Robert Anderson
Guest
Black Friday is undoubtedly the best time of year for picking up everything gaming-related. From standout releases of the past decade to recent Game of the Year contenders, almost nothing is off the table during this sales season. With November now underway, we're on the cusp of seeing some major deals on the best PS5 games.
Here's the scoop: Most major offers typically appear in the final two weeks of November, with the biggest deals concentrated around Black Friday week, from November 23 to Cyber Monday on December 2 this year. Given the lackluster sale events in 2024 so far, Black Friday feels primed to deliver in a big way for gamers. So, what PS5 game deals should we expect this Black Friday? Here's what I’m hoping to see.
It’s only been a short time since release, but hear me out. Sega has a history of offering early discounts on its games, even if they’re performing well. Just look at Sonic Frontiers, which saw a solid Black Friday discount the same year it launched.
So it wouldn’t be too surprising if Sonic X Shadow Generations gets similar treatment. It's currently down to $39.99 at Woot, but we may see another reduction in the coming weeks. Notable leaker billbil_kun has even suggested the game could go for around €26.99 in Europe, hinting at a potentially hefty discount when Black Friday rolls around.
On a personal note, Shadow Generations is everything I hoped it would be. Sonic fans are in for a treat, and for everyone else, this is a perfect entry point into one of the best Sonic games to date. Plus, with Sonic 3 releasing in cinemas this Christmas, it’s a great time to dive into the Sonic universe – and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Consistently topping our best PlayStation games list, Elden Ring is a must-play on any console – and a game that has already earned its place among the greatest of all time. This year, it gained even more depth with Shadow of the Erdtree, a new expansion set to challenge even the most seasoned Souls veterans.
Though Elden Ring has been out for a while, a truly epic deal has been elusive, often selling out fast when it does appear. This Black Friday, here’s hoping retailers bring Elden Ring (and ideally, the Shadow of the Erdtree Edition) to the table with a deal worth the wait.
More people need to play Alan Wake 2. It was my personal Game of the Year for 2023 and one of the best horror games I’ve experienced in ages. It delivers a thrilling, terrifying ride with that signature Remedy charm woven throughout. Now available physically via the Deluxe Edition – which includes the Lake House and Night Springs DLCs – Black Friday would be a perfect time to offer a discount and get this gem into more players’ hands. Since it's still a hefty price of $79.99 right now, let’s hope it’s on sale soon.
It's one of the biggest surprises of the year: Astro Bot is amazing. If you haven't played it yet, please change that ASAP. Hopefully Black Friday can help assist in that matter and you can experience the sheer platforming brilliance that Asobi Team put together. It's not been long since release, so I wouldn't expect any massive discounts, but even just $10 off the game would be great going into the holidays.
Since its release last year, Spider-Man 2 has seen mixed reactions, despite being one of my favorite games of 2023 and even a serious Game of the Year contender. Unfortunately, enthusiasm for the game has waned, especially with Insomniac’s recent announcement that it's moving on to its next project (likely Wolverine) without releasing any DLC for Spider-Man 2.
For me, though, it’s still a fantastic game, faults and all. Black Friday could be the perfect opportunity for more players to experience the special everyday moments that make the game memorable – like sitting by the lake with someone’s grandfather as he reminisces or helping Harold’s pigeons find a new home. These “friendly neighborhood” moments, along with the incredible swinging and smooth dynamic combat, make it an experience worth trying. If it goes on sale, I highly recommend picking it up. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is full of heart, and if you haven’t yet, it’s a ride you don’t want to miss.
Now, let’s shift to something a little more recent: Stellar Blade. This action-packed game, released earlier this year, hasn’t seen any significant discounts since launch. There was one brief deal a few weeks back, but it sold out fast, leaving many players waiting for a second chance to pick it up at a reasonable price. Black Friday could be the perfect opportunity for retailers to bring back a solid deal and let more people (and their Nan!) experience this fantastic game.
One of last year’s standout games, the Resident Evil 4 remake, recently saw a fantastic price drop to just $19.99 – an incredible value for a game often considered one of the best of all time. Although that deal is still available, I’m especially hoping it continues (or maybe even gets cheaper?) for Black Friday. For now at $20, this game is a must-have, and it’s a deal that more people should jump on if it sticks around through Black Friday.
Yes, Alan Wake 2 was my Game of the Year last year, but Phantom Liberty is right up there as well. Though technically an expansion, Phantom Liberty feels like a complete game in itself, and it marks an impressive comeback for Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt RED has truly redeemed themselves, and Phantom Liberty is the icing on the cake. If this expansion drops in price for Black Friday, it’s a fantastic opportunity to experience one of the finest RPG additions in recent memory.
Naughty Dog sure loves to re-release its games, and while I get it, here’s hoping for a serious price drop this Black Friday. Both Part 1 and Part 2 are incredible games, but a more accessible price could bring in new players, especially with HBO's The Last of Us Season 2 set to break our hearts all over again next year. A Black Friday discount would be the perfect way to gear up for the show’s return.
If there's a deal during Black Friday, it could be a good time to jump on Star Wars Outlaws, especially since Massive Entertainment have recently deployed update 1.2. It brought about a host of performance and gameplay enhancements on console and PC.
The publisher laid out everything new in title update 2 on its website, which introduced a bunch of visual improvements and bug fixes to Ubisoft's open-world sci-fi game. Ubisoft emphasized that these updates were shaped by player feedback, reaffirming its commitment to closely listening as post-launch support for Star Wars Outlaws continues. While we're at it, how about Star Wars: Jedi Survivor gets a Black Friday discount as well? Let's wait and see.
Fellow deals expert Chris Reed was all in on Space Marine 2, saying in his review, “Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 may not break the third-person shooter mold, but it looks amazing, makes good use of its Warhammer lore, and has brutal combat that just feels great.”
Now that the dust has settled, Black Friday could be an ideal time to put this thrilling third-person shooter into even more hands for the holiday season. Got a Warhammer fan in your life who hasn’t played it yet? If this goes on sale, you’re looking at a perfect gift idea. Fingers crossed – Space Marine 2 would make an incredible find under the tree this year.
That's all she wrote! Notice any big games that I've missed off the list? Let us know below in the comments what you'd like to see on sale over Black Friday this year.
Looking for deals right now? Have a look at our roundup of the best PlayStation deals to see the biggest discounts available today. Or, if you'd like to see what's caught our eye on other platforms, have a look at our individual roundups of the best Nintendo Switch deals and the best Xbox deals or our overall look at the best video game deals.
The actual date of Black Friday in 2024 falls on November 29 this year, but the deals season will begin a lot sooner than that. Leading up to the big event, retailers will begin to open deals online. This usually starts in the last week of October, just before Halloween. Each week leading up to the event will slowly roll out more deals, which ultimately leads to Black Friday. Retailers will not reveal their biggest Black Friday deals until the big day, but most general deals will be available well in advance. Walmart, for example, has announced its official sale for November 11 this year.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.
Here's the scoop: Most major offers typically appear in the final two weeks of November, with the biggest deals concentrated around Black Friday week, from November 23 to Cyber Monday on December 2 this year. Given the lackluster sale events in 2024 so far, Black Friday feels primed to deliver in a big way for gamers. So, what PS5 game deals should we expect this Black Friday? Here's what I’m hoping to see.
Sonic X Shadow Generations
It’s only been a short time since release, but hear me out. Sega has a history of offering early discounts on its games, even if they’re performing well. Just look at Sonic Frontiers, which saw a solid Black Friday discount the same year it launched.
So it wouldn’t be too surprising if Sonic X Shadow Generations gets similar treatment. It's currently down to $39.99 at Woot, but we may see another reduction in the coming weeks. Notable leaker billbil_kun has even suggested the game could go for around €26.99 in Europe, hinting at a potentially hefty discount when Black Friday rolls around.
On a personal note, Shadow Generations is everything I hoped it would be. Sonic fans are in for a treat, and for everyone else, this is a perfect entry point into one of the best Sonic games to date. Plus, with Sonic 3 releasing in cinemas this Christmas, it’s a great time to dive into the Sonic universe – and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Elden Ring
Consistently topping our best PlayStation games list, Elden Ring is a must-play on any console – and a game that has already earned its place among the greatest of all time. This year, it gained even more depth with Shadow of the Erdtree, a new expansion set to challenge even the most seasoned Souls veterans.
Though Elden Ring has been out for a while, a truly epic deal has been elusive, often selling out fast when it does appear. This Black Friday, here’s hoping retailers bring Elden Ring (and ideally, the Shadow of the Erdtree Edition) to the table with a deal worth the wait.
Alan Wake 2
More people need to play Alan Wake 2. It was my personal Game of the Year for 2023 and one of the best horror games I’ve experienced in ages. It delivers a thrilling, terrifying ride with that signature Remedy charm woven throughout. Now available physically via the Deluxe Edition – which includes the Lake House and Night Springs DLCs – Black Friday would be a perfect time to offer a discount and get this gem into more players’ hands. Since it's still a hefty price of $79.99 right now, let’s hope it’s on sale soon.
Astro Bot
It's one of the biggest surprises of the year: Astro Bot is amazing. If you haven't played it yet, please change that ASAP. Hopefully Black Friday can help assist in that matter and you can experience the sheer platforming brilliance that Asobi Team put together. It's not been long since release, so I wouldn't expect any massive discounts, but even just $10 off the game would be great going into the holidays.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Since its release last year, Spider-Man 2 has seen mixed reactions, despite being one of my favorite games of 2023 and even a serious Game of the Year contender. Unfortunately, enthusiasm for the game has waned, especially with Insomniac’s recent announcement that it's moving on to its next project (likely Wolverine) without releasing any DLC for Spider-Man 2.
For me, though, it’s still a fantastic game, faults and all. Black Friday could be the perfect opportunity for more players to experience the special everyday moments that make the game memorable – like sitting by the lake with someone’s grandfather as he reminisces or helping Harold’s pigeons find a new home. These “friendly neighborhood” moments, along with the incredible swinging and smooth dynamic combat, make it an experience worth trying. If it goes on sale, I highly recommend picking it up. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is full of heart, and if you haven’t yet, it’s a ride you don’t want to miss.
Stellar Blade
Now, let’s shift to something a little more recent: Stellar Blade. This action-packed game, released earlier this year, hasn’t seen any significant discounts since launch. There was one brief deal a few weeks back, but it sold out fast, leaving many players waiting for a second chance to pick it up at a reasonable price. Black Friday could be the perfect opportunity for retailers to bring back a solid deal and let more people (and their Nan!) experience this fantastic game.
Resident Evil 4
One of last year’s standout games, the Resident Evil 4 remake, recently saw a fantastic price drop to just $19.99 – an incredible value for a game often considered one of the best of all time. Although that deal is still available, I’m especially hoping it continues (or maybe even gets cheaper?) for Black Friday. For now at $20, this game is a must-have, and it’s a deal that more people should jump on if it sticks around through Black Friday.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Yes, Alan Wake 2 was my Game of the Year last year, but Phantom Liberty is right up there as well. Though technically an expansion, Phantom Liberty feels like a complete game in itself, and it marks an impressive comeback for Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt RED has truly redeemed themselves, and Phantom Liberty is the icing on the cake. If this expansion drops in price for Black Friday, it’s a fantastic opportunity to experience one of the finest RPG additions in recent memory.
The Last of Us Part 1 and 2
Naughty Dog sure loves to re-release its games, and while I get it, here’s hoping for a serious price drop this Black Friday. Both Part 1 and Part 2 are incredible games, but a more accessible price could bring in new players, especially with HBO's The Last of Us Season 2 set to break our hearts all over again next year. A Black Friday discount would be the perfect way to gear up for the show’s return.
Star Wars Outlaws
If there's a deal during Black Friday, it could be a good time to jump on Star Wars Outlaws, especially since Massive Entertainment have recently deployed update 1.2. It brought about a host of performance and gameplay enhancements on console and PC.
The publisher laid out everything new in title update 2 on its website, which introduced a bunch of visual improvements and bug fixes to Ubisoft's open-world sci-fi game. Ubisoft emphasized that these updates were shaped by player feedback, reaffirming its commitment to closely listening as post-launch support for Star Wars Outlaws continues. While we're at it, how about Star Wars: Jedi Survivor gets a Black Friday discount as well? Let's wait and see.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Fellow deals expert Chris Reed was all in on Space Marine 2, saying in his review, “Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 may not break the third-person shooter mold, but it looks amazing, makes good use of its Warhammer lore, and has brutal combat that just feels great.”
Now that the dust has settled, Black Friday could be an ideal time to put this thrilling third-person shooter into even more hands for the holiday season. Got a Warhammer fan in your life who hasn’t played it yet? If this goes on sale, you’re looking at a perfect gift idea. Fingers crossed – Space Marine 2 would make an incredible find under the tree this year.
That's all she wrote! Notice any big games that I've missed off the list? Let us know below in the comments what you'd like to see on sale over Black Friday this year.
Looking for deals right now? Have a look at our roundup of the best PlayStation deals to see the biggest discounts available today. Or, if you'd like to see what's caught our eye on other platforms, have a look at our individual roundups of the best Nintendo Switch deals and the best Xbox deals or our overall look at the best video game deals.
When Is Black Friday 2024?
The actual date of Black Friday in 2024 falls on November 29 this year, but the deals season will begin a lot sooner than that. Leading up to the big event, retailers will begin to open deals online. This usually starts in the last week of October, just before Halloween. Each week leading up to the event will slowly roll out more deals, which ultimately leads to Black Friday. Retailers will not reveal their biggest Black Friday deals until the big day, but most general deals will be available well in advance. Walmart, for example, has announced its official sale for November 11 this year.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.