Best games
Best PlayStation 5 games of 2021
The 64 best PlayStation 5 games released in 2021, ranked from 14,706 critic and player ratings.
The best PlayStation 5 game of 2021 is Forza Horizon 5, with a critic score of 94/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 2021.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 14,706 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 50
01
D
Forza Horizon 5
Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open-world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
94
/100
02
Unpacking
Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking. Over the course of eight house moves, you are given a chance to experience a sense of intimacy with a character you never see and a story you’re never told.
92
/100
03
S
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut Includes: - Full game. - Iki Island expansion: New story, mini-games, enemy types and more. - Legends online co-op mode. - Digital mini art book by Dark Horse. - Director’s commentary: The creative team sits down with a renowned Japanese historian to look at the world of Ghost of Tsushima and how it compares to the real-life events that inspired it. - One Technique Point. - Charm of Hachiman’s Favour. - Hero of Tsushima Skin Set: Golden Mask, Sword Kit, Horse, Saddle.
92
/100
D
Forza Horizon 5
Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open-world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
94
/100
02
Unpacking
Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking. Over the course of eight house moves, you are given a chance to experience a sense of intimacy with a character you never see and a story you’re never told.
92
/100
03
S
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut Includes: - Full game. - Iki Island expansion: New story, mini-games, enemy types and more. - Legends online co-op mode. - Digital mini art book by Dark Horse. - Director’s commentary: The creative team sits down with a renowned Japanese historian to look at the world of Ghost of Tsushima and how it compares to the real-life events that inspired it. - One Technique Point. - Charm of Hachiman’s Favour. - Hero of Tsushima Skin Set: Golden Mask, Sword Kit, Horse, Saddle.
92
/100
04
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is an enhanced and expanded version of Final Fantasy VII Remake that features a new episode starring Yuffie and introduces an exhilarating new story arc with numerous gameplay additions for players to enjoy.
92
/100
05
Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition
Metro Exodus is an epic, story-driven first person shooter from 4A Games that blends deadly combat and stealth with exploration and survival horror in one of the most immersive game worlds ever created. Explore the Russian wilderness across vast, non-linear levels and follow a thrilling story-line that spans an entire year through spring, summer and autumn to the depths of nuclear winter. Inspired by the novels of Dmitry Glukhovsky, Metro Exodus continues Artyom’s story in the greatest Metro adventure yet. Enhanced Edition offers additional Ray Tracing features including Advanced Ray Traced Reflections and support for DLSS 2.0. Additionally, this update improves its existing Ray Traced Global Illumination tech to make every light source fully Ray Traced. It also implements the Ray Traced Emissive Lighting tech from The Two Colonels throughout the game.
92
/100
06
Death Stranding Director's Cut
Death Stranding is an action game set in a post-apocalyptic United States. Players control Sam Porter Bridges, a courier tasked with reconnecting isolated cities via a communication network while delivering essential cargo. The gameplay blends traversal, resource management, and narrative elements, with a focus on social connectivity through asynchronous multiplayer. It is known for its unique mechanics, atmospheric world, and philosophical themes. The Director's Cut includes more character action, extended storylines through new missions and a unique Social Strand System to stay connected with other players around the globe.
91
/100
07
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is an enhanced edition of the original role-playing game developed and published by ZA/UM. It retains the core gameplay and narrative while adding full voice acting, new quests, additional endings, and other narrative revisions.
91
/100
08
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Go dimension-hopping with Ratchet and Clank as they take on an evil emperor from another reality. Jump between action-packed worlds and beyond at mind-blowing speeds, complete with dazzling visuals and an insane arsenal.
91
/100
09
Disco Elysium: Final Cut
90
/100
10
D
Valheim
Valheim is a brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players set in a procedurally-generated world inspired by Norse mythology. Craft powerful weapons, construct longhouses, and slay mighty foes to prove yourself to Odin!
90
/100
11
The Forgotten City
90
/100
12
Returnal
90
/100
13
Deathloop
90
/100
14
A
It Takes Two
88
/100
15
D
Deathloop
88
/100
16
Tales of Arise
87
/100
17
Psychonauts 2
87
/100
18
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
87
/100
19
Monster Hunter Rise
87
/100
20
Death's Door
87
/100
21
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
86
/100
22
Guilty Gear -Strive
85
/100
23
Life is Strange: True Colors
84
/100
24
Unpacking
84
/100
25
A
Resident Evil: Village
83
/100
26
Hitman 3
83
/100
27
Road 96
83
/100
28
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
82
/100
29
The Riftbreaker
82
/100
30
Inscryption
82
/100
31
Little Nightmares II
82
/100
32
Knockout City
82
/100
33
A
Alan Wake Remastered
82
/100
34
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
81
/100
35
Diablo II: Resurrected
80
/100
36
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition
80
/100
37
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
80
/100
38
B
Subnautica: Below Zero
80
/100
39
The Artful Escape
80
/100
40
Scarlet Nexus
79
/100
41
Black Book
78
/100
42
Humankind
77
/100
43
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
76
/100
44
Back 4 Blood
76
/100
45
FIFA 22
76
/100
46
New World: Aeternum
76
/100
47
Chorus
76
/100
48
The Medium
75
/100
49
A
Far Cry 6
75
/100
50
Call of Duty: Vanguard
75
/100
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is an enhanced and expanded version of Final Fantasy VII Remake that features a new episode starring Yuffie and introduces an exhilarating new story arc with numerous gameplay additions for players to enjoy.
92
/100
05
Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition
Metro Exodus is an epic, story-driven first person shooter from 4A Games that blends deadly combat and stealth with exploration and survival horror in one of the most immersive game worlds ever created. Explore the Russian wilderness across vast, non-linear levels and follow a thrilling story-line that spans an entire year through spring, summer and autumn to the depths of nuclear winter. Inspired by the novels of Dmitry Glukhovsky, Metro Exodus continues Artyom’s story in the greatest Metro adventure yet. Enhanced Edition offers additional Ray Tracing features including Advanced Ray Traced Reflections and support for DLSS 2.0. Additionally, this update improves its existing Ray Traced Global Illumination tech to make every light source fully Ray Traced. It also implements the Ray Traced Emissive Lighting tech from The Two Colonels throughout the game.
92
/100
06
Death Stranding Director's Cut
Death Stranding is an action game set in a post-apocalyptic United States. Players control Sam Porter Bridges, a courier tasked with reconnecting isolated cities via a communication network while delivering essential cargo. The gameplay blends traversal, resource management, and narrative elements, with a focus on social connectivity through asynchronous multiplayer. It is known for its unique mechanics, atmospheric world, and philosophical themes. The Director's Cut includes more character action, extended storylines through new missions and a unique Social Strand System to stay connected with other players around the globe.
91
/100
07
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is an enhanced edition of the original role-playing game developed and published by ZA/UM. It retains the core gameplay and narrative while adding full voice acting, new quests, additional endings, and other narrative revisions.
91
/100
08
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Go dimension-hopping with Ratchet and Clank as they take on an evil emperor from another reality. Jump between action-packed worlds and beyond at mind-blowing speeds, complete with dazzling visuals and an insane arsenal.
91
/100
09
Disco Elysium: Final Cut
90
/100
10
D
Valheim
Valheim is a brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players set in a procedurally-generated world inspired by Norse mythology. Craft powerful weapons, construct longhouses, and slay mighty foes to prove yourself to Odin!
90
/100
11
The Forgotten City
90
/100
12
Returnal
90
/100
13
Deathloop
90
/100
14
A
It Takes Two
88
/100
15
D
Deathloop
88
/100
16
Tales of Arise
87
/100
17
Psychonauts 2
87
/100
18
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
87
/100
19
Monster Hunter Rise
87
/100
20
Death's Door
87
/100
21
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
86
/100
22
Guilty Gear -Strive
85
/100
23
Life is Strange: True Colors
84
/100
24
Unpacking
84
/100
25
A
Resident Evil: Village
83
/100
26
Hitman 3
83
/100
27
Road 96
83
/100
28
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
82
/100
29
The Riftbreaker
82
/100
30
Inscryption
82
/100
31
Little Nightmares II
82
/100
32
Knockout City
82
/100
33
A
Alan Wake Remastered
82
/100
34
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
81
/100
35
Diablo II: Resurrected
80
/100
36
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition
80
/100
37
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
80
/100
38
B
Subnautica: Below Zero
80
/100
39
The Artful Escape
80
/100
40
Scarlet Nexus
79
/100
41
Black Book
78
/100
42
Humankind
77
/100
43
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
76
/100
44
Back 4 Blood
76
/100
45
FIFA 22
76
/100
46
New World: Aeternum
76
/100
47
Chorus
76
/100
48
The Medium
75
/100
49
A
Far Cry 6
75
/100
50
Call of Duty: Vanguard
75
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best PlayStation 5 game of 2021?
Forza Horizon 5 currently tops the ranking with a score of 94/100 across 771 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.