The PlayStation 5 was officially released on November 12, 2020. Unfortunately, the system suffered massive supply delays—as most major systems do upon release—resulting in millions of disappointed customers. Luckily, those who did manage to get their hands on a console were met with a solid lineup of games... though most were, admittedly, rehashes and updates of games from previous console generations.
The major release window for video games is typically the October-December season. That is when most of the AAA releases are unveiled, as they make for solid holiday sellers. As such, the beginning of 2021 has been relatively slow for the PS5's discography—but that's not to say that nothing good has been released...
It Takes Two (2021)
Released on March 26, It Takes Two is the second video game from Hazelight Studios, the makers of 2018's A Way Out. Like their prior game—and as the title suggests—It Takes Two does not contain a single-player option. Rather, the game was designed specifically to be played through split-screen co-op. The game features many classic video game mechanics and requires that both players work together to complete the respective levels and minigames.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (2021)
Originally released for Windows in 2019, Disco Elysium is a murder mystery video game that has players controlling an amnesic detective. The game is a unique RPG in that it features no combat to speak of. Rather, the game must be completed through dialogue trees and different skill sets.
Numerous publications named it as a solid contender for Game of the Yaer, and it was later ported to the PlayStation 5 in March 2021. The Final Cut features new art and animations, not to mention four unique quests known as the Political Vision Quests.
The Pedestrian (2021)
The Pedestrian is a cute little puzzle-solving game involving a stick figure and signs. The game was originally released on Windows back in January of 2020 and was developed by American studio Skookum Arts LLC. It was subsequently ported to both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in January 2021.
It's a great puzzle platformer, filled with some unique puzzles and an engaging art design. Puzzle games certainly aren't for everyone, but those looking for a challenge would do well to check out The Pedestrian.
Cyber Shadow (2021)
Cyber Shadow was developed by Aarne Hunziker, the sole member of Finland's Mechanical Head Studios. After several years of development, the game was published by Yacht Club Games, which is well known for the Shovel Knight series. The game is a 2D side scroller in the vein of Ninja Gaiden, Metroid, and Castlevania.
The game was released for every major platform, including the PlayStation 5, in January 2021, receiving strong reviews for its art design and engaging old-school gameplay.
The Sinking City (2021)
The Sinking City is an action-adventure game based heavily on the works of horror maestro H.P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft's work is mostly known for its otherworldly beings, and that theme certainly carries over to the horrifying The Sinking City.
The story is set in 1920s Massachusetts and concerns a private investigator suffering from horrific visions. The game was developed by Frogwares, the developers of various Sherlock Holmes games. It was released for the PlayStation 5 on February 19, 2021.
Oddworld: Soulstorm (2021)
Serving as the sequel to Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty!, Oddworld: Soulstorm is yet another 2.5D side scroller featuring protagonist Abe. It is also a substantial remake of the 1998 video game Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus.
The game features gameplay similar to its predecessors, but it also features a new crafting system, allowing players to loot and collect items throughout the game world and craft their own unique weapons. Fans of the series should find more than enough to enjoy here.
Maquette (2021)
Developed by Graceful Decay and published by Annapurna Interactive, Maquette is a puzzle game with a love story. The puzzle mechanics are certainly unique, and the game's presentation is nothing short of breathtaking.
If nothing else, Maquette may be the most beautiful puzzle game of the year, and it's worth playing for the gorgeous visuals alone. The love story at the core of the game is also quite touching and engaging.
Destruction AllStars (2021)
Serving as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Destruction AllStars was developed by Lucid Games, the team behind ports of Goat Simulator and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. Destruction AllStars is a vehicular combat game that sees players destroying each others' unique vehicle.
Unlike other vehicular combat games, Destruction AllStars allows defeated players to continue playing on foot, complete with various unique abilities and the chance to hijack other players' vehicles.
Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition (2021)
Mortal Shell was released for Windows, PS4, and Xbox One back in August of 2020, serving as a Dark Souls-esque action-adventure RPG. It sold relatively well, moving over 500,000 copies. Unlike Dark Souls, the game came equipped with a black metal soundtrack composed by Greek band Rotting Christ.
Even though the game was released in 2020, it was remastered and re-released for the PlayStation 5 under the title Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition. It was released on March 4, 2021.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood (2021)
Another action-adventure RPG, Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood is another entry in the World of Darkness series. It's based on the tabletop game Werewolf: The Apocalypse and was developed by Cyanide, the makers of 2018's Call of Cthulhu, among many other games.
Players control a shapeshifting werewolf/human named Cahal, who battles the pollution-causing Pentex Corporation in the American Northwest. It's certainly not a perfect game, but it will do for anyone looking for another action RPG on the ninth generation of consoles.