Best PS4 Open World Games Guide PlayStation 4
Image: Push Square

What are the best open world games on PS4? Many, many games these days opt for an open world structure, which gives players the freedom to explore at their own pace and, usually, cause a bunch of trouble. They're incredibly popular, and there are so many great examples on PS4.

Open world games take many forms, with the structure being successfully applied across a wide variety of genres. You have sandbox-style racing games like Need for Speed Heat, action RPGs such as Elden Ring, and superhero blockbusters like Marvel's Spider-Man. While the spread of genres is wide, all open world games adhere to common goals — a single, large map, normally with no loading screens, and full of exciting things to discover.

Some take you to gamified takes on real world places, like Seattle in inFAMOUS: Second Son or ancient Egypt in Assassin's Creed Origins. Others create an entirely original world to navigate, like Skyrim in, er, Skyrim, or Elden Ring's expansive Lands Between. Whatever the case, the range of open worlds is incredibly diverse, making it hard to choose which ones are the best.

Which is where you come in. Our list of the best open world games on PS4 is entirely determined by our readers and their user ratings. By either using the below search bar or clicking the star on any game's summary page, you can leave your own ratings, and these directly impact our list. The games that show up, and the order in which they're presented, are down to you.

It's worth noting that a game will need at least 50 ratings before it pops up on this page. If there are any glaring holes in this list, it might just be that the game hasn't been rated enough times yet.

Let's waste no more time: here are the best open world games on PS4, as rated and ranked by you.

40. inFAMOUS: First Light (PS4)

inFAMOUS: First Light is a spin-off from the main series, starring the neon-powered conduit, Fetch. This standalone adventure has you playing as the character, telling the story of her past that led to her capture. It's another excuse to zip around an open world Seattle, and with a short run time, it's refreshingly brief. If you're after a slice of slick superhero action that doesn't outstay its welcome, this comes recommended.

39. Mad Max (PS4)

An original take on the popular movie franchise, the simply named Mad Max places you in the middle of a huge desert with nought but a beaten up car. This game is all about gradually building up your vehicle into a formidable death machine in the rust-and-dust apocalypse, engaging in fun, explosive car combat. Infiltrating enemy strongholds and exploring the dunes, this is a cult hit that carves out its own niche.

38. Final Fantasy XV (PS4)

We waited for what felt like an eternity for Final Fantasy XV, and when it finally arrived, it was... well, it was good, but certainly not amazing. Some fans like it a lot more than others, and we're of the opinion that it's an entertaining but sometimes deeply flawed game. A very troubled development cycle shows in the finished product, with its disjointed storytelling and often odd quest design, but there's still a certain kind of magic to XV that's hard to explain. It's got an atmospheric open world, and the road trip structure is both unique and engaging. It's also worth noting that XV improved significantly with the Royal Edition — which packed all of the free updates and DLC into one package, making for a much more cohesive experience.

37. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands (PS4)

To be honest, Ghost Recon: Wildlands is not a particularly interesting game if you're playing alone. However, if you can get a few pals to join you in this sandbox world of military ops, you're in for a good time. Synchronising your actions and helping each other out, there's a fair bit of fun to be had here. The action is solid, the map is large and varied, and it mixes in just enough strategy to satisfy.

36. Far Cry 5 (PS4)

Ubisoft's checklist open world formula wears a bit thin in Far Cry 5, but there's still good fun to be had in this fairly dense FPS (especially if you're partaking in some co-op action). The story tackles some interesting themes and it's got a memorable moment or two, while the often chaotic gameplay can be addictive if you can look past the repetition. A solid shooter, all told.

35. Burnout Paradise Remastered (PS4)

EA's first foray into remasters sees the triumphant return of one of the arcade racing kings. Burnout Paradise was ahead of its time on PS3 in many ways, and this remaster proves that; its updated visuals look good, the open world racing is as slick and speedy as ever, and the innovative online features are still better than most. With all the DLC included and an addictive array of events and collectibles, this 10-year-old racer will keep you strapped to your seat for hours on end.

34. Far Cry 3: Classic Edition (PS4)

This port of Far Cry 3 to PS4 is a welcome one, as Ubisoft's open world shooter remains a real treat. The fictional archipelago of Rook Islands makes for a fantastic tropical sandbox that's rife with danger — whether that's from Vaas, now an iconic gaming villain, or the local wildlife. Playing as a rich kid struggling to survive in the harsh wilderness, you gradually become a force to be reckoned with as you take down enemy outposts and upgrade all your weapons.

33. Dying Light (PS4)

Parkour and zombie-killing go hand-in-hand in Dying Light, an open world, post-apocalyptic title that delivers intense first-person survival gameplay. You’ll conquer the rooftops of Harran as a parkour master, or run for your life as the thrilling day/night turns you from predator to prey. It was an entertaining game out of the box, but made better and better thanks to years of post-launch support.

32. Fallout 4 (PS4)

Fallout 4 may be found lacking in the role-playing department, but the gameplay loop is absolutely top notch. Post-apocalyptic Boston makes for an especially dense open world setting, packed with all kinds of secrets and irradiated enemies. Meanwhile, much improved gunplay allows combat to flourish once you've established a specific character build, and V.A.T.S. — the mechanic that lets you slow time to aim your shots — remains one of Bethesda's best ever innovations. Technical quibbles and some dumb storytelling aside, Fallout 4 can keep you busy for hundreds of hours.

31. Far Cry 4 (PS4)

Ubisoft struck gold with the previous game, so it doubled down on that formula for Far Cry 4. With an open world map loosely based on Nepal, the game takes players to another wild, fictional setting filled with aggressive wildlife, enemy encampments, vehicles, and more. It builds upon its predecessor's compelling loop of slowly accruing and upgrading weapons and perks to turn you into a one-man army, and while the story isn't all that memorable, it's still a good time overall.