A large map is only useful when moving through it stays interesting. The best open-world games on PS5 offer different reasons to leave the main route: an unexplained landmark, a character’s problem, a machine to hunt or a skyline worth crossing. This shortlist distinguishes those reasons. Each recommendation has a native PS5 version, and each asks for a different balance of guidance, combat skill and time. Start with the activity you want between story missions.
Editorial illustration, not a game screenshot.
Which games should you choose?
- Elden Ring: Choose it for uncertain exploration and the feeling that a strange landmark might become an entire adventure. Character builds and branching routes give difficult encounters a wider context than simply repeating the same fight. Directions are often indirect, and combat stays demanding; freedom is not the same thing as a relaxed sightseeing mode.
- Cyberpunk 2077: Choose the PS5 version for character-led quests in a dense futuristic city. Its districts give dialogue, stealth and combat decisions a strong sense of place, making the city more than a travel screen. The PS4 version does not have the same update and expansion path; confirm the PS5 edition and included content.
- Horizon Forbidden West: Choose it for machine encounters that reward reading an opponent and preparing equipment. Its varied landscapes provide a substantial journey while clear objectives give exploration a more directed frame. It continues an established story; starting with Horizon Zero Dawn gives important relationships and revelations more context.
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: Choose it for the simple pleasure of moving across New York. Switching between Peter and Miles gives the superhero story different perspectives while traversal makes short trips entertaining in their own right. It is single-player despite featuring two heroes, and its structured activities offer less role-playing freedom than the other picks.
Compare the main differences
| Game | Best fit | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring | Discovery with limited guidance | Difficult combat and uncertainty |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Urban stories and character builds | Edition and expansion distinctions |
| Horizon Forbidden West | Machine hunting and guided exploration | Sequel story context matters |
| Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 | Fast traversal and superhero action | Single-player and fairly directed |
Choose by the experience you want. Comparison by play preference, not a numerical score.
Decide how much direction you want
Elden Ring belongs at one end of the spectrum: observation and curiosity often supply your next objective. Spider-Man 2 offers a clearer sequence of heroic tasks, with the journey between them providing much of the fun. Cyberpunk 2077 puts character decisions and city stories forward, while Horizon Forbidden West makes preparation and machine combat central. The best choice depends on what you want the map to support.
If a crowded map makes a game feel like work, follow the main story for a while and ignore completion percentages. Optional activities are more enjoyable when they serve a goal you have chosen. Read edition descriptions before purchasing expansions, and check the current performance options on your console rather than assuming every mode offers the same experience.
Players mainly seeking shared adventures should verify co-op separately: an open world does not automatically mean a multiplayer world.