Summer is in full swing, it’s sweltering outside, and the AC is getting a serious workout, making it the perfect time to kick back with some primePlayStation 5games sure to help beat the heat. With so manyPS5games to choose from, it’s become a habit to simply open the store and scroll while consumed with decision fatigue. Thankfully, I’ve come up with some suggestions across different genres, and one is sure to pique your interest.
These five games range from nostalgic to new, and from bizarre to familiar, but regardless of which you choose, the weekend will be made better for it. Sure, you could venture out into the sun, but there’s plenty of exploration to be done witha PS5 controllersecurely in your hands.
Here are five PlayStation 5 games I recommend picking up this weekend to stay cool while also getting someperfect summer vibesand avoiding sunburn.
Paradise Killer
The most bizarre title on this list belongs at the top, andParadise Killeris nothing if not monumentally strange. In the adventure mystery title, players step into the role of Lady Love Dies, an exiled investigator who is asked to figure out who committed a mass murder on Paradise Island. Throughout her adventures, she begins to realize that everyone on the island is hiding something, making getting to the truth even more complex. The game’s open world is anything but normal, filled with allusions to demons and ancient alien gods, and players can take as long as they’d like tosolveParadise Killer’s mysteryby speaking to other characters and hunting down various types of clues. The summer vibes are also immaculate, thanks in part to the title’s city pop-inspired soundtrack.
Shadow Labyrinth
Throughout 2025 and 2026, Bandai Namco iscelebratingPac-Man’s 45th anniversary, collaborating with well-known brands and teasing new releases.Shadow Labyrinth, which is a new release this weekend, may not look like aPac-Mangame at first glance, but it re-imagines the franchise’s core concepts in a way that may appeal to more modern gamers. The Metroidvania action-adventure title transforms players into The Swordsman as they explore a massive maze while fighting enemies and progressively upgrading their gear. Occasionally, the main character and his companion orb, Puck, will be transported to classic arcade-styled mazes where they must eat ghosts in an homage to the original release. Summer always invokes a feeling of nostalgia for yesteryear, and this new release is sure to evoke some feelings in older gamers.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Sure, sinceInfinite Wealthis a direct sequel, you’ll need to play (or have played)Like a Dragonfirst, but that’s a small price to pay for this chaotic Hawaii-bound adventure. Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu’s quests to find the former’s mother can take over 100 hours to complete, meaning that you’ll have a perfect excuse to avoid the heat while beating up punks, singing karaoke, making deliveries, and hunting down collectibles. The game was also one of thehighest-rated titles of 2024, still earning praise for its story and seemingly endless amount of content. If you haven’t experienced the world ofYakuza/Like a Dragonjust yet, it may be time. (Also, once you’re done, you may also be interested in picking upLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Though, that’s a story for another day.)
Dave the Diver
Despite initially being released in 2023,Dave the Diverhas been in the news lately, with the action-adventure management title currently crossing over with the long-running MMORPGMapleStory. In the effortlessly addictive game, players must, as the title implies, go diving during the day, while also running a sushi restaurant at night. Several DLC based on popular properties have also been released forDave the Diveras well, includingDredge, theGodzillafranchise,Balatro,Potion Craft, and the aforementionedLike a Dragon. The title’s classic pixel art aesthetic and varied gameplay have been a hit with fans, and there’s more to come, asDave the Diver’sIn the JungleDLCis scheduled to be released in late 2025. Actually venturing out to the ocean and going diving sounds like a bit of a chore, but this is the next best thing.
Forza Horizon 5
TheForzaseries has been an Xbox-exclusive franchise since the release ofForza Motorsportin 2005, but times have changed. Earlier this year,Forza Horizon 5made the leap to PS5, and unsurprisingly, the racing title has taken off on the platform, selling over 2 million copies in its first month on Sony’s console. Set in a fictionalized representation of Mexico, the game features sprawling jungle landscapes, pristine beaches, and accurate weather patterns, along with over 800 cars and 1,800 accolades to earn. Even gamers who don’t typically pick up racing titles may want togiveForza Horizon 5a try, if only to take in the ultra-realistic scenery. Why venture outside your home when you’re able to bring a high-octane summer vacation to your living room?
