.

26. Final Fantasy XVI (PS5)

The Final Fantasy series has never been one to sit still, and with Final Fantasy 16, it's moved away from its turn-based traditions entirely. The first true action RPG in the mainline games, it's quite the departure from the norm, but it's an excellent entry nonetheless. Featuring a gripping story delivered by brilliant performances, incredibly fun combat, and some of the most spectacular scenes imaginable, this is a fantastic game that pulls out all the stops.

25. Alan Wake 2 (PS5)

Remedy Entertainment has followed up on the beloved Alan Wake with a more-than-worthy sequel. Alan Wake 2 goes all-in on survival horror, but it also goes all-in on Remedy's particular brand of weird, blending live action with gameplay, taking unexpected turns, and making lots of creative risks. The result is an atmospheric, unpredictable, and fascinating game of two halves. Whether you're playing as Saga Anderson in the real world or Alan in the dark place, it remains captivating throughout — and looks incredible to boot.

24. Yakuza: Like a Dragon (PS5)

Yakuza: Like a Dragon barely feels next-gen as it’s very much rooted by Ryu ga Gotoku Studio’s dated engine and game design principles, but it’s bursting with personality and one of the most varied releases on this list. At its core, it’s a traditional, turn-based (a first for the franchise) role-playing game built around an engaging and relatable party of core characters, but it’s so much more: this small but densely populated open world harbours go-karts, an entire business management minigame, and more wacky side-quests than you can shake a massage wand at. This is one of the most unique and time consuming titles on PS5.

23. Silent Hill 2 (PS5)

22. Moss: Book II (PS5)

An early star of virtual reality was Moss, and this follow-up builds on those solid foundations. Moss: Book II continues the adventures of Quill, who now has access to multiple weapons to fend off enemies. They also play into the game's puzzles, which are larger in scope and more complex than the first game. It all looks wonderful too — the environments and character animations are gorgeous, and your unique perspective lets you get a really good look at these cutesy levels. It's not a massive departure from what came before, but this five-hour adventure is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

21. It Takes Two (PS5)

When you think of co-op games, one should spring to mind immediately: It Takes Two. This action adventure is from the makers of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and A Way Out, and sees you and a partner take on the role of an estranged couple. Turned into dolls by their daughter's tears, you and a friend must go on a wildly imaginative, endlessly varied, adventure to return to normal. Constantly presenting you with new puzzles and ideas, each as good as the last, you'll never grow weary of this brilliant game, playable locally or online.