PlayStation 5 Games With Excellent Stories (2024)

Though the chip shortage has somewhat hampered the progress of current-gen consoles, the PlayStation 5 generation is now in full swing and boasts a solid library of story-rich games. There is still plenty of time left on the console's shelf life to see new and exciting entries, and what's already there spans an impressive range of genres and franchises.

This is especially true when considering Sony's blockbuster first-party releases and cross-platform hits. Insomniac Games' Spider-Man 2 is the latest acclaimed PS5 exclusive, while the third-party CD Projekt Red title Cyberpunk 2077 has finally fulfilled its potential in the current generation.

Updated on May 8, 2024, by Guillermo Kurten: Sony's PlayStation 5 benefits from a well-rounded library of games with great stories worth telling. This year is off to a strong start with exclusives like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. However, players can access many great multiplatform titles and ports from the PS4 generation. This list is being updated to include more excellent stories from the PS5 catalog, streamlined release info, and critical reception for each title.

20 Resident Evil 4 Remake Lovingly Updates The Classic Action-Horror Blockbuster

Historically, Capcom's original Resident Evil 4 has a special place in the medium as one of the best games. It became one of the most influential for how it envisioned third-person action in games. Last year's remake was a tasteful reimagining of the classic story.

Combined with slick new controls and enhanced combat mechanics, the Resident Evil 4 remake is a loving modernization of fan-favorite hero Leon S. Kennedy. His mission to rescue the U.S. President's daughter from a parasitic cult has never been more thrilling. Part of what makes the game's story so beloved is how it embraces its campy blockbuster horror movie atmosphere, including its lovably cheesy protagonist. The remake arguably improves areas of the original story, like giving Ashley more agency as a character.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

Survival is just the beginning. Six years have passed since the biological disaster in Raccoon City. Leon S. Kennedy, one of the survivors, tracks the president's kidnapped daughter to a secluded European village, where there is something terribly wrong with the locals.

Franchise

Resident Evil

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

March 24, 2023

Developer(s)

Capcom

Publisher(s)

Capcom

Genre(s)

Survival Horror

Engine

How Long To Beat

16 Hours

Prequel(s)

Sequel(s)

19 Diablo IV Is An Atmospheric Dark Fantasy

As with the wait between Diablo II and III, IV was a long time coming but earned many praises when it launched. Set 50 years after its predecessor's final DLC expansion, the protagonist is caught in a struggle caused by a cult summoning the demon Lilith to take over the world of Sanctuary.

Many of its predecessor's strengths carry over to and are expanded upon in Diablo IV. The unique classes offer exciting ways to approach character builds and combat and the new open-world formula is substantive enough to justify the scope. Diablo IV also features a compelling dark-fantasy narrative bolstered by its gritty open-world setting. It maintains a moody atmosphere and dramatic intrigue, partly thanks to its return to a more grounded art direction.

Diablo 4

Franchise

Diablo

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

June 6, 2023

Developer(s)

Blizzard

Publisher(s)

Blizzard

Genre(s)

Action RPG , Hack and Slash

ESRB

18 Persona 3 Reload Gives The PS2 Cult-Classic The Modern Treatment

Atlus' Persona 5 helped catapult the beloved JRPG series to international stardom, and Persona 3 Reload is a well-deserved remake of the PS2 classic. The plot follows the quest of a high school student with the ability to summon spiritual Personas, join a group of like-minded people, defeat the sinister Shadows, and unravel the mystery surrounding the ominous "Dark Hour."

Persona 3 Reload is an excellent remake of the PS2 original, even though it cuts the female protagonist and her content from the PSP port. The turn-based combat is briskly paced and welcomes long-time fans and newcomers alike, while the new social-sim mechanics help complement the wider narrative.

Persona 3 Reload

7/ 10

Step into the shoes of a transfer student thrust into an unexpected fate when entering the hour "hidden" between one day and the next. Awaken an incredible power and chase the mysteries of the Dark Hour, fight for your friends, and leave a mark on their memories forever.

Persona 3 Reload is a captivating reimagining of the genre-defining RPG, reborn for the modern era.

Franchise

Persona

Platform(s)

PC , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PS4 , PS5

Released

February 2, 2024

Developer(s)

P-Studio

Publisher(s)

Atlus

Genre(s)

JRPG

17 A Plague Tale: Requiem Is Another Gut-Wrenching Drama

The sequel to 2019's A Plague Tale: Innocence, developer Asobo Studio's Requiem delivers another powerful story. Set six months after the events of Innocence, siblings Amicia and Hugo de Rune continue their desperate journey to find a cure to the latter's blood-based disease.

A Plague Tale: Requiem will surely please fans heavily invested in the first entry's narrative, as this sequel doubles down on the high emotional stakes. Both titles are some of the most compelling story-driven games in recent years, holding little back in the story's consequences and persistent tension — whether it's evading dangerous inquisitors or disease-ridden rats.

16 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition Is The Definitive Version Of This Story

CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt helped make the franchise popular worldwide and still stands as the Polish developer's best game. This dark fantasy epic sends monster hunter Geralt of Rivia across the Continent to rescue his surrogate daughter and stop a prophetic apocalypse.

The Complete Edition is the current-gen port of the acclaimed game, and the mechanical tweaks to combat, graphical upgrades, and mod integration make this the definitive way to play The Witcher 3. The game is a respectful adaptation of author Andrzej Sapkowski's world. Thanks to a sweeping main quest line, diverse characters, equally compelling DLC stories, and many excellent side quests that add to the worldbuilding, The Complete Edition remains one of the most captivating open-world RPGs of the modern era.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Geralt walks, runs, rolls and dodges, and (for the first time in the series) jumps, climbs and swims.He has a variety of weapons, including bombs, a crossbow and two swords (one steel and one silver).

Franchise

The Witcher

Platform(s)

PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Switch , PC

Released

May 19, 2015

Developer

Publisher

Genre(s)

RPG , Action , Adventure

Engine

REDengine 3

ESRB

M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content

15 Control: Ultimate Edition Is The Complete Experience For This Sci-Fi Thriller

From Alan Wake developers Remedy Entertainment, Control is an exciting paranormal-themed thriller and action-adventure game. The story focuses on the Federal Bureau of Control's new director Jesse Faden as she investigates its paranormal headquarters to quell a mysterious, otherworldly enemy invading reality.

Control: Ultimate Edition is available on PS5 as the complete package for this experience, bundling the Foundation and AWE DLC expansions. Jesse Faden is an interesting protagonist in an even more intriguing world, blending elements of TV shows like Twin Peaks and The X-Files to tell an inspired and riveting sci-fi mystery thriller.

Control

Solve puzzles and complete quests to discover the secret of Jesse’s past and the true purpose of the Bureau of Control

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Switch , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One

Released

August 27, 2019

Developer(s)

Remedy Entertainment

Publisher(s)

505 Games

Genre(s)

Action

Engine

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence

Mode

14 Alan Wake II Is A Horror Thriller Worth The Wait

​​​​

Remedy Entertainment's Alan Wake II has proven to be a worthy successor. The game follows the titular protagonist as he tries to escape from an alternate dimension by writing a horror story led by an FBI agent named Saga Anderson.

The original Alan Wake succeeded as a Stephen King-inspired psychological thriller and this sequel elevates that formula to become a convincing survival-horror experience. It retains the cerebral roots of its predecessor and Alan Wake II is an even more ambitious story thanks to its subversive plot and clever use of the dual-protagonist approach.

Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake, a lost writer trapped in a nightmare beyond our world,writes a dark story in an attempt to shape the reality around him and escape his prison.

Franchise

Alan Wake

Platform(s)

PC , PS5 , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X

Released

October 27, 2023

Developer(s)

Remedy Entertainment

Publisher(s)

Epic Games

Genre(s)

Survival Horror

How Long To Beat

17 Hours

Prequel(s)

13 Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Is A Refreshingly Lighthearted Change Of Pace

While the studio is now best known for its beloved Spider-Man series, Insomniac Games' Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a welcome return to the developer's roots. The iconic PlayStation duo needs to fight off the evil Emperor Nefarious after Ratchet accidentally opens up a rift across dimensions.

Though there are plenty of gripping dramatic stories now in the triple-A gaming scene, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a reminder of how good a lighthearted, colorful story starring mascot characters can still be. Besides engaging new characters like Rivet, Rift Apart is a tasteful mix of vibrant and comedic atmosphere with heartfelt storytelling.

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

They've travelled through space. They've travelled through time. Now, they'll have to travel through dimensions as their galaxy seems to rip itself apart. Ratchet and Clank must save the universe - again.

Franchise

ratchet and clank

Platform(s)

PC , PS5

Released

June 11, 2021

Developer(s)

Insomniac Games

Genre(s)

Platformer , Third-Person Shooter

ESRB

E10+ for Everyone 10+: Alcohol Reference, Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence

How Long To Beat

11 Hours

12 Returnal Cleverly Weaves Gameplay Into Story

Developer studio Housemarque is one of the more recent PlayStation acquisitions, and the team's first major project under the publisher is the sci-fi roguelike game Returnal. The game follows a renegade astronaut named Selene Vassos landing on the ominous planet Atropos to trace a strangely familiar signal dubbed the "White Signal," which leads to her being caught in a time loop.

Returnal is one of the most inventive recent PlayStation console exclusives, mixing challenging and fast-paced third-person shooting with enticing storytelling. The roguelike gameplay perfectly weaves into the story's theme of being trapped in a time loop, and it's a great plot device for unraveling Selene's mysterious connection to the White Signal.

11 Final Fantasy XVI Combines The Dark Fantasy Of GoT With JRPGs

Square Enix's Final Fantasy XVI is the franchise's latest reinvention, putting a dark fantasy and action-RPG spin on its formula. The game revolves around Clive Rosfield as he struggles in a world suffering from a Blight draining the land's magical resources and the grim secret behind the Eikon beast he hosts.

Complemented by exhilarating combat, stunning boss fights, and fantastic voice acting, Final Fantasy XVI adopts a George R.R. Martin-like approach to storytelling. An investing cast and immersive worldbuilding lead to a branching and dramatic plot that's effectively "anime Game of Thrones" in the most affectionate way. FFXVI's DLC expansions — Echoes of the Fallen and The Rising Tide — flesh out this fascinating fantasy world and offer some challenging new combat sequences.

10 Cyberpunk 2077 Has Completed Its Redemption With Updates And DLC

Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way since its disastrous launch in 2020 thanks to CD Projekt Red's post-launch support. Set in a futuristic sci-fi dystopia, players assume the role of a mercenary dealing with the aftermath of a heist gone haywire and having a cybernetic chip implanted in them.

As an action RPG, Cyberpunk 2077 has now fully come into its own mechanically, technically, and even in terms of storytelling thanks to extensive updates and the recent DLC expansion. Players can explore a cyberpunk dystopia with compelling side quests and a gritty mainline story. Better still is the Phantom Liberty expansion, growing Night City's scope with a new area, intriguing characters, and an exciting spy-thriller plot.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077is anaction role-playing gameplayed from afirst-personperspective as V,a mercenary whose voice,face, hairstyle, body type andmodifications, background, and clothing are customisable.

Franchise

Platform(s)

PC , Xbox One , Stadia , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X

Released

December 10, 2020

Developer

See Also

PS5 exclusives: Every game released and confirmed so far

Publisher

Genre(s)

RPG , Action

Engine

REDengine 4

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

9 Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Is Another Elevation Of Superhero Stories In Gaming

The latest PS5 success story, Insomniac Games' Marvel's Spider-Man 2 explores this invigorating canon for the Wall-Crawler. Now with Peter Parker and Miles Morales as Spider-Men, the heroes face an onslaught of villains including Lizard, Venom, and Kraven, with the latter attempting to hunt them down to find prey worthy of his skills.

Taking a page from the milestone comic Kraven's Last Hunt by J. M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is a satisfying, tense, and inspired emotional journey for the game's dual protagonists. Maintaining an impressive balance, the main story and side adventures showcase Peter's and Miles' best characteristics.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Spider-Men, Peter Parker and Miles Morales, return for an exciting new adventure in the critically acclaimed Marvel's Spider-Man franchise.

Franchise

Spider-Man

Platform(s)

PS5

Released

October 20, 2023

Developer(s)

Insomniac Games

Publisher(s)

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Genre(s)

Open-World , Action-Adventure

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence

Prequel(s)

8 Ghost of Tsushima Is An Akira Kurosawa Throwback

Originally of the PS4's swansong titles, Sucker Punch Productions' Ghost of Tsushima was a triumphant return for the studio in gaming since 2014's Infamous First Light. Beginning in 1274 Japan, the samurai Jin Sakai must decide whether to honor his warrior's code or discard it to save his land from a Mongol invasion.

Similar to Guerilla Studios with the Horizon series, Ghost of Tsushima is an impressive show of versatility by Sucker Punch, demonstrating the team has the creative skills to pen a terrific modern-day Akira Kurosawa movie. The game's plot is well-acted and brilliantly framed thanks to its mesmerizing open world. It's bolstered by gameplay mechanics that make the players feel like they're choreographing a samurai film epic.

Ghost of Tsushima

The player controls Jin Sakai, asamuraion a quest to protectTsushima Islandduring thefirst Mongol invasion of Japan. Jin must choose between following the warrior code to fight honorably, or using practical but dishonorable methods of repelling the Mongols with minimal casualties.

Platform(s)

PS4 , PS5 , PC

Released

July 17, 2020

Developer(s)

Sucker Punch

Publisher(s)

Sony

Genre(s)

Action , Adventure

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity

7 Baldur's Gate 3 Is A Dungeons & Dragons Fantasy Epic

The CRPG subgenre has been making something of a comeback in recent years, but Larian Studios' Baldur's Gate 3 smashed all expectations. Players assume the role of their curated character — or an origin character — as they embark on a grand quest to discover the mystery behind a Mind Flayer invasion and the parasite they've been infected with.

With every act, Baldur's Gate 3 is a triumph in role-playing and storytelling, bringing the most accessible version of the Dungeons & Dragons experience without sacrificing gameplay depth. Thanks to the customization, the richness of the explorable locales, and compelling party members, this game will satisfy fantasy buffs craving a world with deep worldbuilding and thoughtful writing.

Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 is arole-playing video gamedeveloped and published by Larian Studios. It is the third main installment in the Baldur's Gate series.

Platform(s)

PC , Stadia , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X

Released

August 3, 2023

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Publisher(s)

Larian Studios

Genre(s)

RPG

Multiplayer

Engine

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

How Long To Beat

30 Hours

Prequel(s)

6 God Of War Ragnarök Finishes The Norse Saga In Dramatic Fashion

2018's God of War was one of the most acclaimed titles from the PS4 console generation, and Santa Monica Studio's Ragnarök was a worthy sequel. Directly depending on the events of its predecessor, the game follows Kratos and Atreus in the Scandinavian winter as they cope with the consequences of Baldur's death and the looming end-of-ages.

God of War Ragnarök shows Santa Monica Studio continuing the reinvention seen in its predecessor, adopting an intimately cinematic storytelling style that matches the more over-the-shoulder combat. It's a worthwhile approach, as it tells an inventive and sprawling Norse-inspired odyssey that closes this two-game story arc to dramatic effect.

God of War: Ragnarok

God of War: Ragnarok is the sequel to 2018's God of War and sees Kratos and Atreus return as Fimbulwinter begins to claim the Norse lands they call home. As Ragnarok, the great war approaches, Kratos and Atreus scour the nine realms in search of help to face off against Odin's might.

Franchise

God of War

Platform(s)

PS4 , PS5

Released

November 9, 2022

Developer(s)

Santa Monica Studio

Publisher(s)

Sony

Genre(s)

Action , Adventure

ESRB

M For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

How Long To Beat

26 Hours

Prequel(s)

5 Horizon Forbidden West Expands The Sci-Fi Dystopia's Scope

Guerilla Games managed to go from the first-person shooting of Killzone to open-world action RPGs in the Horizon series seamlessly. Horizon Forbidden West is the long-awaited sequel to the 2017 title, centering around Aloy's quest to venture out to the American west coast to find the source of a mysterious plague.

The original game was widely praised for its creative spin on sci-fi RPGs, combining prehistory aesthetics with sci-fi dystopia. Horizon Forbidden West expands on these aspects and the stories that come with it. It was a sequel worth the wait, as Aloy's story is fleshed out with breathtaking scope between the new villains, mystery, supporting cast, and the beautiful open-world sandbox they're set in.

Horizon Forbidden West

Join Aloy as she braves the Forbidden West – a majestic but dangerous frontier that conceals mysterious new threats.

Publisher

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Genre

Action, Adventure

Mode

Single-player

Platform

PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows

4 The Last Of Us Part I Preserves A Gripping Post-Apocalyptic Drama

Naughty Dog's original The Last of Us was a milestone title in the industry and the perfect coda for the PS3 generation, and the recent remake brings an already visual show-stopper of a game more in line mechanically with Part II. The Last of Us Part I retains the original's story, seeing the unlikely surrogate pairing of Joel and Ellie through an unforgiving zombie-ridden U.S.

The argument can certainly be made that the PS4 remaster still holds up, not needing a top-to-bottom remake, but The Last of Us Part I is a welcome way to play through one of the greatest dramas told in the medium. The initially cynical duo have enthralling personal journeys and a touching dynamic, all being the foundation for the gut-wrenching The Last of Us Part II.

The Last of Us

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, The Last of Us follows a hardened survivor and his allies, including an immune girl, Ellie, and a former soldier, Abby.

Created by

Neil Druckmann , Bruce Straley

First TV Show

The Last Of Us

First Episode Air Date

January 15, 2023

Cast

Pedro Pascal , Bella Ramsey , Nico Parker , Anna Torv

TV Show(s)

The Last Of Us

Video Game(s)

The Last of Us , The Last of Us Part I , The Last of Us Part II , The Last of Us: Remastered , The Last of Us: Left Behind

3 Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Is An Exciting Rendition Of An All-Time Classic

For over two decades, a remake of Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII felt elusive, but 2020's Remake was as warmly received. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the complete package for PS5, adapting and expanding upon the Midgar portion of the story following Cloud and Avalanche's quest to save the world from Shinra's destructive greed.

Instead of a 1:1 adaptation of the all-time PS1 classic, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the first in a trilogy of remakes, fleshing out the story and supporting characters of the original's early segments to intriguing effect. Now padded out with the DLC's Yuffie story, FFVIIR is a thrilling way to see these beloved characters realized graphically and with charming voice acting.

2 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Continues With Its Ambitious Retelling

After the agonizing wait for 2020's Final Fantasy Remake finally ended, fans are now immersing themselves in this expanded world with Rebirth. The game is set in the aftermath of the former's climactic and potentially universe-shifting events, as Cloud and company travel across the land to stop Shinra's schemes and prevent Sephiroth from ushering in an end-times event.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was received with widespread critical acclaim, with praises mainly directed toward its grand-scale story and invigorating combat. Fleshing out the original PS1 classic into a trilogy of remakes expanding on each key portion of its story was risky. However, it's a creative gamble that's paid off, with the larger world reimagined to a stunning degree and an even more polished combat system.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

9/ 10

Cloud and his comrades escape the city of Midgar in pursuit of the fallen hero, Sephiroth. As they travel across the world, they find themselves on a journey that will decide the fate of the planet

Franchise

Final Fantasy

Platform(s)

PlayStation 5

Released

February 29, 2024

Developer(s)

Square Enix

Developer

Publisher(s)

Square Enix

Genre(s)

RPG

Engine

ESRB

T for Teen

How Long To Beat

Prequel(s)

1 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Is Theatrical Storytelling Quality

Respawn Entertainment's Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was a thankful return to form after a string of gaming disappointments, and Jedi: Survivor built on its predecessor's strengths. Cal Kestis and the rest continue the fight against the Empire in their own ways before coming back together to face a unified conflict stemming from the history of the High Republic.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor brings classic theatrical production values and storytelling to gaming, with Cal and his companions developed much deeper as investing characters. Punctuated by cathartic and versatile lightsaber combat, Jedi: Survivor is an excellent tale from the galaxy far, far away on its own terms and connecting to the wider, expansive lore.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Franchise

Star Wars

Platform(s)

PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X

Released

April 28, 2023

Developer(s)

Respawn Entertainment

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Genre(s)

Action-Adventure , Soulslike

ESRB

T For Teen due to Mild Language, Violence