The 36 Best Open World Games on PS4

In Aloy's post-apocalyptic world, mechanical animals roam the wildlands and the last remaining humans band together via different tribes. Horizon Zero Dawn lets you take control of the young heroine as she explores gorgeous locales centered within the states of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah now that they've been taken back by Mother Nature. As you look to get to the bottom of Aloy's origins and what led to the rise of those animalistic machines, you'll utilize your spear, hunting bow, and various traps to clash with everything that tries to take you down. Seek out the Complete Edition so you can enjoy The Frozen Wilds expansion and previously released DLC all in one shot.

Once you've gotten the most out of Aloy's first post-apocalyptic adventure, you'll get the urge to check out the next entry in the Horizon series. Horizon Forbidden West moves the veteran hunter to the Western portion of the United States. And with that change in scenery comes a whole new array of robotic creatures to take down and new enemy tribes to engage in battle with. As you make your way through the states of California, Nevada, and Utah, you'll be introduced to new mechanics such as being able to swim underwater, new tools to make use of during battle and exploration, and a refined mission structure that allows for more variety and better completion rewards.

Spider-Man is beloved by comic book fans that have read about his superhero exploits, TV watchers who've seen him save the day on the small screen, and moviegoers that have witnessed his heroic feats on the big screen. In the world of gaming, Marvel's Spider-Man exists as the best interactive media you'll ever play on the PS4. As Peter Parker's alter-ego, you'll swing through the skies of New York, come to blows with random thugs, engage in grand boss fights with familiar Spidey enemies, and clear off a list of side jobs in order to unlock new combat tools, costumes, and more.

After experiencing the great adventures of Peter Parker on PS4, you'll want to do the same for the "electrifying" Miles Morales. His epic superhero origin story comes into focus in this standalone Spider-Man game that hits the same high notes as its predecessor. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales sees the young web crawler come into his own as he battles familiar villains, comes into a conflict with a longtime friend turned enemy, clashes with a diabolical tech corporation, and fights with a vicious resistance group from taking down that same company. Miles' newfound electrified abilities and swift melee mastery make him an extremely fun superhero to swing around New York City with just like his mentor Peter Parker. Miles' days as his own neighborhood Spidey is an amazing gameplay experience, for sure.

Hideo Kojima is best known for his work on the Metal Gear Solid series that is published by Konami. After his unceremonious exit from the Japanese gaming company, Kojima made his way over to Sony Interactive Entertainment to create something entirely new and mystifying. His mysterious creation is known as Death Stranding, one of the best open world games on PS4 and certainly one of the most confounding experiences for some. In it, you'll be tasked with rebuilding the broken borders between different colonies and delivering packages with essential supplies to each one. This is all done in an effort to improve the quality of life in a version of Earth ravaged by a cataclysmic event and filled with vicious creatures that will attempt to stop you.

Round of applause for the developers at Hello Games. While they initially dropped the ball with this game at launch in 2016, the studio took note of their mistakes, made sure to acknowledge them, and go back to the drawing board to help No Man's Sky reach its fullest potential. Now, this game is one of the very best open world survival games that takes place within a vast galaxy full of strange creatures, friendly space travelers, and mysterious planets worth exploring. What you'll be treated to here is an infinite procedurally generated galaxy where gathering resources, moving between planets on a spaceship, and engaging in merchant trading is more fun than you think.

Elden Ring dominated gamers' timelines in 2022 - it practically had the gaming world in a chokehold as it rose to prominence as a mainstream phenomenon that inspired hilarious memes. It did a commendable job of expanding upon the refined formula popularized by the Dark/Demon's Souls series through its implementation of a massive open world and tough yet fair combat scenarios. Exploring the varied biomes in this "Soulsbourne" action RPG in any order you see fit truly fits the description of "choose your own adventure." Prepare yourself for mind-blowing discoveries and significant boss fights as your "Tarnished" warrior so you can get your hands on the powerful "Elden Ring" and rule over the "Lands Between" as the new "Elden Lord."

Fallout 4 features everything fans loved about Fallout 3 and offers so much more to entice curious onlookers to give it a try. We've chosen to put this post-apocalyptic action RPG on this list of the best open world games on PS4 since the activities that come with exploring outside Vault 111 are all captivating. Besides all the first-person V.A.T.S. combat and intricate conversations you'll find yourself in, Fallout 4 also features extensive base building, a deep crafting system, and the ability to upgrade one's weapons and armor. Making your way through a nuked version of Boston and Massachusetts sounds pretty enticing now, doesn't it?

One of the most celebrated PS4 exclusives got an awesome expansion that's best experienced within this quality Director's Cut. Sucker Punch Productions' open-world samurai epic embraces the epic age of the samurai - this game's breathtaking experience will take you through the vast locale of Tsushima Island. In order to push back the Mongol invasion of Japan, you must take on the role of Jin Sakai and simultaneously embrace the ways of the samurai & guerrilla warfare. That means you'll be cutting down your foes with focused strikes, engaging in nail-bitingly tense duels, and pulling off sick multi-kills in mere seconds with your katana in hand. Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut is the best way to play thanks to its combined inclusion of the story expansion DLC and multiplayer component.

Chinese development studio miHoYo managed to produce a quality open-world action RPG that has zero price of admission. The high production values of the game certainly bring the fantastical world of Teyvat to life in the most eye-popping ways possible. Genshin Impact is a Breath of the Wild-like experience that throws players into a gorgeous open world packed to the brim with plenty to see, do, and fight. The game's huge roster of playable characters you can unlock and the dev team's devotion to creating regularly updated content for Genshin Impact means you'll never run out of things to do. This anime-action RPG's gacha elements when it comes to getting all those extra characters can be tiresome, but the core experience here will still keep you entertained.

The industry of movie game tie-ins is fairly straightforward. When Hollywood releases a blockbuster movie a not-so-blockbuster game is hastily put together, largely for promotional purposes. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule, and 2015’s Mad Max is perhaps one of the more peculiar ones. While sharing the name and dystopian setting, the game’s narrative is largely divorced from the popular film. Instead, the game tells a story that echoes the movies but rarely repeats the same story beats. The game itself was a flash-in-the-pan, garnering positive reviews before sadly becoming a bit obscure. This, however, has no bearing on the game’s tight controls, compelling (if somewhat brief) story, and outstanding graphics. If there ever is an open-world game that deserves a cult following, this is the one.

Set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings film trilogies, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor sees players take on the role of Talion, a Gondorian Ranger. You'll find yourself caught up in a trek across Middle-earth in search of revenge against the forces of Sauron, who are the reason why his wife and son are dead. With the powers of the wraith of the Elf Lord Celebrimbor, you'll use your sword, bow, dagger, and magical abilities to quell the Uruks you come across. This game's innovative "Nemesis System" brings personal encounters with more powerful Uruk captains as they'll remember you and call you out by name after previous encounters.

Released in late 2017, Shadow of War improves upon the mechanics of its predecessor Shadow of Mordor. What the game lacks in staying true to the literary source material, it makes up for in its sheer size, with at least one reviewer admitting to feeling “overwhelmed” by the game’s sheer size. The game certainly isn’t lacking in content, with the player having to work through a rogue's gallery of surprisingly charismatic enemies. Five vast areas are open for exploration and laying siege to massive fortresses comes into play here. Book readers might not approve of the liberties the game takes with established canon, but casual Lord of the Rings fans are sure to have little to no qualms with this vision of Tolkien’s classic tale adopted for this medieval fantasy epic.

It doesn’t get much more open world than Space and Elite Dangerous, a game that takes place in an almost 1:1 recreation of our Milky Way Galaxy, is as good as it gets. Elite Dangerous is a titan in the space simulation field, rubbing elbows with the likes of No Mans's Sky and the highly-anticipated Star Citizen. The game puts the player in the cockpit of a vessel and challenges them to make their fortune, with minimal guidance. Players are free to become space truckers, mercenaries, or pirates, among many other roles. The game’s allure derives from the absolute freedom it affords you.

What we have here is Hideo Kojima’s farewell to one of gaming’s most recognizable characters not named Mario. Although the game’s production was stretched taut by the tug-of-war between Kojima and publisher Konami, the final product delivered the quintessential Metal Gear experience but in an open world. Wide-open fields replaced the cramped corridors of past Metal Gear titles. As the setting opens up, so too does the gameplay. Any given mission could lend itself to multiple methods of completion and given Kojima’s penchant for the surreal, players were encouraged to be as silly or serious as they liked. For a game mired in behind-the-scenes drama, it’s encouraging to see the final product wasn’t stripped of any of the quirks that initially attracted players to the franchise. This definitive package of MGS V is the best way to go.

Arguably the most popular of the franchise, Grand Theft Auto V wears its narrative on its sleeve. Taking place in Los Santos, a fictionalized version of Los Angeles, the game feeds players a wild story that, in some ways, spoofs the heist genre of movies popularized by films like Ocean’s 11 and The Italian Job. Sex, drugs, and explosions abound as the player builds their fortune with each absurd heist. Eventually, the player turns the city of Los Santos into their playground. Developer Rockstar Games manage to crank up the absurdist storytelling while still managing to keep the game and its setting grounded in reality. GTA V is a must-play for fans of open-world gaming.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is accessible on every modern-day system you can possibly think of. So it's no surprise that we've chosen to highlight it here on this list of the best open world games on PS4. Since originally releasing in 2011, Bethesda Softworks' massive fantastical medieval action RPG has been ported countless times and improved upon. So at this point, the best way to play it if you haven't dabbled in it already is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition. You can embrace the tough trials and tribulations of the all-powerful "Dragonborn" in this package's main campaign and three expansive DLC expansions (Dragonborn, Dawnguard, and Hearthfire).

Before the events of the very first Yakuza game take place, Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima get caught up in the wild world of the Japanese underworld during their come-up in late 80s Japan. Yakuza 0 follows both men's rise to infamy during their come-up and follows the furious confrontations that erupt between rival Yakuza organizations. Since you can play with both characters, you'll be treated to various styles of hand-to-hand combat and a host of fun minigames that offer something of a cooldown after experiencing this game's more heated moments. Beating up random thugs and Yakuza bosses with Kazuma and Goro's brutal street fighting combos is top-of-the-line action game material here.

Once you've wrapped up your journey through 1980s versions of Kamurochō and Sotenbori in Yakuza 0, you'll be compelled to take on the first mainline Yakuza game. And the best way to do that is by playing the full-fledged remake called Yakuza Kiwami, which is primarily focused on playing Kazuma Kiryu and once again exploring the criminal underbelly of Kamurocho. The combat system from Yakuza 0, which features four fighting styles you can instantly switch between, is swapped in here. Prepare yourself for another crime drama full of wild twists and turns, random street brawls with your old buddy Goro Majima, and a whole bunch of funny sidequests and minigames that bring the Kamurocho district to life.

And now it's time to move on to the remake of the second mainline Yakuza game. Yakuza Kiwami 2 sees fan favorite badass Kazuma Kiryu as he finds himself caught in even more criminal occurrences across Kamurocho, Tokyo and Sotenbori, Osaka. The battle mechanics introduced in Yakuza 6 are implemented here, which means you'll get to finish off your foes in style via cinematic "Heat Moves." Goro Majima makes his welcome return in this remake as a playable character via the "The Majima Saga" story chapters. And you'll also get to enjoy some meaningful side content with actual New Japan Pro Wrestling personalities thanks to the game's "Clan Creator" minigame.

The next game on our list of the best open world games on PS4 is actually a spinoff from the Yakuza series called Judgment. Instead of playing on the opposite side of the law, you'll play on the side of justice as lawyer-turned-detective Takayuki Yagami. A serial killer is making the rounds and ripping out the eyes of its victims - you'll need to gather evidence and fend off anyone that tries to test your martial arts mastery as you're on the case. Just like the Yakuza games, the open world locale of Kamurocho comes into focus here and you can expect to enjoy plenty of silly minigames and investigative trials during your citywide adventure.

If you end up loving everything about Judgment, you'll want to continue Takayuki Yagami's crime-solving duties in the sequel known as Lost Judgment. The dual combat styles, sneaking segments, and citywide exploration the first game focuses on comes back here in fine form. As for the main plot at hand, you'll see yourself investigating a criminal accused of both sexual harassment and murder. Speaking with high school students is one of the newer features put into place here, plus there are plenty of other lively side activities to enjoy (we especially love the skateboarding sessions on offer here). Lost Judgment is a strong sequel that's perfect for gamers that prefer another one of the best open world games on PS4.

Rockstar Games has earned the respect and adoration of gamers everywhere thanks to the studio's Grand Theft Auto franchise. It's also known as one of the best open world game development studios for its classic cowboy western simulator. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a must-play experience that makes a valid argument for video games deserving of its classification as high art. Exploring its open world will truly make you feel like an outlaw that lives out his days riding horseback, pulling off train heists, and getting involved in some wild shootouts. You even get to participate in some memorable side missions and even play a round of poker to really get immersed in the Wild Wild West. Red Dead Redemption 2 is the perfect spaghetti western worth playing in video game form.

Geralt of Rivia is recognized by book readers, gamers, and viewers of the streaming series he appears in as a "Witcher" (and also a pretty swaggy ladies' man). If you grew to value him and the Slavic mythology-inspired fantasy realm he inhabits beforehand, then seek out his latest and greatest entry to date. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition features a mammoth open world to explore as you take control of Geralt in an effort to protect a loved one from a vicious faction. You'll swing your blades, dole out magical attacks, and get embroiled in all sorts of political drama across the main campaign and the game's huge DLC add-ons within this feature-rich Complete Edition. You'll get tons of hours of playtime out of this one, which is why it's such a worthwhile pick on this list of the best open world games on PS4.

Sleeping Dogs plays out like a police thriller that'll compel you to arrive at its satisfying conclusion. And during your time spent as a martial artist and undercover police officer named Wei Shen, you'll book it across a modern-day version of Hong Kong and find yourself caught up in some action-packed skirmishes alongside and against the law. Rival gang members and cops will come your way, so you'll have to rely on your expert melee abilities to put them all down. Besides fighting, you'll get into high-speed chases, complete side missions for the good guys and bad guys, hang out at a karaoke bar, and so much more. This version of the game comes with every piece of previously released DLC, so this one is definitely your best bet.

Sonic Frontiers actually turned out better than expected, considering the iffy quality of past 3D Sonic the Hedgehog series installments. Taking over the "Blue Blur" in this game means you'll get whisked off to the "Starfall Islands," which features several biomes, enemies, oversized bosses, and goals to speed toward. It feels great to run at supersonic speeds around this game's expansive environments and utilize Sonic's new combat maneuvers, which feel great to utilize as they let you maintain your fast speed limit while damaging foes. The abundance of ramps, bounce pads, and speed boosters littered throughout Sonic Frontiers' open world will inspire you to keep going and run wherever your heart desires.

The Batman: Arkham games have reached the upper echelons of being noted as the best superhero gaming series there is. The three mainline series entries are all fascinating and make you truly feel like Gotham's greatest protector. Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight are jam-packed into this definitive collection that comes with all the DLC content released for each title. The graphics have been cleaned up in each game to bring the dark and brooding vibes of each game up to par on more powerful consoles. So everything will look so much better as you control Batman and come to blows with his iconic Rogues Gallery. Batman's many crusades against the scourge of Gotham City are perfect for this list of the best open world games on PS4.

Greek mythology is the central focus here in this action RPG that deserves way more attention from those who mistakenly skipped it. Immortals Fenyx Rising follows the main protagonist known as Fenyx, who must find a way to bring an end to the disastrous acts of the newly escaped demonic hazard called "Typhon." And on the way to eliminating his negative presence from the world, you'll run into massive enemy types that include Cyclops, Medusa, Cerberus, and so much more. Alongside some solid third-person combat, this game also features an assemblage of clever puzzles that'll truly test your brain power and some humorous exchanges between a narrator following your journey and the almighty Zeus.

The Far Cry series has produced several outstanding titles, but Far Cry 3 stands out as the very best for most fans. The franchise is known for its eccentric characters and incredible tropical settings to explore. Your heart will beat rapidly whether you choose to stealthily kill enemies or go in all guns blazing. Interactions with Vaas are some of the most memorable in recent gaming history with any enemy. And growing into a formidable warrior as you hunt, scavenge, and acquire all manner of firearms as Jason Brody on the path towards your freedom still resonates with modern-day gamers. Seek out the Far Cry 3 Classic Edition to experience this amazing open world, first-person shooter.

If the pirate life is definitely for you, then you'll enjoy each and every part of this-pre action RPG-focuses Assassin's Creed game. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag continues the ongoing war between the Assassins and Templars - you'll find yourself participating in that struggle as the Welsh pirate known as Edward Kenway. Your adventure here will set you on the trail of a much-desired treasure that both the "Assassins" and "Templars" seek out. Get ready for a whole bunch of pirate ship seafaring as you move between the cities of Havana, Kingston, and Nassau. Heated sword fights and explosive pirate ships battles will certainly appeal to your dreams of being a swashbuckler.

The previous Assassin's Creed games embraced more of a traditional action-adventure aesthetic that gave players the ability to pick off their foes in a more stealthy manner. By the time Assassin's Creed Origins arrived, a bigger focus on action RPG elements come into play to breathe new life into Ubisoft's long-running franchise. If you want to venture through the sunny, sandy, and eye-popping locales of Ancient Egypt, then this current pick on our list of the best open world games on PS4. You'll command Bayek of Siwa here and find yourself engaging in intense combat encounters and freely roaming broad deserts, oases, lakes, and ancient cities.

Before you go all the way in on Metro Exodus, it might be worth checking out Metro: Redux to get caught up on the events that take place across Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light. Once you've done that, you'll have a better appreciation for Artyom's journey across the Russian wilderness. Joining a band of Spartan Rangers and hopping aboard a massive train will push you into a sandbox world full of mutated creatures and hostile humans to shoot down. Supplies are incredibly scarce here, so you'll need to go on plenty of scavenging trips and craft enough items to brave a harsh nuclear winter. This first-person shooting gem is definitely considered by many as one of the best open world games on PS4.

The first Watch Dogs certainly has its fans due to the innovative hacking mechanics matched up with the traditional open world elements at play. However, the dry protagonist and somewhat humdrum plot kept it from being a hit with everyone. Watch Dogs 2 switches the formula up a bit by injecting a lot more personality and humor that goes hand in hand with the first game's best elements. As the hacker Marcus Holloway, you'll run with the hacking group "DedSec" in a bid to take down an advanced surveillance system known as "ctOS." This game's extra bright and bubbly version of the San Francisco Bay Area features plenty of chances to go guns blazing, engage in some stealth, and use your hacking tools to trip up the opposition at every turn.

The Holy Roman Empire provides the timeline and storyline basis for this first-person action RPG that evokes the feel and look of The Elder Scrolls. Kingdom Come: Deliverance does away with all the dungeons and dragons that the aforementioned series includes and instead focuses on more historically accurate facets to make up its gameplay systems. Avenging the death of your parents in this game will put you on a path filled with bloodshed as Henry, who will find himself engaging in scenarios centered around stealth, melee combat, exploration within a dynamic world, and a freeform approach to approaching the game's plot. And with that, we have our final selection on this list of the best open world games on PS4.

Ever since the world got introduced to the fabled magical school of "Hogwarts" and the misadventures of Harry Potter & friends, fans around the globe have been praying for a true AAA game centered around the "Wizarding World." Developer Avalanche Software finally made that wish come true when it launched Hogwarts Legacy, a whimsical action/adventure game that gives players the ability to create their own wizard and live out their days as a student at Hogwarts. The open world in this title is filled with classes to take lessons from, a massive castle to navigate, and outdoor locales filled with dangerous beasts to blast with your wide range of spells. Taking flight with your broom in hand or atop a Hippogriff will blow your mind!

Back in 2008, development studio Criterion Games took a mean left turn with the Burnout series when it dropped one of the greatest open world racing games of all time. That game arrived in the form of Burnout Paradise, which successfully combined the chaotic car crashes and reckless speed of the series with the digital cityscape known as "Paradise City." All sorts of local/online races, a day and night cycle, the inclusion of motorcycles, and the addition of "Big Sur Island" turned this racer into the ultimate package for arcade racing game fans. This remastered re-release includes every piece of that content suite and a cleaner visual sheen that makes it worth replaying or checking it out for the very first time.