A Fresh Look at the PS5’s Exclusive Game Lineup

First and foremost, it’s necessary to address the elephant in the room — the current console gaming generation has left me feeling unimpressed. Though I have been a devoted PlayStation and PC user since the inception of the PS4, I hastened to upgrade to the PS5, only to soon confront a disappointing scarcity of genuine exclusives for the console. There are few things that are as uniquely gratifying as leaning back in your recliner and immersing yourself in a captivating ‘PlayStation exclusive’. However, despite a handful of commendable exclusive PS5 games offered by Sony, many have fallen short, or worse, become quickly forgotten.

To illustrate this point, we need to look no further than Destruction AllStars: a game that suffered notably from its ‘PS5 exclusive’ label. On its surface, the game concept appears effortlessly captivating, yet unfortunately, Sony botched its delivery, thus resulting in a fleeting appeal. On a different note, Stellar Blade, developed by Korean outfit Shift Up, stands apart thanks to a deeply gratifying combat system. This title remained a PS5 exclusive for a substantial fourteen months prior to its computer debut.

Then there’s Returnal, which was originally pitched as a quintessential PS5 experience: swift, visually striking, and challenging. In a variety of ways, it lived up to this pledge. Similarly, Horizon Forbidden West is technically impressive, exhibiting spectacular game craftsmanship. Regrettably, it failed to recapture the enchanting allure that its precursor held. Even three years post-launch, Horizon Forbidden West is arguably the most visually stunning PS5 exclusive.

Another anticipatory disappointment was Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, a game that carried weighty expectations of delivering both Spider-Men alongside an expanded map and fresh skills, all while leveraging the advanced capability of the PS5. Sadly, the actual game experience didn’t quite meet these high hopes. On a brighter note, Gran Turismo 7 emerges as a pinnacle of all that the franchise has achieved thus far on the PS5, boasting an unparalleled VR experience.

Demon’s Souls shines as a magnificent remake, with its meticulous reengineering transforming an already iconic game into a contemporary masterpiece. Astro Bot is another crown jewel, epitomizing the ideal platformer game with an impressive depth of polish and charm. Accomplishing what seemed to be an impossible feat, Santa Monica Studio managed to scale even greater heights with God of War Ragnarök, coupling its boldness with the emotional intensity that made the first game a standout.

Moreover, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach revels in the prestige of being more than merely the best PS5 exclusive for this generation. This terrestrial jewel stands as one of the finest games across all of gaming history. Ultimately, while the selection of true exclusives for the PS5 might not be as abundant as in previous PlayStation generations, they still create profoundly memorable experiences that resonate with players. Despite being a somewhat less sizeable roster, the PS5’s exclusive games certainly hit some unforgettable peaks.