The best open-world games for PS5

By Jesse Lennox Updated January 30, 2025

Typically, most people consider the best PS5 games to be single-player narrative titles like The Last of Us or God of War. While those are amazing experiences, and make up a bulk of our most anticipated upcoming PS5 games, open-world games have evolved to the point where they are possibly even more popular. They offer boundless freedom in massive environments to lose yourself in for hours. Whether you grab one new or download it from PlayStation Plus, the PS5 is home to the best the genre has to offer.

An open-world game doesn’t fully describe what it is, though. Some lean into horror, others send you to historical periods, while one, in particular, lets you explore the entire galaxy. Here, we’ll go through all of the best ones to choose from.

We also covered the best open-world games for Xbox Series X, PC, and Switch if you want even more recommendations.

Elden Ring is an incredible example of redefining a familiar formula for the better. The tried-and-true Souls games haven’t strayed much from their core mechanics over the years, and while we love those games, Elden Ring is a nice change of pace, due in part to its open world. After spending dozens of hours with this game, it’s clear just how impactful this game’s open world is. For instance, it introduces a meaningful sense of exploration, doubling down on some of the ideas from previous Souls games but raising the stakes a substantial amount. Elden Ring is absolutely massive and gives players the freedom to complete areas in any order, leading to different experiences across the board. This is also a game that is littered with little moments or experiences that are easy to miss, making it fun to discuss with other players. It brings us back to the days of being on the playground, talking about our favorite games, and learning about their secrets from others. This isn’t just one of the best open-world games on PS5, it’s one of the best games ever made.