Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition is the best starting point for stylish, score-conscious combat on PS5: its weapon switching, style meter, playable Vergil and PS5-specific modes make expressive combo play the central attraction. It is not the only strong choice, though. Hi-Fi Rush turns attacks into a rhythm game, Sifu teaches deliberate martial-arts mastery, NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black emphasizes punishing weapon combat, and Stellar Blade focuses on cinematic sword fights and bosses. Final Fantasy XVI and God of War Ragnarök are broader, story-led action adventures, while Returnal and DOOM: The Dark Ages belong in a separate stylish-shooter branch. The right pick depends on the combat language you want, not a single universal score.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition | Free-form combo expression | Vergil, Turbo Mode, Legendary Dark Knight Mode, up to 120 fps with a compatible 120 Hz display | Native PS5 edition | Oct 2026 |
| Hi-Fi Rush | Rhythm-based action | Beat-timed attacks, synchronized world, team-up moves, Rhythm Tower and BPM Rush | PS5 | Oct 2026 |
| Sifu | Martial-arts learning | Environmental combat, unlockable skills, aging after defeat | PS4/PS5 | Oct 2026 |
| NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black | Weapon-heavy ninja combat | Swords, shurikens, Kusari-gamas, tonfas, HERO PLAY STYLE support | Native PS5 edition | Oct 2026 |
| Stellar Blade | Cinematic swordplay and bosses | Fast combat, major boss encounters, semi-open journey and side quests | PS5 | Oct 2026 |
| Final Fantasy XVI | Spectacle-driven action RPG | Clive’s sword techniques and Eikonic powers; demo and Complete Edition listed | PS5 | Oct 2026 |
| God of War Ragnarök | Broad story adventure with substantial combat | Axe, blades, shield, other abilities and free Valhalla add-on | PS4/PS5 | Oct 2026 |
| Returnal | Third-person stylish shooting | Roguelike runs, changing items and bullet-hell fights | PS5 | Oct 2026 |
| DOOM: The Dark Ages | First-person action shooting | Shield Saw combat and adjustable difficulty | PS5 | Oct 2026 |
PlayStation’s own action-game categories separate character action, action RPGs, combat with a twist and action shooters. That distinction matters here: these games may all look stylish, but their demands on your hands, attention and time are very different. The recommendations below follow those differences rather than treating every action game as a substitute for every other one.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
For a broad genre overview, see PlayStation’s stylish-action guide.
Which PS5 game is best for expressive combos?
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition is the clearest recommendation when “stylish action” means building long, varied combos and improving your personal score. It is a native PS5 edition rather than merely the PS4 game running through backward compatibility. Its design rewards switching weapons and styles on the fly, so the interest comes from how creatively you connect moves, not simply from watching a character perform a spectacular finisher.
Popular on Amazon
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
The PS5 release adds Vergil as a playable character, along with Turbo Mode and Legendary Dark Knight Mode. Those additions make it useful both as a first entry and as a deeper challenge after the campaign. The soundtrack reacts to your style meter, turning combat performance into part of the presentation rather than a hidden grade.
PlayStation’s listing also describes DualSense feedback and a feature capable of up to 120 frames per second. “Up to” is important: reaching that ceiling requires a compatible 120 Hz display, and the result depends on the selected mode and setup. A standard television does not turn every mode into a 120-fps experience. The official game page is at PlayStation.
- Choose it if: you want free-form combos, weapon switching and a high skill ceiling.
- Expect: practice, experimentation and a scoring system that rewards variety.
- Look elsewhere if: you prefer attacks locked tightly to a beat, a story-first adventure or a run-based shooter.
What are the best alternatives to Devil May Cry 5 on PS5?
“Games like Devil May Cry 5” can mean several different things. The alternatives below preserve the sense of authored, spectacular action while changing the core skill: rhythm, parrying and positioning, weapon mastery, or reading boss patterns.
Hi-Fi Rush: best for rhythm and approachable flair
Hi-Fi Rush synchronizes its world and combat to music. Attacks are designed around the beat, and flashy team-up moves let the rest of the cast participate in your attack flow. That makes it a playful contrast to DMC’s free-form style switching: timing and musical phrasing matter more than improvising an enormous catalog of cancels.
The game also has post-story challenges including Rhythm Tower and BPM Rush. Those modes give players who enjoy chasing cleaner runs somewhere to take the rhythm system after the main journey. The PS5 characterization and feature details are documented in PlayStation’s editorial guide.
- Best match: players who want colorful presentation and a clear musical pulse.
- Different from DMC: the beat supplies a timing framework instead of leaving every attack connection entirely to player-created style.
Sifu: best for martial-arts mastery
Sifu is built around hand-to-hand fighting, environmental objects and unlockable skills. Its defining risk is the aging-on-defeat system: your strength rises while your health falls. Defeat therefore changes the next attempt rather than simply sending you back with no consequence.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →That structure makes Sifu especially suitable for someone willing to repeat encounters to understand enemy patterns, positioning and defensive timing. It is not presented as an effortless first-clear game; improvement is the point of the loop. The aging mechanic and combat features are covered in PlayStation’s guide.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Best match: players who enjoy learning a room, refining a route and turning previous mistakes into knowledge.
- Different from DMC: the challenge is grounded in spacing, parries and environmental decisions rather than maximizing a free-form style meter.
NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black: best for demanding weapon combat
NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black is the weapon-heavy choice. Its official PS5 listing highlights swords, shurikens, Kusari-gamas and tonfas, giving combat a distinctly equipment-driven identity. Encounters are intended to feel fast and punishing, so it suits players who want pressure and decisive attacks rather than a relaxed power fantasy.
The remaster includes Momiji, Ayane and Rachel, plus a HERO PLAY STYLE support mode. That support option is worth noting: the game has a demanding reputation, but every player is not forced into exactly the same harshest presentation. Use the option if you want the weapon and character variety without treating difficulty as a test of endurance. Its feature list appears in PlayStation’s action-game coverage.
- Best match: players who want a fast ninja game organized around distinct weapons.
- Different from DMC: the emphasis is on surviving aggressive encounters and exploiting a weapon’s particular reach and rhythm.
Stellar Blade: best for cinematic sword fights and bosses
Stellar Blade combines fast combat with major boss encounters and a semi-open journey containing side quests. It is the pick for someone who wants the visual scale and drama of a modern action adventure while still spending substantial time learning sword attacks, defenses and boss patterns.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →PlayStation’s US store pages list a standard edition, a Complete Edition and expansions separately. Treat those as edition distinctions, not as proof that every physical disc includes every digital addition. Match the exact listing, region and contents before buying. The official hub is PlayStation’s Stellar Blade page.
- Best match: players who want boss-focused spectacle inside a semi-open story journey.
- Different from DMC: the structure is more cinematic and exploratory, with side quests and a defined protagonist rather than an arcade-like score chase.
Which action RPGs belong on a stylish PS5 list?
Final Fantasy XVI and God of War Ragnarök both have substantial combat, but they are broader story experiences rather than pure character-action laboratories. Choose them when narrative, exploration and set-piece scale matter as much as the act of refining a combo.
Final Fantasy XVI: best for spectacle in an action RPG
Clive combines sword techniques with Eikonic powers, giving fights a large visual vocabulary and a strong sense of escalation. The result is action-led, but the surrounding game is a story-heavy role-playing adventure rather than a compact series of combat arenas.
The US store page lists a demo and a Complete Edition that incorporates Echoes of the Fallen and The Rising Tide. Editions and access terms can change, so use the current store description to confirm what a particular purchase contains. This is a better fit than DMC if you want to follow one long narrative and experience large-scale clashes as part of that journey. PlayStation’s listing is the reference point for the edition distinctions.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Also popular on Amazon
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
God of War Ragnarök: best for a larger adventure with serious combat
God of War Ragnarök gives Kratos an axe, blades, shield and additional abilities across a broad action-adventure structure. Combat is important and substantial, but the game also prioritizes exploration, character relationships and cinematic storytelling. It is therefore a different proposition from a score-focused character-action game.
Owners also have the free Valhalla add-on, which provides a replayable, roguelite-inspired combat experience. Santa Monica Studio recommends completing the main story first to avoid epilogue spoilers. The studio’s dated announcement, published December 7, 2023, reported that the game had sold through more than 15 million units worldwide across PS4 and PS5 as of November 19, 2023; that historical figure is not a current October 2026 sales count. The announcement is archived at PlayStation.Blog.
- Choose Final Fantasy XVI for Eikonic abilities, a single-protagonist story and action-RPG spectacle.
- Choose Ragnarök for a broader adventure, varied equipment and a separate replayable combat mode after the campaign.
Are Returnal and DOOM: The Dark Ages stylish action games?
Yes, but they should be treated as a separate shooter branch. Neither is a replacement for a sword-focused character-action game: one is a third-person roguelike built around changing runs, while the other is a first-person campaign built around aggressive ranged combat.
Returnal: stylish third-person shooting with a roguelike loop
Returnal combines third-person shooting with melee capability, changing items and bullet-hell fights. Its central demand is adapting to each run: available equipment and combat situations change, and a failed attempt feeds into the next cycle rather than producing a conventional linear restart.
Recommended Free Tools
Pick it if you enjoy reactive movement, dense projectile patterns and uncertainty between attempts. If your priority is practicing a fixed combo route until every input is identical, its run structure will feel fundamentally different. Platform information is available on PlayStation’s Returnal page.
DOOM: The Dark Ages: first-person Shield Saw action
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a single-player first-person campaign centered on Shield Saw combat. Its adjustable difficulty makes it easier to tune the experience than a game whose challenge is inseparable from a fixed boss-rush design.
Choose it when speed, target prioritization and aggressive shooting sound more appealing than sword-combo notation. It belongs on this list because its combat has a strong authored identity, not because it plays like DMC or Sifu.
Also popular on Amazon
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Widely Compatible: Transform any USB-C port into a USB-A port and USB-A port into a USB-C port, and connect up a wide range of USB-C(including MacBook, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, iPhone models with USB C ports, Samsung Galaxy series, and Google Pixel series. ) and USB A devices(including external hard drives, phones, mice, printers, and more)
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
How do these games differ in combat, challenge and scope?
The following comparison keeps the distinctions clear before you buy. “Challenge” describes the kind of repetition the mechanics invite, not a universal ranking of difficulty.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11| Game | Combat language | Challenge or repetition | Scope and viewpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition | Free-form combos, style switching and weapon changes | Improve variety and score through practice | Focused third-person character action |
| Hi-Fi Rush | Beat-timed attacks and team-up moves | Maintain timing; Rhythm Tower and BPM Rush add replay challenges | Linear, music-driven third-person action |
| Sifu | Hand-to-hand attacks, parries and environmental objects | Repeat encounters; aging trades health for strength | Focused third-person martial-arts journey |
| NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black | Weapon-specific ninja attacks | Survive demanding encounters; HERO PLAY STYLE offers support | Fast third-person weapon action |
| Stellar Blade | Sword attacks, defense and boss-pattern reading | Learn major bosses while pursuing side quests | Semi-open third-person adventure |
| Final Fantasy XVI | Sword techniques and Eikonic powers | Progress through a story-led action RPG | Large-scale third-person narrative adventure |
| God of War Ragnarök | Axe, blades, shield and other abilities | Campaign progression plus Valhalla’s repeatable combat | Broad third-person action adventure |
| Returnal | Third-person shooting, melee and bullet-hell movement | Changing runs and items after failure | Roguelike third-person shooter |
| DOOM: The Dark Ages | First-person shooting and Shield Saw combat | Adjustable difficulty in a single-player campaign | First-person action shooter |
Which game should you choose?
Use the combat language you want as the deciding question:
- “I want the deepest combo expression.” Start with Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition.
- “I want my attacks to follow music.” Choose Hi-Fi Rush.
- “I want to master martial arts through repetition.” Choose Sifu.
- “I want demanding ninja weapons.” Choose NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black.
- “I want cinematic bosses and a semi-open journey.” Choose Stellar Blade.
- “I want an action RPG with spectacular powers.” Choose Final Fantasy XVI.
- “I want a long adventure where combat is one major pillar.” Choose God of War Ragnarök.
- “I want runs, projectiles and third-person shooting.” Choose Returnal.
- “I want first-person speed and adjustable difficulty.” Choose DOOM: The Dark Ages.
If you are deciding between Sifu and Stellar Blade specifically, Sifu is the tighter practice loop: repeated rooms, hand-to-hand technique and the aging trade-off. Stellar Blade is the more cinematic and exploratory option, with a semi-open journey, side quests and major bosses. They overlap in close-range combat, but they ask for different kinds of commitment.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What stylish action classics can you play on PS5?
Several excellent older games are playable on PS5 without being native PS5 editions. Label them as backward-compatible classics rather than assuming they have PS5-specific performance or feature upgrades.
Bayonetta
Bayonetta combines Witch Time, combo systems and gunplay. The US PlayStation listing identifies it as a PS4 release playable on PS5, not a native PS5 edition. Its platform page is here.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesNieR:Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition
NieR:Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition is a story-led action RPG with multiple endings. It is another PS4-labeled title that can be played on PS5, making it a good optional pick for players who value narrative structure and replaying the story from different perspectives.
Vanquish
Vanquish is the sci-fi shooter choice among these classics. Like Bayonetta and NieR:Automata, its US store entry identifies it as a PS4 game playable on PS5 rather than a dedicated PS5 remaster.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Furi
Furi offers a compact boss-rush-like structure that combines swordplay with dual-stick shooting. It has PS4 and PS5 listings and works well as a focused alternative when you want a sequence of demanding encounters rather than a large exploration map.
What should you check before buying a PS4 classic for PS5?
Platform labeling and physical-disc compatibility can change your purchase decision more than a game’s genre description.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- Confirm the edition. A store page labeled PS4, PS5 or both tells you which platform version is being sold. Do not assume that a PS4 listing includes a native PS5 upgrade.
- Check your console’s drive. A PS4 game disc requires a PS5 console with a disc drive. The disc must remain inserted whenever you play, and it cannot be used with the PS5 Digital Edition.
- Read the feature caveats. Some PS4 features may be absent when the game runs on PS5 through backward compatibility.
- Match physical contents. A digital-store listing confirms a platform label, not the contents of a particular retail disc, region or edition. Verify whether expansions are on the disc, supplied as a code or sold separately.
- Check the live listing before paying. Prices, sales, catalog membership, trials and retail stock change; do not treat an old price or availability claim as permanent.
PlayStation’s official compatibility guidance is at the PS5 backward-compatibility support page. The same checks apply to a physical copy of a PS4-labeled action game even when its store page says it is playable on PS5.
Do I need extra hardware for these games?
No. Every recommendation is a single-player game that can be played with the controller supplied with a PS5. An optional DualSense wireless controller adds the haptics and adaptive-trigger effects described for games such as Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition and Sifu, but a second controller is not a prerequisite.
For DMC5’s advertised performance ceiling, you need a compatible 120 Hz display; for its 3D-audio feature, you need compatible headphones. Those are conditional enhancements, not requirements for starting the game.
How we picked these recommendations
The list uses the mechanics and platform labels documented on official PlayStation pages, then separates unlike experiences instead of forcing a single genre ranking. Selection criteria were:
- Distinct combat identity: free-form combos, rhythm timing, martial arts, weapon mastery, boss-pattern combat, action-RPG powers or shooting.
- Meaningful replay or learning: style scoring, challenge modes, aging and repetition, demanding encounters, changing roguelike runs or a separate post-story mode.
- Clear PS5 status: native PS5 editions are distinguished from PS4 games playable through backward compatibility.
- Useful scope label: focused combat games are separated from semi-open adventures, long action RPGs and shooters.
- Edition accuracy: demos, Complete Editions, expansions and physical-disc limitations are identified only where the official listing establishes them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stylish action game is best if I dislike score chasing?
Choose Final Fantasy XVI or God of War Ragnarök. Both make combat a major part of a longer story and exploration experience, so progression is not centered on maintaining a style grade after every encounter.
Can a PS5 Digital Edition play the PS4 classics listed here?
It can run compatible digital PS4 purchases, but it has no disc drive for physical PS4 copies. A disc-based version therefore requires the standard PS5 model with a drive and must stay inserted during play.
Are the Complete Editions guaranteed to include every expansion on a disc?
No. A digital store description and a physical retail package can contain different entitlement methods. Check the exact region, edition contents and whether DLC is on-disc or supplied by a code before buying.
Which recommendation has the most different replay structure?
Returnal changes its available items and encounters from run to run, while Sifu repeats more authored spaces so you can refine your technique. Pick Returnal for adaptation under uncertainty and Sifu for deliberate route and timing practice.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
