Best PS5 Games That Get Better As You Play

Summary

Some PS5 games improve the more they are played, as unlocking new areas, abilities, and plot threads results in a more engaging experience.
Games like Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Elden Ring showcase gradual growth in gameplay and story quality over time.
Stellar Blade and Astro Bot proved critics wrong as they developed into critical and commercial successes with unique identities of their own.

The latest gaming console from Sony, the PlayStation 5, has been a hit among global gamers since its launch in 2020, boasting an extensive library filled with high-quality games ranging from cheerful and humorous platformers to grand open-world expeditions. While many of these games are excellent, some truly outstanding ones may need players to put in a bit of time to fully unleash their potential.

Certainly, some games might take a while to pick up pace initially, but many others offer an enjoyable experience right off the bat, improving further after a few hours of gameplay. Regardless, the following PS5 games are renowned for enhancing their quality as they’re played more, as players gradually unlock additional levels, skills, powers, and plotlines that make the gaming experience feel increasingly immersive, thrilling, and rewarding.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Proving That Miles Is Worthy Of The Spider-Man Name

Initially launched in 2020 as a debut title, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales can be considered a spiritual sequel to the 2018 game by Insomniac Games, Marvel’s Spider-Man. The initial playtime of this game seems rather repetitive compared to its predecessor, as it appears more like an extension with Miles Morales taking over from Peter Parker as the main character. Even the opening scene places him against Rhino, a villain who had been a significant adversary in the previous storyline.

Things significantly improve once Peter departs, making way for Miles’ captivating narrative to take the limelight. This shift provides an opportunity for Miles to undergo significant character advancement, strengthening both personally and as a superhero. Additionally, Miles encounters a roster of villains tied exclusively to him, distinct from Peter’s adversaries. To top it off, Miles gains unique abilities such as Venom Blast and Invisibility just a few hours into the game, adding an invigorating twist to the gameplay and underscoring his individuality relative to his famous mentor.

Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition

Represents One Of The Core Aspects Of The Hack-And-Slash Genre

The essence of gameplay in the hack-and-slash genre (often referred to as “character action”) lies in gradual progression, and one outstanding demonstration of this is Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition. This game is undeniably an action masterpiece, but it’s worth noting that the early stages of its campaign are slightly less engaging compared to the latter ones.

Initially playing as Nero in the early levels is surprisingly enjoyable, but it truly shines when you unlock fresh moves and Devil Breakers for him. This expansion of his move set and playstyle makes gameplay more dynamic. That being said, some players might find Dante’s gameplay to be superior, and they won’t get to control the franchise’s famous protagonist until Mission 10, meaning you’ll need to complete about half the game first. Lastly, the difficulty level rises progressively as you advance through each mission, making it an appealing challenge for fans of the action genre who are seeking a tough test in Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition.

Horizon Forbidden West

Things Can Be Slow Until Aloy Reaches The Titular Forbidden West

The eagerly anticipated sequel to 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn, titled Horizon Forbidden West, has been released. However, some enthusiasts of this series might experience a sense of disappointment during the early stages of gameplay. Despite the game’s exceptional graphics and gameplay, the opening 20 minutes can be perceived as sluggish, monotonous, and filled with unengaging dialogue that delves into the internal conflicts among tribes rather than revealing the enigmas surrounding the ancients that Aloy was poised to explore following her previous journey’s conclusion. Even the new mechanical creatures fail to capture interest or instill fear, save for a brief, scripted encounter with a Slitherfang.

Around the 25-minute mark of the main narrative, Aloy ventures into the named Forbidden West, marking the start of a more engaging journey. The map expands, offering intriguing missions and side quests. The plot accelerates, and an array of menacing yet captivating machines, such as Widemaws or Tideripper, are introduced. But it doesn’t stop there, as Horizon Forbidden West continues to improve with a steady enhancement in gameplay, providing players access to additional weapons, armor, skills for Aloy, and new locations to discover over time.

Elden Ring

An Open-Ended Soulslike With A Lot Of Freedom Of Choice

The upcoming game titled Elden Ring marks the progression of FromSoftware’s distinct gameplay style, abandoning the linear structure prevalent in their previous soulslike titles for a more expansive open-world design reminiscent of games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This change has led to the creation of an engaging and challenging action RPG that offers rewards to players who invest time into mastering its mechanics and delving deep into its massive, explorable universe.

Many soulslike games seem to improve as you delve deeper – it’s inherent in their design – but Elden Ring stands out among them due to its open-ended structure that encourages players to experiment with various weapons, abilities, and playstyles. When approached correctly, the character can evolve into an indomitable force of nature capable of effortlessly defeating nearly every enemy and boss by the game’s end, making the perseverance required along the way even more rewarding.

The Last Of Us Part 1

When An Already Bleak Story Gets Even Darker

It’s undeniable that “The Last of Us” is an extraordinary work from the beginning, and its 2022 PS5 remake boasts improved graphics and overall refinement. Given that this game leans heavily on storytelling, it follows logically that the entire experience improves as the narrative improves.

Each chapter in Joel and Ellie’s post-apocalyptic zombie odyssey is masterfully crafted: the narrative unfolds subtly yet powerfully, becoming increasingly ominous and intense, leaving players captivated, their gaze fixed on the screen and their fingers gripping the controller until the very last moment. It is easy to understand why this storyline is held in such high esteem; its exceptional pacing is certainly one of the factors contributing to its greatness. However, it should be noted that while The Last of Us Part 2 maintains a strong narrative, some may argue that it features both low and high points that are intricately connected.

Final Fantasy 16

Clive Rosfield’s Move Set Grows As He Absorbs More Eikons

In “Final Fantasy 16,” players assume control over Clive Rosfield, a once enslaved individual turned rebel, embarking on a quest to annihilate the Mothercrystals of Valisthea. Along the way, he encounters and may either forge alliances with or confront the Dominants, individuals who harbor Eikons – colossal beings boasting immense power. Initially, the gameplay might seem excessively repetitive and monotonous, but things become more engaging once Clive unlocks one of his unique abilities.

In essence, his character in the game Final Fantasy 16 is that of an Ifrit’s vessel, enabling him to assimilate the powers of the Eikons following their defeat. This power grants him access to a plethora of extraordinary new abilities. As he accumulates more Eikons, the combat within the game becomes progressively intricate and varied, providing players with a wide range of special elemental maneuvers and attacks to choose from. Furthermore, as the narrative unfolds, so do the stakes, with the introduction of increasingly formidable adversaries and bosses for players to confront using their newly acquired skills.

Stellar Blade

It’s More Than Just A NieR: Automata Clone

Initially upon its release in April 2024, Stellar Blade was often compared to the 2017 hit NieR: Automata and criticized as a generic copy. After playing for just a few hours, it seems these critics may have been on point. At first glance, this game appears quite similar to Yoko Taro’s masterpiece in terms of style, but the gameplay is noticeably slower, and the narrative lacks the captivating appeal of NieR: Automata.

As a dedicated gamer, I must admit that the initial hours spent on Stellar Blade felt a bit lackluster. But as I delved deeper into this action game, things started to pick up significantly. The characters evolved and developed in ways that were both surprising and captivating, the story became richer with unexpected twists and turns, the combat system grew more complex yet satisfyingly refined, and the boss fights became formidable challenges that tested my skills. Playing it from start to finish, I can see why Stellar Blade became a critically acclaimed and commercially successful game, carving out its unique niche in the gaming world.

Astro Bot

Slowly Discovering What Made The 2024 GOTY So Special

In a sea of video games, not many can compare to the charm, fun, and captivating nature of Astro Bot by Team ASOBI. If you’re among those who haven’t figured out why or how it took home Game of the Year at the 2024 Game Awards, I highly recommend giving it a try. At face value, it might appear as just another kid-friendly 3D platformer; enjoyable, but not exceptional.

Without a doubt, Astro Bot serves as a top-notch PS5 game that becomes even more enjoyable with repeated play. Each meticulously crafted level offers unique mechanics and power-ups, ensuring continued engagement and fun. The game is brimming with clever surprises that will bring smiles to players’ faces from start to finish. Additionally, it boasts numerous appearances by iconic PlayStation characters that Astro must rescue in each stage. Lastly, those seeking a challenging platforming experience should definitely check it out, as not only does Astro Bot have an impressive difficulty progression, but also some of its toughest levels can only be accessed at the very end.

2025-08-29 06:05