The PS5 offers an incredible gaming experience with its powerful hardware, innovative DualSense controller, and stunning visuals. If you’re new to gaming, the vast library of titles can feel overwhelming. To help you hit the ground running, we’ve compiled a beginner-friendly guide to some of the best PS5 games for new players. These games are easy to pick up, showcase the console’s features, and cater to a wide variety of interests. Whether you love action, adventure, sports, or multiplayer fun, there’s something here for everyone.
1. Astro’s Playroom
Astro’s Playroom is an absolute delight and the perfect introduction to the PS5. Pre-installed on every console, this game doubles as a love letter to PlayStation history and a showcase of the unique capabilities of the PS5’s DualSense controller. You’ll guide Astro, a small robot, through colorful worlds filled with quirky challenges, clever puzzles, and references to classic PlayStation games.
The game demonstrates the PS5’s haptic feedback in amazing ways—from feeling the patter of rain to the subtle vibrations of walking on different surfaces. It also uses adaptive triggers to simulate tension, like when pulling a spring-loaded lever. These playful mechanics make Astro’s Playroom not only an engaging game but also a hands-on tutorial for what the PS5 can do.
Why it’s great for beginners: Intuitive controls, short play sessions, and a fun way to learn about the PS5’s hardware.
2. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Swinging through the skyscrapers of New York City as Miles Morales is a truly exhilarating experience. Spider-Man: Miles Morales is an action-packed adventure that combines fluid parkour mechanics, high-octane combat, and an emotional storyline. New players will appreciate the intuitive controls that make navigating the city a breeze. The game offers the option of automatic combat assists to help you learn the ropes.
Advanced PS5 features like ray tracing make the city visually stunning, especially during nighttime scenes when neon signs and car headlights reflect off wet streets. Meanwhile, the adaptive triggers give a tactile feel to web-slinging and combat, immersing you in the action. Miles’ unique bio-electric powers and gadgets add layers to gameplay, ensuring plenty of variety.
Why it’s great for beginners: Simplified combat, amazing visuals, and a story-driven experience that’s easy to follow.
3. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
If you’re looking for fun, family-friendly gaming, you can’t go wrong with Sackboy. This colorful platformer is set in the imaginative world of Craftworld, where Sackboy must thwart the villainous Vex. The game’s vibrant levels are packed with creative challenges and quirky surprises, keeping the experience fresh and entertaining.
Sackboy emphasizes accessibility, allowing you to play solo or with up to three friends in local co-op. The cooperative levels are particularly engaging, requiring teamwork to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. For beginners, the gameplay offers a gentle learning curve with simple controls and forgiving checkpoints.
Why it’s great for beginners: Cooperative gameplay, straightforward mechanics, and a whimsical art style.
4. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a must-play for newcomers to gaming. This vibrant action-adventure platformer introduces you to two lovable characters, Ratchet and Rivet, as they battle a nefarious emperor across multiple dimensions. The game’s narrative is funny and touching, perfect for players of all ages.
One of the standout features of Rift Apart is its seamless use of portal mechanics, allowing you to leap between worlds without any loading screens. This is made possible by the PS5’s lightning-fast SSD. The game also showcases the DualSense controller with detailed haptics, so you can feel each weapon’s unique feedback. Thanks to tutorials and intuitive controls, even first-time gamers can quickly master the action-packed combat and puzzles.
Why it’s great for beginners: Helpful tutorials, intuitive controls, and a seamless introduction to action-packed gameplay.
5. FC 24 (Former FIFA)
Sports have universal appeal, and FC 24 is a fantastic gateway to gaming for those who love soccer. Whether you’re playing a quick match, managing a team in career mode, or exploring online multiplayer, FC 24 caters to all skill levels. The game features interactive tutorials, helping newcomers grasp the basics of passing, shooting, and strategy.
Thanks to the PS5’s enhanced capabilities, the game features immersive match-day presentations and detailed player animations. The new tactical AI and adaptive triggers make the game feel more realistic, whether you’re taking a shot at goal or making a sliding tackle.
Why it’s great for beginners: Multiple modes for different skill levels and straightforward mechanics for quick enjoyment.
6. Gran Turismo 7
For racing enthusiasts or anyone who loves the idea of hitting the track, Gran Turismo 7 is a masterpiece. This simulator balances realism and accessibility, offering simple arcade-style modes for beginners and in-depth campaigns for seasoned racers. Tutorials guide you through car handling and tuning, making it easy to get started.
Everything about Gran Turismo 7 is designed to immerse you in the driving experience. Beautiful car models and lifelike environments are coupled with DualSense features, such as adaptive triggers mimicking throttle pressure and braking. You’ll feel every turn, bump, and skid on the track.
Why it’s great for beginners: Relaxed driving options, immersive graphics, and adaptive difficulty settings.
7. It Takes Two
Take collaboration to the next level with It Takes Two, a unique two-player co-op platformer that’s perfect for friends or family members to play together. The story follows Cody and May, a couple turned into dolls who must solve puzzles and traverse imaginative levels to repair their relationship.
What makes this game stand out is its variety. Each chapter introduces new mechanics, keeping gameplay fresh and engaging. The co-op aspect is carefully designed, requiring both players to work together to succeed. Whether you’re operating machinery or flying through a whimsical world, every moment is a shared experience.
Why it’s great for beginners: Easy two-player mechanics and a variety of gameplay styles keep things fresh and engaging.
8. Overcooked! All You Can Eat
If you’re after chaotic, laugh-out-loud fun, look no further than Overcooked! All You Can Eat. This kitchen simulation game challenges players to work together to fulfill orders in time-sensitive, obstacle-filled kitchens. The game includes assist modes for beginners, such as slower timers and simple control schemes.
Whether you’re boiling pasta on a moving truck or dicing vegetables on a raft, Overcooked’s fast-paced action is guaranteed to entertain. And because it’s all about cooperation, it’s a great game for bonding with friends or family.
Why it’s great for beginners: Simple controls, vibrant visuals, and local multiplayer fun for friends or family.
9. The Last of Us Part II Remastered
If you want to experience deeper narratives, start with The Last of Us Part II Remastered. This critically acclaimed title combines gripping storytelling with stealth and action gameplay. While its themes are more mature, it offers accessibility options and adjustable difficulty settings to welcome players new to gaming.
The game takes full advantage of the PS5 hardware, with breathtaking environments, realistic character models, and immersive 3D audio. DualSense enhancements bring tension to every bowstring pull and shock to every encounter.
Why it’s great for beginners: Optional difficulty settings, cinematic storytelling, and immersive gameplay.
10. Fortnite (Free-to-Play)
There’s a reason why Fortnite is one of the most popular games globally. Its accessible gameplay, vibrant visuals, and free-to-play model have made it a hit with millions. Whether you prefer building structures in Battle Royale mode or exploring the creative, custom maps other players have designed, there’s endless fun to be had.
The PS5 enhances Fortnite with better graphics, shorter loading times, and DualSense functionality, making every shot or explosion feel more dynamic. With plenty of tutorials and the option to team up with friends, Fortnite is an easy way to jump into the world of online multiplayer.
Why it’s great for beginners: Free, accessible matchmaking, and lots of tutorials to get you started.
Bonus Tips for Getting Started
Don’t skip tutorials: Many of these games include tutorials or mechanics that teach you how to play. Take your time learning the ropes.
Start with easier modes: Many titles listed here allow you to choose a beginner-friendly difficulty, so start there.
Experiment: Step out of your comfort zone to try different genres. The PS5’s library has something for everyone.
Consider local co-op games: Titles like Sackboy and It Takes Two are even more fun when shared with friends or family.
With these games, your PS5 experience is bound to be exciting and accessible. Explore the vast library of titles and find out what kind of gamer you are. Have fun, and happy gaming!