The Best PS5 Open World Games, From Elden Ring to Dragon’s Dogma 2

The Best PS5 Open World Games, From Elden Ring to Dragon’s Dogma 2

David De La Riva
Updated March 11, 2026 29 items
Ranked By
285voters2.5Kvotes
Voting Rules

Open world games defined as being non-linear with challenges that can be completed in varying ways.

Latest additions: Star Wars Outlaws
Most divisive: Subnautica
Over 200 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best PS5 Open World Games, From Elden Ring to Dragon’s Dogma 2
This list is dynamically ranked based on user voting. The order reflects the consensus of our voters and is not influenced by paid placements or editorial bias.

It wasn't that long ago that “open world” was a unique distinction that only certain games qualified for, but these days the concept of exploring a vast space with minimal constraints has become commonplace for developers to feature in their games. That leads to the best PS5 open world games being ranked here, which includes PlayStation exclusive entries like the various Spider-Man titles and Ghosts of Tsushima, as well as a glut of other titles you can spend literally thousands of hours getting lost in.

One of the newest open world games for PlayStation 5 is Dragon’s Dogma 2, which is a Ranker GOTY contender. The follow up to the cult classic that is the original Dragon's Dogma, DD2 allows players to now hire pawns that act as in-game companions, with developer Capcom toting that these pawns will feel almost like you're playing with other real-world players. Another PS5 open world game is Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and what are you even doing as a PlayStation owner if you haven't touched this yet?

These openworld games on PlayStation 5 can be considered the best since they were curated with a criteria of being very favorably reviewed, but the order of this ranking is actually determined by your votes. 


  • Metacritic Score: 97
    Why Red Dead Redemption II is one of the Best PS5 Open World Games: There really should be no explanation as to why Red Dead Redemption II is going on a list of the best open world games, regardless of year or system. Rockstar's revolutionary and visionary design of the Wild West is more finely crafted, perfected, and throught out than nearly any other game of this era. The game’s rich narrative, combined with its nuanced character interactions and complex moral choices, elevates it beyond a mere cowboy adventure, it is a once in a generation experience that needs to be played to be believed. The wild west is ready for the taking, with the world at your fingers, what kind of man will you become?

    249 votes
    A good game?
  • Ghost of Tsushima
    • Photo:
      • Ghost of Tsushima

    Metacritic Score: 87
    Why Ghost of Tsushima is one of the Best PS5 Open World Games: Sucker Punch Productions’ Ghost of Tsushima invited players into a beautifully stylized rendition of feudal Japan, combining lush landscapes with compelling samurai combat. Its a game that came relatively out of nowhere, and it took the gaming world by storm. With guiding wind mechanics making exploration seamless and immersive, hours will pass as you traverse feudal Japan in the blink of an eye, as Jin Sakai’s journey against the Mongol invasion becomes all the more visceral and visually stunning. 

     

    189 votes
    A good game?
  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
    • Photo:
      • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

    Metacritic Score: 92
    Why The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the Best PS5 Open World Games: Open world RPG's are the bread and butter of the modern day gaming industry, and none other than CD Projekt Red’s masterpiece, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, combines rich narrative depth, complex characters, and gorgeous landscapes to create a feat unlike most have seen at the time. The game’s intricate quest design ensures that each mission feels meaningful, while its detailed combat mechanics and moral choices impact the world around Geralt of Rivia in profound and exciting ways. Like most open world games, what really shines is the abundance of side quests and rewards for exploration, but what sets it apart from almost every other game is its ability to put time, care, and effort into each and every quest.

    172 votes
    A good game?
  • Grand Theft Auto V
    • Photo:
      • Grand Theft Auto V

    Metacritic Score: 97
    Why Grand Theft Auto V is one of the Best PS5 Open World Games:  It may have released well over a decade now, but Grand Theft Auto V still manages to be one of the biggest, best, and most popular video games of the modern era. With the ability to travel around Los Santos and do virtually everything from high-octane heists to golf with NPCs, the game blends a thrilling narrative with seemingly endless amounts of side activities to create a world many never want to leave. Whether you want to drive around town listening to tunes or get into those classic GTA style hijinx and get a five-star pursuit on, the beauty of GTA 5 is its limitless posibilities.


     

    180 votes
    A good game?
  • Spider-Man Remastered
    • Photo:
      • Spider-Man/Insomniac Games

    Metacritic Score: 87
    Why Spider-Man is one of the Best PS5 Open World Games: A revelation in the superhero subgenre of gaming, Marvel's Spider-Man was quite literally and figuratively a game changer. With a stunningly realistic New York City to swing around, all the pieces were in place for this to quickly become one of the best open world games of the modern era, it just needed to nail the trademarked Spider-Man swinging, and nail it it did. Swinging around Manhattan has never felt so alive, as zipping down the street, fighting baddies, and interacting with characters was as fun as ever. While there may not have been too many side quests, with swinging this good, who even needs them?
     

    159 votes
    A good game?
  • Marvel's Spider-Man 2

    Metacritic Score: 90
    Why Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is one of the Best PS5 Open World Games: Insomniac Games' shocked the world when they released Marvel's Spider-Man in 2018, and many didn't think it would be possible to ever top that web-swinging adventure. Fast forward a few years, and while Marvel's Spider-Man 2 may not have been as revolutionary as its predecessor, it damn near perfected it. Swinging through New York has never felt better, and gliding through the sky dressed as one of dozens of Spider-Men just feels right, as many fans are finally able to become their favorite hero. 

    162 votes
    A good game?