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If you’ve managed to brave the online hordes and get yourself a next-gen console, now comes the fun part: playing games. New consoles aren’t generally known for lethal launch queues; Nintendo Switch comes out with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the exception rather than the rule. But even still, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X have a handful of titles worth checking out on day one.
I’ve played far too many games on both consoles over the past couple of weeks to solve this very problem: finding the games that are worth playing on your new machine. There are games that seem technically amazing and titles that feature new technology or functionality, like the wild DualSense controller on the PS5. And then there are just great games, the kind that is having a good time, no matter what hardware you use.
It’s not a huge list, but I hope it helps you find a game or two that will make the new console worth it.
(Note: Although I was able to play many games before the console launched, there are still some titles that I did not have access to. For this reason, this list may be updated if the one of these games turns out to be worth a recommendation.)
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – PS5 and Xbox Series X
Also available on PC, PS4 and Xbox One
During its latest iterations, the Assassin’s Creed The series evolves steadily into an open-world RPG, and that trend continues with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The new version is very similar to that of 2018 Odyssey, that is, it’s a sprawling, detailed and captivating world, and less focused on the stealth assassinations that defined the first entries in the franchise.
But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. And if you can only grab one game at launch, Valhalla will definitely keep you busy. It is absolutely huge. The game follows a group of Vikings as they leave their homes in Norway to carve out a new life in England, and it has all the elements you would expect, as well as some weird new features like drink contests and battles. of rhymes. Who knew that being a Viking was so similar to living in a fraternity?
My favorite feature, however, is a map modification. Assassin’s Creed The games are infamous for covering their maps with all kinds of distractions, but there are more secrets here: instead of specific icons, you’ll see bright colors, which give a clue that a treasure or mystery is at hand. proximity.
Astro Games Room – PS5
It’s an easy game to recommend as it actually comes with every PS5. But her cute and cuddly nature also makes Astro Games Room easy to overlook. You shouldn’t, though: this game is the best showcase for the console’s DualSense controller. It uses haptic feedback to simulate sensations such as walking on sand or feeling windy, while adaptive triggers create a new form of feedback, with tension to mimic things like pulling the string on a bow or stretching a bow. spring.
These little details add up to create an incredibly immersive experience. And it turns out that they are also attached to a great game: Astro Games Room is the kind of family platform that would make Nintendo proud. You can check out our full review here.
Bugsnax – PS5
Also available on PC and PS4
BugsnaxThe adorable exterior hides a dark side. It’s a game where you play what looks like a muppet, exploring an island full of little creatures that look like fast food. Your job is to catch them and feed them to various other island residents.
If you can get past this ominous premise, the game is actually a lot of fun. Bugsnax has a Pokemon-like a sensation, with a wide variety of creatures to find – from angry hot potatoes and flying cheetos to spiders made of fries – each of which requires a different strategy to capture. Aside from the bug hunt, you’ll be rebuilding a city, which involves solving all kinds of surprisingly emotional issues. Come for the cute creatures, stay for the drama.
Bugsnax is also a great showcase for the DualSense controller, with subtle vibrations to simulate weather effects like thunder, as well as the satisfaction of clicking the rear trigger every time you take a photo. Better yet: PlayStation Plus subscribers get the game for free.
Dirt 5 – PS5 and Xbox Series X
Also available on PC, PS4 and Xbox One
Sometimes you just want a game to show off the power of your new console, and racing games are great for that. Dirt 5, in particular, might just be the best looking new generation launch game. It’s an off-road racer with tracks that cross the world, which means you can drive photorealistic cars through all kinds of landscapes: misty wetlands in China, blinding snowstorm in Norway, an after painfully beautiful sunny midday in Brazil. It looks and performs incredibly well, and it’s backed by gameplay that feels like it came straight out of an arcade cabinet. Really, though, it all depends on the weather: I keep crashing because I can’t keep my eyes on the road.
Gear tactics – Xbox Series X
Also available on PC and Xbox One
Gear tactics isn’t technically a new game, as derivative strategy debuted on PC earlier this year. But the game has now been adapted for a controller – and it works surprisingly well. It may seem strange at first, but the Gears The universe, with its beefy soldiers and grotesque aliens, is perfect for a turn-based strategy experience. You control small teams of soldiers, traversing war-torn cityscapes teeming with villains. You still have the satisfaction of using a chainsaw or throwing a grenade, but now you have a little more time to decide on your course of action. The gamepad controls take some getting used to, but they work quite well and the in-game animations look especially good at 60 fps.
The pathless – PS5
Also available on PC, PS4 and Apple Arcade
The pathless“The influences are clear; playing is like running through a mashup of Journey and the works of Fumito Ueda, with just a little Breath of the wild thrown in. Even still, it has its own distinct feel that is worth checking out. The game puts you in the role of a young adventurer tasked with taking down a mysterious darkness that covers the land, but the way you do it is pretty new.
The pathless It’s all about movement: you shoot arrows at diamonds littered in the sky, giving you the energy to scour the desolate landscape in search of towers and ruins housing useful artifacts. Getting around is fun. But that emphasis on momentum is backed up by clever environmental puzzles, absolutely stunning scenery, and thrilling boss fights. These elements are good enough to ignore his less inspired moments.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales – PS5
Also available on PS4
It’s technically a smaller spin-off, but in many ways Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a better game than its predecessor. It has a nicer track, a more engaging story, and all kinds of new powers to play with, like invisibility. Plus, its relatively small size – you can beat the game in under 10 hours, although there are plenty of side activities to extend that – also makes it more manageable.
And although this is a cross-gen title, Miles Morales does a great job of showcasing the power of the PS5. It loads incredibly fast and gives you the option of smooth 60 fps gameplay or great visuals like ray tracing. If you purchase the “Ultimate Edition” of the game, you will also get a remastered version of the original. Spider Man, with all the same technical upgrades. For more on Miles Morales, check out our full review.
Yakuza: like a dragon – Xbox Series X
Also available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. A PS5 version will launch on March 2, 2021
The last Yakuza is sort of a new beginning. The previous entry was the swan song for beloved protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, and so Like a dragon introduces a new character called Ichiban Kasuga. He’s still a criminal with a heart of gold, but Kasuga also happens to be a giant nerd, obsessed with RPGs like Dragon quest. He would probably love to play this game: Like a dragon exchange YakuzaIconic brawl battles for more streamlined turn-based combat.
Aside from these two big changes, however, the game is classic. Yakuza. That means you’ll be spending a lot of time exploring an impeccably rendered version of modern Japan, all the while beating thugs, gulping down ramen, and generally saving the day. The series features a distinct mix of the sweet and the silly that is fully on display here. And with the new main character, Like a dragon also serves as a great introduction to this weird but adorable series. Read our full review here.
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