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For most PS5 players, Elden Ring is the best open-world game to start with: its world rewards curiosity, and its demanding combat makes discovery feel earned. This ranking weighs exploration, combat, story, atmosphere, and traversal—not map size alone. If you’re asking, “What are the best open world games on PS5?”, the answer depends on which of those qualities matters most to you.
How this PS5 ranking works
There is no definitive order that applies to every player. Push Square’s PS5 list is reader-ranked, and a game needs at least 50 ratings to appear; GamesRadar’s 2026 list is an editorial ranking. Those lists help identify strong candidates, but the order below is this guide’s editorial judgment, based on each game’s appeal and the kind of open-world experience it offers. Push Square GamesRadar
A sprawling map is only one way to build an open world. Consider the kind of exploration, combat, story, setting, and traversal you want before choosing. For example, Push Square contrasts expansive worlds such as Elden Ring and Grand Theft Auto V with the more condensed sandbox of Judgment. Push Square
The best open-world games on PS5, ranked
1. Elden Ring — best for mysterious exploration and demanding combat
Elden Ring is the strongest choice if you want to make discoveries without being led through every one. Its fantasy world invites exploration on foot or horseback, with secrets and mysteries that reward looking beyond the obvious route. The trade-off is challenging combat: this is a better fit for players who enjoy learning from difficult encounters than for anyone seeking a relaxed adventure. PlayStation GamesRadar
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- Marvel’s Wolverine is a new action-packed adventure from Insomniac Games
- Play as Wolverine and Ravage enemies with explosive brutality and unleash razor-sharp adamantium claws to deploy fast, fluid attacks and overcome impossible odds
- An Original, Emotionally Charged Story. Beneath Wolverine’s gruff exterior and violent temperament is a man fighting for a cause greater than himself
- A Global, Adrenaline-Fueled Journey where you slice into enemies across detailed locales such as the frosted Canadian Wilderness, the narrow streets of Tokyo, and the high and low districts of the island nation of Madripoor
2. Ghost of Yōtei — best for a cinematic samurai adventure
Ghost of Yōtei suits players who want a revenge story and the freedom to discover the world at their own pace. GamesRadar highlights protagonist Atsu’s journey alongside optional activities such as visiting hot springs and cutting bamboo, giving exploration a quieter counterpoint to the central adventure. PlayStation lists it as a PS5 game. PlayStation GamesRadar
3. Horizon Forbidden West — best for a story-led science-fiction world
Choose Horizon Forbidden West for a narrative-led journey through a post-apocalyptic setting populated by robotic beasts. Its appeal combines story, exploration, and machine encounters with a variety of side activities. It is a natural pick if you want a guided central adventure inside a broader world rather than a game built chiefly around uncertainty and self-directed discovery. PlayStation TechRadar
Rank #2
- This product contains a download code inside the box — no disc is included. Customer shipments will begin arriving November 12 for pre-load; game is playable starting November 19. Code can only be used by users holding an account for PlayStation registered to the US or Canada.
- Pre-order to receive the Vintage Vice City Pack.
- Grand Theft Auto VI is a single-player experience.
4. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 — best for fast traversal and superhero action
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 makes movement through New York a central pleasure. The expanded city, faster traversal, and Web Wings help it stand out for players who want to get across the map quickly and fluidly. You can also switch between Peter and Miles, adding a two-hero dimension to the adventure. PlayStation Blog
5. Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut — best for sword combat and stealth
Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut is the pick for a samurai revenge story built around sword fighting and stealth. Its open-world appeal is less about futuristic movement or role-playing systems and more about inhabiting a historical setting while choosing how to approach confrontations. PlayStation Blog includes the Director’s Cut in its open-world roundup. PlayStation Blog
Rank #3
- Day 1 Edition includes the Base Game Disc, Steelbook, and World Map.
- Make The Story Your Own - Experience and shape the plot the way you want. Embark on the quest to save your family, or swear revenge on your sire and destroy everyone standing in your way. Discover ancient secrets lurking in the valley. Rush in head first or risk taking time to prepare. Go alone or search for friends and forge unlikely alliances.
- Day And Night - Experience two different gameplay loops, offering distinct abilities to choose from, mysteries to uncover, and varying ways to achieve your goals. Experiment with different approaches and discover how the world reacts to your actions.
- Every Action Matters - Every action - and inaction - shapes the world around you. Your family’s days are numbered, and every time you take on a quest, time moves forward, compelling you closer to the end. Choose carefully whom to help and whom to leave behind. You will not have time for everyone. The world waits for no one. And neither does the villain.
6. Cyberpunk 2077 — best for role-playing in a science-fiction city
Cyberpunk 2077 offers an urban alternative to wilderness and historical settings: a science-fiction role-playing adventure set in Night City. Consider it if a dense city and role-playing premise are more appealing than horseback exploration or a traditional fantasy landscape. GamesRadar includes it among its leading open-world picks for 2026. GamesRadar
7. Grand Theft Auto V — best for a crime sandbox
Grand Theft Auto V centers on three protagonists, dangerous heists, and open-ended activities in a contemporary setting. It is a strong fit if you want a crime-focused sandbox where missions sit alongside opportunities to spend time in the city. GamesRadar places it in the top five of its 2026 overall open-world list. PlayStation Blog GamesRadar
Rank #4
- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content - The Rogue Infiltrator Character Pack includes cosmetics for Kay and Nix.
- Discover a galaxy of opportunity. Explore distinct locations with bustling cities and cantinas. Race across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each location brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.
- Experience an original scoundrel story. Live the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. Turn any situation to your advantage with Nix by your side: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.
- Embark on high-stakes missions. Take on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.
- Jump into the pilot seat. Pilot your ship, the Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with the Empire and other foes. Find the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
8. Red Dead Redemption 2 — best for a slower Western adventure
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the choice for a detailed historical Western world and a more measured pace of exploration. Set in 1899, it follows Arthur Morgan and his gang through a richly realized open world. It is well suited to players who want to spend time in the setting rather than prioritize rapid traversal. PlayStation Blog
9. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach — best for traversal and resource management
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is worth considering if crossing the world, managing resources, and following an unusual narrative are central to your idea of an open-world game. TechRadar’s PS5 guide also discusses stealth and combat changes, making it a broader option than a pure traversal experience. TechRadar
Best Value
- Embark on an epic voyage, find your own destiny in this epic space adventure
- Includes 6 years of updates
- An entire universe to explore on the go in the palm of your hands
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10. Hogwarts Legacy — best for fantasy-school exploration
Hogwarts Legacy is a fit for players drawn to a fantasy-school setting, spell learning, exploration, and crafting. Its appeal comes from combining those activities in a familiar magical world rather than from the harsher combat challenge of Elden Ring or the urban sandbox of Grand Theft Auto V. PlayStation Blog
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose by the experience you want
| If you want… | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mystery and a demanding challenge | Elden Ring | Exploration is paired with difficult combat. |
| A samurai journey with optional discoveries | Ghost of Yōtei | A revenge story leaves room for activities at your own pace. |
| A story-led science-fiction adventure | Horizon Forbidden West | Its world combines a central narrative with machine encounters and side activities. |
| Fast movement through a city | Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 | Traversal, including Web Wings, is a major part of its appeal. |
| Stealth and sword combat | Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut | Its samurai revenge story is built around those approaches. |
| Role-playing in a science-fiction city | Cyberpunk 2077 | Night City gives the open-world adventure an urban setting. |
| A crime sandbox and heists | Grand Theft Auto V | Three protagonists and city activities frame its missions. |
| A slower historical setting | Red Dead Redemption 2 | Its 1899 Western world rewards taking your time. |
| Traversal and resource management | Death Stranding 2: On the Beach | Its appeal includes crossing the world and managing resources. |
| Magic, crafting, and a school setting | Hogwarts Legacy | Exploration sits alongside spell learning and crafting. |
Check PS5 editions and subscription access
Confirm the edition and availability in the PlayStation Store for your region before buying or relying on subscription access. PlayStation notes that Game Catalog lineups can differ by region and directs players to the Store for current details. Catalog availability can change, so a title’s inclusion should not be assumed to be permanent. PlayStation Blog
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