Have a PlayStation 5? Here are five launch titles that can get you started

So you’ve beat the crowds, cut through the pre-order confusion and managed to get your hands on a PlayStation 5. The question now is: what to play on it?

Here are a few launch titles that could serve as a jumping-off point into the next generation of gaming.

DEMON’S SOULS

Built from the ground up to harness the power of the PS5, this punishing action role-playing game is a challenge even for the most dedicated gamers.

The original Demon’s Souls, which came out for the PlayStation 3 in 2009, was lauded for its deep gameplay and considerable difficulty. It launched a number of successful sequels, as well as imitators.

The PS5 version keeps all the gameplay goodness from the original and upgrades with gorgeous graphics and stellar sound.

“Demon’s Souls” tasks players with exploring a cursed land, and battling the fearsome creatures that plague it. Be prepared to fail, however, as dying multiple times is expected.

SACKBOY: A BIG ADVENTURE

The star of Sony’s “LittleBigPlanet” series returns in a fun 3D platformer.

The titular cloth-based hero makes his way through the planet Craftworld to defeat his enemy, the villainous Vex.

The visuals are charming — Sackboy can have his look altered in multiple ways through costume components found throughout the game — but the real hit is the fantastic soundtrack. 

“Sackboy” also supports up to four players in local co-op, and some stages can only be accessed in multiplayer. If you have multiple controllers at the ready, this is a great way to play.

Online multiplayer is not currently available but is expected in a future patch.  

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: MILES MORALES

The latest adventure from Marvel’s web-slinging hero sees Miles Morales, the star of the hit animated movie “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” take over the mantle of Spider-Man from a vacationing Peter Parker.

While structurally similar to 2018’s “Spider-Man” entry on the PS4, Morales proves to be a relatable and likable protagonist who can effortlessly carry his own story.

“Spider-Man” also captures the PS5’s visual capabilities, particularly with the ray tracing rendering of Morales’s bio-electric powers.

The game includes a remastered version of the original “Spider-Man.”

ASSASSIN’S CREED: VALHALLA

The latest title in UbiSoft’s popular “Assassin’s Creed” series, this Montreal-developed game is a Viking-based adventure set in Norway and England.

Like its predecessor “Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey,” this title boasts a sprawling world to explore and conquer. The amount of additional activities available outside the main storyline might seem a little daunting to series newcomers, but series fans will appreciate the game’s scope.

While narratively “Valhalla” is arguably a step back from “Odyssey,” it is still deep and enjoyable, and does a good job showing off the PS5’s lack of load times.

BUGSNAX

This weird adventure game really leans into its tagline “we are what we eat.” In “Bugsnax,” players play the part of a reporter sent to an island full of creatures that are hybrids of insects and snack foods. 

The Muppet-like residents of the island, called “grumps,” will task you with catching these creatures to meet various objectives. You will have a few tools at your disposal to accomplish your tasks, and completionists will no doubt try to “catch ’em all.”

The game takes an eerie turn when you feed these creatures to a grump and watch one of their appendages turn into a morsel of food. 

“Bugsnax” is the first PS5 game to be made available for no additional cost to subscribers of the PS Plus service.

Digital versions of “Demon’s Souls,” “Sackboy: A Big Adventure,” and “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales” were provided for this report.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 30, 2020.

Curtis Withers, The Canadian Press