The future is fantastically bright when it comes to forthcoming games hitting PlayStation 5, with the likes of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Persona 4 Revival due for 2027. Too far out? Don’t worry, we’ve got the perfect tonic of 19 titles that are a bit closer to home, giving you plenty of excuses to get a PS5 now in readiness for the gaming experiences to come.
Halo: Campaign Evolved – July 28
There are a handful of sci-fi classics in gaming, and it’s hard to dispute Halo’s claim among them. Making its PlayStation debut with style, Halo: Campaign Evolved is the ideal introduction to iconic super soldier Master Chief. This Combat Evolved remake comes locked and loaded with upgraded presentation, extra and redesigned missions, and a flood of changes to bring in some of the series’ more popular elements, covering lore, movement, and additional weapons. Not to mention the four-player online co-op, two-player couch co-op, and more.
Beast of Reincarnation – August 4
Personally speaking, there aren’t enough games out there which blend traditional mythology with science fiction, so it’s refreshing to see Game Freak do exactly that with its impressive looking action RPG. Set in the plagued post-apocalyptic ruins of Japan during 4026, blighted outcast Emma and somewhat disturbing canine Koo are humanity’s remaining hope. Seeking out the source of the corruption – the titular Beast of Reincarnation – means exploring a world of mystery, and combining Emma and Koo’s abilities in an intriguing mixture of real time sword-wielding combat and turn-based style commands to unleash the beautiful but blighted pooch.
Big Walk – August 4
It shouldn’t be any surprise that the developer behind Untitled Goose Game has followed it up with a title as wonderfully weird looking as Big Walk. Challenging players to travel through an open world environment might sound a little odd, but when it requires co-op teamwork and communicating via singing, codes, and gesturing by using L2 and R2 to move the characters arms, the charm instantly becomes clear. Up to 12 players can take part in this rather unique puzzle driven, multiplayer only adventure. The game will also be available as part of the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup at launch.
MARVEL Tokon: Fighting Souls – August 6
Flashy fast-paced fighting, iconic comic book characters, and a vibrant anime-inspired art style? As combos go, Arc System Works’ spectacular tag-based fighter already has the moves to satisfy both fans of the genre and Marvel buffs.
Each of the 20 playable base heroes and villains – ranging from Black Panther and Doctor Doom, to Spider-Man and Carnage – possess unique abilities that makes each of the 4v4 fights an impressive spectacle, for up to 64 players in its online lobby. And don’t worry if you’re new to this type of action, as MARVEL Tokon: Fighting Souls promises both an intuitive tutorial, a single-player mode that helps you learn more about the mechanics, and the option to make inputs and chain combos easier.
Metal Gear Solid: Collection Master Vol. 2 – August 27
Snake? You bet. Continuing its essential compilation of the legendary stealth series, Konami’s second package brings together Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, and Metal Gear: Ghost Babel. A fine assortment of slick Snake action, which sneakily packs in a selection of extras and bonuses, including a master book detailing the games’ story and characters, and the ability to receive in-game items if you have any save data stored from Metal Gear Solid: Collection Master Vol. 1.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy – August 27
A Plague Tale’s intense mixture of action adventure, stealth, and history takes a slightly different route in this third instalment, set 15 years before Requiem. This time developer Asobo Studio puts you in the hands of capable plunderer Sophia in a tale touching on the mythological, as she attempts to survive the deadly traps, puzzles and beasts of Minotaur Island, all while a brutal army gives chase.
Star Wars Zero Company – August 27
Bit Reactor and Respawn Entertainment flipped on the hyperdrive to bring us back to the Clone Wars era for this turn-based tactics title, which means you better get ready for more mercenaries, misfits, and astromechs. This gritty sci-fi strategy features an original tale where you can deploy a team selected from a variety of archetypes, including Jedi and blaster wielding scoundrels, and put them on the battlefield in the valiant mission to keep the galaxy safe. Your deployed troops can also form bonds which unlock devastating combat synergies that might be able to force any issue…
The Blood of Dawnwalker – September 3
Rebel Wolves’ dark fantasy action RPG has been turning heads since its unveiling. But even with the revelation of its expansive choice and consequence system, bloody swords and magic combat, and richly populated 14th-century kingdom of Vale Sangora, there’s still clearly more hiding within its shadowy corners. Vampires both literal and metaphorical bleed against this tale of morals and family, as you’ve given just 30 days to save the family of Coen, who is also dealing with a mysterious variant of the bloodsucking curse.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword – September 4
Capcom’s sword-swinging, soul-stealing, supernatural epic is back. Set in the early Edo period of Kyoto, as lone samurai Musashi you’re tasked with slicing through human enemies and the demonic Genma, using powerful sword stances and extraordinary abilities granted by the legendary Oni Gauntlet. A staggering variety of attacks, parries, and combos are a big feature, but the ability to use the environment during combat to fight dirty is a particularly fun addition.
Marvel’s Wolverine – September 15
Insomniac Games knows how to make hard-hitting comic book action adventures, so it should be no surprise that one of the most anticipated titles of this year features everyone’s favourite razor-clawed Canadian. This all-new story has Wolverine slicing and dicing his way across the globe to help free his fellow mutants, teaming up with some familiar faces, including Jean Grey, Sabretooth, and Mystique. Brutal combat, unforgettable set pieces and a healing factor that just won’t quit? Sounds about right, bub.
Control Resonant – September 24
Stepping away from the third-person shooter genre of its forbearer, this follow up to Remedy’s popular sci-fi thriller takes its cues from action RPGs. Former Federal Bureau of Control captive Dylan Faden desperately needs to find his sister – and FBC Director – Jesse in order to truly find himself. Wielding his shapeshifting weapon, the Aberrant, to fashion everything from blades to a colossal hammer, Dylan’s quest to help save Manhattan from paranatural annihilation means unnerving enemies, physics defying exploration, and cosmic horror are all certainties.
Silent Hill: Townfall – September 24
Did someone say “unnerving enemies?” A return to Silent Hill is all that and more, as Simon Ordell’s 1996 trek through the Scottish island of St. Amelia throws you into an intimately first-person horror story of loss and consequences. Sure, you have a selection of melee weapons and firearms, but stealth, distractions, and puzzle solving are the only true ways to survive the psychological terrors that await.
Rayman Legends Retold – October 1
Reimagining the fan-favourite action platformer Rayman Legends is a big undertaking, but Ubisoft clearly relishes the challenge with its vibrant 3D visuals, fully voiced cinematics, gameplay tweaks, and additional levels. Fancy bouncing through the Glade of Dreams with up to three of your couch co-op friends? What about a few rounds of the revised football inspired and revamped mini-game Kung Foot?
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve – October 2
Combat flight sims don’t come much more loaded than Bandai Namco’s long-running series. Deadly dogfights partner with first-person cinematic sequences to play out a story which can change based on your actions across the skies. The introduction of an online lobby also signals the largest multiplayer mode of the series to date, with co-op missions, cross-platform play, and up to eight players for competitive combat.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer – October 6
The Star Wars title that took everyone by surprise when it was first unveiled, Galactic Racer has since only gained even more momentum since. Although set in the post Return of the Jedi ‘New Republic’ era, the story driven racing game features characters and customizable vehicles spanning as far back as the prequels, set across planetary favourites such as Jakku and Tatooine. And you can also go for a star lit spin in an online multiplayer mode for up to 12 players, too.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse – October 15
When malevolent forces threaten eternal darkness, House Belmont answers with a wild whip of retribution. This collaboration between Evil Empire, Motion Twin, and Konami blends the smooth action of Dead Cells with the ever-expansive lore and style of Castlevania for a classic side-scrolling adventure full of traps, secrets, and monstrous foes. Set in a besieged medieval Paris and taking place two decades after the events of Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse and the recent animated series, expect plenty of crafty platforming, spectacular combat, and the constantly surprising level design we all love the series for.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 – October 23
The iconic shooter slides a new era into its crosshairs, with its campaign mode set across the Korean Peninsula in a war between North and South Korea. The story’s emotional firefight is flanked by an expansive multiplayer mode of 12 new 6v6 maps, both large and close-quarters – but the new Kill Block map is sure to get the blood pumping, with its constantly changing layouts. Let’s not forget DMZ, where up to 20 squads of up to three players get to duke it out in a living sandbox environment.
Phantom Blade Zero – October 29
Folk horror, fantasy, and wuxia combine for a flashy action RPG featuring fast-paced combat in a dark semi-open world. The fusion of machinery and martial arts inspired by the Golden Age of Hong Kong action films fashions what the developer calls Kungfupunk, as you take an assassin named Soul, who only has 66 days left to live, on a rampaging quest of revenge. Look for a dedicated State of Play coming later this summer.
Grand Theft Auto VI – November 19
You might have heard of this one. Rockstar Games’ open-world juggernaut is nearly here. We can’t wait to see what awaits Jason and Lucia on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America when the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series yet arrives on November 19.
You probably have even more games which are knocking on the door to be played on your PS5 in the coming months – why not tell us what you’re looking forward to enjoying later this year?
