The PlayStation 5 is a graphics powerhouse, but one of the best things about the console is its DualSense controller. Xbox and Nintendo have plenty of features that make them worthy competitors in the ongoing “console wars.” However, when it comes to immersive controllers, the PS5 DualSense reigns supreme.
Not every game on the PS5 takes full advantage of the controller, though. From ports to exclusives, certain titles simply embrace the DualSense in a way that other games fall short of. The PS5 DualSense controller has been a highlight of the current console generation, and these are the games that demonstrate just how great this hardware is.
A game doesn’t have to be a Sony exclusive to qualify.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart Of Chornobyl
One Of The PS5’s Most Immersive Ports
This is the one game on the list that isn’t a PS5 exclusive. STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl promised an immersive survival horror experience from the start, but the DualSense elevates that to a new level. Different weapons have their own unique feel, the controller’s speaker is utilized in a realistic way, and even the various biomes featured throughout the game boast distinct feedback. STALKER 2 is already a scary survival horror game, and the DualSense pushes those scares a little further by making players feel like they’re really fighting to see another day.
STALKER 2 also deserves a place on the list because the fact that it isn’t a PS5 exclusive means that it may have flown under some gamers’ radars. PS5 owners on the lookout for an intense post-apocalyptic survival game that goes all-in on the DualSense should definitely give STALKER 2 a try.
The Last Of Us Part 1
A Remake That Feels Brand-New Again
Even though I’m a hardcore The Last of Us fan, I was confused when Naughty Dog first announced the remake. It didn’t feel like enough time had passed since the original version to warrant a remake. However, my opinion completely changed once I experienced Part 1 for the first time. The Last of Us Part 1 clearly gets a visual upgrade, but the DualSense features turn the game into a completely fresh experience.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Ellie’s bow and Joel’s guns have different vibes, crafting has its own special feel, and the haptic feedback adds a completely new layer to the game’s environments. The original version of The Last of Us already felt like a living world, but the DualSense allows players to actually feel that world. It may not have the guitar mini-game that The Last of Us Part 2 introduced via the PS4 DualShock, but the DualSense makes the remake feel truly worth it.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Post-Apocalyptic Travel Never Felt So Good
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach and its predecessor are far more than walking simulators. Hideo Kojima’s wildly strange post-apocalyptic game may not be for everyone, but it’s easily one of the best showcases of the DualSense. Death Stranding 2 puts players back in the shoes of Sam Porter Bridges, turning the controller into an extension of him.
Sam’s cargo has a weight that varies from package to package, and traveling from Point A to Point B has a sense of realism in every single step. Whether it’s weapons or Timefall, each piece making up Death Stranding 2‘s larger world can be experienced through the DualSense instead of simply watching things unfold on screen. Now that Sony and Hideo Kojima have parted ways, it sadly looks like we won’t ever get to see how Kojima Productions could have pushed the PS6 controller’s limits.
Ghost Of Yotei
Grilling Fish And Getting Revenge
There are a lot of great things about Ghost of Yotei, but one of my favorite things about playing it was seeing how much fun Sucker Punch had crafting the DualSense features. Combat and weapons feel awesome, but beyond that lie small side activities that showcase that immersive controller features don’t necessarily have to be essential.
For example, Ghost of Yotei allows players to grill fish, play the shamisen, and start campfires. Sucker Punch could have easily left these features out of the game. I’m really glad the developer chose to include them, though, because these kinds of side activities are great ways to help form a deeper sense of connection with Atsu and the world around her.
Returnal
The PS5’s Underappreciated Gem
If there’s one game from the PS5 era that I would to share with every gamer, it would be Returnal. This game is fantastic, and one of its best qualities is how it handles the DualSense. What makes it so special, though, is that it was the first real PS5 exclusive of the generation, which also meant that it really had to impress with its DualSense features. Thankfully, developer Housemarque understood just how special PS5’s controller was and completely delivered.
Like the other games on this list, Returnal gives weapons a distinct feel, weather phenomena like rain can be felt through haptic feedback, and the entire gameplay experience is extended into the controller to bring extra immersion. It was the first true PS5 exclusive to prove that the DualSense is the best controller around.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Well Worth The Wait
Returnal was the first-ever original PS5 exclusive by complete accident. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart was originally slated as a launch title for the PS5 around the 2020 holiday season, but then the horrible COVID-19 pandemic came around and ruined those plans. The new Ratchet & Clank game was delayed, and it didn’t release until June 2021.
Despite the hiccup, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart was absolutely worth waiting for. Even though Returnal ended up beating Rift Apart to the punch, the DualSense’s capabilities were still incredibly new back then, so playing Rift Apart for the first time was still filled with excitement. Environments and weapons felt like they were bursting with life, and it has me crossing my fingers that Insomniac gets another chance at a showcase moment when the PS6 launches.
Astro Bot
One Of The Best Games The PS5 Has To Offer
This past year, in particular, has been an emotional roller coaster for PlayStation fans. Sony is ending physical game production in 2028, the company broke up with Hideo Kojima, Marvel’s Wolverine was marred by controversy, and rumors have claimed that the price of the PS6 could be well over $1,000. Frankly, it’s been a bit of a bleak time to be a PlayStation owner. However, games like Astro Bot are reminders of why PlayStation has the reputation that it does.
Thanks to the success of the PS5’s Astro’s Playroom demo, Astro Bot was brought to life. Astro’s Playroom served as a playable demo that showcased everything the DualSense was capable of, and Astro Bot took that to even greater heights. Astro Bot is both a love letter to the classic platformers that helped build PlayStation’s identity while also bringing gamers into the future through the power of the DualSense.
