Every generation of PlayStation consoles has heavy-hitting games you can’t play anywhere else.
At least, that used to be true. Nowadays, many of these exclusive titles eventually make their way over to Steam so an even broader audience can enjoy them.
If you’re a PC player dipping their toes into the PlayStation library, here are our picks for the best.
10Final Fantasy VII
It’s Beloved For A Reason
Final Fantasy 7
WHERE TO PLAY
The originalFinal Fantasy VIIwas a PlayStation exclusive for the longest time, coming out on Sony’s humble gray box in 1997.
The title remains aturn-based masterpieceand a phenomenal RPG. The PC version has been available for a good while, but it is easily one of the best ways to enjoy the plight of Cloud and his friends.
Sephiroth is an exceptional villain, even with theoriginal’s primitive graphics. The title is alsolight on complex mechanics, making it ideal for RPG newcomers.
The original came on three disks on the PS1. That’s nonsense you won’t have to worry about on Steam.
9Until Dawn
Watch A Chilling Horror Story Unfold
Until Dawn
Until Dawnwas a PlayStation 4 exclusive and is due to release on Steam in October 2024. This chilling horror title is heavily story-driven, and you play an overseeing role over a group of teenagers stranded in a mountain ranch in the middle of nowhere.
What makesUntil Dawnso special is its approach to storytelling.Your choices have consequences, including the death of playable characters. Your playthrough could end entirely differently from mine, and there’s plenty of replayability as you explore alternate endings.
Until Dawnallows you tocurate your own horror storyin a way you won’t find in many other games. This is easily one of thebest horror games on PS Plus, and a solid addition to the Steam library.
8God Of War
Kratos At His Best
God of War
The latestGod Of Wartitles are mature masterpieces with engaging stories,jaw-dropping visuals, and visceral combat. Kratos’s relationship with his son, Atreus, is wonderfully imagined, and the pacing is perfect. If you’re even slightly interested inNorse mythology, you’ll love the frequent nods to the source material
Even if you prefer angry Kratos from the originalGod of Wartrilogy, there’s plenty to love in the new games.
God Of Warand its sequel,Ragnarok, are worth your time. Both are available on Steam, but I recommend starting with the original, asRagnarokis set three years afterward.
7Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
High Budget 3D Platforming
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apartis animaginative 3D platformerwith stunning visuals and set-pieces.Rift Apartcame out on the PlayStation 5 back in 2021and is easily one ofthe greatest platformerson the system.
The quality bar of theRatchet and Clankseries is incredibly high, andRift Apartis among the best. Controls are wonderfully precise, and there arecountless ridiculous weaponsto play with.
Sadly,Rift Apartis the onlyRatchet and Clankgame available on Steam. Hopefully, this changes in the future but if PC players can only have one game,Rift Apart is a great choice.
6The Last of Us
A Beautiful, Bleak Post-Apocalyptic Adventure
The Last of Us
The Last of Usis a story-driven masterpiece by the wizards over at Naughty Dog. You follow the story of Joel and Ellie as they fight for survival in agrim, post-apocalyptic future.
The world is full of people forced to do horrible things, andThe Last of Uswill test your morality as well as your shooting skills. There’s ahealthy dose of stealth gameplayand incredible setpieces that elevateThe Last of Usto the next level.
The Last of Us 2is technically superior to its predecessor, but it’s one of those rare games where you simply must play the original first. Story beats will lack impact if you start withTLOU2, andTLOU1is a fantastic game in its own right.
Brilliant, And Brutally Difficult
Returnalwas one of the first titles that piqued my interest in the PlayStation 5 console as it’s a high-budgetRoguelite, a combo we rarely see.
Returnal’sRoguelite roots mean the game hasprocedurally generatedmaps and random enemies, and when you die, you go back to the beginning. It’s apunishing gameplay loopbut savagely satisfying as you inch closer to your first win.
The title offersincredible Sci-Fi visualson PC, complete with creepy aliens and dramatic environments.
Returnalis arguably the most polarizing game on the list, thanks to its brutal difficulty. If you’re ready to crack your knuckles and dive into a game you won’t conquer immediately, it’s well worth checking out.
4Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales
A New Standard For Marvel Games
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Marvel games are a mixed bag, butSpider-Man Miles Moralesis easily one of the best.Miles Moraleswas originally aPlayStation 5 launch titleand made its Steam debut at the end of 2022.
Webslinging across the city feels perfectinMiles Morales, and is an exhilarating way to traverse the open world. There’s never a dull moment in combat either. Fighting groups of bad guys out in the open is thrilling, but you can always take a stealth approach, which feels so rewarding when everything works.
Spider-Man Miles Moralesis an exceptional game, but I recommend starting withSpider-Man Remastered, as Miles Morales is a direct sequel.
3Ghost of Tsushima
Die By The Sword
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
Ghost of Tsushimawas a PlayStation exclusive until the Director’s Cut landed on Steam in May 2024.
Sucker Punch Productions outdid themselves with thisincredible cinematic adventure.Ghost of Tsushimaboasts some of the most artistic andjaw-dropping visualson the market, and the combat is exceptionally satisfying. There’s a rich open world to explore, and the Guiding Wind mechanic (gusts of wind ferry you toward items) is a genius way to reveal secrets and collectibles to the player.
With the announcement of a sequel,Ghost of Yotei, in 2025, now is the perfect time to tryGhost of Tsushima.
2Yakuza Kiwami
The Best Place To Start Your Yakuza Journey
Yakuza Kiwami
I held off on theYakuzagames for the longest time as I wanted to start with the first title but didn’t have a PS2 at the time.Yakuza Kiwamiis a fantastic remake of the first game and was a PlayStation 4 exclusive.
There is no better entry for newcomers to the franchise, and it’s afantastic introduction to Kiryu, the series' beloved protagonist.Yakuza Kiwamiis a story-driven RPG with flashy action combat and a cast ofunforgettable characters.
There’s a reason the Yakuza games have survived the test of time for almost two decades. It’snever too late to start, and if you’re on PC, Kiwami is your doorway into the franchise.
1Final Fantasy XVI
It’s Never Really The Final, Is It?
Final Fantasy 16
Final Fantasy XVIis the second game from the series to make the list, but it’s so different fromVIIthat it deserves a mention. We’ve traded turn-based combat for fast-paced live battles. We’ve also swapped old-school visuals for some of the most glorious cutting-edge graphics on the market.
XVIplays pretty differently from other games in the franchise, butthe high-fantasy setting is outstanding, and there’s an immense amount of polish.
While you technically have multiple characters following you,this is Clive’s journey, and he’s the only playable hero. This feature may seem out of place in an RPG, but it makes the story feel more meaningful and the events more impactful.
Final Fantasy XIVis a “must-play” for RPG fans and is a great entry point to the series if you’ve never played.
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