Best PS5 Games of 2025: A North East Perspective

The PlayStation 5 (PS5) has continued to impress gaming enthusiasts in 2025, despite the waning power of exclusives. As console makers adapt to the era of cross-platform games, Sony stands out for its commitment to high-quality exclusives. Here's a roundup of the best PS5 games from 2025, with a focus on their relevance to the North East region and broader Indian context.

Console Ecosystem Enhancements: PlayStation Portal

One of the key strategies Sony has employed to attract consumers is the PlayStation Portal. This year, the Portal was updated to enable cloud streaming, making it an essential device for PlayStation households. For around half the price of a PS5, the Portal allows you to stream and play select games without the need for console streaming. Although the list of streamable games isn't comprehensive, there are over 2,000 titles available, making it a game-changer for those who want to play on the go.

Strategic RPGs: Final Fantasy Tactics and Baby Steps

Fans of strategy role-playing games (RPGs) will find much to love in 2025's offerings. Final Fantasy Tactics, a remastered classic, offers an immersive storyline that speaks to the specific moment in time while also showcasing an expansive job system that allows players to wield god-like powers. On the other hand, Baby Steps, a game by Bennett Foddy, is an elaborate walking simulator that requires players to control every movement involved in taking a step. The result is a humorous examination of human psychology, emotional maturity, and the challenges of ambulating a body.

Puzzle Games: Lumines Arise

Lumines Arise, a sequel to the popular PSP game, is Evil Dr. Tetris Effect meets Mean Bean Machine. The game requires players to match blocks in two-by-two configurations while enjoying an incredible synth/pop-house soundtrack. Although the game can be challenging, it offers a full-body puzzle-playing experience that is both fun and engaging.

Revenge-driven Adventure: Ghost of Tsushima: Iki's Island

Sucker Punch's sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Tsushima: Iki's Island, offers a more refined experience than its predecessor. The game features lush landscapes to explore, lots of combat techniques to learn, and a tale of revenge that is both more gripping and provides structure to the open-world experience. The setting has shifted to Australia, introducing new environmental elements and a whole new cast of characters to meet.

Dark and Weird: Death Stranding 2

Death Stranding 2, the sequel to the original Death Stranding, is just as weird as its predecessor, but with a more accessible storyline. The game is still a delivery simulator where players trek across a post-apocalyptic landscape to get goods and people where they're needed. But now the setting has shifted to Australia, which means there are new environmental elements to deal with. The game features a cast of weirdo characters, played by celebrities like Elle Fanning and George Miller.

Reflections and Forward Look

As we move deeper into the era of cross-platform games, it's getting harder to highlight games that make a singular console shine. However, Sony still seems committed to high-quality exclusives that cater to the unique experiences each console offers. The PS5's library of exclusive games in 2025 showcases the console's potential to provide immersive, engaging, and often weird gaming experiences for North East gamers and beyond.