As busy as the video game industry is these days, there’s rarely a “bad” year for any console. Even in a less busy year, platforms like Xbox still tend to have notable features in exciting indie games. That was true for PlayStation this year, which has continued its strong momentum this generation despite only having a handful of big-ticket games.
While not all of the big PS5 exclusives were exciting this year, there were plenty of solid experiences to dive into. Developers have more hands on deck than ever thanks to the system’s strong technical specifications, while PlayStation VR2 has given the platform some creative and immersive experiences. Not to mention a few standalone and third-party releases that Sony has locked down as console exclusives for a while. Even the list of heavy hitters included Baldur’s Gate 3 For a few short months. Reflecting on another great year for the PS5, we’ve highlighted seven games that stuck with us this year. Some were divisive, sure, but all helped give Sony’s otherwise powerful system some extra depth in a busy year.
Marvel Spider-Man 2
Even if PlayStation gets barely any games this year, it will still be home to one of the best exclusives of the year. Marvel Spider-Man 2 It’s as good as big-budget games get, offering top-notch spectacle and incredibly smooth superhero gameplay. Although players will certainly appreciate it for its sophisticated combat and traversal, it’s the little moments that stick with me the most. Side quests that see both Spider-Men helping their community make the biggest impact of all. It was also good to see this game retreat from the uncomfortable police surveillance mode of its predecessors. With a focus on criminal reform and being the friendliest neighborhood assistant, Spider-Man 2 It’s a more mature superhero sequel that ranks with the best of them.
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Final Fantasy XVI
Final Fantasy XVI It may be the most divisive entry in the series yet. Even our own review was ripping, criticizing the dry storytelling style. No matter how you feel about the narrative, there’s one thing that can’t be denied: the RPG has some of the most amazing events of the year. A completely reinvented combat system makes Clive Rosfield one of the fastest and deadliest Final Fantasy fighters to date. His iconic abilities, along with some amazing kaiju battles, bring the long-running series to a logical crescendo, fully realizing the scope involved in smaller games like Final Fantasy VI. It’s a huge movie full of amazing moments that you won’t want to miss.
Horizon calling mountain
while The horizon is forbidden west Released last year, 2023 was a surprisingly big year for Sony’s open-world series. That game got a solid DLC chapter in Burning beachesBut the real title was the virtual reality version, Horizon calling mountain. Take notes from Boarding, a PlayStation VR2 launch title that involves players climbing mountains as well as engaging in classic Horizon combat. While it’s a bit too ambitious at times, it’s the kind of game Sony needs to be able to make a statement with its latest headsets. I can only hope that we see franchises like God of War get the same treatment in the future, adapting everything we love about the modern series into a tangible VR experience.
Humanity
while Horizon: Call of the Mountain It is a great game that you can try once you get the PSVR2. Humanity It is a reason to buy a headphone. This adorable puzzle game has players guiding an army of tiny humans through increasingly complex situations. This simple premise takes a dark turn in its back half, as it comments on the terrifying power people have when they blend into a mob. Although it can be played without a headset (it’s available via PS Plus), PSVR2 is the best way to experience all the diorama-like puzzles. It’s like you’re watching an ant colony at work. Few games released this year are quite as charming.
prophesy
It may be surprising to see Square Enix prophesy In this list. The open-world adventure was ridiculed when it was released due to its satirical writing. Although these criticisms were deserved, that doesn’t mean the entire game is a joke. In reality, prophesy It’s a surprisingly creative game full of fast, fluid movement and a magical combat system that’s not too far removed from it Final Fantasy XVI. If you can get past all the Marvel-like one-liners, you’ll find a blockbuster film far more engaging than a less charming one Hogwarts Legacy.
Season: A message to the future
While there’s been no shortage of big-budget releases on PS5 this year, it’s the smaller indie releases that have gained console exclusivity on PlayStation that I’ve enjoyed the most. Just look at Season: A message to the future. Set before a mysterious event, players set out across a picturesque countryside to capture as much of the world as they can before a new era changes everything. By taking photos and recording sounds, players engage in a meditative experience that reminds us to cherish the smallest parts of the world around us.
camera lens
Even if you don’t like traditional puzzle games, camera lens It’s the kind of thing you need to try. The indie game relies on an amazing magic trick that allows players to take 2D images and seamlessly place them anywhere in levels, turning flat images into 3D spaces. It’s a digital marvel that seems unreal, and it’s relevant, too. Under all his ingenious mysteries, camera lens The film revolves around researchers searching for impossible answers to impossible questions. It is a celebration of human ingenuity, one that inspires hope that one day we may be able to save our planet from the threat of irreversible climate change.
Editors’ recommendations
The year 2023 is shaping up to be an exciting time for PlayStation 5 gamers, with a lineup of highly anticipated games that are set to take the gaming world by storm. From the web-slinging adventures of Spider-Man to the fantastical worlds of Final Fantasy and beyond, there’s no shortage of high-quality titles to look forward to. With stunning graphics, immersive gameplay, and compelling stories, these games are sure to keep players engaged for hours on end. Whether you’re a fan of action-packed superhero adventures or epic role-playing experiences, the best PS5 games of 2023 are set to deliver unforgettable gaming experiences like never before.