We are 3 years into the lifecycle of the current “Next Generation” consoles, which as of this writing is the “current gen” consoles. The reason why we’re calling PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles the “Next Gen” consoles, rather than the “Current Gen” consoles is because we are in the phase of what is known as “Cross Gen.” Today, we’re gonna highlight the “Next Gen Only” games. Most games out on the market today is mostly multiplatform games, that are released across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One consoles, and Xbox Series consoles. A “Cross Gen” game is a classification that is given to multiplatform games that has a PlayStation 4 version, and a PlayStation 5 version. Xbox Series consoles have a similar system in place.
These are games that are available only on PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles from a third party perspective. Games that are “timed exclusive” will also be included in this list, so keep that in mind when reading, because this will be a timeless article. This list is up to December 2023. I’ll include some games coming in 2024…
(In no particular order, by the way.)
– A Plague Tale: Requiem
Released on October 17, 2022 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and PC is a Stealth title taking place in the year 1349. You are plunged into a epidemic of sorts, a plague. Historically, this plague is known as the “Black Death” riots. Silk Road was a famous route for which the pandemic took hold. The game takes the perspective of the typical “alchemy” studier. To learn more, check out the game’s page.
– Gotham Knights
Released on October 21, 2022 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and PC. Gotham Knights is more or less an action-RPG, and takes place in a timeline after the events of Batman: Arkham Knights. Gotham Knights was panned at launch because of the framerate issues. The game was coded using Unreal Engine 4, but developers were just getting used to the consoles.
– Deathloop
Initially released for PlayStation 5, and PC as a timed exclusive title. Originally released for PlayStation 5, and PC on September 14, 2021. Later on, it was released for Xbox Series consoles on September 20, 2022. Deathloop is now a “Next Gen Only” game with awards to back it up. Deathloop is an acquired taste for first person shooter games.
– Alan Wake II
Released on October 27, 2023 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and PC. Alan Wake II is the sequel to the critically acclaimed survival horror experience. You play as two different storylined characters in Alan Wake. One is a FBI agent, and the other one is Alan Wake himself.
– Dead Space (Remake)
Originally released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC in 2008, Dead Space is a survival horror game. 2023’s Dead Space is a remake of the original 2008 game. You take a role of an engineer aboard the “Ishimura” space ship. You will have to battle a horde of “Necromorphs” monsters to finish the game.
– Mortal Kombat 1
Released on September 19, 2023 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and PC. Mortal Kombat as a franchise has been on an upswing as of late, by breaking franchise records with 15 Million copies worldwide for Mortal Kombat 11. Mortal Kombat 1 is more or less a sequel and/or reboot. It’s a reboot from Ed Boon’s perspective, but the game is a sequel to Mortal Kombat 11. Mortal Kombat 1 takes place in the events that follow Mortal Kombat 11’s Aftermath storyline. Liu Kang reset the timeline, therefore it’s now a reboot, but from a storyline perspective, it’s also a sequel. So, both can be correct.
– Final Fantasy XVI
Released on June 22, 2023 for PlayStation 5. Of all the games listed, Final Fantasy XVI is the most “Next Gen” game you’ll find on this list. According to Naoki Yoshida, the producer on Final Fantasy XVI, during an interview on The AIAS Game Maker’s Notebook YouTube channel – he had this to say: “Originally, we were expecting to have a multi-platform release on PlayStation 4 as well. And to some extent, the assets were pushing the PlayStation 4 to its absolute limits.”
He further elaborated: “But in the end, the Final Fantasy series has a certain level of graphical fidelity expected of it, and when we tried to eliminate basically all loading on the PS4 version, there were certain parts where we were having to reduce the quality to a point lower than [Final Fantasy] XV.”
Not only is the game timed exclusive to PlayStation, the game is designed specifically for PlayStation 5, at the moment. Eventually, it could theoretically go to Xbox Series consoles, but at the moment Final Fantasy XVI is PlayStation 5 exclusive. If you are a PC player, this will be available eventually.
– Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Released on November 30, 2023 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and PC. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is a licensed game with an open world sandbox.
– Hell Let Loose
Released as an Early Access PC title on June 6, 2019. Released shortly afterwards for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles on October 5, 2021. Players fight in iconic battles of the Western, North African and Eastern Fronts of World War II at the platoon level.
– Tekken 8
To be released on January 26, 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and PC. Tekken is a fighting game franchise that is competing against Street Fighter, and Mortal Kombat. Tekken 8 is a sequel to Tekken 7, and take place after the events of Tekken 7.
– Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
To be released on January 30, 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and PC. Developed by the same team or people that designed the original Batman: Arkham games. Rocksteady Studios released Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Knight. The Arkham trilogy had a mixed bag of acclaim, Arkham Asylum was a great starting point for the series, but had a few issues as you play – like framerate drops. Some glitches, but not enough to make you want to return the game. Arkham City, on the other hand – got raving acclaim by everyone. However, Arkham Knight had a mixed bag on its own. Critics sort-of panned it at launch, but players are split on their opinions. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has been a subject of controversy as of late, so much so it was delayed to the end of January.
– Dragon’s Dogma II
To be released March 22, 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and PC. Dragon’s Dogma II is a sequel to a game released in 2012 for PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It has a strong fanbase, a strong following, basically a cult classic.
– Alone in the Dark
To be released on March 20, 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and PC. 2024’s Alone in the Dark is a reimagining of the original 1992 release. Consider it a remake, a reimagining, just basically a completely new game, with the original storyline. Not much is known about the game other than the fact that it is a reimagining…
– Star Wars: Outlaws
To be released in 2024, Star Wars: Outlaws is a Star Wars game set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Outlaws is being developed by Massive Entertainment using the Snowdrop engine that graced a few games like The Division games, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
– Marathon
There is no release window penned or inked for Marathon. It is scheduled to be released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and PC. It is regarded as a spiritual predecessor of Bungie’s Halo series. Sony acquired Bungie, so it will be interesting to see what comes of Marathon.
– Grand Theft Auto VI
And now, the biggest game on this list. Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to be released in 2025 for PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles. That’s it, no release window. Just in 2025. To learn more about the game, here is the initial announcement.
