When it comes to playing games on PlayStation 5 consoles, it's necessary to get a subscription to PlayStation Plus. And while there are multiple levels to the service that open up different features, the one with the most value for the monthly fee is the Premium tier. With it, PS5 owners gain access to a number of new and classic releases to download, so even a new owner of the console can have a good selection of titles to play. New games are added periodically, with some extra perks for being subscribed to the service. While some may argue whether the service is better than Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass in different ways, PlayStation Plus Premium is still a good subscription service for those who want to become engaged with the PS5 ecosystem.

But if you are already part of PlayStation Plus Premium, then it might be challenging to know which games you should be downloading to the console. Not every game will be a hit with everyone, but there are a few standout titles that every PlayStation 5 owner should eventually play. And through PlayStation Plus Premium, getting access to them is pretty easy. Here are five PlayStation 5 games that everyone should download through PlayStation Plus Premium when they can. They're definitely worth checking out if you haven't gotten the chance to do so before.

5 The Last of Us Part 1

The first of a harsh world

With the popularity of the HBO series The Last of Us in full swing following its two seasons, now is a great time to play the original game that inspired the live-action series and started a new franchise. The Last of Us Part 1 is more like a definitive edition of the original game, which comes bundled together with its story DLC expansion "Left Behind" and other content. Unfortunately, the online multiplayer modes from the original version of The Last of Us were removed entirely, making this package focused more on the single-player experience. But nobody is losing much when the main attraction is the relationship between a man named Joel and a young girl named Ellie, set within a post-pandemic world where things have become dire.

This is a great PS Plus Premium pickup for PlayStation 5 users, since it's everything you need to get started with the series. The first season of the HBO show covers just about everything within this game, including the details from the DLC expansion. So, anyone interested in the show can easily pick up the game that inspired it on PlayStation 5, offering the best way to experience it to date. Although the sequel is not yet available on the service currently, it's reasonable to think it will eventually be added.

4 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

The saga continues

The sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order from Respawn Entertainment continued the story of Cal Kestis, a survivor of Order 66 and Jedi Knight, trying to make his way in the galaxy. But while Jedi: Fallen Order introduced everyone to this period through the lens of a new character, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor really opened up how much players could explore this portion of a galaxy far, far away. And yet, the game built upon the features of the first game in ways that made for a far better experience, especially for those who were looking for more from the challenging combat and detailed environments. New force abilities, new lightsaber builds, and an array of costumes and customization options made Star Wars Jedi: Survivor a big step-up for Star Wars fans who loved the first game.

The story of Jedi Survivor takes place some time after the events of Jedi: Fallen Order, following the aftermath of Cal's encounter with the Second Sister and Darth Vader. While the crew of the Mantis drifts apart, they are brought together again by Cal when new discoveries are made, and the Empire continues its dominance of the galaxy. New points in the Star Wars timeline, such as the High Republic, are given connections to the prequel and original trilogy eras through various temples and details that Cal discovers on his travels. For any Star Wars fan, this is another fantastic adventure that takes players deeper into the stories outside the films and makes the galaxy feel bigger than they previously thought.

3 Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade

A new look at an RPG classic

Square Enix took on the monumental task of remaking one of the most acclaimed JRPGs of all time, and somehow managed to make something incredible and unique. Final Fantasy VII: Remake is part reimagining and part something else, which offers an experience that takes what was amazing about the original classic and presents it in a new way on PlayStation 5. The real-time combat doesn't replace the classic turn-based battles, but rather gives them a different layer to modernize the iconic battles from Final Fantasy VII, making them feel more cinematic and impactful. However, instead of just having the base game, PlayStation Plus Premium has a version titled Final Fantasy VII: Remake Intergrade, which puts every piece of content into one bundle. It comes with the original release, all the extra updates, and the Intergrade DLC expansion that includes Yuffie's story. It's a definitive version of Final Fantasy VII: Remake that everybody should play when they can on PlayStation 5.

At the same time, this isn't the only Final Fantasy VII-related game on PS Plus Premium. The service also has Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, a prequel to the events of Final Fantasy VII that follows the exploits of a character named Zack Fair, a key individual in the events of the original game. While Crisis Core is a light remake of a PSP game, with more changes than a simple remaster, its relevant to have on PlayStation Plus Premium alongside Final Fantasy VII: Remake, especially for those who want to experience everything in the series. There may come a time when the sequel to Final Fantasy VII: Remake also appears on PlayStation Plus Premium, giving Square Enix fans a lot of content to dive into that they may have missed before.

2 Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut

An honorable tale

Without question, Ghost of Tsushima from Sucker Punch Productions is one of the best-looking games on the PlayStation 4. Its beautifully detailed environments are complemented by the dynamic and suspenseful action of its battles. But on the PlayStation 5, things look even better than before. PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers can download Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut to their console, which has all the released content for the game, as well as the additional free multiplayer mode that came after. If you want to see a game that really takes advantage of how visually stunning a PlayStation 5 can render a game, then this is one that will show you how it's done.

The game itself is more than just its presentation, however. Ghost of Tsushima is a story about honor and revenge, set on the Japanese island of Tsushima in feudal times. Jin Sakai and his clan are overrun by the invading Mongol army, which seeks to dominate Japan. Jin swears vengeance on those responsible and grapples with the dilemma of resorting to dishonorable methods in order to stop the Mongols and save the island of Tsushima. The game received many accolades for its presentation of the historical period, leading to members of the development team becoming ambassadors to the island of Tsushima in real life.

1 God of War Ragnarök

A masterpiece of a sequel

The reboot of the God of War series from Sony Santa Monica is one of the most beloved sequels in the PlayStation 4 library. After an epic saga set in Ancient Greece, the studio put series protagonist Kratos into a new setting with new deities to encounter, as well as a son to accompany him. But along with the new journey came a new tone and approach to storytelling that took the God of War series to new heights. The follow-up to the reboot in 2018 took things even further for Kratos, his son Atreus, and the Norse mythological world, creating an epic game for PlayStation 5 owners. God of War Ragnarök goes bigger and bolder with its challenging combat, big environments to traverse, and epic story that unfolds for Kratos and those around him.

If there is one game that PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers need to pick up on the service, it's most definitely this one. While there are other great titles on the service that are testament to the quality of games available on the PlayStation 5, not all of them reach the same heights that God of War Ragnarök does in terms of quality and overall enjoyment when playing. Even the supplemental parts of the game, like side quests and optional encounters, feel incredibly important and epic in their own right, making everything you do feel satisfying by the end. However, the game was further expanded upon with the free Valhalla DLC, which included new story details after the main game and a roguelite challenge mode with new rewards to discover. For anyone that owns a PlayStation 5, you owe it to yourself to play God of War Ragnarök whenever possible.

No limits for play

PlayStation Plus Premium is a great service for those who want to explore the landscape of titles that are available on PlayStation 5. While the comparisons to Xbox Game Pass are obvious and frequent, they are still something that PS5 owners can take advantage of. Many big games are readily available and showcase some of the best experiences you can find on the console. It might not be a necessity for some, but it's definitely a great thing for any PlayStation 5 owner looking to find more great games to play.