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If you want a PlayStation game led by its story, start with The Last of Us Part I for a focused survival journey, Horizon Forbidden West for open-world science-fiction exploration, or God of War Ragnarök for a cinematic mythic sequel. “PlayStation exclusives” needs a qualification: PlayStation lists the first two for PC as well as console, while Ragnarök is listed for PS4 and PS5.
Three story-driven PlayStation games at a glance
| Game | Story shape | Platforms listed by PlayStation | Edition detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Last of Us Part I | Character-led, linear survival journey | PS5 and PC | Complete single-player story and Left Behind prequel chapter; Blu-ray disc edition listed |
| Horizon Forbidden West | Exploration-led science-fiction mystery in an open world | PS5, PS4, and PC | PS5 Complete Edition includes Burning Shores; standard edition listed for PS4 and PS5 |
| God of War Ragnarök | Mythic, character-driven action-adventure sequel | PS5 and PS4 | New Game+ is available after completion |
Platform and edition details are from the games’ official PlayStation pages: The Last of Us Part I, Horizon Forbidden West, and God of War Ragnarök. Availability can vary by region and change over time, so check the store listing where you plan to buy or play.
The Last of Us Part I: choose it for a focused survival story
PlayStation describes The Last of Us Part I as a PS5 rebuild of the original story. Joel is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie out of a quarantine zone; the premise becomes a cross-country survival journey centered on the two characters. The package includes the complete single-player story and Left Behind, a prequel chapter following Ellie and Riley.
This is the clearest fit if you prefer a comparatively linear narrative over a large map of optional activities. It is not a PlayStation-hardware exclusive: PlayStation lists it for PS5 and PC. The official page also lists a Blu-ray disc edition and, at the time represented by that page, inclusion in the PlayStation Plus Extra game catalog. Catalog membership changes, and subscription availability may differ by region, so check the live catalog before relying on it.
#1 Best Overall
- Play five classic games, including four Toy Story games and A Bug’s Life. Includes 11 total versions of the games across console and handheld.
- Enhancements and quality-of-life improvements make the games easier to learn and understand for gamers of all ages.
- Use Rewind to fix your mistakes. Messed up a jump? Took too many hits? Simply hold a button and scrub back to before you made that mistake and try again
- Includes a behind-the-scenes experience featuring new interviews with Jason Katz – Head of Story, Pixar, Jim Hanks – Voice Actor, Luigi Priore – VP and GM, Disney & Pixar Games, and Jon Burton – Founder, TT Games.
- Explore the virtual museum filled with rare design documents, vintage development photos, and archival content.
Horizon Forbidden West: choose it for exploration and a larger world
In Horizon Forbidden West, Aloy investigates a blight and other threats in a far-future world. PlayStation presents it as an open-world action RPG, making it the pick here for players who want exploration, mysteries, and a broader adventure rather than a tightly linear journey.
Check the edition before buying: PlayStation says the PS5 Complete Edition includes the Burning Shores expansion, while the standard edition is listed for PS4 and PS5. The game is also listed for PC, so it is not exclusive to PlayStation hardware. See the official product page for the current platform and edition details.
Rank #2
- Play the series that revolutionized storytelling in games. The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series contains all 4 Seasons, 400 Days DLC, and The Walking Dead: Michonne.
- “Graphic black” art style brings Season 4's enhanced visual style to all previous seasons of the acclaimed series.
- Exclusive looks at the making of the game from the developers, VO artists, and other team members that brought Clementine’s story to life.
- Character performances, lip syncing, and other gameplay and UI enhancements make this the definitive Telltale’s The Walking Dead experience.
- Music player that includes 140+ tracks across all seasons, art gallery, 3D model viewer with playable voice lines, & new 3D front end.
God of War Ragnarök: choose it for a cinematic sequel
God of War Ragnarök continues Kratos and Atreus’ Norse journey, placing their relationship within mythological stakes. It suits players looking for a cinematic action adventure with a strong central character dynamic. PlayStation lists the game for PS5 and PS4, and its page records a 2022 Game Awards win for Best Narrative.
Start with the earlier God of War if you are new to the series
Ragnarök is a sequel. If you want the preceding chapter first, PlayStation’s page for God of War (2018) describes the earlier journey and says its New Game+ mode unlocks after completing the story campaign. Ragnarök also has New Game+ after completion, according to its official page.
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Rank #3
- Enhanced visuals: Completely rebuilt from the ground up using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5 engine technology to improve every visual detail, The Last of Us experience has been faithfully enhanced with more realistic lighting and atmosphere, more intricate environments and creative reimaginings of familiar spaces.
- Fast loading: Initial loading times are near instant, and seamless after the first instance thanks to the PS5 console’s SSD – so you can pick up where you left off in the story and load specific encounters and chapters more quickly.
- Haptic feedback: DualSense wireless controller haptic feedback support for every weapon elevates combat encounters, and environments are brought to life through DualSense wireless controller haptic sensations of subtle falling rain, the crunch of stepping on snow and more.
- Adaptive triggers: All The Last of Us iconic weapons, including Joel’s revolver and Ellie’s bow, now deliver dynamic DualSense wireless controller trigger resistance and kickback on firing for deeper combat immersion.
- 3D Audio: Designed to make use of the PS5 console’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, Naughty Dog’s newly upgraded audio engine delivers richer soundscapes, bigger explosive moments and more visceral gameplay through compatible stereo headphones (analogue or USB) or TV speakers.
Use the playtime estimate as a planning guide
PlayStation estimates up to 40 hours for Ragnarök’s main story plus selected side quests, and 55–60 hours to see everything. These are publisher estimates from its series page, whose year is not stated; individual play time varies. No comparable playtime estimate is established here for the other two games.
Which one should you pick?
- Pick The Last of Us Part I if you want a character-led survival story with a defined journey and its prequel chapter included.
- Pick Horizon Forbidden West if you want open-world exploration and science-fiction mysteries; choose the PS5 Complete Edition if you want Burning Shores.
- Pick God of War Ragnarök if you want a cinematic mythic action sequel and are ready to continue Kratos and Atreus’ story—or play God of War (2018) first.
More story-led games to consider
PlayStation’s PS5 catalog also lists Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, Days Gone Remastered, and Until Dawn. The catalog listing by itself does not establish enough detail to compare their stories, platforms, or editions here. Consult each game’s individual PlayStation page before choosing one.
Rank #4
- Join Sora, Donald, and Goofy on their journey across the Disney universe
- Contains 9 epic KINGDOM HEARTS experiences; Number of players: 1 player; ESRB content: Fantasy violence, mild blood, mild language, mild suggestive themes, use of alcohol; Genre: Action and adventure; Role playing
- Play through the KINGDOM HEARTS series from the very beginning
- All games remastered in HD
This shortlist is organized by the kind of story experience and platform details established on official PlayStation pages, not by a universal quality ranking. Those pages do not provide a consistent comparative measure of narrative quality across these games.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- UNCOVER A MERCILESS WORLD OF ORGANIZED CRIME: The rough-hewn beauty of Sicily's rugged countryside is a stark contrast to the grime of urban alleyways—but the treachery and violence of this gangland run just as deep. Rival families and their ruthless leaders wage unending turf wars in the shadows, hidden from the public eye. Trust is a fleeting rarity, and loyalties are worth killing for.
- PLAY A CLASSIC MOB MOVIE: You're the antihero of this thrilling 1900s story, living out every tense moment of Enzo's descent into Sicily’s clandestine criminal underworld. Come face-to-face with a cast of unpredictable allies and cutthroat enemies in this classic crime drama, rich in period-authentic details that will immerse you in this treacherous Mediterranean setting.
- FIGHT TO SURVIVE: Engage in life-or-death combat, be it up close with a blade or from afar with a variety of firearms. Ambush enemies for vicious stealth takedowns, or slice them up in close-quarters duels. If you prefer firearms, wield period-authentic handguns, rifles, and shotguns to overcome any odds and doggedly eliminate the Don's enemies.
- TRAVEL IN AUTHENTIC STYLE: Traverse a wide range of Sicilian environments, from underground crypts and crumbling ruins to bountiful vineyards and ornate opera houses. To reach your next target or make a hurried getaway, you'll need to gallop on horseback across cobbled streets and open fields, or speed down dirt roads in authentic turn-of-the-century automobiles.
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