Cinematic narrative masterclasses, DualSense haptics, and single-player triumphs.
Leo NakamuraGaming & Culture Editor
Winner
The Last of Us Part I
Overview
PlayStation built its brand on single-player blockbusters. We evaluated titles across narrative impact, character development, graphic fidelity, DualSense haptic feedback, and emotional resonance.
Winner spotlight
№1The Last of Us Part I represents the pinnacle of cinematic video game storytelling. Naughty Dog's story of Joel and Ellie navigating a post-apocalyptic America combines heart-wrenching character performances with tense survival stealth.
At a glance
| Pick | #1 The Last of Us Part I PS5 · Exclusives | #2 God of War Ragnarök PS5 / PS4 | #3 Bloodborne PS4 / PS5 BC | #4 Shadow of the Colossus PS4 / PS5 BC | #5 Spider-Man 2 PS5 | #6 Ghost of Tsushima PS5 / PS4 | #7 Horizon Forbidden West PS5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.9 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.3 |
| Story | Masterpiece | Outstanding | Excellent | Great | Great | Good | Good |
| World design | Revolutionary | Brilliant | Excellent | Great | Good | Good | Good |
| Replay value | Endless | Very high | High | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Performance | Flawless | Excellent | Great | Good | Good | Good | Fair |
The list
Ordered by overall score across every test. The “best for” note tells you exactly who each pick is for.
1The high-water mark of character performance and cinematic storytelling.
Best overallWhy buy
Keep in mind
2Kratos and Atreus navigating Norse mythology with brutal axe combat.
Action & myth storyWhy buy
Keep in mind
3Gothic Yharnam atmosphere, fast aggressive rally combat, and Lovecraft lore.
Gothic action JRPGWhy buy
Keep in mind
4Fell sixteen colossal titans in a melancholic, minimalist masterpiece.
Artistic minimalismWhy buy
Keep in mind
5The fastest, most thrilling web-swinging across NYC with near-instant loads.
Web swinging actionWhy buy
Keep in mind
6Kurosawa-inspired samurai combat across wind-swept Japanese countryside.
Samurai open worldWhy buy
Keep in mind
7Stunning post-apocalyptic machine ecology with Aloy's tactical archery.
Visual graphics showcaseWhy buy
Keep in mind
Deep dive
| Feature | The Last of Us Part I | God of War Ragnarök | Bloodborne | Shadow of the Colossus | Spider-Man 2 | Ghost of Tsushima | Horizon Forbidden West |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open world | |||||||
| Co-op mode | |||||||
| Mod support | |||||||
| Accessibility options | |||||||
| Photo mode | |||||||
| Steam Deck verified | |||||||
| Cross-platform | |||||||
| New Game+ |
The verdict
Before you buy
Every game was completed — then replayed. We judge on craft, joy and the pull to boot it up again long after the credits roll, on both controller and keyboard.
A 10/10 for you might be a 6/10 for a friend. Use the 'Best for' notes to match games to your setup, your schedule and your tolerance for a 100-hour campaign.
The winner of our The 7 Best PlayStation Games of All Time ranking is the pick that scored highest across every test — but 'best overall' isn't always 'best for you'. Use the 'Best for' note under each of the seven to match a pick to your budget, your space and your habits. Every entry on this list earned its place; the ranking simply tells you where to start.
Questions
We complete every game's main story and spend at least 20 additional hours exploring side content. Replayability is scored on a second playthrough.
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