The 5 best games of this quarter for Playstation 5 (so far)

There is no doubt that the PlayStation 5 is the most popular console at the moment. The specific data says it: the sale of the venerable PS5 – both in its version with discs and digital – is currently bending the hand of the Xbox X/S. The above, of course, does not necessarily imply that Sony’s console is better than Microsoft’s.

In fact, with the exception of a few announcements and acquisitions, Sony has cultivated a rather cautious profile this year regarding new releases or other developments. What should be noted is the recent news that the platform would enter to compete with the successful system Game Pass from Microsoft, where it will also be possible to access a large library of current and classic games for various monthly costs.

However, there is something where PlayStation is unquestionably superior to Xbox: the quality of its exclusive titles. With games like the saga UnexploredThe popular Spider Man or the inexhaustible God of the war, the Japanese console has a great advantage over its competitors. A distance which, in theory, and after the recent takeover of several studios and editors —among them, the giant Activision-Blizzard-Xbox should cut short in the years to come. For now, it’s PlayStation that retains the trophy for the best exclusive games. And these are the best that have come out in recent months.

It is true that car video games have innovated little in recent times. But beyond refining the virtual driving experience, the visual experiences that this type of game provides are beyond question. In this sense, the Grand Touring 7 is a great addition to understand not only the graphical power of one of Sony’s flagship franchises, but also one of the most popular racing games of all time.

Unlike titles like Forza Horizon 5 -the other great car game on the market, exclusive to Microsoft-, Gran Turismo has always known how to bring out a supplement of elegance in its aesthetics, in its presentations, in its soundtrack and its watch generally capable of reaching 4K resolutions at 60 frames per second. The game, which by its style and its sobriety is aimed at a different audience from other titles of the genre, defines itself as the “real car simulator” and takes it very seriously.

After a longer hiatus than fans would have liked, this seventh installment in the franchise -created in 1996 by Kazunori Yamauchi- focuses on outstanding graphics and views, as well as polishing its already classic simulation formula based on collecting as many cars as possible. Throughout single-player campaigns and a host of online modes.

The invitation that the game makes in its initial settings is interesting, where it offers the user to optimize and choose the image performance mode they want: it can be ray tracing mode, which favors better graphics performance, versus the performance, which focuses on the frames per second that the title can run through. Either way, a must-do driving experience for fans and non-fans alike.

When it comes to action and adventure, few titles this year will be able to cover the ambitious, colorful and dangerous world offered by this sequel, the second part of the popular game Horizon Zero Dawnreleased by Sony in 2017. It’s again set on the west coast of post-apocalyptic America, with new dangers – a menacing plague – and once again a host of detailed robot animals to defeat along the way.

Blending role-playing elements with strategic combat, the user regains control of Aloy, the game’s iconic young and brave protagonist, who, within the limits of this open world’s possibilities, must travel to the West aforementioned prohibition. There are multiple alternatives to advance in this complex but captivating sci-fi story.

The work done by the Dutch studio Guerrilla Games is absolutely breathtaking: the different color palettes offered by each area and the detailed artistic direction make it an engaging experience, which obviously turns and lives much better than its predecessor thanks to its sound (ideal to play with headphones), the feedback its haptic control and loading speed.

In short, a great action-adventure game with various mechanics and difficulties, while developing an interesting story in incredibly beautiful settings. Please note: the version for PS4 (its physical version comes with two discs) can be digitally upgraded for free for PS5 (which only includes one disc).

It’s not strictly an exclusive title (it’s also for PC), but this atmospheric title from the Japanese Tango Gameworks, responsible for the horror saga The Evil Withinas far as consoles go, it’s only available for the PlayStation 5.

Ghostwire: Tokyo is an original action-adventure mixed with elements of Japanese folk horror, all from a first-person perspective set in a modern Tokyo full of neon lights and backlighting. According to its creators, the game mixes magic and karate fighting mechanics, which are evident in the choreographic movements of the protagonist’s hands.

The convoluted plot takes place in the middle of a mysteriously empty city, where only spirits and ghosts circulate. The protagonist is possessed by the spirit of a dead detective, who grants him magical powers to solve strange happenings, while dealing with conspiracies and local urban legends.

With polished storytelling, a varied and entertaining combat system, and an engaging atmosphere that will make your hair stand on end, Ghostwire: Tokyo He is already among the candidates for the game of the year.

On the more independent side, we have Sifua very fun beat them set in present-day China and developed by the rather unknown French studio Sloclap (creators of another fighting game, Absolve). The game puts the user in the shoes of the son of a martial arts master (sifuin Cantonese) who seeks revenge on those responsible for his father’s murder.

Played in the third person, the title is inspired by the films Bak Mei kung-fu and Jackie Chan and includes more than 150 different types of attacks, which can be chained together for choreographic successes. But perhaps the most remarkable thing about the game is its mechanics upon death: the protagonist is revived on another attempt, only to reappear aged, with more powers but less health. If the character dies “old”, i.e. without health to resurrect, the level must be restarted from the beginning.

The game debuted without too much hype, but since its release in February, it’s sold over a million copies and rightfully received rave reviews.

We couldn’t close this list without mentioning the most talked about game so far. With over 12 million copies sold, Ring of Elden is the new title awaited from Japanese From Software, famous for the saga dark souls Yes transmitted by blood, also exclusive to PlayStation, among others. Additionally, the game’s core story bears the signature of George RR Martin himself, creator of The iron Throne.

Directed by the great Hidetaka Miyazaki, the game takes place in a medieval fantasy world made up of six regions, between which the player can move wherever he wants and circulate, on horseback or on foot, between castles, catacombs and fortresses. Featuring combat and exploration mechanics, the game world is detailed and interactive and populated with monsters and mythological creatures. The way to face them is with the classic combat of these games: (almost) hand-to-hand combat, magic and extremely precise evasion mechanics. It is not an easy game, but many of its elements find it addicting.

In the search for the great runes to restore the Ring of the Ancients (sound familiar?), players must not only traverse a living world but also choose the various abilities that will allow them to successfully overcome the many obstacles the game presents. , which some critics are already hailing as the best of its kind. Ring of Elden It might not be to everyone’s taste, but it’s definitely a game everyone should know.

*Prices for products in this item are current as of April 12, 2022. Values ​​and availability may change.