Best Games to Play on PS5: Free, Cheap and Co-op Picks

The PS5 library has reached the point where the problem is not finding something good, it is choosing. This guide is the fast version: the best games to play on PS5 right now, sorted by budget, player count and the kind of night you are planning. Every pick is judged on whether it is fun on its own terms, with real entry costs so you can compare before you buy.

Last updated: June 22, 2026. Prices checked: June 2026. Sources: Steam, Epic, publisher pages and partner stores. We refresh prices and sale notes regularly.

Best picks at a glance

• Best free: Fortnite and Rocket League (battle royale and rocket-powered football, both around £0)
• Best cheap: Lies of P or Stellar Blade when on sale (often under £30 in 2026)
• Best premium: Astro Bot (the PS5 showcase platformer)
• Best single-player epic: God of War Ragnarok
• Best RPG: Baldur's Gate 3 (also the best cross-platform pick)
• Best for 2 players: It Takes Two
• Best for 3-4 players: Helldivers 2
• Best for 5+ / big groups: Fortnite
• Best horror: Alan Wake 2 or Resident Evil 4
• Best racing: Gran Turismo 7

Quick list

Best games to play on PS5 by category

Best single-player showcases Sony built its reputation on big, cinematic, one-player adventures, and the PS5 generation is full of them. God of War Ragnarok is the obvious headliner: a long, polished journey with combat that stays fresh right into the credits. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has the most satisfying movement in the genre, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart shows off the SSD with level transitions that happen mid-jump. Horizon Forbidden West rounds it out with one of the prettiest open worlds on the system. If you only buy one game to prove the hardware was worth it, Astro Bot is the pick, a joyful platformer that uses the DualSense controller better than anything else out there.

Best RPGs For deep role-playing, Baldur's Gate 3 is the headline act and works brilliantly solo or in co-op. Elden Ring is the other essential, an open world that rewards curiosity and punishes carelessness in equal measure. Final Fantasy XVI leans hard into action spectacle, while Cyberpunk 2077 has grown into a genuinely great open-world RPG after years of patches and a strong expansion. Want more like these? Our best RPGs hub tracks prices across stores so you can grab them on sale.

Best horror PS5 horror runs from blockbuster to wonderfully weird. Resident Evil 4 is a masterclass remake that balances action and dread without losing the original's charm. Alan Wake 2 is slower, stranger and far more cinematic. For short, sharp scares on a small budget, Emily Wants To Play and No Players Online both deliver jolts without a big time commitment. More picks live in our horror hub.

Best racing and casual Gran Turismo 7 is the flagship driving sim, dense with cars, tracks and tuning options, and it supports up to two players in split-screen plus a huge online scene. If you prefer arcade chaos over simulation, Rocket League scratches a similar itch for free, and its short matches make it perfect for filling fifteen spare minutes. For lower-key evenings, the PS Store is full of cosy puzzle and casual titles worth comparing before you buy.

Best co-op and multiplayer on PS5

Best for 2 players It Takes Two is the easy recommendation, a full co-op adventure designed start to finish for two people, with a Friend's Pass so only one of you needs to own a copy. Returnal also added a two-player online mode for its roguelike runs if you both want something genuinely tough.

Best for 3-4 players Helldivers 2 is the standout: four-player squads, friendly fire left on, and missions that fall apart in the best possible way. Baldur's Gate 3 supports up to four players for a full campaign, and Elden Ring lets you summon friends for co-op boss runs when a wall gets too hard.

Best for 5+ / big groups For a crowd, free-to-play wins. Fortnite handles up to 100 players and reinvents itself every season, so there is always a reason to come back. Rocket League fills the gap for quick 3v3 or 4v4 matches when not everyone wants a long session.

Best couch co-op Local play is thinner on PS5 than it used to be, but It Takes Two still leads for two people on one couch. For a budget couch brawler, Foul Play is a side-scrolling co-op throwback worth a look. PATAPON 1+2 REPLAY is a great pass-the-pad rhythm pick for shorter sessions.

Best cross-platform If your friends are split across systems, prioritise games with crossplay. Baldur's Gate 3, Helldivers 2, Fortnite and Rocket League all let PS5 players group up with PC and other consoles. Lost in Play is a charming single-player adventure available across PS5, PC and Switch if you want the same play experience on every device you own. Yooka-Replaylee is the updated 3D platformer landing across all the major systems too, so it travels well between households.

Honourable / adjacent picks These do not all run natively on PS5, but they are worth comparing in our catalog if you also play on PC or want them on a future device:

• People Playground: a brilliant physics sandbox, but PC only.
• The Cat Games: cosy, casual fun, currently PC.
• Koi-Koi Japan: authentic hanafuda card play, PC.
• These sit here because they only loosely fit a 'play on PS5' list. Check the full catalog for the latest platform and price.

FAQ

What is the best PS5 game right now? For most players, Astro Bot is the best all-round PS5 game, since it is short enough to finish, endlessly inventive and shows off the hardware in every level. If you want something longer, God of War Ragnarok and Elden Ring are the safe, high-value picks.

What are the best free games to play on PS5? Fortnite and Rocket League are the two big free options, both with crossplay and constant updates. Keep an eye on our giveaways page for limited-time free downloads and the monthly PS Plus line-up.

What is the best co-op game on PS5? It Takes Two for two players and Helldivers 2 for three or four. Both are built around teamwork rather than bolting it on, and It Takes Two only needs one copy thanks to its Friend's Pass.

Which PS5 games are best for couples or two players? It Takes Two is purpose-built for two and forgiving for less experienced players. Returnal's two-player mode is a tougher option if you both enjoy a real challenge.

Are there good cheap PS5 games? Yes. Lies of P, Stellar Blade and Resident Evil 4 all drop well below launch price during sales, often under £30 in 2026. Watch our deals page so you catch them at the bottom of the curve.

How much should I spend on a new PS5 game? New first-party releases usually launch around £59.99 to £69.99, but many of the best games to play on PS5 settle between £30 and £45 once they have been out a year. Patience and price comparison save real money.

Do I need PS Plus to play these? You need a PS Plus subscription for online multiplayer in most games, including Helldivers 2 and Fortnite's team modes. Single-player picks like God of War Ragnarok and Elden Ring need no subscription at all.

What is the best horror game on PS5? Resident Evil 4 if you want polished action horror, Alan Wake 2 if you want atmosphere and story. For quick budget frights, try short indies like Emily Wants To Play.

Where to buy and compare Prices move constantly, especially around seasonal sales. Before you commit to any pick above, run it through our price-comparison catalog to see store prices side by side, and check current deals for anything already discounted.

Whatever kind of night you are planning, there is a PS5 game above for it, free, cheap or full-price showcase. Start with the at-a-glance box, then compare prices in our catalog and scan the latest deals so you never overpay.

Alex, Scout Team