Discovering a great open-world game can be quite a challenge, given the abundance of options available today. Creating an interesting setting is just the first step in the process of making a phenomenal open-world game. Developers need to populate their worlds with engaging content and weave them into the narrative.

Fortunately, many developers have mastered this craft, delivering some truly outstanding games. The best open-world games on the PlayStation 5 push the console to its limits, offering players some of the most stunning locations in video game history. These games are a must-visit, especially for adventure enthusiasts.

20 Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition

Metacritic Rating: 54 (PS5)

The ports offer the only way to experience this once-groundbreaking trilogy on the PS5 and are still better than many modern open-world games. They serve as a reminder of the franchise's importance, inspiring countless other titles over the years. While controls and visuals have aged, the games are enjoyable and timeless.

19 Assassin's Creed Mirage

Metacritic Rating: 76 (PS5)

Set in ninth-century Baghdad, Mirage provides a detailed glimpse into a part of the world often overlooked. The game offers a vibrant open world for explorers and fans of classic Assassin's Creed games.

18 Dying Light 2

Metacritic Rating: 76 (PS5)

The game offers a refreshing take on the open-world formula, with the threat of zombies transforming the way players interact with and explore their surroundings. The game's parkour system and paraglider add to the excitement, keeping players on their toes.

17 Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Metacritic Rating: 84 (PS5)

The game is steeped in Norse mythology, making it a great choice for fans of Vikings and Aesir gods. With its Anglo-Saxon England setting, it offers a rich and immersive open-world experience for players.

16 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition

Metacritic Rating: 73 (PS5)

Skyrim's PS5 port may have fallen short, but the game remains an influential title. With its vast mod support, it continues to offer a deeply immersive experience, setting a high standard for open-world games.

15 Street Fighter 6

Metacritic Rating: 92 (PS5)

Street Fighter 6 introduces the World Tour Mode, offering players a unique open-world experience. The game seamlessly integrates combat and storytelling, enhancing the franchise's traditional Arcade Mode.

14 Hogwarts Legacy

Metacritic Rating: 84 (PS5)

The game excels as a Harry Potter title, immersing players in the series' rich lore. However, the open-world mechanics fall short and add little to the overall experience, detracting from the game's quality.

13 Grand Theft Auto 5

Metacritic Rating: 81 (PS5)

The game remains a fantastic open-world experience, allowing players to explore the fictional city of Los Santos in stunning detail. It continues to make an impact on the open-world genre, with its real-world LA landmarks and engaging setting.

12 Ghostwire: Tokyo

Metacritic Rating: 75 (PS5)

Ghostwire: Tokyo offers a captivating open-world setting with an immersive portrayal of Japan's capital city. Its enemy design and incorporation of Japanese culture make for a unique and engaging experience.

11 Death Stranding Director's Cut

Metacritic Rating: 85 (PS5)

Death Stranding presents a desolate and deliberate open world that captures the isolation felt by the game's protagonist. It emphasizes the importance of personal connections, delivering a unique and gratifying experience to players.

10 Diablo 4

Metacritic Rating: 88 (PS5)

Diablo 4 offers a gripping and uninviting open world, filled with challenges and engaging gameplay. The game's crossplay support enhances the experience, allowing players to embark on thrilling adventures with friends.

9 Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Metacritic Rating: 85 (PS5)

The game offers meticulous attention to detail, creating an immersive and authentic recreation of New York. Players can enjoy one of the best map traversal mechanics in video game history, adding to the game's fantastic open-world experience.

8 Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered

Metacritic Rating: 87 (PC)

Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered provides an enhanced experience of the 2018 classic, offering a visually stunning rendition of New York on the PS5. It remains one of the best PlayStation-exclusive games, captivating players with its remarkable open-world setting.

7 No Man's Sky

Metacritic Rating: 82 (PS5)

No Man's Sky has undergone a remarkable transformation, redeeming itself with a vastly improved and enjoyable gaming experience. The game now stands among the best open-world experiences for PS5, offering a captivating and expansive universe to explore.

6 Horizon Forbidden West

Metacritic Rating: 88 (PS5)

Horizon Forbidden West presents a visually stunning open world, teeming with captivating characters and challenging adversaries. The game's expansive world and engaging gameplay make it one of the best open-world experiences on the PlayStation 5.

5 Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Metacritic Rating: 90 (PS5)

The game offers a grand and impressive rendition of New York, taking players on a thrilling adventure through its vast open world. It continues to build upon its predecessors, presenting a captivating and immersive open-world experience for players.

4 Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut

Metacritic Rating: 87 (PS5)

Ghost of Tsushima offers a captivating and enriching open-world setting, presenting players with a mesmerizing portrayal of historical Japan. The game's remarkable visuals and engaging narrative make it one of the best open-world experiences on the PS5.

3 Cyberpunk 2077

Metacritic Rating: 75 (PS5)

The game's open-world setting stands among the best, offering a mesmerizing and immersive experience for players. Night City feels alive, with secrets and dangers awaiting players at every turn, adding depth and excitement to the game.

2 Elden Ring

Metacritic Rating: 96 (PS5)

The game offers a breath-taking and unique open-world setting, immersing players in a rich and captivating universe. Elden Ring presents a compelling narrative and engaging experience, setting a new standard for open-world adventures on the PS5.

1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Metacritic Rating: 94 (PS5)

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt presents one of the most captivating open worlds, offering players a deeply immersive and rewarding experience. The game's setting is integral to its gameplay and story, making it one of the finest open-world experiences of all time.