For more than a decade, PlayStation has completely dominated its eternal rival, Xbox, while selling way more consoles than the latter. A big factor behind its scintillating commercial performance has been the cascade of highly acclaimed exclusives available on Sony’s platform. As a matter of fact, if you were to ask a PS5 owner his primary reason behind purchasing the console, he’d likely say, “Exclusive games.”
After dominating the PS4-Xbox One era, PlayStation adopted a slightly different approach to its exclusive titles in 2020—the same year the PS5 came out. Beginning with a few older PS4 games, such as Horizon Zero Dawn and God of War, the Japanese console giant gradually started porting its flagship PS5 games to PC just a year or two after their initial launch.
Courtesy of this, God of War: Ragnarok, Horizon: Forbidden West, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and more award-winning games eventually crossed over to storefronts like Steam and Epic Games Store. This not only meant bonus sales for Sony but also introduced some of these franchises to PC gamers for the very first time.
PlayStation’s PC release strategy is set to change
After years of drip-feeding the PC gaming community with console exclusives, PlayStation now seems determined to end this experiment, much to the dismay of certain fans. As reported by Bloomberg’s veteran journalist, Jason Schreier, it was internally announced that PlayStation’s “narrative single-player games” would no longer arrive on PC.
This decision was apparently spurred by these games not meeting sales expectations, and because having them on a third-party platform also negatively affected the PS5’s appeal and posed a risk of lost console sales.
It’s worth noting that the aforementioned report only talks about the single-player first-party games on PS5, which are usually narrative-heavy. What that means is fans can rest assured that multiplayer games produced by PlayStation-owned developers, like Marathon, will still make their way onto PC. Making this exception is crucial for the long-term status of such multiplayer titles, which rely heavily on consistent player footfall.
On the flipside, it also basically eliminates any chances of recent PS5 hits, such as Ghost of Yōtei and Saros, ever landing on PC. Similarly, playing much-anticipated future releases like Marvel’s Wolverine is now also out of the question for players who don’t have a PS5.
10 best first-party PS5 games on Steam (PC)
With the existing pool of PlayStation’s first-party single-player titles set to remain unchanged for the foreseeable future, it’s a great time to look back at the console exclusives that did make the big jump across platforms. Here’s a list containing some of the best PS5 console-exclusive titles to ever come out on PC.
1. God Of War Ragnarok
Genre: Action-adventure, hack-and-slash | PC release year: 2024
In 2018, Santa Monica Studio’s Cory Barlog spearheaded a change that turned the God of War franchise, mainly known for its high-tempo action until then, on its head and transformed it into a more structured action-adventure campaign with mature storytelling. Its sequel, God Of War Ragnarok, is the latest chapter in that evolution.
Whether you prioritize the series’ classic action or a tight narrative, God of War Ragnarok does justice to both aspects, while telling a formidable tale involving Norse gods and the Ragnarok event. Its combat is challengingly fun and enhanced by well-designed RPG elements, such as the skill tree and the equipment upgrades. I also can’t stress enough how important the environmental puzzles are in providing a welcome change of pace during the story.
2. The Last Of Us Part II Remastered
Genre: Action-adventure, third-person shooter | PC release year: 2025
The Last Of Us Part II is one of the most award-winning titles to ever release, and thus certainly the magnum opus of veteran game director Neil Druckmann’s career. Its remastered version is arguably the best way to experience the journey of an adult Ellie and an aging Joel, as they battle with the consequences of what happened in the first game.
When resources are hard to come by and enemies are easy to attract, the chances for survival dip, whereas the adrenaline rush from each individual win surges. That’s exactly the deal with The Last Of Us Part II, which plunges you into the midst of a vengeful faction and an overwhelming bunch of unpredictable zombies. The seamlessness of gameplay mechanics is well-matched by the incomparable emotional weight of the story, making this game a must-play for many people.
3. Horizon Forbidden West
Genre: Open world, action-adventure | PC release year: 2024
I like how the Horizon franchise challenges the common notion of a post-apocalyptic world being dark and desolate by incorporating a vivid but dilapidated open world. It also does something unique by replacing the cliché zombies and androids with mechanical beasts resembling dinosaurs. With Zero Dawn as its foundation, Horizon Forbidden West builds upon the existing structure in a way that makes the whole better in most respects.
Forbidden West is the continuation of Aloy’s story and shows her going on a mission to trace the westward origins of a deadly plague. The game’s combat, which relies primarily on the protagonist’s bow-and-arrow, is one of its strongest suits and makes for enthralling battles, especially against new and returning gargantuan machines. I can’t recommend exploring the beautiful landscape in this game enough, which can be done in new ways, such as by using the glider and to new extents, such as by exploring the highly detailed underwater world.
4. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Genre: Open world, action | PC release year: 2025
If Marvel’s Spider-Man showed how fun it was to play as the titular superhero, its sequel dialed that up a notch and showed how it could be even more fun when an extraterrestrial parasite comes into the picture. In this game, you play as multiple different characters, primarily the two Spider-Men (Peter Parker and Miles Morales), with different sets of abilities.
Among the most popular Marvel supervillains included in the game are Venom, Kraven the Hunter, and Sandman. Being the successor to the 2018 hit, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 expands the map with new additional boroughs, Brooklyn and Queens, becoming part of its vast open world. Traversal mechanics, which were already great in the original, received a nice bonus in the sequel, thanks to the web wings that enable gliding. Such neat upgrades, alongside a new roster of fan-favorite villains, make Spider-Man 2 yet another fantastic outing for fans.
5. The Last Of Us Part I Remake
Genre: Survival, action, third-person shooter | PC release year: 2023
Perhaps one of the most endearing post-apocalyptic stories in gaming, 2013’s The Last Of Us has as much action as it has emotion. This entire drama-filled story of beloved protagonists, Joel and Ellie, is brought up to speed for the modern era and given an extra sheen by Naughty Dog’s impressive remake. It also bundles in the Left Behind DLC that puts the spotlight on Ellie’s backstory.
With a plague-like zombie virus, a totalitarian military, and a revolting faction at its center, it is the archetypal game for anyone who is into dystopian stories. The grim and desperate mood of this survival game takes over quickly and doesn’t let go, as you experience the plot twists, right until the climactic battle. Getting past the unnerving zombies and taking out human foes make for an intriguing combo of horror and action, which keeps you on your toes.
6. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Genre: Platformer, action-adventure | PC release year: 2023
In a sea of games that may appear to take themselves too seriously, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart stands out as an exception. That’s not to say the game isn’t good—it’s actually great—but only underscores that games with goofy characters and hilarious storylines can be as fun if not better.
Rift Apart is the sequel to 2013’s Ratchet & Clank: Into The Nexus and sees the spacefaring adventure of furry animal-like alien and his robot sidekick continue. What’s new is that this game also lets you play as Rivet and Kit, who are to an extent like the original duo. The game involves gunning down opponents, ranging from enemy aliens to mechanical space pirates, as you partake in ingenious platforming and mind-teasing puzzles. The new real-time teleportation feature, called the Rift Tether, is a key component that innovates the series’ signature gameplay.
7. Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
Genre: Open world, action | PC release year: 2022
There was a time when games based on superheroes were usually ‘just okay’. Then came Batman: Arkham Asylum in 2009, which took things to the next level. Marvel’s Spider-Man, developed by Insomniac Games, is yet another groundbreaking superhero game that elevates what this highly specific genre could be.
This particular remaster, which notably comes with graphical upgrades and all three expansions, is a more comprehensive package of Spidey awesomeness compared to the original. From popular villains like Doctor Octopus to lesser-known ones like Mister Negative, the game features an interestingly varied roster of Spider-Man’s foes.
For me, the biggest thing to come out of Marvel’s Spider-Man is the swinging mechanic. Thanks to the studio’s flawless implementation of traversal, you literally feel as if you’re actually Spider-Man swinging across Manhattan, New York City, at breakneck speeds and giddy heights. Moving on, the smooth-flowing combat and the various gadgets at the hero’s disposal make playing this game even more of a pleasure.
8. Returnal
Genre: Roguelite, third-person shooter | PC release year: 2023
Returnal combines extraterrestrial action, time-travel, and a high difficulty level to cook up something extraordinary. It tells the story of Selene Vassos, a rogue pilot stranded on a planet that was once home to a highly advanced civilization.
For those who like a challenge, Returnal is a heaven-sent title, as dying in the game means being thrown way back in the level and losing all weapons and upgrades. Its combat also asks a lot from the player, requiring him to dodge enemy fire, grapple onto structures, and execute offensive attacks all at the same time. In my opinion, its grueling gameplay is not for the faint of heart and you’d be much more at ease playing other games on this list, but suit yourself.
9. Uncharted: Legacy Of Thieves Collection
Genre: Action-adventure, third-person shooter | PC release year: 2022
This is a compilation that packs a double dose of adventure, which, if I may add, is some of the best work to come from Naughty Dog. On one hand, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End revolves around series protagonist Nathan Drake’s last hurrah before hanging up his adventurer boots. On the other hand, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy focuses on Chloe Frazer’s quest to get her hands on an elusive ancient artifact.
Some fans say that Uncharted takes from Tomb Raider to a good extent, and rightly so. But Uncharted 4 is something that’s unrivaled for the sheer thrill its various set-pieces induce. From improvising an escape route through a bustling town to fending off enemies in places only heard of in legends, the campaign is chock-full of exhilarating moments and boisterous combat.
Moreover, the Lost Legacy spin-off also holds its own compared to the mainline entries, with Chloe and Nadine making a dynamic duo. It’s entertaining to see these two complementary personalities come together for a common cause. Simultaneously, the picturesque Indian locations where the campaign takes place is amazing to traverse and satisfying to progress through.
10. Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales
Genre: Open world, action | PC release year: 2022
If Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse made the Miles Morales version of the arachnid-like superhero among moviegoers, Marvel’s Spider-Man played a similar role in making the character well-known among sections of the gaming community. After Marvel’s Spider-Man gave players a brief look into the life of Miles Morales, this spin-off doubled down and let players step into the shoes of a kid learning the ropes in the superhero lifestyle.
In your escapades as a new Spider-Man, there are a bunch of enemies that you have to face, including Prowler, Rhino, and The Tinkerer. The game’s narrative has a lot in store, from offering a coming-of-age arc for Miles Morales to big, surprising reveals in the later part of the story. Swinging and combat are once again tight as in the original game, making this shorter campaign a fairly enjoyable one nonetheless.
Final say
Even though PlayStation’s first-party support for PC may have reached its twilight phase, this multi-platform period is still something that goes to show the interest and curiosity of a traditional console maker in maximizing its profits by leveraging the PC market. However, what’s making such experimental strategies less likely in the future is the impending advent of Xbox’s next-gen console, currently known as Project Helix.
According to Microsoft, Xbox’s next console would come with the ability to play PC games and support “leading storefronts”. While that would be a big win for the green brand, it is certainly a strong deterrent for PlayStation to avoid PC ports as, the way things look, it would essentially make all of the Japanese firm’s titles, including first-party exclusives, playable on a direct rival’s system.
For a console brand like the multi-platform strategy proponent Xbox, this may not be a big deal, but for PlayStation, which has long built its game plan around exclusivity, it is equivalent to scoring an own goal. The industry is already moving toward wider platform availability, similar to how subscription ecosystems like Apple Arcade games focus more on accessibility across devices rather than strict hardware lock-in.
Suffice to say, the next generation of consoles is already having its influence on the industry, and it should only get more noticeable as we edge closer to the final years of the decade.
