The stage is finally set for the next generation of consoles, with the PS5 and Xbox Series X finally showing off some of the best upcoming games. In particular for PS5, which had remained mostly a mystery until the reveal in June, it's good to finally see the first-party titles coming to the console. Whether it's a Horizon or Ratchet & Clank sequel, or something brand new like Project Athia or Godfall, there's tons of exciting games coming to Sony's next PlayStation
Even more surprising is the sheer amount of games already confirmed for the PS5's launch this holiday. While console generations in the past had some sparse lineups and lack of third party titles coming, the PS5 is already looking stacked with games that'll be available immediately. Here are all the launch titles for PS5 to get excited for.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales
One of the more surprising reveals during the PS5's event was Spider-Man: Miles Morales, a standalone game in the same universe as the PS4's Spider-Man. While it's not a numbered sequel per se, the game fits players into the shoes of a new Spider-Man with the titular Miles Morales. A fan favorite character whose powers were teased at the end of Marvel's Spider-Man, players will explore a New York winter and stop a new threat while Peter Parker is otherwise indisposed. The Miles Morales trailer teases some new gameplay possibilities, including Miles' signature "Venom Strike" electric attack and camouflage ability. While there's not much known about who the new threat to New York is, Miles is going to get his own time to shine as the iconic web-slinging hero.
Godfall
Revealed during the Game Awards last year, Godfall will be bringing its "looter-slasher" fantasy epic to PS5 this holiday. Players take on the role of Valorian knights, who utilize legendary weapons and armor gathered throughout the world to take on various monsters and foes. Each knight combines various melee and magical abilities together to become an "unstoppable master of melee combat," with various weapons and Valorplate armor pieces to customize someone's particular playstyle. This is all in service to beating the mad god Macros, who's taken over the kingdom of Aperion and the elemental realms. Combining MMO-style loot grinding with an action-RPG combat system, Godfall could scratch the itch of players who want satisfying melee combat paired with comprehensive character progression.
Deathloop
While Deathloop was initially revealed with a flashy trailer during last year's E3, the PS5 reveal finally showed off gameplay of its unique shooter with some Edge of Tomorrow flair. Players live out a messed up Groundhog Day fantasy where they continually fight to survive the never-ending battle of assassin vs. assassin. Gameplay is an interesting meld between Dishonored and BioShock, mixing shooting mechanics with diverse supernatural abilities to take out enemies on the island of Blackreef. All the while, the main character "Colt" is trying to escape from the clutches of "Jules," who's trying to take him down. Players are able to employ precision and style as they attempt to discover how to escape the endless loop of death and rebirth.
NBA 2K21
As per usual, like many other sports games, another annual issue of NBA 2K is coming with the launch of PS5. While the NBA has been in kind of a holding pattern with the pandemic and social distancing guidelines, 2K will still be on track for release this holiday. Even though there may not be a whole new selection of prospective rookies on each team, expect an updated roster along with returning modes like MyCareer and MyLeague. 2K was also teasing something new with the athletes on social media, so there may be something brand new coming to NBA 2K this holiday.
Bugsnax
Perhaps one of the strangest demos during the PS5 reveal, Bugsnax is a unique and strange game coming to PS5 at launch. One-part fever dream, one-part hunger-induced hallucination, Bugsnax is a living and breathing world of edible creatures based on the delicacies of real life. From the creators of Octodad comes a strange adventure through this food-themed wilderness full of unique and highly snackable creatures. Players' limbs, appendages, and physical appearance changes by collecting and eating different food creatures around the world. There's also some elements of meeting and hanging out with friends in a community.
Jett: The Far Shore
Among the indie games shown during the PS5 reveal was Jett: The Far Shore, a science fiction space adventure all about exploring and finding a suitable haven for humanity on a new planet. Sort of like a giant space odyssey, Jett: The Far Shore tasks players with exploring the cosmos to find a suitable home planet for a small group of humanity's survivors. Players discover a "mythic ocean planet on the far shore of a sea of stars," looking to find a sanctuary for people on the verge of extinction. Gameplay involves the two characters, Mei and Jett, investigating the terrain of this mysterious planet that seems to be broadcasting a signal to the stars.
Chivalry 2
From those who are fans of Mordhau from last year, the PS5 will bring Chivalry 2 at launch, a sequel to the highly popular first game. Chivalry 2 is very much the medieval warfare of its predecessor pumped up to 11, except with all players this time. The PS5 trailer confirmed that Chivalry 2 will launch with full cross-play between PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Players choose their classes to battle in giant multiplayer medieval sieges full of absurdity and gore. This time around, players have access to tons of new attacks, mobility, equipment, and more.
Dirt 5
Actually first shown off during Xbox's third-party presentation, Dirt 5 brings back the iconic Colin McRae-inspired rally experience for the next generation of consoles. Dirt 5 will also launch with PS5 and bring with it an entirely new, revamped career mode that prominently features characters by Nolan North and Troy Baker. Dirt 5 will also bring back split-screen multiplayer thanks to the resources of the PS5. Fans who want a bit of rallycross inspired racing should keep an eye out for Dirt 5 this fall.
Astro's Playroom
A spin-off title based on the PSVR game, Astro's Playroom is a 3D platformer game based on the world off Astro Bot Rescue Mission. Each world in Astro's Playroom is supposedly "based on PS5's console components." All four of the worlds will serve as showcases for the capabilities of the new DualSense PS5 controller. More importantly, Astro's Playroom will be absolutely free and pre-installed on each PS5 machine for players to check out on the PS5's launch.
Madden 21
Also announced during Xbox's conference, Madden 21 makes the series' debut on next-gen hardware this holiday. Much like 2K, don't expect a whole lot of new faces thanks to the pause on American sports with the state of the world. That being said, there's not a whole lot known about Madden 21 other than Lamar Jackson is the cover athlete this year. Additionally, a first look gameplay preview was planned for June 1, but was delayed due to Black Lives Matter protests across the nation.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2
Fans of the original cult classic Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines have been waiting a long time for a sequel, and now seems to be the time. Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, returning with an awfully creepy but appropriate trailer, will be releasing day one for PS5. Players will likely be on a similar mission to entice humans and get to feeding as the proper vampires they are, though it seems the scope of decisions and consequences you can experience seems grander.
Observer: System Redux
Of course it wouldn't be a new generation without several remasters and re-releases. One in particular is the niche cyberpunk horror title of Observer, which saw good success on PS4 with its original release, and is now being enhanced for next-gen consoles. Players discover the horrors of a hyper-connected, cyber-enhanced world and what that can do to people. For those looking for cyberpunk media outside of Cyberpunk 2077, this could at least provide a new take on the cyberpunk genre that's more horror-focused.
Rainbow Six Siege
Along with re-releases and remasters, the incredibly popular Rainbow Six Siege will see new life on PS5 at launch as well. Ever since Siege went through a serious route of changes in 2016, the game's popularity surged amongst both competitive esports players and casual players. Consistent balance updates, cracking down on cheaters, and beginning a seasonal model of content went a long way towards making the Rainbow Six Siege experience more fun for fans. And its shown, considering the game continues to push past concurrent playerbase records.
Outriders
Similar in vein to Destiny and Anthem, Square Enix and People Can Fly have partnered together to produce Outriders, a new sci-fi MMO shooter coming to PS5 on launch. Gameplay is a third-person hero shooter filled with all sorts of loot and creepy looking monsters based on the fictional planet of Enoch. Each character gets access to magical abilities thanks to "The Anomaly" cataclysmic event that gifts elemental powers to each player's character(s). While the game will also be releasing for the PS4/Xbox One, next-generation versions will receive hardware-specific visual and performance upgrades.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Also another game that will be cross-generational is Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the next semi-annual release from the popular history-trotting adventure of Assassin's Creed. Players will be finally visiting the world of Vikings, as Eivor fights to conquer the tyranny of medieval England and find peace for their community. Along with the iconic hidden blade finally making its return, players will find that the familiar naval combat and exploration returns with Viking flavor in Valhalla. Despite being a cross-generational release, Assassin's Creed Valhalla currently has all versions of the game slated for holiday 2020.
The PS5 releases Holiday 2020.
