A game can have multiplayer and still be the wrong gift for someone who wants to play with a friend on the same couch. Before choosing a PS5 title, picture who will play it with the recipient and where they’ll be sitting.
If they share a TV, check the exact edition’s listing for local co-op and confirm it supports the number of players you have in mind. If they play from separate homes, check for online co-op. When their friend plays on a different platform, look for confirmation that those two platforms can play together in the mode they want.
Next, check whether they can play the part of the game that matters to them. Someone who wants to finish a story with a sibling may get little use out of a game that only offers multiplayer in separate matches. Look for a clear description of co-op in the campaign before you buy.
If you can’t verify that the game fits their routine, Popular Gift’s PS5 gift guide offers other ways to choose based on what’s missing from their setup. If you do find a match, add a line to the card: “For your next Saturday co-op session.” That tells them exactly why you picked it.
Top comments (1)
The local vs online distinction is the one I keep forgetting. A game can advertise multiplayer and still be a poor gift if the two people will be on the same couch and the only co-op mode is online - or the other way around.
I also like the point about checking the exact edition listing, not just the franchise name. Bundles and regional SKUs sometimes drop local co-op or change the player count. If I cannot confirm they can actually play the part they care about together, I hold off rather than guessing from the trailer.