The 11 best PlayStation 5 launch titles

In this PlayStation 5 launch guide, you'll learn:

  • Which launch titles will work on both PS4 and PS5
  • Which titles are ready for the launch of the new console
  • What features you can expect

The PlayStation 5 has been on the market since November 19, 2020. To help you enjoy the new features right on your TV, we've rounded up the best PlayStation 5 launch titles for the next-gen console.

Are you more of a fan of the Xbox Series X/S? With our 13 best launch titles for the Xbox Series X as well as S, you're also well prepared.

Demon's Souls Remake

  • Platforms: PlayStation 5
  • Genre: Action RPG
  • Multiplayer: Yes

One of the gaming highlights for the PlayStation 5 is Demon's Souls (). The remake comes with new graphics and takes you into a fantasy world full of dark creatures. After King Allant has summoned the Ancient One, you are responsible for saving humanity as a warrior. Although no knight has yet managed to put an end to the evil, you will face the mist and the challenges that come with it.

You'll fight against the most diverse creatures and make sure that the Ancient One returns to its eternal sleep. While the original Demon's Souls from 2009 still ran at 30 FPS, you'll get a 4K mode with the next-gen version, as well as a mode that promises a higher frame rate.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
  • Genre: Jump&Run
  • Multiplayer: Local (online mode will be patched)

Sackboy returns with his own adventure - Sackboy: A Big Adventure (). After Sackboy's friends are kidnapped to throw the world into chaos, you'll head into a jungle full of dangers or across huge mountains hit by hurricanes. Save your friends, defeat the villain Vex and save the world from evil.

PS5 features include significantly shorter load times between levels, haptic feedback so different floor surfaces are perfectly simulated, and Tempest 3D AudioTech. Sackboy is a jump&run for the whole family - the local co-op mode for up to four players also ensures this.

All guides & articles on Sackboy: A Big Adventure:

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
  • Genre: Action-Adventure
  • Multiplayer: No

Instead of Peter Parker, in the new Spider-Man installment you play his friend Miles Morales, who has also gained supernatural powers through a bite. In contrast to the Spider-Man game from 2018, Miles uses other superpowers. Use targeted Venom attacks, disguise yourself as soon as danger threatens and use webs to swing through New York.

Miles Morales () shines with high-resolution 4K graphics. On the PlayStation 5, not only the shadows, but also - thanks to ray tracing effects - the lighting is much better. Instead of ray tracing, you can also choose a 60 FPS mode to beat up the bad guys even more smoothly. Shorter load times, adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and the ability to use Tempest 3D AudioTech are also possible thanks to the new console.

All guides & articles on Spider-Man: Miles Morales:

Assassins Creed Valhalla

  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
  • Genre: Action-Adventure
  • Multiplayer: No (single online components possible)

For the latest installment in the Assassin's Creed series, Ubisoft has chosen the ninth century in England. With the Viking and at the same time the main character Eivor, you'll face numerous enemies, explore the open world and discover secrets around Valhalla. All decisions - be it political or strategic - will have consequences that will make your path to glory easier or more difficult.

With 4K, 60 FPS and Tempest 3D audio tech, you can look forward to powerful graphics paired with clear sound. Thanks to the PlayStation 5's fast SSD, quick load times are also an integral part of Assassin's Creed Valhalla ().

Bugsnax

  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC
  • Genre: Adventure
  • Multiplayer: No

After being invited to the Bugsnax Islands by Elizabert, she has mysteriously disappeared. Move around the island, discover and scan Bugsnax and learn more about their way of life. So that you can also catch the over 100 species, bait as well as different traps are at your free disposal. If the inhabitants of the island are fed with the delicious Bugsnax, new colorful skins are available for selection.

During a playtime of about 10 hours, you'll get to the bottom of the island's history and find out where Lizbert is hidden. Those who already own the game for the PlayStation 4 will receive a free upgrade for the next-gen console. PS Plus subscribers will also get the game on PS5 for free in November.

All guides & articles on Bugsnax:

Astro's Playroom

  • Platforms: PlayStation 5
  • Genre: 3D Jump&Run
  • Multiplayer: No

The game Astro's Playroom is free for owners of the PlayStation 5 and already pre-installed. With the bot character Astro, you steer through a huge PS5 console, which consists of a total of four levels. On each level, the new features of the next-gen console are explained, so that you also get a first introduction to the PlayStation 5.

Besides the GPU level, the SSD storage and the cloud storage, there is also the improved cooling system. During the course of the game, you'll collect memorabilia from old consoles and really travel through the history and development of the technology. Astro's Playroom also perfectly introduces you to all the new features of the DualSense controller.

The Pathless

  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC
  • Genre: Action-Adventure
  • Multiplayer: No

In The Pathless you play an archer who moves through the huge open world with her eagle. In addition to puzzles and countless landscape sceneries, a well thought-out combat system and the art of archery await you. Since the island has been afflicted by a dark curse, you'll get to the bottom of the cause and change the fate of the people for the better.

With the new console released on November 19, 2020, The Pathless also supports 60 FPS. You can look forward to improved graphics and shorter loading times in the game.

All guides & articles on The Pathless:

Dirt 5

  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
  • Genre: Racing game
  • Multiplayer: Yes

Upgrade your car, fire up the engine and hit the snow, ice or gravel tracks in Dirt 5. In addition to the single player mode, multiplayer and co-op modes are available. With over 70 tracks and matching songs from The Prodigy or The Killers, you'll drive through big cities & picturesque landscapes of this world.

Want to play Dirt 5 with friends who haven't gotten their hands on a PS5 yet? Thanks to cross-gen support, online mode is also possible with PS4 users. Thanks to 4K, 120 FPS and haptic feedback during races, you'll get an even better gaming experience on PS5.

All guides & articles on Dirt 5:

Watch Dogs Legion

  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
  • Genre: Open-world action-adventure
  • Multiplayer: Announced

You need as much variety as possible and want to freely decide which character you're playing? Then Watch Dogs Legion () is the right game for you. All NPCs can be controlled in the open-world adventure. If a character dies, you switch to the next person in the group.

Alone or in co-op mode, you'll face over 60 missions and avoid dangers that threaten both on the ground and from the air. If you already own Watch Dogs Legion for the PS4, you will receive a free upgrade of the game including all game saves to the new console.

All guides & articles on Watch Dogs: Legion:

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
  • Genre: Shooter
  • Multiplayer: Yes

In Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War you'll find yourself in Vietnam, Turkey or East Berlin, among other places. In the campaign, you go in search of the spy Perseus. Typical for Call of Duty, the weapon is used frequently and is supplemented by a gripping story in the latest part. With your own created character including a backstory, you make decisions that influence the path of the game.

With a higher frame rate and shorter loading times, you'll experience the story even more intensively. The haptic feedback makes weapons feel even more real, so you'll have to bang the keys more or less depending on the type of weapon. In addition to the story, there are of course numerous multiplayer modes and the zombie mode.

All guides & articles on Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War:

Observer: System Redux

  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Google Stadia
  • Genre: Horror
  • Multiplayer: No

As a detective Lazarski controls your thoughts and emotions of other people to solve a crime from the year 2084. Both dead and dying people reveal moments from their lives that give you the first clues to the crime. The longer you spend in people's minds, the sooner Daniel Lazarski will lose his mind, too. As the game progresses, you'll learn more and more background information that also involves Lazarski's son.

With the next-gen console, Observer: System Redux gets HDR as well as a 4K mode. New characters as well as improved effects in rain, snow & co. have also been added. With new content and revamped gameplay, you'll experience a new gameplay experience.

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