One of the best games on the PS5 comes with every system and players don’t even need a PS+ membership to download it. It’s calledAstro’s Playroom, andit is a platformer built around showcasing what the PS5 is capable of. It’s more than a tech demo, but it is a solid platformer that could stand toe to toe with any other game from the genre on the system.
The downside is that it is over 10 GB. For some, that is a lot to download. Some players may want to get their game on faster if they find a new title on PSN that they want to check out. These other games are still hefty, but they are below 10 GB and are easily worth recommending.
PS1 and PS2 classics will be included as long as they are available natively on the PS5 (and are not just PS4 versions).
Sony launched a new campaign to include PS5 editions of classic PS2 games. These games are mostly ports visually, but they run faster, and there are extra features like save states and rewinding.Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonusis one of the first ones and it’s a great addition to the PS5’s growing library.
It’s a stealth-based platformer wherein players can sneak around missions, steal coins, get the jump on enemies, and of course, platform around. It’s a challenging game with one-hit kills but the rewind functionality helps a lot so now is a great time to jump in for those that missed it initially. Hopefully, the rest of theSly Coopergameswill reach the PS5 in this fashion.
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Seriesis a great value as it contains two games in one and it also clocks in under 10 GB. This collection has the first two main games in the series and the first is based on the Wii remake. For those who missed these games initially, they’re colorful platforms with a different approach to levels.
The titular Klonoa has a magic ring that they can use to grapple enemies. Players can then throw enemies away, at others, or use the momentum of their weight to get an extra jump. They are on theKirbylevel of difficulty, so the collection should be a good entry for younger players.
Trek to Yomiis a 2D action samurai game that revolves around the classic plot of revenge. The entire game is in black and white and it’s fairly linear from start to finish. There are moments for exploration to find secrets, but those opportunities are rare.
The game is more focused on engaging players with the story and combat which is hard to master. Players will have to time their slashes and counters right to get an edge in battle. It may look like astraightforward samurai tale of revenge, but some twists are better left unsaid that make the game more enthralling.
Endless Dungeonis a tower defense roguelike which is a rare blend for the two genres. The game takes place on a space station that is plagued with invading hordes of robots and other slimy creatures. Players can descend into a dungeon alone or with a group of co-op players to make exploring and defending easier.
The nice thing about solo play though is that players can still go into dungeons in teams and then switch off strategically. With tons ofhero classes to choose from inEndless Dungeonand permanent upgrades to make players feel a sense of reward, this is a great solo or co-op to invest time into.
Strayis one of the most adorable games on the PS5 but it isn’t a happy-go-luckytale of one kitty’s adventure. The game begins with the hero cat being taken away from its pack of strays after an accident.
After waking up, they find a robot companion and explore a derelict city full of other robots and watchful eyes in a dystopian society. It can be categorized as a puzzle platformer but there are moments of action too. It’s one of those games that is better experienced as saying too much would ruin the surprise but make no mistake, it is as delightful as it is dark.
Syphon Filter 2is a PS1 classic that has the same save state and rewind features asSly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus. It’s a spy thriller game that has as much hardcore action as it does stealth-based gameplay. All three PS1Syphon Filtergamesare on PS5 along with a dozen more PS1 upgraded games.
It’s a secret Sony hasn’t been shouting from the rooftops as the PS1 and PSP games have been getting facelifts graphically too. It’s great thatSyphon Filter 2is so accessible now and it stands out as the best in the series thanks to the weapon variety, levels, and story.
2Lost In Random
Roll The Dice In This Tim Burton-like Adventure
Lost in Randomwas a small project EA helped fund. It’s kind of like a Tim Burton movie visually and while it may look like a platformer, it’s more of an action-adventure game as there is no jumping. Even is trying to find her sister, Odd, which takes her from a poor district to more extravagant ones filled with colorful characters from giant Abraham Lincoln-looking guys to fish people.
Combat is based on dice rolls and cards stocked in a deck, which gives players a nice sense of strategy whenever they are trying to form their hand. It’s a good combat system but players should definitely come toLost in Randomfor the visual flair and weird characters.
V Risingis a newer PS5 game that originally launched into Early Access in 2022 on PC. It fits the bill as an Early Access game as it is survival-based, but there is plenty of action too. Players wake up as a lowly vampires, after customizing their character, and the game then follows them on their rise to power.
Kill enemies, collect bones and trees, craft new gear, make new buildings, and so on. The loop is easy to fall into and it can be played with other people too. The most interesting feature ofV Risingis that there is a day/night system that will kill players in the sunlight. There isa lot to learn inV Rising, but no one said being a vampire would be easy.
