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During the PS4 era, open-world games took off. While a good open-world title had always been popular with a certain crowd, it suddenly seemed like every single franchise became open-world on PS4. But not all of these games are created equal–a bad world design can ruin a game while a great one can elevate it to legendary status. Here are our picks for the 30 best open-world titles on the PlayStation 4.
#33 Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One XSX|S PS5
Release Date: October 25, 2022
In a land filled with war, it’s up to you to create a new status quo and ensure that your people are a part of it.
In Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord, you’ll create a character and start on a journey across the realm of Calradia to keep your clan strong and in power. But how you do this will be up to you. You can take the path of a leader and warrior and conquer all your foes on the battlefield. Or you can take the path of politics and use alliances and friendships to help secure your reign.
With lots of replay potential, you’ll want to try every option.
#32 Sonic Frontiers
Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S Switch
Release Date: November 08, 2022
The next great adventure for the Blue Blur is here! But the twist is that Sonic Frontiers is actually a good game! It took Sonic Team long enough to make that happen.
In the game, the Chaos Emeralds have gone missing. Sonic then learns that his friends have been kidnapped and must go to an archipelago of islands to free them! But what awaits him on those islands is unlike anything he’s faced before.
Sonic finally enters the open world, and you’ll use that to your advantage to travel the islands, face threats, and gain new powers. Just remember, when in doubt, you gotta go fast!
#31 Atomic Heart
Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One XSX|S PS5
Release: February 21, 2023
Steam | PlayStation | Xbox
There are numerous open-world games out there for you to buy. However, with the market cluttered, you might want one that feels interesting versus just having “lots to do.” If that is the case, give Atomic Heart a try.
The game is an alternate history take where Russia created a utopia for its people. But just when they were going to take their people to the stars, things went haywire.
You’ll have to go through the many levels of this “utopia” to find the truth about what happened and who set events in motion. But be warned! Many obstacles stand in your way. So load up with all the weapons and powers you can to take them on!
#30 Mad Max
Genre: Action-Adventure, Combat
Release: 2015
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Developed by Avalanche Studios, Mad Max follows Max Rockatansky as he journeys through a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Rockatansky must build a vehicle named Magnum Opus to use in battle against a gang of raiders. This action-adventure game emphasizes vehicular combat where players can add weapons and armor directly on their cars. The ability to upgrade and customize a car lets players become stronger and more easily able to defeat their enemies. The open world of Mad Max features a wasteland of deserts, canyons, and dark caves.
#29 Days Gone
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release: 2019
Platform: PC, PS4
Bend Studio developed this post-apocalyptic game where players travel to a land two years into a devastating pandemic. The game is set in Oregon and follows a former outlaw-turned-drifter by the name of Deacon St. John. After finding out that his wife, who he previously believed was dead, might be alive, he goes on a quest to find her. Played in the third person, Days Gone allows players to journey through an open world via motorcycle and use a variety of melee weapons to defend themselves.
#28 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Genre: Action RPG
Release: 2018
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is great fun for fans of the medieval era. Developed by Warhorse Studios, this action RPG is set in the Kingdom of Bohemia, an Imperial State of the Holy Empire. The game aims to provide historically accurate content, taking place during a war in Bohemia in 1403. Kingdom Come: Deliverance follows the son of a blacksmith who seeks revenge against the perpetrators of an unjust massacre of his village. On his journey, the man leads a resistance movement against the king and attempts to restore the rightful leader to the throne.
#27 Middle-earth: Shadow of War
Genre: Action RPG, Hack and Slash
Release: 2017
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
This action RPG is based on the mega-popular The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings series. Middle-earth: Shadow of War is set after the events of The Hobbit but before The Lord of the Rings. Fans of Tolkien’s work will be very pleased with this open-world title. Players follow Ranger Talion and the spirit of the eld lord Celebrimbor as they forge a new Ring of Power, hoping to use it in the fight against the evil Sauron. Explore the open world of Middle Earth in Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
#26 Just Cause 3
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release: 2015
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
This 2015 action-adventure game is the third in the Just Cause series and set six years after its predecessor. Just Cause 3 follows the series protagonist Rico Rodrigues as he fights to protect his homeland of Medici. The area has become controlled by a fictional dictator by the name of General Sebastiano Di Ravella. Played in a third-person perspective, gamers can explore the tropical island of Medici which is roughly 400 square miles. In addition, players can use tools to travel around the island such as a grappling hook and a parachute.
#25 Metro Exodus
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Release: 2019
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Metro Exodus is a first-person shooter developed by 4A Games and the third installment to the Metro franchise. The trilogy is based on the novels Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light by Dmitry Glukhovsky. The game is a mix of survival horror and stealth, set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland of the former Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan. Players must survive various hazards and fight zombie-like figures. An upgraded version of the game was released in 2021 for next-gen consoles.
#24 Far Cry 5
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Release: 2018
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Developed by Ubisoft, Far Cry 5 is similar to its franchise predecessors as the story revolves around taking down a tyrannical leader, although this time it’s cult leader Joseph Seed. Set in Hope County, Montana, the fifth installment in the franchise follows a doomsday cult by the name of Eden’s Gate. Players control a junior deputy sheriff who is trapped in Hope County and must work with a resistance group to liberate the region. The gameplay focuses on combat and exploration with the use of a wide range of weapons.
#23 Subnautica
Genre: Action-Adventure, Survival
Release: 2018
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo
This open-world survival game allows players to explore the ocean on alien planet 4546B. The protagonist’s spaceship has crash-landed on the planet and players must collect resources and fight various creatures to survive. The main objective of Subnautica is to survive the dangers of the planet while completing tasks that advance the plot. The game allows players to construct tools, bases, and submersibles, with the majority of the game being set underwater.
#22 The Forest
Genre: Survival Horror Game
Release: 2018
Platform: PC, PS4
The Forest, as can be expected by the name, takes place in a heavily forested peninsula. Players follow the character Eric Leblanc as he fights cannibalistic tribes in his search to find his son Timmy who was lost after a plane crash. The game features nonlinear gameplay with no set missions or quests. Players are free to make their own decisions for survival. A sequel to The Forest is currently under development and set to release in October 2022.
#21 ARK: Survival Evolved
Genre: Action-Adventure, Survival
Release: 2017
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo
Developed by Studio Wildcard, ARK: Survival Evolved has players stranded on an island filled with roaming dinosaurs. The objective is to survive while prehistoric animals and even some hostile human players roam the island. The open-world title allows gamers to navigate the island on foot or even while riding a dinosaur. Firearms and improvised weapons are used in ARK: Survival Evolved to defend against other humans and creatures.
#20 No Man’s Sky
Genre: Action-Adventure, Survival
Release: 2016
Platform: PC, PS4, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo
Hello Games developed No Man’s Sky around four pillars: exploration, survival, combat, and trading. The results make for a vast universe comprised of over 18 quintillion planets. Each planet has its own ecosystem, complete with specific forms of flora and fauna, as well as various alien species. Players advance in the game by mining resources, using them to upgrade various equipment, build planetary bases, and grow a space fleet.
#19 7 Days to Die
Genre: Survival Horror
Release: 2016
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
7 Days to Die is an interesting game as it was an early access title backed by a heavily supported Kickstarter campaign that never made it to full development. This survival horror game remains in its early access mode and depicts the aftermath of World War III. Nuclear war has destroyed large parts of the world and players must survive, trying their best to find shelter, food, and water. Supplies can be scavenged while fighting off numerous zombies, which are the product of a new strain of flu. Unfortunately, 7 Days to Die is no longer being developed despite its promise.
#18 Dying Light Series (1+2)
Genre: Survival Horror
Release: 2016 (1), 2022 (2)
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo
Techland released the original Dying Light in 2016. The game follows Kyle Crane, a man sent to infiltrate a quarantine zone in the city of Harran. The title features a zombie-infested open-world city where the enemies are slow and clumsy during the day and extremely aggressive at night. Dying Light 2 launched in early 2022 and introduced a new protagonist along with a larger post-apocalyptic world to explore and a stronger emphasis on parkour gameplay.
#17 Batman: Arkham Knight
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release: 2015
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Rocksteady Studios developed Batman: Arkham Knight to be the successor to the 2013 game Batman: Arkham Origins. It is the fourth major installment to the franchise and is set nine months after the game Batman: Arkham City. The game follows Batman as he confronts Scarecrow. The haunting villain has launched a city-wide attack on Gotham City necessitating residents to evacuate. Scarecrow and the mysterious Arkham Knight then strike a plan to unite a number of villains and destroy Batman.
#16 Death Stranding
Genre: Action
Release: November 8, 2019
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5
Death Stranding stars The Walking Dead‘s Norman Reedus and is set in the US following a cataclysmic event that caused menacing creatures to roam the earth. Reedus’ character Sam Porter Bridges is tasked with delivering supplies to isolated colonies. Set in an open world, Death Stranding is an action game and has been described by developers as a similar genre to the Metal Gear series, which makes sense given that they were both created by Hideo Kojima. Check out this stealth-heavy action game on PS4, PS5, and PC.
#15 Assassin’s Creed Origins/Odyssey/Valhalla
Genre: Action RPG
Release: 2017 / 2018 / 2020
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Assassin’s Creed has been a AAA console staple since the original game wowed gamers back in 2007. Ubisoft capitalized on the massive popularity of the franchise by releasing new games as fast as they could. Assassin’s Creed Origins was a complete reboot of the franchise that changed up the gameplay formula. The three latest Assassins’ Creed games all follow the Origins formula and have massive, beautiful open worlds. Any of these games are well worth playing. Pick the historical period that interests you most and get assassinating!
#14 Mafia: Definitive Edition
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release: 2020
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Mafia: Definitive Edition is a ground-up remake of the original 2002 PS2 game. Everything about this classic game has been rebuilt for modern consoles and the results are excellent. Developer Hanger 13 managed to keep the charm of the original game while building a completely modern experience. The open world of Lost Heaven is sublime and similar to LA Noire, it recreates the feeling of a major city in the first half of the 20th century perfectly. The game can be bought alone or as part of the Mafia Trilogy which includes a remastered Mafia II and Mafia III with all the DLC.
#13 Lost Judgment
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release: 2021
Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Lost Judgment is the sequel to Judgment which itself is a spin-off of the Yakuza series. Lost Judgment takes place in the Kamurocho district of Tokyo. Like the first game, Lost Judgment features a stunningly realistic recreation of Tokyo, complete with real shops and arcades with real games like Puyo Puyo and Virtua Fighter. Lost Judgment is a must-play for any Yakuza fan, fans of realistic open-world games, and Japan-lovers. Also, check out the original game which recently received a remaster on PS5.
#12 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Genre: Action RPG
Release: 2015 / 2022 (Next-Gen)
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo
The Witcher 3 is arguably one of the best and most influential open-world games of the PS4 generation. The game was released in 2015 and kept getting better with time as CD Projekt Red added DLC and updates to the game for some time after. It’s truly one of the most fantastical open worlds around, and the popularity of the game inspired the Netflix series of the same name. If swordplay, magic, and monsters are your jam, The Witcher 3 is a must-play.
#11 Monster Hunter World
Genre: Action RPG
Release: 2018
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Monster Hunter World was met with skepticism when it was first announced. It heavily diverts from the Monster Hunter formula that made the series one of the biggest in Japan. However, that turned out to be a massive success for Capcom. Not only has World made the series a huge success in the west, it even caught on in Japan too. Monster Hunter World is definitely the best way to get into this incredibly successful series. Be warned: it isn’t easy to play alone. Find some friends to jump into the fray with you.
Genre: Action RPG
Release: 2011
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo
Skyrim is so influential that it’s been re-released on seemingly every device with a screen–or without, in the case of the Amazon Alexa version. In fact, The Elder Scrolls V has been so important to the game world that a number of titles on this list can trace their roots back to it. Skyrim plays as well today as it did when it was released and even better given all of the versions that have been released in the decade since. This fantasy open-world game is so good it’s arguably the reason that Bethesda hasn’t released The Elder Scrolls VI. If that doesn’t make it worth playing, nothing will.
#9 Ghost Of Tsushima
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release: 2020
Platform: PS4, PS5
Ghost of Tsushima takes place in 13th century Japan with players taking control of Jin, a samurai. Jin is quested with protecting Tsushima Island during a Mongol invasion. The game features a beautiful open world with a unique system for directing players. Instead of traditional markers and a heads-up display, players are directed to where they need to go by the wind. It makes for an incredibly engrossing experience in a world where players can lose themselves for hours. Ghost of Tsushima is one of the best PlayStation exclusive games of any genre.
Genre: Stealth
Release: 2015
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the culmination of Hideo Kojima’s decades of work on the franchise. The first Metal Gear game to feature an open-world design, it adds a whole new dimension to the stealth king. Phantom Pain is the Metal Gear series at its best. Since it doesn’t look like there will be another mainline game in the series, at least not by Kojima, it’s also an incredibly high note to go out on. Even as a first-time Metal Gear game, it is an excellent experience and one of the games of the generation.
#7 Minecraft
Genre: Sandbox, Survival
Release: 2011
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo
What can be said about Minecraft that hasn’t already been said? For many, it’s the game they grew up with or the one they’ve been playing with their own children for years. For many more, it’s the game they are currently growing up with. Worldwide, it is a phenomenon like nothing before it. The open world of Minecraft is a blank canvas for players to do anything they like and build anything they want. Hours, days, and weeks can be lost in this game in the quest to build the perfect kingdom.
#6 Horizon Zero Dawn + Forbidden West
Genre: Action RPG
Release: 2017 / 2022
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5
Horizon Zero Dawn came out of nowhere in 2017 to kickstart one of PlayStation’s most important franchises. The unique game is set a thousand years in the future and after the collapse of human civilization. Therefore, the game features a truly unique blend of tribal weapons and high-tech monsters in a gorgeous open world. As Aloy, players must take down the machines using different forms of combat. Forbidden West is the recently released sequel to the first game that follows the same formula but expands on it greatly. It’s one of the best new franchises of the PS4 generation.
#5 Grand Theft Auto V
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release: 2013
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Grand Theft Auto is the king of open-world games. The whole open-world genre as we know it today can be traced back to Grand Theft Auto III. While many have tried to copy the franchise’s formula, none have truly been able to beat it. Despite being nearly 10 years old at this point, Grand Theft Auto V is still one of the most played games every day. It’s a testament to how great the game is and how lively the world of Los Santos is that the game is still one of the best after over a decade. A next-gen version of GTA V was released in March 2022.
#4 Fallout 4
Genre: Action RPG
Release: 2015
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
The Fallout games are the retro Sci-Fi cousins of the Elder Scrolls series. Anyone who likes those games will certainly love Fallout. The game is set in the year 2287, hundreds of years after a nuclear war practically destroyed the planet. As a vault dweller, the protagonist survived the war by gaining access to a nuclear bunker at the last minute. Cryogenically frozen, players wake up hundreds of years later to find that their son has been kidnapped and the vault abandoned. Set out into this radioactive wasteland for one of the best experiences in gaming.
#3 Red Dead Redemption 2
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release: 2018
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Red Dead Redemption 2 is, simply put, a pure masterpiece. Rockstar has received criticism for constantly re-releasing GTA V and for not making new games in recent years, but when the studio does release a new game it goes all in. Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most detailed and well-thought-out open-world settings in gaming. Many players have dubbed it one of the greatest games of all time with ample replay value and tons of mysteries to find years after its release.
#2 Marvel’s Spider-Man
Genre: Action-Adventure
Release: 2018
Platform: PS4, PS5, PC
Spider-Man is one of the biggest sellers in Sony’s arsenal. The 2018 game and its follow-up, Miles Morales, are some of the best superhero games ever made. Films included, it’s also one of the best representations of Peter Parker and everyone in his universe. The villains in Spider-Man are up there with any of the movie versions. The game’s open-world setting of New York City is also incredibly detailed and vibrant, making it a pleasure to swing through.
#1 Elden Ring
Genre: Action RPG
Release: 2022
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
There’s a reason Elden Ring is the highest-rated game ever on Opencritic. The title received perfect or nearly perfect reviews across the board following its release early this year. As the first open-world Souls game, it adds a lot to the popular franchise. Hours upon hours can be lost exploring the world of Land’s Between.–it’s the kind of game where players try to do “just one more thing” and three hours fly by. Barring any major surprises, it’s likely to be most people’s game of the year for 2022, and with good reason.
