25 Must-Play PS5 Games Right Now (Oct 2025) — Updated to Include Ghost of Yōtei

If you have a PlayStation 5 and want a quick, factual guide to what people are playing right now, this article sums up the console’s most recommended titles as of October 2025. Below you’ll find an overview of the list, how it was assembled, what changed in the latest update, and short, concrete notes about several highlighted games on the roster.

1. 1. Overview
   2. How we pick

1. October 2025 update
2. Alan Wake 2
3. Animal Well
4. Astro Bot
5. Baldur’s Gate 3
6. Elden Ring
7. Ghost of Yōtei
8. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
9. Death Stranding 2
10. Final Fantasy 14
11. Forza Horizon 5
12. Hades
13. Helldivers 2
14. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
15. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
16. Resident Evil 4 (remake)

Overview

The PS5 library has expanded since launch, and many of the entries that players still list as essential span multiple genres: RPGs, action-adventure, co-op shooters, indies, and racing. Also, some games that started on PC or Xbox have arrived on PlayStation, broadening choice across the board. The list we’re summarizing here gathers 25 titles recommended by staff contributors, and it’s intended to be updated over time as new releases and ports arrive.

How we pick

The collection is based on games that at least one staff member recommended after playing them. In addition, selections were weighed for range — so the list includes big-budget exclusives, multiplatform hits, and standout indie releases. Objectively, the criteria focused on quality, platform fit, and variety rather than on sales numbers or awards alone.

October 2025 update

On Oct. 10, the list was updated to include Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei. Also, the article notes that Sony has stated the PS5 is beyond the halfway point of its lifecycle, and that Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled for 2026 — both facts giving context to where the platform stands in late 2025.

Alan Wake 2

Remedy Entertainment released a direct sequel to Alan Wake that uses a dual-protagonist structure: you can switch between the original protagonist, Alan Wake, and an FBI agent named Saga Anderson. The PS5 release emphasizes survival-horror mechanics and investigative elements in a split narrative. The game was noted for combining earlier Remedy design sensibilities with newer technical work.

Animal Well

Animal Well is an indie 2D puzzle-adventure built around exploration and discovery. It presents a non-linear, Metroidvania-like mapping experience and uses collectible gear to open new areas. Players often document progress with notes due to the game’s opaque design choices.

Astro Bot

Team Asobi expanded Astro’s Playroom into a full platformer for PS5. The game showcases DualSense features, including haptic feedback and speaker interactions, and it contains hundreds of collectible costumes that reference PlayStation history. It is also a first-party Sony release developed in-house.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 was developed in close alignment with Dungeons & Dragons rules and was initially released in early access on PC. The PS5 version includes a console-friendly interface and supports split-screen co-op play on the platform. The game is known for deep player choice and branching narratives.

Elden Ring

FromSoftware’s Elden Ring expanded the studio’s Soulslike formula into a large open world. The game preserves challenging combat while adding exploration and freedom of choice across a wide landscape. It remains a cross-platform title available on PS5.

Ghost of Yōtei

Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei is a PS5 sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. It is set in 1600s Ezo, Japan, and focuses on open-world exploration and samurai combat. The game was added to the list on Oct. 10, 2025 as part of the update.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 returned to consoles with a native PS5 version and a large expansion pack titled Phantom Liberty. The Ultimate Edition packages the base game with expansion content and platform-specific updates that improved performance and visuals on PS5.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Kojima Productions released Death Stranding 2 as a sequel to the first game. The title keeps the original’s emphasis on delivery and traversal mechanics while introducing additional tools earlier in gameplay. The sequel continues to use Hideo Kojima’s distinctive narrative and visual style.

Final Fantasy 14

Final Fantasy 14 is an MMORPG that relaunched successfully in 2013 after an initial 2010 release. The game is available on PS5 and includes story-driven content, PvE dungeons and raids, and a “story mode” option that lets players complete key story battles solo instead of relying on full multiplayer groups.

Forza Horizon 5

Playground Games’ Forza Horizon 5, originally an Xbox franchise entry set in Mexico, became available on PlayStation platforms, bringing its open-world racing gameplay and seasonal live-service support to PS5 players. The game features a large car roster and a variety of on- and off-road events.

Hades

Supergiant Games’ Hades is a roguelike action game that uses Greek mythology as its setting. The title ties repeated runs to a persistent narrative progression and is available on PS5. It is also widely ported across modern platforms.

Helldivers 2

Arrowhead Game Studios launched Helldivers 2 as a co-op third-person shooter where squads complete missions against alien threats. The game includes a community-driven strategic layer that tracks global player progress toward shared objectives.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Insomniac Games released Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 as a PS5 exclusive that features both Peter Parker and Miles Morales as playable characters. The game uses web-swinging traversal, new visual features enabled by the PS5, and a story that incorporates symbiote-related elements.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart uses a dimension-rift mechanic to move between varied environments quickly. The PS5 title makes use of the console’s SSD for near-instant loading between areas, and it offers weapon alternate-firing mechanics tied to trigger input.

Resident Evil 4 (remake)

Capcom released a 2023 remake of Resident Evil 4 with modernized visuals and updated gameplay while retaining the original’s core structure. The remake is available on PS5 and refreshed controls, camera, and presentation to suit contemporary platforms.