Best Sci-Fi Games on PS5

10. Death Stranding Director's Cut (PS5)

Death Stranding Director's Cut takes the truly unique "strand game" adventure and dials things up a notch for PS5. Hideo Kojima and his team created a haunting and strange world with the original game, tasking players with traversing a desolate and dangerous landscape to make deliveries. It shouldn't work, but it does — every step you take can be a risk, and this need to watch your footing is an interesting way to create tension, especially when those nasty BTs show up. Director's Cut enhances the experience with improved graphics and performance, DualSense support, 3D audio, and a range of new content.

9. Alan Wake 2 (PS5)

Remedy Entertainment has followed up on the beloved Alan Wake with a more-than-worthy sequel. Alan Wake 2 goes all-in on survival horror, but it also goes all-in on Remedy's particular brand of weird, blending live action with gameplay, taking unexpected turns, and making lots of creative risks. The result is an atmospheric, unpredictable, and fascinating game of two halves. Whether you're playing as Saga Anderson in the real world or Alan in the dark place, it remains captivating throughout — and looks incredible to boot.

8. Split Fiction (PS5)

Following up the beloved It Takes Two, Split Fiction is another co-op action adventure in much the same vein, but it's a big step up. Featuring simple and smooth controls at its core, this game focuses on two aspiring writers who get stuck in a simulation of their own stories, resulting in a wildly varied quest through sci-fi and fantasy worlds. The pace at which it presents you with new ideas, breathless set-pieces, and ingenious co-op moments is unparalleled, culminating in a finale that's unlike anything we've seen before in a game. This is arguably the best co-op experience on PS5, and it's one of 2025's top titles full stop.

7. Returnal (PS5)

Not that it needed to, but with Returnal, Housemarque has proven itself an incredibly capable studio. This PS5 exclusive is a frantic, ultra-tight third person shooter dressed up with some rogue-like elements to add variety and unpredictability to the mix, and the result is wonderful.

Trapped in a loop on a hostile alien world, Selene is forced to relive her fateful crash landing each time she dies. There's an amazing sense of accomplishment as you slowly progress through challenging boss encounters and explore six diverse environments full of randomised weapons, perks, and power-ups. It feels amazing to play, especially with amazing support for the DualSense's features, and the addictive gameplay is complemented by an enigmatic story that will leave you guessing.

The best part is that's just the start. A slew of additional modes flesh out Returnal, giving you a few extra ways to play when you're done with the single player campaign. The daily challenge mode provides all players with a fixed loadout and room layouts, with the goal of amassing the highest score possible by exploring and playing skilfully. Beyond that is the Tower of Sisyphus, an endless arcade mode that similarly tasks you with getting the highest score you can, only there's more of a sense of urgency. You're rewarded not just for skilled play but for fast play — your multiplier will start to tick down if you loiter for too long. The Tower also contains additional story, adding more layers to the mysterious narrative the main game offers.

Finally, there's two-player online co-op. This allows you to join or invite another player and go through the main campaign with a companion, potentially alleviating some of the challenge. While it isn't the primary focus of Returnal, the co-op works splendidly; resources are shared between you, forcing you to make decisions on who gets what, and a revival mechanic lets you bring each other back into the fight. It's just as much fun taking on the world of Atropos with a friend as it is alone, if not more so.

Whether you're in it for the world class gameplay, the atmospheric sci-fi setting, the intentionally mysterious story, or the variety of extra modes, Returnal is among the most robust, rewarding, and addictive games on PS5.

6. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (PS5)

There's no denying that Final Fantasy VII Remake is one of the best Final Fantasy games in years, and Intergrade is the icing on the cake. Yes, it's only one part of the story, and yes, a few of the, er, changes are going to annoy some fans forevermore, but there's a healthy helping of Final Fantasy VII magic at the heart of Remake. Whether it's in the way that the characters have been re-realised or the outstanding boss fights (and excellent combat system), charging through Remake is a rewarding experience — especially if you're big on nostalgia.

5. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PS5)

Up until Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart released, Insomniac Games’ dynamic duo had been wilting in the wilderness a little bit. The PS4 reboot, Ratchet & Clank, was well-received – but it felt lightweight compared to classic series entries, like Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time. Fortunately, while Rift Apart doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel, it does deliver the series’ first full-scale adventure in well over a generation. This is a game that feels great to play, thanks in part to stunning DualSense integration and some of the glitziest special effects this side of the galaxy. It’s a little more throwaway than many of the PS5’s other exclusives, but its thoroughly entertaining while it lasts, and the introduction of new characters like Rivet mean there’s a lot of life left in this series yet.

4. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PS5)

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a direct sequel to Final Fantasy 7 Remake, as Cloud and the gang embark on their post-Midgar adventure. Featuring open world areas, there's a much greater emphasis on exploration, and while the core story of Final Fantasy 7 does take a backseat for a lot of the game, there's an enjoyable focus on character interactions. What's more, Rebirth is utterly stuffed with things to see and do. Side quests, minigames, treasure hunts — it's a massive release, and although we'd argue that it feels a bit bloated at times, there's no questioning the amount of effort Square Enix poured into this second part of the trilogy.

3. Horizon Forbidden West (PS5)

The sequel to Guerrilla Games' breakout hit, Horizon Zero Dawn, is bigger and better than its immediate predecessor in every single way. Horizon Forbidden West may retread familiar territory with its open world RPG adventure, but it improves upon the writing, introducing a worthwhile cast of characters for heroine Aloy to bounce off. New combat and exploration wrinkles, including a grappling hook, intensify the action, while the eponymous Forbidden West is a diverse sandbox, bursting with varied biomes and secrets to discover.

2. Dead Space (PS5)

One of EA's best-loved games returns with this PS5 remake of Dead Space. Retelling the original story of Isaac Clarke exploring the decimated corridors of the USG Ishimura, this updated version is more than just a fresh coat of paint. On top of modern visuals, the remake turns the ship into one interconnected environment, expands many areas, adds voice acting for Isaac, and more. Aside from all that, this is the same great Dead Space you remember — intense atmosphere, unique enemies and weapons, and a memorable story.

1. Astro Bot (PS5)

Building upon the great foundations laid in Astro's Playroom, Astro Bot is the full-blown 3D platformer the little robot deserves. It's an explosion of creativity and fun; there is something new to discover in practically every level, and all of it is purpose built to put a smile on your face. Not only is it bursting with imagination, it's also executed brilliantly. The controls are spot on, every new mechanic and power-up is fun to use, and it's all presented with incredibly sharp visuals and flawless performance. The icing on the cake is its celebration of PlayStation's past 30 years, with delightful nods to hundreds of classics. We can't recommend this highly enough.