Open-world games are the ultimate playgrounds for gamers. They offer freedom, exploration, and endless possibilities. And let’s be real—there’s nothing quite like getting lost in a beautifully crafted world, soaking up the atmosphere, and deciding your own adventure. The PS5 has some of the best open-world experiences out there, so if you’re looking for a game to dive into, we’ve got you covered.
From massive RPGs to action-packed adventures, here are the best open-world games you can play on PS5 right now.
1. Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 had a rocky launch, but after multiple updates and the Phantom Liberty expansion, it has finally become the futuristic RPG it was meant to be. Night City is a neon-soaked, crime-ridden metropolis filled with life, secrets, and endless activities. The level of detail in this world is staggering—from shady alleyways buzzing with cyber-enhanced criminals to corporate skyscrapers dripping with power and wealth.
The game gives you complete freedom in how you play. Want to go in guns blazing? No problem. Prefer hacking into security systems and sneaking past enemies? You can do that too. With an engaging story featuring the legendary Keanu Reeves as Johnny Silverhand, there’s always something pushing you forward. The RPG mechanics are deep, allowing you to customize your character with cybernetic enhancements and unique skills.
And let’s not forget the vehicles! Whether you’re tearing through the city on a futuristic motorcycle or cruising in a high-tech sports car, getting around Night City is a thrill. If you skipped this one at launch, now’s the perfect time to jump in.
2. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Ever wanted to live the Viking fantasy? Assassin’s Creed Valhalla delivers exactly that. You step into the boots of Eivor, a fierce warrior leading their clan into England during the Dark Ages. The open world is massive, covering Norway, England, and even a bit of North America. It’s filled with castles to raid, settlements to build, and battles to conquer.
Combat is brutal and satisfying, with heavy axes, dual-wielding options, and the return of the iconic hidden blade. The RPG elements are deeper than ever, allowing you to shape Eivor’s personality and decisions, leading to multiple endings.
Exploration is a huge part of the experience. Whether you’re discovering ancient ruins, solving mysteries, or just taking in the stunning landscapes, there’s always something to do. If you love historical settings mixed with epic action, Valhalla is a must-play.
3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
This game has aged like fine wine, and the PS5 upgrade makes it better than ever. Geralt of Rivia’s journey through the war-torn world of The Continent is one of the best RPG experiences ever created. The game offers an incredible mix of storytelling, exploration, and intense combat.
The side quests in The Witcher 3 are legendary. Unlike other games where side content feels like filler, every mission here tells a compelling story. One moment you’re helping a ghost find peace, and the next, you’re caught in a political conspiracy.
The open world is stunning, filled with dark forests, haunted villages, and breathtaking mountain ranges. You can ride your horse, Roach, across vast landscapes, hunt down terrifying monsters, and even get lost in the game’s card-based mini-game, Gwent. If you haven’t played it yet, the next-gen upgrade is the perfect excuse to start.
4. Death Stranding Director’s Cut
Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding is one of the most unique open-world games ever made. You play as Sam Porter Bridges, a courier delivering packages across a fractured America while avoiding supernatural creatures and rogue bandits. Sounds weird? It absolutely is. But once it clicks, it’s an unforgettable experience.
The open world is hauntingly beautiful, with rolling hills, snowy mountains, and abandoned cities. Traversing the world feels like an adventure in itself, as you plan routes, set up ladders and ropes, and manage your cargo.
The Director’s Cut adds new missions, improved mechanics, and even racing tracks. While it’s not for everyone, if you’re looking for a truly different kind of open-world experience, this one is worth checking out.
5. Horizon Forbidden West
Aloy’s journey continues in Horizon Forbidden West, a visually breathtaking open-world game that pushes the PS5’s hardware to the max. Set in a post-apocalyptic America where robotic creatures roam the landscape, the game offers stunning environments, from lush jungles to vast deserts and underwater exploration.
Combat is a highlight, requiring strategy as you take down massive machines with bows, traps, and new weapons. The variety of machines keeps battles fresh, forcing you to think on your feet.
The world is filled with side quests, secrets, and interesting characters. Whether you’re climbing ancient skyscrapers, diving into the deep sea, or uncovering lost technology, there’s always something new to experience. If you love open-world exploration with deep lore, this is a must-play.
6. Diablo 4
Diablo 4 may not be your typical open-world game, but its massive interconnected world earns it a spot on this list. Sanctuary is dark, brutal, and filled with demons to slay. Unlike past Diablo games, this one embraces exploration, letting you roam the map freely, discover hidden dungeons, and tackle world bosses with other players.
The game’s dark, gothic aesthetic is a return to form for the franchise, making every corner of the world feel eerie and dangerous. Combat is fast, fluid, and satisfying, especially when you unleash devastating abilities on hordes of enemies.
With a strong online component, you can encounter other players in the world, team up for challenging fights, or battle in PvP zones. If you love action RPGs with addictive loot systems, Diablo 4 is a perfect choice.
7. Street Fighter 6
You might be wondering, “Wait, isn’t Street Fighter a fighting game?” Yes, but Street Fighter 6 introduces a surprisingly deep open-world mode called World Tour. In this mode, you create your own character and explore Metro City, training under legendary fighters and engaging in street brawls.
The RPG elements are fun, allowing you to learn different fighting styles and mix-and-match moves. While the main focus is still on competitive fighting, this single-player experience adds an unexpected layer of depth.
If you’re a fighting game fan who also loves open-world elements, Street Fighter 6 offers something fresh and exciting.
8. Hogwarts Legacy
Ever dreamed of exploring Hogwarts in an open-world RPG? Hogwarts Legacy finally lets you live out that fantasy. Set in the 1800s, long before Harry Potter’s time, the game allows you to create your own wizard, attend classes, and uncover ancient magic.
The open world extends beyond the castle, letting you roam the Forbidden Forest, visit Hogsmeade, and fly across the sky on a broomstick. Combat is surprisingly deep, with a variety of spells that can be combined in creative ways.
The game captures the magic of the Wizarding World perfectly, making it an essential pick for any Harry Potter fan.
9. Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
Few open-world games capture the beauty and brutality of feudal Japan quite like Ghost of Tsushima. Playing as Jin Sakai, a samurai-turned-ghost warrior, you embark on a quest to reclaim Tsushima Island from Mongol invaders. The world is absolutely stunning, with vibrant fields, misty mountains, and peaceful shrines creating one of the most picturesque open-world experiences on PS5.
The Director’s Cut introduces Iki Island, an entirely new location with additional story content, new combat challenges, and breathtaking scenery. Combat is deeply satisfying, blending precise swordplay with stealth tactics. You can fight honorably as a samurai or embrace the shadows, taking enemies down with assassinations and trickery.
One of the game’s best features is the Kurosawa Mode, which turns everything into a black-and-white samurai film aesthetic. Add to that a photo mode that’s one of the best in gaming, and you have an open-world experience that feels like a work of art. If you haven’t played this masterpiece yet, the PS5 version is the way to go.
10. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Swinging through the streets of New York as Spider-Man never gets old, and in Miles Morales, Insomniac delivers an incredible follow-up to their 2018 hit. The game may be smaller in scale than its predecessor, but it makes up for it with a deeply personal story, fantastic gameplay, and stunning visuals.
Miles has his own unique abilities, including bio-electric venom attacks and invisibility, making combat feel fresh and different from Peter Parker’s style. The open world is alive with holiday decorations, snowy streets, and tons of activities, from stopping crimes to uncovering underground hideouts.
Traversal is some of the best in any open-world game. Web-swinging feels fast, fluid, and endlessly fun, making even the simple act of getting from point A to point B an absolute joy. If you love superhero games, this is a must-play.
11. Elden Ring
What happens when FromSoftware, the creators of Dark Souls, make an open-world game? You get Elden Ring, one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time. This game throws you into the mysterious Lands Between, a dark fantasy world filled with deadly creatures, cryptic lore, and unforgettable bosses.
Unlike most open-world games that hold your hand, Elden Ring lets you figure things out on your own. There are no quest markers or forced objectives—just pure, unfiltered exploration. You might stumble into a hidden dungeon, encounter a dragon guarding a bridge, or find an NPC with a side quest that changes the course of your journey.
Combat is challenging but incredibly rewarding. Every enemy encounter feels meaningful, and the sense of accomplishment when you defeat a boss is unmatched. If you love a challenge and want an open-world experience like no other, Elden Ring is essential.
12. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition
Even after more than a decade, Skyrim is still one of the best open-world RPGs out there. The Anniversary Edition makes it even better, adding new quests, weapons, spells, and survival mechanics. Whether you want to be a warrior, mage, thief, or assassin, Skyrim lets you carve your own path.
The world is massive, filled with dungeons to explore, dragons to fight, and countless side quests. You might set out to complete one quest and suddenly find yourself in a completely different adventure. That’s the magic of Skyrim—it’s unpredictable.
Mod support on PS5 means you can tweak the experience even further, from graphical improvements to entirely new questlines. If you somehow haven’t played Skyrim yet (or just want to experience it all over again), this version is the best way to do it.
13. Assassin’s Creed Mirage
After the massive, RPG-heavy Assassin’s Creed games of recent years, Mirage takes the series back to its roots. Set in 9th-century Baghdad, this game focuses on stealth, parkour, and classic assassination missions, making it feel like a modern take on the original Assassin’s Creed.
The world is dense and beautifully crafted, with narrow streets, towering minarets, and bustling markets. The parkour system is more fluid than ever, letting you effortlessly climb, jump, and traverse rooftops like a true assassin.
Combat is fast and lethal, rewarding precise strikes and well-timed counters. The story follows Basim, a character introduced in Valhalla, as he rises through the ranks of the Assassin Brotherhood. If you loved the old-school Assassin’s Creed games, Mirage is a breath of fresh air.
14. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
If Miles Morales was great, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 takes everything to the next level. With Peter Parker and Miles Morales both playable, you can switch between them on the fly, experiencing two different playstyles.
The world is twice as big, now including Queens and Brooklyn, alongside the familiar Manhattan skyline. Web-swinging is even smoother, with new abilities like web wings, allowing you to glide across the city at insane speeds.
The story introduces Venom, one of Spider-Man’s most iconic villains, leading to some intense battles and emotional moments. Combat is deeper than ever, with new suit powers and tag-team attacks between Peter and Miles. If you’re looking for the ultimate superhero open-world experience, this is it.
15. Grand Theft Auto V
GTA 5 has been around for years, but it’s still one of the best open-world games on PS5. The next-gen upgrade brings improved graphics, faster loading times, and better performance, making Los Santos look more alive than ever.
The single-player story follows three wildly different protagonists—Michael, Franklin, and Trevor—each with their own motivations and playstyles. The open world is massive, filled with side activities, from heists to street racing to just causing mayhem for fun.
And of course, there’s GTA Online, where the possibilities are endless. Whether you want to build a criminal empire, race against other players, or just explore the world with friends, GTA 5 offers unmatched freedom.
Final Thoughts
The PS5 is home to some of the best open-world games ever made. Whether you’re looking for deep RPGs, action-packed adventures, or superhero excitement, there’s something on this list for you.
If you want immersive storytelling, go for The Witcher 3, Elden Ring, or Ghost of Tsushima. If fast-paced action is more your thing, try Spider-Man 2, Cyberpunk 2077, or Assassin’s Creed Mirage. And if you just want to roam a huge, unpredictable world, Skyrim, GTA 5, and Diablo 4 have endless hours of content waiting.
