While Sony’s next-gen console took a while to get going – especially with limited stocks on store shelves and a lack of big hitters from the onset – the PlayStation 5 is finally coming on its own.
With God of War: Ragnarok, Returnal and Ratchet and Clank showcasing the power of PlayStation’s first-party titles, there is already a growing list of must-play games on the console, and this year looks to be no different.
Below is our ongoing list of the best games to play on the PlayStation 5 for 2023, and we will update it with our monthly recommendations, so have this page bookmarked for regular check-ins!
The list is sorted by the date, with the latest game on the top.
Best PS5 Games 2023
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores
Genre: Action-adventure | Release Date: April 19, 2023 | Platforms: PS5 | PEGI: 16
Burning Shores is the first DLC for the critically acclaimed Horizon Forbidden West. Guerrilla Games calls it an ambitious expansion that will take Aloy to Los Angeles (minus the casinos, we suppose) and is based right after the events of the base game. A massive machine threat awaits Aloy there – but of course – and she must use all her wits and abilities to overcome the mechanical problem.
Burning Shores will release exclusively for the PS5, so if you experienced the original game on the PS4 and have yet to jump to next-gen consoles, you are out of luck!
Dead Island 2
Genre: Action-RPG | Release Date: April 21, 2023 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | PEGI: 18
The long-delayed sequel to 2011’s popular zombie fest is finally upon us. Published by Deep Silver and developed by Dambuster Studios, Dead Island 2 promises a stylish, vibrant, gore-drenched Los Angeles to explore and cut through hordes of zombies with unique weapons and abilities.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Genre: Action-Adventure | Release Date: April 28, 2023 | Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | PEGI: 12
The hotly anticipated sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is finally releasing after a short delay. With the original game garnering high praise and equally good sales, Respawn Entertainment’s Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has tremendous hype, and expectations, behind it as it promises yet another galaxy-spanning action-adventure starring our good ol buddy Cal, his mini robot companion, BD-1, and the numerous characters that he will meet.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Genre: Action-Adventure | Release Date: March 3, 2023 | PEGI: 16
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is the newest entry into the ever-growing Souls genre and is developed by Team Ninja, who successfully made their name with another Souls game with the Nioh series. The game is a dark fantasy action RPG where players fight off deadly creatures and enemy soldiers using swordplay based on Chinese martial arts.
The game has already been released to great applause from fans and critics alike and currently sits at 81% Metacritic score. The game is available on both old-gen and next-gen platforms.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
Genre: JRPG | Release Date: March 24, 2023 | PEGI: 12
Hailed as the best the horror genre has to offer, Resident Evil 4 is a genre classic that inspired many horror games after its original release in 2005. Capcom, in its relentless pursuit of remaking its classics, is giving the same treatment to Resident Evil 4.
But unlike its previous attempts that largely updated the visuals and added a few new features here and there, this remake is built from the ground up and will feature new stories and a few surprises. This is undoubtedly this month’s most anticipated release and will be a treat for horror fans.
Octopath Traveller II
Genre: JRPG | Release Date: February 24, 2023 | PEGI: N/A
Octopath Traveller II is the sequel to 2018’s highly acclaimed RPG and is a must-play for fans of the genre. It borrows many original designs and gameplay elements but tells a brand-new story, so you don’t necessarily have to play the first game to understand what’s happening. The series is known for its retro pixel art and 3D graphics and engaging turn-based combat.
Hogwarts Legacy
Genre: Fantasy, Action-Adventure | Release Date: February 10, 2023 | PEGI: 12
Hogwarts Legacy directly answers the question, “What if someone cared to make a great game set in the Harry Potter universe?”. While we have had some Harry Potter games before, nothing matches the scale and quality that Hogwarts Legacy provides.
Developed by Avalanche Studios, the game is set during the 1800s (much before Potter came along), where you – a new 5th-year student in Hogwarts – must learn how to craft potions, discover fantastic beasts, battle dark wizards and uncover ancient secrets that threaten the very existence of the magical world.
What sets the game apart is the love and care that went into recreating the multi-layered and vast hallways and passageways of Hogwarts and surrounding areas, giving Potter fans a true 1:1 representation of the world described in the books and brought to life with the movies.
Dead Space
Genre: Horror | Release Date: January 27, 2023 | PEGI: 18
Dead Space is often cited as one of the finest horror games ever made, so for EA to attempt to remake the game was controversial in and of itself. You don’t dare touch a classic unless you can do it justice – and to EA’s credit, they nailed it.
The Dead Space remake stays true to the core formula of the original, providing spine-chilling thrills and incredibly satisfying gameplay, now with updated visuals that run smoothly. Being a remake built from the ground up, the developers have also made significant changes to modernize the game. Still, it remarkably doesn’t remove anything from what made the original game unique. We hope to get a remake of Dead Space 2 (but please skip the third instalment) and a modern continuation of the classic horror franchise.