Top 10 Best Open World Games for PS5/PC

In this article, I'll be discussing some of my favorite truly NextGen 10 out of 10 games that you can play on your PS5, and some of them even on your PC. This list includes games that I've personally played and enjoyed. While some of these games originated on the PS4, the ones I'm highlighting here are truly outstanding, and I can confidently recommend them to anyone seeking a great PS5 experience.

1. 1. Demon Souls

This game is an absolute classic with next-gen graphics. It's truly phenomenal and makes me question the quality of other PS5 games released so far. Bluepoint did an outstanding job, and I hope they tackle remakes of Dark Souls 1 and Bloodborne next. Demon’s Souls remains one of the most visually stunning games to date, even nearly four years after its release. Its graphics fully utilize the capabilities of the PS5.

Regarding gameplay, Demon’s Souls is a faithful remake of FromSoftware's revered classic, enhanced with modern features to keep pace with contemporary gaming. You will encounter a challenging yet gratifying action RPG experience, complete with formidable bosses to conquer and intricate dungeons to navigate. If you're familiar with the Souls series, Demon’s Souls serves as its origin, featuring many familiar mechanics that have since become genre standards.

The motion capture, textures, and audio might all be new, but the hardcore action is utterly faithful to the original, offering the same brutal learning curve and sense of monumental achievement with every victory. FromSoftware's original formula has been respected, but there are some new tweaks too, such as new items, armor, and weapons to covet, a change to the amount of healing grass you can carry, and new consumable grains that offer buffs as you progress.

2. 2. Horizon forbidden West

The first game introduced us to Aloy and her quest to save the world from deranged machines, and in Forbidden West, her journey continues as she seeks to restore the biosphere. If you're in search of the ultimate PS5 game offering an open-world, narrative-driven adventure, Horizon Forbidden West is the perfect choice. Building upon the success of Horizon Zero Dawn on PS4, Aloy's latest journey is visually stunning and brimming with thrilling robot dinosaur encounters.

While some may argue that it doesn't deviate significantly from Zero Dawn or introduce groundbreaking features, Forbidden West undeniably stands out as one of the finest experiences available on PS5. Don't overlook the side quests; they offer some of the most engaging gameplay I've encountered on PS5 or any other platform in recent years. It's delightful to see some classic machines return, bringing back memories alongside a host of new machines that took me by surprise.

The upgraded skill tree in Forbidden West offers a plethora of new options to enhance Aloy's abilities, making her stronger for the challenges ahead. Discovering new weapons in various settlements is thrilling, and progressing through the game means finding even better weapons, giving me the upper hand against tougher enemies. I highly recommend this game to anyone looking to get immersed in a deep game world for over 30 hours.

3. 3. Star Wars Jedi Survivor

After spending over 60 hours diving into every aspect of Jedi Survivor, I can confidently say it lives up to my expectations. As a big fan of its predecessor, I'd rate it a solid 10 out of 10. I know it had some issues at launch, but it's a great game. Visually, Jedi Survivor is stunning, just like Fallen Order; the attention to detail is incredible, pulling me even deeper into the Star Wars universe. Each planet has its own vibe, making exploration a real treat.

Gameplay-wise, Survivor isn't drastically different from the first game, but there are some nice improvements, like expanded combat skills and perks. Bringing over Cal's abilities from the first game was a smart move, making movement feel smooth and consistent. Plus, being able to fast travel between meditation points makes getting around a lot easier, even though traveling between planets can still take a while, especially if you're a completionist. While there's more to do off the beaten path, a lot of the optional stuff just kind of happens naturally as you play, which is a nice touch.

The story is definitely worth experiencing; it's a bit predictable at times, but it fits really well with the overall vibe of the game. Personally, I preferred the darker tone of the first game, but Survivor still has a lot to offer. While the ending left me wanting a bit more, it wraps up the character development nicely. I pretty much bought a new console just to play this game and picked it up at full price right after it came out. Honestly, I think it's been worth every penny, so I'd say give it a shot!

4. 4. God of War Ragnarok

The expectations for God of War Ragnarok were so high, it seemed almost impossible to reach, especially since God of War 2018 ended up being one of the greatest games of all time. Historically, sequels can feel a bit toned down, but it's safe to say that Ragnarok has elevated the series to new heights. They did it so well—the story, graphics, game mechanics, dialogues, character development, music, twists and turns, and so much more make this game truly the best God of War experience of them all.

Small things, like the developers' sense of humor and the clever dialogues added by the characters, are like the cherry on top we didn’t even know we needed. I 100% recommend it to every gamer. You can basically watch just the story parts without playing the actual game, and you'll still find it interesting; it feels like a movie. Even the side quests don’t feel like side quests; they genuinely enhance a character's background in such a brilliant way that you enjoy doing them.

I appreciate how they focused on other characters as well, as they definitely needed some screen time. You need to experience both God of War 2018 and Ragnarok to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience. This feels familiar and yet refreshingly new.

5. 5. Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man 2 is seriously amazing! If you've already played Spider-Man 2018 and Miles Morales, you’ve got to dive into this one—it's a must. Insomniac totally knocks it out of the park with this sequel. The story in this game is on a whole other level compared to the first two; it’s way more over-the-top and wild but still packed with emotional moments. The character development for both our heroes and the villains is top-notch. Overall, the story left me feeling satisfied.

Got to give props to the side missions too—both Peter and Miles have these big side story arcs, and they're both gripping and compelling. Peter’s side adventure even got me hyped for future DLC or maybe even a tease for the next game. Graphically, this game is insane. Both graphical options with ray tracing included are mind-blowing. The city feels alive and bustling with NPCs doing all sorts of things, like playing tennis on rooftops. Insomniac really outdid themselves with this one.

The combat is super fun too; it’s a bit simpler this time around but way more action-packed with all the new abilities. They throw more enemies at you, but the new abilities help with crowd control. They streamlined the gadgets, which I think was a smart move, but I do miss some of the gadgets from the first game. The only minor downside was that playing as MJ is still not my favorite thing, but it’s more bearable in this installment.

Overall, this is a great game. Here you go, and now you're in much better hands. Thanks again—you've really earned how cool that costume is!

6. 6. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Apart from everything about the game being perfect, each weapon is an absolute blast. Combat is chaotic but always fair and extremely well-paced. The dialogue is witty and laugh-out-loud funny in certain moments. The characters probably stand out the most; all of them are incredibly charming and bring life to an already vibrant world. The story is endearing and engaging.

I can't really think of anything negative about the game. I think all of the main Ratchet and Clank titles have been commercially successful, but I hope this one tops the charts because it deserves to. Hopefully, they'll make another one!

7. 7. The Last of Us

This remake is the best way to experience one of the greatest games of all time. The Last of Us will always be one of my favorite video games. I think the game was very close to perfect, and this remake allows it to become even closer. In 2013, Naughty Dog was limited by the technology of the PS3, but with this PS5 remake, they were able to fully realize their original vision for The Last of Us.

The remake shows what The Last of Us would have been like if it had released in 2022 instead of 2013, and it’s beautiful. The added accessibility options are incredible, allowing more players the opportunity to enjoy this game. Some might not have been able to play the original due to the lack of accessibility options at the time, so this remake definitely justifies its existence for many reasons.

The new face models of the characters are much better detailed and look lifelike. The haptic feedback and adaptive triggers are awesome, adding more immersion to the game, along with the 3D audio. Even if you’ve played the original PS3 or PS4 version, the remake is totally worth getting.

8. 8. Uncharted Legacy of Thieves

The Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection includes two games: Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and Uncharted: Lost Legacy. Both games are masterpieces. With this remaster, you can play on native 4K on your PS5, but it isn't much of a jump in graphics from the original PS4 release, unlike what we saw with The Last of Us. It features some higher textures and true 4K support, but the game is totally phenomenal in its own right.

In my opinion, this is undoubtedly the best Uncharted game in the series, not just because of the superior graphics but also the story and gameplay. I may be biased since this was the first game I played in the series, but I have now also completed the second and third games. While they are impressive for being on the PS3, they do not come close to rivaling Uncharted 4. Most importantly, I had the most fun playing this game, hands down.

The addition of the alert indicator on enemies and the ability to mark them makes stealth a very viable and fun option in many areas, which is incredibly satisfying to pull off. The guns feel much better in this game compared to the previous titles, and the controls feel very natural and easy. The story is both thrilling and heartfelt, with characters that feel real and are all lovable.

The pacing of the game is great, offering a good balance between exploring, climbing, and encounters with enemies. The puzzles are quite simple and straightforward but still feel fun. There are some epic set pieces that remain grounded in reality, making certain sequences feel like you're playing a top-tier action-adventure film from beginning to end. This is an absolute joy to play, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Onward and upward!

9. 9. Bloodborne

This game is extremely difficult, but almost every time you overcome a challenge, the reward is immense. While there are a couple of places that aren't exactly enjoyable due to the darkness, making it out of them feels like a literal breath of fresh air. The bosses are an aspect of this game that truly shines; while they can be extremely difficult at times, depending on your skill set, some of the hardest bosses for others may be the easiest for you.

The clothing options are all unique and balanced, allowing you to dress your character however you like without making the game drastically more difficult. Unlike Dark Souls, this game is based more on being extremely aggressive with your offense than on defense. The rally mechanic sets the gameplay apart from other Souls games, preventing it from feeling repetitive. The trick weapons keep the game refreshing, allowing for varied attacks instead of just hitting an enemy with the same slash ten times in a row.

Overall, it was very fun to play, and I would recommend it if you liked Sekiro, Dark Souls, or any other 3D challenging game.

10. 10. A Plague Tale: Innocence

After playing the first game in 2019 and finding the second game, I’m amazed at how far the studio has come in comparison to the original. The graphics, gameplay, voice acting, music score, and wow—that storyline! I've never been so gripped and emotionally invested in a game story in a long while.

I'm beyond impressed; the creators did a magnificent job crafting an incredible storyline and impeccable characters. The angst, trauma, and heartbreak I experienced in this game alone are a testament to the dedication they placed in this masterpiece. I loved how, even in the middle of battles, the walking and conversations between characters made me feel so immersed, thanks to the flawless cinematic feel throughout the gameplay.

Lastly, I loved all the characters. This game is a huge step up from the first, making the painstaking effort I put into Innocence worth it to experience the second to the fullest. Start immediately! I will need silence. Mother, I’ll handle it.