2021 looks set to be an incredible year for PS5 and the sweet exclusive games line up so we thought “why not put seven of the most sought after” in a nice ‘lil’ list for your convenience.
The pattern from last generation has continued with Sony reaping the benefits of consistent investment in their first and second-party studios.
So far we’ve had Demon’s Souls Remake and Spider-Man Miles Morales launch on the PS5. But, 2021 is the year where we’ll get fresh new IP for 9th-gen systems.
So, let’s start, shall we?
DEATHLOOP – May 21 – Timed PS5 Exclusive
Developed by Arkane Studios, the makers of the Dishonored series, comes their latest first-person action game that is similar in style to the aforementioned Dishonored.
It’s curious, however, that Arkane Studios – which is part of the recently acquired Bethesda Softworks – is now owned by Microsoft but still developing DEATHLOOP as a timed exclusive. With one year of exclusivity, DEATHLOOP is another reason to own a PS5 in 2021
You play as an assassin trapped in a time loop as you try to track down 8 targets all the while yourself being hunted by another assassin. Multiplayer is also a focus with players able to invade another players game and wreak havoc.
God Of War: Ragnarok – 2021 – PS5 Exclusive?
2021 is currently all the information we have about the next entry in the God of War series. In fact, we’re presuming it’s called God of War: Ragnarok because the reveal said ‘Ragnarok is coming’. I would also say that this is very a tentative release window given that God of War only released in 2018.
If you played through to the end credits on GoW 2018, you’ll know that Thor shows up to confront Kratos at his house before it cuts to black. GoW 2018 was a beautiful game on even the base PS4 so I can’t wait to see what Sony Santa Monica does with the PS5 and that ultra high-speed SSD. I’m also certain that they’ll get some pretty incredible use out of the new Dualsense controller.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart – 2021 – PS5 Exclusive
Would it really be a PlayStation console without a brand new Ratchet and Clank game? Following on from 2016’s movie tie-in entry, we get a brand new instalment with a story all of its own. Sony are certainly putting Insomniac Games to work after acquiring the studio last year. In a little over two years they will have released Marvel’s Spider-Man, Spider-Man Miles Morales, and a new Ratchet and Clank. Talk about $200+ million well spent.
This is the first next-gen game that I’ve seen that just would not be possible on PS4 hardware. Only with the SSD inside the PS5 can you jump through different portals in an instant. We Also get the first look at another lombax in the initial reveal.
Horizon II: Forbidden West – 2021
Following on from 2017’s classic Horizon Zero Dawn, Amsterdam-based, Guerrilla Games unveiled Horizon Forbidden West at the PS5 reveal back in June. The Killzone developer certainly shocked this writer with the quality of Horizon Zero Dawn on PS4. It just goes to show what a developer who was known for one franchise, can do when given the freedom to try something new.
According to Sony, Forbidden West will be coming to both PS4 and PS5 so we’ll just have to wait and see if that affects the scope of the PS5 version. Again, I’m sure Guerrilla will use the Dualsense controllers haptic feedback and adaptive triggers insanely well. Finger cramps galore.
Gran Turismo 7 – 2021 – PS5 Exclusive
The iconic driving sim, Gran Turismo is coming to PS5 in 2021. So far we’ve seen one demo of gameplay back in June. We all know that racing games are one of the genres that really show off the graphical prowess of new hardware, and GT 7 is no different.
The addition of ray-traced reflections will only heighten the realism for players as you enjoy buttery smooth 4K60 gameplay. The Gran Turismo series does seem to take an age in development so while this is currently slated for 2021, who knows if it gets pushed to 2022.
KENA: BRIDGE OF SPIRITS
Initially pencilled in as a launch game for PS5, it was pushed back until the first quarter of 2021. By the looks of it, Sony are trying to Devon their own Legend of Zelda-style game. It certainly is a visually stunning game and has a very similar art design to Pixar films.
Developed by Ember Labs, this indie looks like being a fan-favourite when it does eventually release on PS5, PS4 and PC. While it’s also coming to PS4 and PC, I expect/hope the premier version will be on the PS5.
Returnal – March 19 – PS5 Exclusive
From the makers of PS4 launch classic, Resogun, comes Housemarque‘s latest title, Returnal. It’s certainly a game on a much bigger scale than 2013’s Resogun. It probably is coming in under the radar when you compare it to other PS5 exclusive games in 2021.
While the gunplay and animation doesn’t quite look on the level of a big-budget AAA title, it certainly looks like it’d be worth of a pickup in March.
So there you have it. The 7 PS5 exclusive games that I am looking forward to the most in 2021. Let’s not forget that there’s a tonne of great third-party games in the works and I’m sure PS5 owners will get some exclusive content from them. If you haven’t been fortunate enough to secure a PS5 yet, be sure to check out our review of the console and why we think it’s the only truly next-gen experience.