16 best PS5 exclusive games in 2023, including Spider-Man, Final Fantasy 16, God of War & more

Sony is arguably the king of exclusive games on its PS5 platform, with plenty of modern classics to enjoy in 2023. Nearing a level of polish that's almost akin to Nintendo, PlayStation-exclusive titles have come a long way from the days of the PS1, producing some of the best gaming experiences you can find today.

In this list, we've compiled 16 of our favourite PlayStation-exclusive titles to play in 2023. Not all of them will be to everyone's tastes, but there's surely something for everyone here. Whether you're a fan of open-world RPGs, or prefer more story-focused games - there's something for you in this list of best PS5 exclusive games.

• Find out what the best cosy games on Switch, Steam, PlayStation & Xbox are in this fantastic list if you're wanting to relax a little more

Best PS5 exclusive games in 2023

In the list below, we've collected our picks for the best PS5 exclusive games that you can play right now in 2023. As is the nature of cross-platform releases at the moment, there are only a handful of actual 'PS5 exclusive' titles out there, leaving most of the picks on this list as PlayStation exclusives as opposed to one platform specific.

Furthermore, due to Sony's foray into the PC market, a number of these games are now available on PC, but that does not disqualify them from this list. To appear here, each game should not be available on Xbox or Nintendo consoles, and have a distinguished PS5 release that serves as the definitive edition of the game.

So, without further ado, check out the list below to see our picks for the best PS5-exclusive games in 2023:

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Honourable mention - Stray

Stray details & key features:

• Release date: 2022
• Key features:
  • Unique puzzles only a cat could do
  • Stunning graphics and ambient soundtrack
  • Play as a cat (what more could you want?)

Stray has been recategorised as an honourable mention, as it has recently made its debut on Xbox. If you’ve ever fantasised about being a cat in a cyberpunk city, then Stray is the game for you.

As described, you play as a ginger cat that must traverse through a hostile environment to uncover the secrets of this dark world. Along the way, you’ll make plenty of friends and complete all sorts of missions and side quests. All in all, it's a cute cat in a futuristic sci-fi adventure that is a wonderful PS5 exclusive experience. Purrfection. 

• If you're a stealth lover, then why not check out our list of the best Assassin's Creed games ranked to see if you agree

16 - Ghosts of Tsushima: Director's Cut

Ghost of Tsushima details & key features:

• Release date: 2021
• Key Features:
  • Assassin's Creed-style gameplay
  • Sword-based combat
  • Emotional side-stories

For years, players have dreamed of playing an Assassin’s Creed game set in Feudal Japan. While that game is now finally on the way from Ubisoft, Sucker Punch Productions ended up beating them to the punch - creating one of the best PS5 exclusives too in the process.

Ghost of Tsushima is as close to a Fedual Japan Assassin’s Creed game as you can get, featuring incredible sword-based combat, lots of stealth, and plenty of collectables to uncover. This is all whilst set on a stunning island with loads of captivating characters and emotional stories to experience.

• Want to play with your friends too? Find out what the best multiplayer games on PlayStation 5 are here

15 - Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West details & key features:

• Release date: 2022
• Key features:
  • Well-written sequel
  • Enhanced graphics
  • Fantasy crossed with Science-Fiction
  • Robot Dinosaurs

Next up, another open-world title, this time from the team at Guerilla Games. If we were to pitch a game to you that featured robot dinosaurs in a post-apocalyptic setting that bordered on high fantasy, you could hardly say no, right?

Well, that’s exactly what Horizon Forbidden West is. You’ll play as Aloy as you explore what remains of Western America, almost a thousand years after a disaster put the human race on a very different path. That’s all we’re saying for now - you’ll have to play the game to learn the rest of the story.

If you love open-world games or just want a game to sink hours and hours into, then Horizon Forbidden West will easily be one of the best PS5 exclusives to play.

• The recent DLC only adds to the appeal of the game, so check out our review of Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores for more details

14 - Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Sackboy: A Big Adventure details & key features:

• Release date: 2020
• Key features:
  • Iconic character
  • 3D platformer
  • Family-friendly

Switching lanes a bit, we have a 3D platformer that’s fun for all the family. Sackboy has been a staple character of PlayStation-exclusive titles for years, and he’s finally made the jump from 2D to 3D.

In Sackboy: A Big Adventure, you and a friend can co-op your way through this entire game whilst collecting new costumes, solving all sorts of puzzles, and enjoying some of the best-designed levels we’ve seen in this generation so far.

If you're looking for a PS5 exclusive that is easy to play if you're new to gaming, or just want to have lots of fun with a great family game, then Sackboy: A Big Adventure is the one for you.

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13 - Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection details & key features

• Release date: 2022
• Key features:
  • Two games in one
  • Final games in the series
  • Plenty of puzzles to solve and tombs to raid

When it comes to gaming icons exploring tombs, two names spring to mind. But while Lara Croft has made her way to other consoles, Nathan Drake has stayed firmly on PlayStation and this collection of his final titles in the Uncharted series is the perfect swansong.

By combining Uncharted 4 with Lost Legacy, the Legacy of Thieves Collection is two games rolled into one, and creates a definitive and finely crafted duo of daring adventures.

• Be sure to check out our list for some of the best free-to-play shooters you should be playing

12 - Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade details & key features

• Release date: 2021
• Key features:
  • Enhanced version of the iconic remake
  • New adventures playing as Yuffie
  • First part of a remake trilogy

Undoubtedly, Final Fantasy 7 is a classic that has remained in the hearts of gamers for generations. When the long-awaited Remake was released on PS4, it was only a matter of time before it was ported over to the PS5.

However, this wasn't just any port. Featuring enhanced graphics, Haptic Feedback and a whole new Intermission chapter that allowed you to play as Yuffie Kisaragi, Final Fantasy Remake Intergrade became the definitive way to play this version. With Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth right around the corner, now is the perfect time to reacquaint yourself with Cloud and Yuffie in the cities and slums of Midgar.

• Be sure to check out our review of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster collection

11 - Astro's Playroom

Astro's Playroom details & key features

• Release date: 2020
• Key features:
  • Pays homage to PlayStation titles
  • Demonstrates PS5 features
  • Comes pre-installed on the console

Astro's Playroom immediately emerges as one of the best PS5 exclusives that you can play once you pick up your console as you don't even need to pay for it. The excellent platformer comes built-in with every PlayStation 5 that Sony sells and ideally should be the first game you boot up.

It offers an outstanding demonstration of the new PS5 features like haptic feedback, lightning-fast load times, and stunning graphics. If you want to show off your console to a friend or even just yourself, then Astro's Playroom is the title you'll want to boot up.

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10 - Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Spider-Man: Miles Morales details & key features

• Release date: 2020
• Key features:
  • Bridges the gap between the first and second games
  • New story centred exclusively on Miles
  • New combat mechanics and haptic feedback

There are few superheroes more iconic than Spider-Man, and some of the best web-slinging games are exclusive to PS5. While many gamers laud the original Spider-Man PS4 game as the one to play, Miles Morales is arguably a more enjoyable title for some.

For starters, the electrified combat system makes Miles a joy to control, both whilst traversing the snow-filled streets of Christmastime New York and fighting crime. In addition, his story shows a different side to both his character and the city he lives in. Spider-Man (2018) may be grander, but Miles Morales is more personal.

• Do you love Final Fantasy? See if you agree with our picks for the best Final Fantasy games ranked

9 - Gran Turismo 7

Gran Turismo 7 details & key features

• Release date: 2022
• Key features:
  • Vast collection of cars
  • Stunning graphics
  • PSVR2 compatible

Let’s shift things into fifth gear - if racing games are your passion, then there’s one clear option for you to try: Gran Turismo 7. Featuring an impressive collection of both cars and tracks, this is a motorhead's dream game.

What’s more, Gran Turismo 7 is instantly one of the best-looking games on PS5, boasting stunning graphics that are rendered in 4K and 60fps in most situations. If you’re lucky enough to own a PSVR2 unit, this game can be played entirely with the headset, too.

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8 - Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart details & key features

• Release date: 2021
• Key features:
  • Fast movement thanks to SSD
  • Technically impressive
  • Second instalment of the reboot series

Of all the games on this list, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart may be the most technically impressive. Utilising the super speedy SSD technology, this game lets you zip around the game world at lightning speed with the use of portals.

Returning not only beloved PlayStation characters, but also introducing a few new ones, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is easily one of the best PS5 exclusive games that you can play in 2023, making full use of the new console's excellent hardware.

• If you're looking for more intergalactic adventures, then check out our list of the best games to play like Star Wars: Jedi Survivor

7 - Returnal

Returnal details & key features

• Release date: 2021
• Key features:
  • Roguelike mechanics
  • Ambient soundtrack
  • Space adventure with alien visuals

If you love roguelikes, then Returnal is the perfect PS5 exclusive for you to pick up. Serving as one of the few PlayStation games right now that you can only play on the PS5, Returnal offers a gruelling space adventure about uncovering the mysteries of an uncharted planet.

Loop upon loop will give you new tools and tricks to take down Returnal's many dangerous foes, and this game can easily eat up your nights as you sit there saying to yourself 'Just one more run'. If you love the horrors of space, then Returnal will be the right pickup for you.

• Want to dive into VR? Check out our picks for the best Meta Quest 2 games here

6 - God of War: Ragnarok

God of War: Ragnarok details & key features

• Release date: 2022
• Key features:
  • Concludes the Norse-saga
  • Allows you to play as Atreus
  • Epic story

Released just last year, God of War: Ragnarok is the sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War game from 2018. Continuing the story of both Kratos and Atreus, this game will see you traverse all nine of the Norse realms, encountering plenty of other gods and monsters along the way.

If some of the best third-person combat and a jaw-dropping narrative is something that tickles your fancy, then God of War: Ragnarok is an excellent PS5 exclusive game for you to consider.

• If you need any more convincing, you should check out our God of War: Ragnarok review where we gave it a perfect score

5 - Demon’s Souls

Demon's Souls details & key features

• Release date: 2020
• Key features:
  • Remake of the genre-defining game
  • Particle effects to showcase PS5 graphics
  • Challenging yet fair combat

Elden Ring was released in 2022 to a ridiculous amount of praise - and for good reason. However, have you ever wondered about the very first Soulsborne game developed by FromSoftware?

Demon's Souls was originally released back in 2009, but this remake from 2020 shows a version of the game that was completely rebuilt from the ground up. If you've fallen in love with the challenging yet fair combat that the Souls series has come to be known for, then Demon's Souls will certainly be one of the best PS5 exclusives that you can play right now in 2023.

• Dive into more punishing games by checking out our list of the best games like Dark Souls

4 - Death Stranding Director's Cut

Death Stranding Director's Cut details & key features

• Release date: 2021
• Key features:
  • Sweeping landscapes
  • Intriguing story
  • Relaxing when not in combat

While it might not be for everyone, Death Stranding Director's Cut is the definitive way to play one of our favourite titles, and easily one of the best PS5 exclusive games out there right now.

Death Stranding was already a phenomenal visual achievement back on PS4, but with the upgrade to 60fps in stunning 4K visuals, it doesn't get much better than this. If you love grand narratives, and find the prospect of walking across a post-apocalyptic wasteland appealing, then you should pick up Death Stranding Director's Cut for more.

• Death Stranding also appears on our list of the Best Steam Deck games, so why not check that out too

3 - Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 details & key features

• Release date: 2023
• Key features:
  • Stunning story with relatable characters
  • Juiced-up web-swinging through the Big Apple
  • Plenty of cameos from the extended Spider-Man universe

Hot off the press, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is finally here and brings together Peter Parker and Miles Morales in one bombastic outing. Facing off against both Kraven and Venom, while also coming to terms with their own personal quandaries, playing as these two Spider-Men has never felt better.

To get the most out of this game, you'll likely need to play the previous two Spider-Man games before it. We're not complaining, though - those are also two fantastic Spider-Man experiences in their own right, and will only hype you up to learn more about the story of this exciting Marvel universe.

• Read our full review of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 to see what we thought of the game

2 - Final Fantasy 16

Final Fantasy 16 details & key features

• Release date: 2023
• Key features:
  • Epic Eikon fights
  • Strong fantasy narrative
  • Pet Torgal (he is a good boy)

The latest mainline entry in the iconic JRPG series, Final Fantasy 16 has quickly rocketed to being one of the most critically acclaimed games of the year so far.

Along with the remake of Final Fantasy 7, the PS5 is quickly becoming the console that can best showcase how far the series has graphically come. Utilising the DualSense's Haptic Feedback for some intense kaiju-sized fights, Final Fantasy 16 is the PS5 at its peak, and a fantastical adventure that shouldn't be missed.

• Be sure to check out our full review of Final Fantasy 16 to get our thoughts

What is the best PS5-exclusive game in 2023?

Our pick for the best PS5 exclusive game in 2023 is The Last of Us Part 1, which remains one of the best games ever a decade after its initial release. While there were some questions surrounding the need for this remake - as we highlighted in our review - it still stands tall as our number one choice, especially if you've never had the chance to play it before.

If you’ve just finished watching HBO’s incredible adaptation of The Last of Us, then why not pick up the game where it all began? While the original game was first released way back in 2013, this version of The Last of Us is a stunning remake crafted for the PS5. 

The Last of Us Part 1 includes all of the same story content that the original did, and may even provide a little more context to some of the scenes from the show - with its remade graphics making it look like a PlayStation 5 original.

Featuring stealth and action gameplay that pits you against humans and clickers alike, The Last of Us Part 1 has it all, and it looks stunning on PS5.

So, that wraps up this list of the best PS5 exclusive games that you can play right now in 2023, giving you 16 fantastic options to choose from.

If you're keen to learn more about all things PlayStation, then make sure to check out our dedicated page for all of the latest news and guides.

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