The PlayStation 5 has taken gaming to new heights with its blazing-fast SSD, breathtaking visuals, and immersive haptic feedback. While the console boasts titles across all genres, it truly shines with expansive, immersive open world games. These experiences allow players to roam freely through vast landscapes, engage in meaningful quests, and uncover secrets at their own pace.
Whether you're into high fantasy, post-apocalyptic tech worlds, or gritty western frontiers, the PS5 has an open-world title for you. In this article, we’re highlighting the best open world games on PS5 that you can dive into today, each offering hundreds of hours of exploration, action, and story-driven gameplay.
1. Elden Ring
Developer: FromSoftware
Genre: Action RPG
Setting: Dark Fantasy - The Lands Between
Elden Ring redefined what an open world game could be. Built on the core mechanics of the Souls series, this FromSoftware masterpiece expands those systems into a sprawling, mysterious world known as the Lands Between. With creative input from George R.R. Martin, the game’s lore runs deep—yet it never holds your hand.
The beauty of Elden Ring lies in its non-linear exploration. You're free to go anywhere from the start, and the world rewards curiosity at every turn. From hidden dungeons and towering castles to bizarre side characters and challenging bosses, Elden Ring is a world that begs to be explored again and again.
Why It’s One of the Best PS5 Open World Games:
- True open-world freedom with no quest markers
- Deep combat customization and build variety
- Gorgeous world design with varied biomes
- High replay value through multiple endings
2. Horizon Forbidden West
Developer: Guerrilla Games
Genre: Action RPG
Setting: Post-apocalyptic America
Aloy’s journey continues in Horizon Forbidden West, and it’s even more impressive on the PlayStation 5. Set in a lush, post-apocalyptic world filled with robotic wildlife and lost technology, this game expands on its predecessor in nearly every way—from traversal mechanics to world depth and side content.
The Forbidden West is a vibrant world that spans deserts, jungles, snowy peaks, and underwater ruins. Side quests are meaningful, and the story dives deeper into the history of the old world and the AI-powered catastrophe that followed.
With stunning visuals, responsive combat, and a genuinely engrossing narrative, Horizon Forbidden West is easily one of the top PS5 open world games available right now.
Why It’s One of the Best:
- Massive, diverse world with rich lore
- Fluid combat blending melee, stealth, and ranged attacks
- Deep crafting and gear upgrade systems
- Breathtaking visuals with PS5 enhancements
3. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Developer: Insomniac Games
Genre: Action-Adventure
Setting: New York City
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a superhero, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is the game for you. This PS5-exclusive title allows you to swing through a stunningly detailed open-world New York City as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales, seamlessly switching between the two as the story unfolds.
The city is alive with events, crimes, side missions, and collectibles. The addition of new suits, symbiote powers, and gadgets keeps combat fresh and fluid. The narrative is deeply emotional, exploring identity, responsibility, and the cost of heroism.
Insomniac has perfected movement and traversal, making simply swinging through the city one of the most enjoyable mechanics in any game.
Why It’s One of the Best Open World Games on PS5:
- Dual protagonists with unique powers and stories
- Fast, fluid web-swinging across a gorgeous cityscape
- Highly polished combat with upgrades and skill trees
- Engaging main story and plenty of meaningful side content
4. Red Dead Redemption 2
Developer: Rockstar Games
Genre: Action-Adventure / Western
Setting: 1899 American Frontier
Though it originally released on PS4, Red Dead Redemption 2 plays beautifully on the PS5 with improved load times, better performance, and the same unforgettable world. Set in 1899, it follows Arthur Morgan, a rugged outlaw trying to navigate a world that no longer has a place for people like him.
Red Dead Redemption 2 isn’t just a game—it’s an experience. The level of detail is unmatched: from your horse’s behavior to dynamic weather systems and NPC interactions. The world feels alive, and every choice, no matter how small, seems to matter.
With its deeply human story, stunning visuals, and immersive world design, RDR2 remains one of the best open world games on PS5, even years after release.
Why It Still Holds Up:
- Massive, detailed open world with realistic AI and ecosystems
- One of the best-written stories in gaming
- Robust side activities like hunting, fishing, and gambling
- Tons of replay value and secrets to uncover
5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Next-Gen Update)
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Genre: Action RPG
Setting: Dark Fantasy - The Continent
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is often cited as one of the greatest RPGs of all time—and with the next-gen PS5 update, it’s better than ever. Playing as Geralt of Rivia, players explore a war-torn continent filled with political intrigue, supernatural threats, and complex moral decisions.
The updated version on PS5 features enhanced textures, ray tracing, faster loading, and new content inspired by the Netflix series. With its massive world split across regions like Velen, Novigrad, and Skellige, every inch is brimming with detail, side quests, and hidden treasures.
Whether you’re new to the franchise or revisiting for the upgrade, The Witcher 3 is essential for fans of open world games for PlayStation 5.
Why It’s a Must-Play:
- Unforgettable story and characters
- Deep alchemy, combat, and progression systems
- Dozens of hours of content with two massive expansions
- Next-gen visuals and performance
Final Thoughts
Whether you're slaying demigods, fighting corrupted machines, swinging through skyscrapers, surviving the Wild West, or hunting monsters, these best open world games on PS5 deliver unforgettable experiences. Each offers a unique setting, rich storylines, and gameplay that rewards exploration and experimentation.
Here’s a quick recap of the top picks:
Best PS5 Open World Games:
Elden Ring – A masterclass in dark fantasy exploration
Horizon Forbidden West – A lush world teeming with robotic wildlife
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – The ultimate superhero open-world experience
Red Dead Redemption 2 – A heartfelt journey through the dying Wild West
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – A dark fantasy epic refined for PS5
No matter which world you choose to dive into, you’re guaranteed an adventure worth remembering.
