The PlayStation 5 offers a lot of great looking and playing games. Early on its life cycle, its library is brimming with great action games. Below are the top action games that will make you grip your DualSense controller so hard.
1. God of War: Ragnarok
The soft reboot of the best action game for casuals, God of War, is a masterpiece reinvention of an already established IP. It has a decent narrative and jaw-dropping graphics, and it is AAA production at its finest with all the polish you can expect for a game with this budget and PlayStation brand mascot status.
While the original games are closer to the old-school button-mashing beat-em-up action games, the 2018 God of War, and of course, God of War: Ragnarok, had tightened the gaming experience and removed the arcadey nature of action games. This might disappoint the high-score chasing, combo-chaining action-game aficionados but it is a natural evolution of the genre and lowers the barrier of entry to include non-gamers in the fray.
If the movie-like set-pieces-laden action game is not your cup of tea, then the next entry should quench your action gaming thirst.
2. Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition
Other than Ninja Gaiden, no other action game has been more revered by hardcore gamers than the Devil May Cry franchise. The toxic discourse of the 2013 Devil may Cry aside and, everybody just forget about Devil May Cry 2, the franchise had been cited as the landmark of action games with its precise controls and pixel-perfect feedback. It also has an outrageous and cheesy tone that lets you remember that everything is just a game to enjoy instead of that hulking seriousness of the new God of War titles.
Devil May Cry 5 is a modern rendition of the fast-paced, action-packed hack-and-slash game while retaining everything good about the PlayStation 2 games. This game features three playable characters, each with its unique playstyle and abilities. The graphics are stunning, with highly detailed character models and environments. The game’s combat is smooth and satisfying, allowing players to chain together combos and unleash devastating special moves.
3. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is the latest entry in the beloved Ratchet & Clank franchise five years after its PlayStation 4 soft reboot, and it builds upon the series’ established formula in several key ways. Additionally, the game introduces a new playable character, Rivet, who brings her unique abilities and playstyle to the mix.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a worthy successor to the franchise and a must-play for fans of the series and action games, and even those who think they are not into action games. This is also a kid-friendly option, and it’s not even close, compared to the uber-violent God of War: Ragnarok and the demonic imagery of the Devil May Cry franchise.
4. Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West is retaining all of the first game’s characteristics, combining action-adventure, exploration, and RPG elements. Once again, players control Aloy and use a variety of weapons and moves to take down the robotic creatures across a rich and detailed open world.
Compared to the God of War games, Horizon Forbidden games is a different sort of action game, while God of War is a more linear and story-driven action-adventure game, Horizon Forbidden West offers a more open-world, exploration-based experience with a strong emphasis on combat and crafting.
5. Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut
Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut is an enhanced version of the critically acclaimed PlayStation exclusive, obviously titled, Ghost of Tsushima. The game is set in feudal Japan and follows the story of Jin, a samurai on a mission to save his homeland from Mongol invaders.
The Director’s Cut offers new features such as the “Story Builder” mode, which allows players to create their own custom stories using different characters, dialogue, and cutscenes. It also introduces a new “Survival” difficulty mode, which makes the game more challenging and adds new gameplay mechanics.
It also features new co-op features, where players can play with a friend in a new mode called “Ghost of Tsushima: Legends”.
6. The Nioh Collection
Ghost of Tsushima and Nioh is both action games set in feudal Japan and there is where the similarities end. They are both wildly different, as it is like comparing God of War: Ragnarok, it being Ghost of Tsushima, and Devil May Cry 5, it being Nioh.
Ghost of Tsushima is an open-world game that focuses on stealth and exploration, allowing players to choose their path and approach to missions. It also features a strong emphasis on storytelling and a cinematic presentation.
On the other hand, Nioh is a more traditional action-RPG, with a more linear level-based structure. It features a dark fantasy setting where players take on the role of a samurai named William for the first game and Hide, for the second game who is on a mission to defeat demons and other supernatural enemies.
The Nioh Collection includes the two Nioh games with all the DLCs, enhancements from the remastered Nioh 2, and new improvements that take advantage of the PlayStation 5 hardware and features.
7. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves
This “collection” is somewhat disappointing due to not having all the Uncharted games. It only has Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and the spinoff, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. The Uncharted series is known for its narrative, and, at a first glance, this should prevent newcomers from getting this collection.
However, these games can be enjoyed without experiencing the previous games and, truthfully, the first two Uncharted games did not age gracefully.
Nevertheless, this collection game has too many parts of handholding and trying to be a movie, so those who are looking for a pure action “game” experience look elsewhere. Although, this does not mean that this collection is not worth playing because it is.
8. Marvel’s Spiderman Remastered
There is no need to touch on the controversy of the actor change of the game when it got re-released from the PlayStation 4 to the PlayStation 5. It is a needless debate where it does not really affect gameplay, especially for those who are looking for an amazing action game.
The movement system in this game is expertly crafted, with physics that are nearly flawless and a level of intuitiveness that allows players to easily navigate the city after only a few days of play.
The skill tree offers a wealth of new features that can be incorporated into a unique fighting style, providing endless entertainment. The combat system is highly refined, rewarding players who employ strategy rather than simply button-mashing.
The gadgets provided are exceptionally well-designed and greatly enhance gameplay without disrupting the flow of combat. The stealth elements of the game are enjoyable and offer a rewarding experience without being overly time-consuming. Additionally, the game’s side quests, particularly those included in DLC, are of a higher quality than those found in other games like Assassin’s Creed, and honestly and specifically, Ubisoft games.
9. The Last of Us Part I
The Last of Us is often mentioned as the Greatest Game of All Time in many publications. Depending on whether you agree with that or not, that coronation is largely because of its compelling narrative. But does the gameplay deserve such status? Probably not.
The Last of Us Part I is the remake of the original PlayStation 3 game. It improves everything about the original game while retaining its best qualities. The gameplay is above average for an action shooter, but its overall package is just magnificent. The story, characters, graphics, sound, and everything is indeed first-rate quality.
10. Sifu
Sifu is a great fighting game with smooth gameplay and a variety of characters to choose from. The graphics are impressive and the sound design adds to the immersion. The fighting mechanics are intuitive and easy to pick up, but also deep enough to provide a challenge for experienced players.
Sifu is a fighting game that focuses on one-on-one combat. The game features a variety of characters to choose from, each with its own unique fighting styles and abilities. The fighting mechanics are intuitive and easy to pick up, making it accessible for new players, but also deep enough to provide a challenge for experienced players.
The graphics and sound design are excellent, immersing players in the modern world setting of the game. The art style of Sifu is different from other games such as Nioh and Ghost of Tsushima which are set in a fantasy version of Medieval Japan and a realistic and grounded rendition of medieval Japan respectively.
11. Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a visually stunning game that immerses players in a magical world of the living and the dead. The attention to detail in the graphics and special effects, particularly the lighting, creates a next-gen experience on the PS5.
The exploration adds to the game’s unique world-building, making players stop and appreciate the beauty of the game. The contrast between the living and dead worlds adds depth and intrigue to the story.
Kena stands out as a refreshing, colorful, and enjoyable fairy-tale experience, thanks to incredibly awe-inspiring art direction, graphics, and animation. There are unexpected twists and turns throughout the story and while being a great action game.
12. Vengeful Guardian Moonrider
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a side-scrolling action platformer inspired by vintage 16-bit action games. This is a fantastic ninja action-platform game. This is not a Metroidvania as we tend to separate that as an entirely different genre even if Metroidvanias are inherently action games.
Moonrider is a stage-based game with some minor exploration aspects (you can find hidden chips in most stages). This is more akin to Hagane, Ninja Gaiden, Strider, Shinobi, or even Mega Man X than any Metroid game. This is the latest game in this list and has obviously the lowest budget. But it is an action game in its primordial state.
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13. Spider-Man Miles Morales
Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a worthy spin-off to the first Spider-Man game, with improved graphics and gameplay, as well as a new and compelling protagonist in Miles. The game offers a diverse and dynamic open world to swing around in, with plenty of side missions and collectibles to keep players engaged.
The story and characters are well-written and engaging, making it a must-play for fans of the first game and newcomers alike.
Some will find this game a better game since it is short and sweet. The original Spider-Man game does have the Ubisoft-type of checklist gaming which is a diversion from classic action games’ gameplay language of being direct to the point and into the battles.
14. Control: Ultimate Edition
Control: Ultimate Edition is an outstanding improvement over the original game, offering players an even more immersive and captivating experience due to its mind-blowing gameplay and narrative.
The graphics have been significantly upgraded as compared to PlayStation 4 immersing players even more in the game’s unique and mysterious world. The gameplay has also been refined, offering a smoother and more polished experience.
The addition of new DLCs and the story expansion “The Foundation” adds even more depth and intrigue to the game’s already compelling narrative. Overall, Control: Ultimate Edition is a must-play for fans of the original game and newcomers alike, offering an even more thrilling and satisfying experience
15. A Plague Tale: Requiem
A Plague Tale: Innocence was one of 2019’s best surprises, owing to the fact that it was a fantastic game working on a shoestring budget. Requiem not only outperforms its predecessors in every aspect, but it also competes with the best narrative experiences available.
It’s visually magnificent, from wide vistas to festive marketplaces to the open sea. The architecture of the medieval structures is intricate and beautiful. The level designs were fantastic. As an action game, it does not hold a candle compared to others on the list but it’s a great action game by virtue of the sum of its parts.
