The Best Single-Player Games You Can Play on the PS5

When it comes to single-player games, Sony has long had the edge over its console rivals. This is because many of PlayStation Studios' most talented developers focus primarily on narrative-driven experiences these days, which has resulted in some of the best single-player games of all time being released exclusively on PlayStation consoles.

Granted, many big PlayStation exclusives have been released on PC in recent years, but Sony still reigns supreme in the home console space. The best single-player PS5 games are among the industry's very finest and provide players with settings and storylines that are capable of keeping them engaged from start to finish.

Dredge

Metacritic Rating: 81 (PS5)

For those who prefer single-player titles to their multiplayer counterparts, Dredge might just be the perfect game. Though it's not too heavy on the narrative front, it's able to evoke a feeling of isolation within its players; jumping between serene and peaceful sailing to nightmare-inducing mayhem at the drop of a hat.

It's this dichotomous contrast and the creativity that went into some of the game's many Lovecraftian creatures that make this one of the best single-player games on the PlayStation 5 and a must-play for fans of eerie and atmospheric horror games. The experience that's on offer here isn't a particularly long one, but just about every second of it is thoroughly enjoyable.

Octopath Traveler 2

Metacritic Rating: 86 (PS5)

Most classic JRPG franchises made the leap from 2D to 3D around the turn of the century, but that's not to say that there aren't still a few fantastic 2D role-playing games around today. Octopath Traveler 2 is a great example of this, with the 2023 title proving that pixel art can still be every bit as beautiful as bleeding-edge 3D graphics.

The game improves upon its predecessor in just about every measurable way; save, perhaps, for in the narrative department. That's more down to the fact that the stories explored in the first game are so damn incredible though, with the sequel still offering an engaging and enjoyable plot. Of course, players will probably want to check out the first Octopath Traveler game as well if at all possible.

Stray

Metacritic Rating: 83 (PS5)

Though not quite on the same level as games like Undertale and Super Meat Boy, Stray remains one of the most impressive indie games to have come out in recent years. The 2022 title sees players controlling a stray cat as they attempt to find their way out of a gigantic underground living space inspired by Kowloon's former walled city.

Despite being a little on the short side and its over-simplified platforming, the game is still highly enjoyable and boasts a surprisingly engaging narrative that will likely have players welling up a little at the end. It's one of the best single-player games on the PlayStation 5 and a poignant reminder of what indie game devs can do when given a platform.

Braid Anniversary Edition

Metacritic Rating: 86 (PS5)

It's hard to believe that Braid is now more than fifteen years old, but harder still to emphasize just how important Jonathan Blow's hugely influential title was to the indie game movement of the late 2010s. Like many of the other great indie games from that era, Braid has aged extremely well, with its anniversary edition offering players a puzzle platforming experience that isn't to be missed.

Braid Anniversary Edition is much more than just a rerelease, though, with new puzzles, improved visuals, and creator commentary making this the quintessential version of the game for all intents and purposes. Puzzle game fans who are still to play this one will be blown away by its creativity, while returning players will be hit with a warm and fuzzy wave of early two-thousands nostalgia.

Moss

Metacritic Rating: 86 (PS5)

Polyarc's Moss games are far from the best-looking PSVR 2 games, but there's a certain charm to their woodland setting that makes them highly enjoyable to explore. The fact that the player spends more time controlling Quill than they do the reader whose eyes they view the games' events through can take a bit of getting used to, but it ends up being a welcome change from the usual first-person experiences that VR typically has to offer.

That the player is accompanied by Quill for most of the games does an excellent job of distracting from the fact that Moss is a single-player affair. Sure, there are a few other characters here and there, but for the most part, the games focus on the relationship between the young rodent and her reader to great effect. The puzzles are thought-provoking too, and the hidden collectibles provide a compelling reason to dive back into the games' fairytale world from time to time.

Tales of Arise

Metacritic Rating: 87 (PS5)

When asked to think of a long-running JRPG franchise, most people's minds will instantly jump to the likes of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. Bandai Namco's Tales series hasn't been around for quite as long as either of these two gaming behemoths has, but its history is arguably every bit as rich. In fact, it has more mainline installments than either, the most recent of which is called Tales of Arise.

Released in late 2021, Tales of Arise tells the story of Alphen: an ashen-haired warrior with no memory of his past. He does remember his hatred for Dahna's Renan overlords though, and, together with a colorful cast of like-minded characters, sets out to bring their reign of terror to an end. It's one of the best Tales games in recent memory, and a must-play title for JRPG enthusiasts.

The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe

Metacritic Rating: 89 (PS5)

As graphics have improved and narrative-driven gameplay has taken hold, video games have, for the most part, become a lot more serious over the past decade or so. The Stanley Parable bucks this trend though, with its writing serving as a delicious throwback to some of the hilarious and self-aware point-and-click adventure games from the late eighties and early nineties.

The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe ushers in more of the same, with plenty of new content for players to enjoy. When all's said and done, there's around twice as much for players to see and do this time around, making this great value for money. The way that it parodies the video game industry is masterful, but it's perhaps the way that it pokes fun at itself, and, to a certain degree, the player, for tolerating its tomfoolery, that makes this game so memorable.

Dragon's Dogma 2

Metacritic Rating: 85 (PS5)

Open-world action-adventure games are a dime a dozen these days, yet very few offer enough to set themselves apart from the crowd. Through sheer stubbornness more than anything else, Dragon's Dogma 2 manages to do exactly that, with Hideaki Itsuno and the rest of the development team encouraging players to rethink the way that they interact with modern video games through a series of unconventional, yet mostly effective design choices.

Following the eventual success of the first Dragon's Dogma game, expectations were pretty high for its 2024 sequel, and the game duly delivers, for the most part. The monetization is unfortunate, and some may not appreciate being encouraged to play a certain way when so many other games offer a bit more freedom in this department, but the overall experience is one that should satisfy most players, particularly those who enjoyed the first game.

Alan Wake 2

Metacritic Rating: 89 (PS5)

Released more than a decade on from the original game, Alan Wake 2 is an incredibly impressive title, both when it comes to its visuals and its plot. There are times when the imagery shown could pass convincingly as live-action video, while the storytelling on offer here really is top-notch.

Granted, horror purists may not be too impressed by the game's over-reliance on jump scares, and although innovative, the Mind Place mechanics can be a little janky at times. Even so, the overall experience remains a highly enjoyable one and helps make this one of the best single-player games on the PS5.

Dead Space

Metacritic Rating: 89 (PS5)

Some see the decision to remake or remaster classic games as developers taking the easy option. However, given the sheer volume of fantastic titles that have been released over the years, it arguably makes sense to revisit some of these vintage video games from time to time, particularly if today's technology would allow the game's developers to create something more befitting of their original vision.

Given how important immersion and atmosphere can be in the genre, classic horror games are usually excellent candidates for remakes, with today's photo-realistic graphics allowing for a much more terrifying time. Dead Space is an excellent example of this, with the 2023 remake managing to perfectly recapture the brilliance of the original, while also dolling it up with a shiny new coat of paint.

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut

Metacritic Rating: 89 (PS5)

Disco Elysium doesn't do things by half measures, nor is it afraid to try things that go against the grain. The end result is one of the most singular RPG titles in recent memory and one that all tabletop RPG fans owe it to themselves to try. As one might expect, the Final Cut version of the game is the definitive way to experience it due to the many tweaks and changes that it brings to the table.

The game sees players taking on the role of an amnesiac detective as he seeks to piece together his fractured memories. They'll be able to build Harry however they like, with stat allocation having a huge impact on how certain events and actions play out. The dialog is fantastic throughout and is emblematic of the care and attention that went into crafting this underrated gem of a game.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade

Metacritic Rating: 89 (PS5)

There's a fair amount of discourse surrounding the best Final Fantasy games, with the series' sixth, seventh, and tenth installments all having their fair share of supporters. When it comes to the most impactful, though, most seem to be in agreement that it was Final Fantasy 7, thanks in large to the PS1 classic having helped to drag the JRPG genre into the mainstream.

For this reason, Final Fantasy 7 was one of the most requested remakes of all time, though it was not until E3 2015 that Square Enix finally announced the project. Final Fantasy 7 Remake is the first part of a trilogy and does an excellent job of retelling, and, in some places, reimagining the original narrative. The new combat system strikes the perfect blend of turn-based and real-time, while the whole thing looks fantastic, particularly the Intergrade version for the PS5.

Hades

Metacritic Rating: 93 (PS5)

Following its hugely successful release in late 2020, Hades was ported to the PlayStation 5 in August of the following year, offering a much smoother experience in terms of framerate. The popular roguelike action RPG looks a lot better on the PS5 too, thanks in large to the port's support for 4K 60 fps playback.

The game sees players controlling Prince Zagreus, as he attempts to escape the underworld and the influence of his father to track down his mother, Persephone. The storytelling is top-notch and is backed up by a fantastic RPG combat system. There's plenty of post-game content too, ensuring that players are kept busy long after finding Persephone.

Final Fantasy 16

Metacritic Rating: 87 (PS5)

A lot of people questioned whether Final Fantasy 16 can truly be classed as a Final Fantasy game due to how drastically it changes up the series' tried and tested formula. Whichever side of the fence one falls on, it would be difficult to dispute the idea that these changes have made the game more accessible, with the combat system borrowing a lot from popular hack-and-slash franchises like God of War and Devil May Cry.

Fans of intense action should love what Final Fantasy 16 has to offer, while the ridiculous amount of side content should be able to keep most players busy for at least forty or fifty hours. Ironically, it's existing Final Fantasy fans who may struggle to fully appreciate Clive's journey, but despite the game's lack of many traditional RPG elements and the shallow nature of many of those that are included, most should be able to find some enjoyment here.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Metacritic Rating: 88 (PS5)

There are plenty of great platformers on the PS5, but none that are quite like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Released in mid-2021, the game's Rift Tether mechanic is a lot of fun to play around with, while the huge arsenal of weapons at the player's disposal allows for some truly unique combat encounters and helps to keep things feeling fresh right up to the final boss.

Like a lot of other first-party exclusives, the game also features a wide array of accessibility options, helping to ensure that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy what it has to offer. Rift Apartmarks a true return to form for everybody's favorite Lombax and robot duo and is one of the best single-player titles on the PlayStation 5 thus far.

Horizon Forbidden West

Metacritic Rating: 88 (PS5)

The playable protagonist's design may have drawn some criticism, but few can dispute the beauty of Horizon Forbidden West's luscious open world. It's one of the best-looking games on the PS5 and backs up its impressive visuals with a thought-provoking narrative and a suite of wonderfully well-realized gameplay mechanics.

Horizon Forbidden West picks up where its predecessor left off: with Aloy and Silus trying to learn more about the Far Zeniths. The Burning Shores DLC further fleshes out the series' lore, while also introducing a few new mechanics, one of which allows the player's mount to dive underwater. It's one of the best single-player games on the PS5 and a reminder of why Sony rules the roost when it comes to first-party exclusives.

Stellar Blade

Metacritic Rating: 82 (PS5)

Sometimes, developers can get so caught up in the minor details that they forget that - above all else - video games are supposed to be fun. Sure, the game is far from perfect, but Stellar Blade keeps this core idea at the heart of just about everything that it does, and although not every critic seems to appreciate this, most players certainly do.

Like most modern action-adventure games, Stellar Blade incorporates a wide range of ideas and mechanics into its gameplay loop, with exploration, unlockable skills, and character customization all playing an important role. However, the real star of the show is the game's combat, which is highly enjoyable regardless of the player's skill level.

Persona 5 Royal

Metacritic Rating: 91 (PS5)

For JRPG fans, Persona 5 Royal is about as good as they come. Even for those who are unfamiliar with the genre or have only dipped their toes into the water, it's still a game worth checking out, more so now that it is available on the PlayStation 5. The PS5 port offers plenty of big improvements, including higher resolution assets and a silky smooth 60 frames per second.

The game follows a group of high school students who band together to expose the crimes of corrupt adults, with the titular Personas playing an integral role in the game's combat. It also boasts plenty of great life sim elements, with players able to form special bonds with the people that they meet in order to unlock new skills and abilities.

Resident Evil 4

Metacritic Rating: 93 (PS5)

For the most part, Capcom has done an exceptional job of remaking some of the older Resident Evil games, and 2023's Resident Evil 4 is no exception in this regard. In fact, some will perhaps argue that it's the pick of the bunch, with only the Resident Evil 2 remake really coming close to the brilliance of this hugely influential game.

Not all of the changes are for the better, but those made to the companion character Ashley make the remake a lot less frustrating, while the work done to flesh out some of the game's secondary characters helps to improve the game's narrative. To a certain extent though, this is as much a reimagining as it is a remake, with the 2023 title offering a different, albeit familiar experience.

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Metacritic Rating: 85 (PS5)

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales was released alongside the PlayStation 5, offering players a chance to return to the beautifully rendered streets of New York that helped to make its predecessor such a hit with players. The deluxe edition of the game even comes bundled with a remastered version of Marvel's Spider-Man, providing excellent value for those who never got a chance to experience the PS4 classic.

Even without this upgrade though, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales stands tall on its own two feet, with a compelling single-player storyline and a wide array of side activities and collectibles to keep players busy during their downtime. Such is the quality of the game's map traversal, simply swinging around the city's streets can also serve as an excellent distraction and provides a sense of freedom that few other games can match.