One of PlayStation 5’s most attractive features is its offer of a ready-to-go library – the PlayStation Plus Collection. The set of twenty is included as a bonus with an active PS+ subscription and each game can be downloaded to your PS5.
Here is our list of nine essential titles that represent the collection best. It might help you decide which games your time and storage space are worth investing in first.
Monster Hunter: World
For years Monster Hunter was something of a cult classic. A beloved series with a small, yet strong, fanbase that loved the breath-taking monsters, unique gameplay mechanics and epic combat the franchise presented. When Monster Hunter: World was announced at E3 2017, the fandom was divided between those who were excited at this new game with its higher-quality renditions of beloved monsters, and those who were worried that this attempt to break into the mainstream gaming audience would a death sentence for all that made the series so beloved.
Thankfully, the game was far from that and has been a huge success and remains played and supported to this day. Whether playing solo or with friends, Monster Hunter: World promises to be a challenging and engaging experience worthy of your time.
Persona 5
Persona 5 had a lot of hype to live up to, being originally announced for a 2014 release and eventually coming out in 2016 for Japan and 2017 globally. The success the game, and the series itself, has seen as a result speaks for itself.
This title deserves to showcase itself on PlayStation Plus Collection. With unique and engaging environments in the forms of the palaces that make up the game’s dungeons, a plethora of RPG mechanics and an enticing set of storylines, Persona 5 is a lengthy, yet fulfilling gaming experience that promises to take your gaming heart.
The Last of Us Remastered
Controversy surrounding the sequel aside, The Last of Us is still a phenomenal game that is absolutely worth your time. The third-person action-adventure game will entice you with its deep and gritty gameplay as well as its beautiful and emotionally compelling storyline.
The Last of Us: Part II may have divided fans but Joel and Ellie’s adventure across post-apocalyptic America is decade-defining title. And one that will surely tempt single-player enthusiasts looking at PlayStation Plus solely for this collection.
God of War
With a number of changes from earlier entries in the series to gameplay, the latest entry in the God of War franchise presents a new world to explore in the realm of Midgard.
No longer set in the world of Greek mythology, Kratos’ adventures take him across the lands of Norse mythology. Despite the change in pace, the series’ heavy-hitting combat is still present and, arguably, even more engaging than it was with more challenges presented and strategy required.
The addition of RPG elements to the beloved franchise have only helped to improve the experience. God of War is a single-player generation-defining title that wowed critics and gamers alike; the bread & butter of PlayStation Plus Collection.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Resident Evil 6 was…interesting, to say the least. Far from the franchise’s best entry, it only made the return to form of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard that much more welcomed by the fanbase. Taking on a new first-person playstyle, the seventh numbered entry of the critically acclaimed series only seems to grow scarier with this change, dialling back the shooting-based gameplay in favour of more puzzles.
This game is a tightly knit experience and a harrowing one at that, with the characters and environment all expertly crafted to make you want to turn away, but too enamoured not to. With the game playable on PSVR via a free PS5 adaptor, now is the time to try its immersive first-person mode.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
Growing up, one of the games I played a lot of was Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex. Young Josh enjoyed his trips across each of the levels, collecting crystals and dying more times than I can count. I enjoyed it so much, in fact, that I eventually went back and played the original and, while not as in-depth as its successor, it was still a wonderful experience.
So, when Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy was announced, I had to get it. With the first three games in the series all being beautifully remastered, this platforming franchise got to once again wow people with its unique visuals and unforgiving difficulty.
A wonderful experience for fans new and old, this collection of games represents PlayStation’s legacy in a gaming as well as their ability to move with the times. A great addition to PS+ Collection.
Fallout 4
When it comes to the sandbox game, there is much to be said for Fallout being one of the best sandbox game series. The post-apocalyptic world the games are set in is teeming with enticing locations and characters, all of which open up the possibility for the stories the games tell. Fallout 4 is no exception, with the expansive region of The Commonwealth playing host to a number of characters, locations and stories that will keep you invested for hours.
On top of that, the game features settlement building and engaging first-person combat, similar to its predecessors and if this type of game, similar to The Elder Scrolls series also produced by Bethesda sounds enticing, then Fallout 4 is a game you’ll want to sink your teeth into. As a single-player experience to sink your life into, Fallout 4 suits the collection’s dedication to rich single-player experiences.
The Last Guardian
With all these games that feature combat and violence, at some point you’re gonna want to sit back and relax with something less stressful. Thankfully, The Last Guardian delivers in this and is a pleasant and enjoyable experience.
The Nest is filled with a number of beautiful sights and intricate puzzles, all for you to overcome as you adventure alongside the adorable Trico and seek escape from the valley and while there may be nothing in terms of actual combat, a danger still very much lurks in the ruined halls you will explore.
The Last Guardian‘s subtlety of storytelling and its sheer originality represents something that Sony is known for. Perfect for this collection.
Bloodborne
Finally, to wrap up our list is From Software’s Bloodborne. A nightmare-ridden gem of a game, Bloodborne will have you glued to the screen in excitement and fear, because while everything looks brutal, bloody and gorgeous, you’ll also be keeping an eye on anything that moves for fear of being smacked around like a ragdoll.
As you wander the plague-infested streets of Yharnam, you’ll fight off all manner of men, beasts and eldritch nightmares as you seek to unravel the truth behind the hunt and the Healing Church.
The combat, much like FromSoftware’s Dark Souls, is unforgiving but incredibly rewarding, though in a different manner. No shields here, you’ll be dodging and dashing around as you look for openings to land blows on the horrors this game throws at you, being soaked in their blood with each strike. If a Souls-like game that has you never standing still sounds like your kind of game, then Bloodborne is a title for you.
Do you agree with our recommendations or do you think we’ve missed the real gems? We’d love to hear from you, so please leave your thoughts below and thank you for reading