12 Best Open World Games On PS Plus

Few genres are as densely packed with side quests and explorable areas as open-world games.

The gameplay in many of our favorite open-world titles varies from more action-packed experiences to story-driven ones. Still, at their core, they are geared toward developing a cohesive, expansive world that keeps us immersed for hundreds of hours.

Yet, due to the huge time commitment associated with these games, many of us with subscription services like PlayStation Plus end up asking ourselves which of the many open-world games are truly worth playing.

So, if you’re stuck contemplating your exhaustive back catalog, here are the top open-world titles available through PlayStation Plus that we at DualShockers think are worth your time.

12 Days Gone

PlayStations Original Zombie Killing Epic

Granted, traditional open worlds can have tense moments, but if you’re interested in one that genuinely fills us with anxiety around every corner, look no further than the zombie-filled world of Days Gone.

Days Gone is most notable for its intense survival mechanics. Not only are hordes of zombies, known as freakers, roaming the world, but you also have a motorbike that must be refueled strategically throughout your journey.

These elements keep you on your feet as you explore, as in a second, you could be brutally attacked by dozens of bloodthirsty freakers with no gas to outrun them.

While for many, including me, the story was the weakest part of the experience, it’s hard not to be invested Days Gone when you’re constantly avoiding near collisions with freakers while motorbiking on a dingy dirt road.

11 Fallout 76

Appalachia Has Definetly Gotten Better Over Time

Fallout 76 has had a long and rough journey, but we’re happy to say that after a long history of updates, it’s finally worth checking out, especially if you can test the waters through PlayStation Plus.

While many of us may not be fans of many modern video game live-service models, it has at least allowed Fallout 76 to grow in quality and quantity over time.

The game has done a complete replacement with fully fledged NPCs to interact with, and additional expeditions like The Pitt have vastly expanded the in-game content.

With its high-quality environmental design, player progression, and world-building, fans now consider the newer enhanced version of Fallout 76 a sufficient offering by Bethesda, and a decent recommendation, especially if you try it out with a friend or two.

10 Dredge

A Lovecraftian Indie Masterpiece

It’s always one of our top priorities to give some recognition to the exciting indie games that make their way onto platforms like PlayStation Plus, and it’s difficult to find another open-world indie that deserves recognition quite like Dredge.

Sure, on the surface, Dredge plays as a cozy fishing adventure. Yet, when traveling a bit deeper, you’ll find the eldritch horrors that cause underlying conflicts within the deep seas.

Like many indies, a group of fans has become utterly enthralled with Dredge; working hard to uncover secrets while relaxing with the satisfying fishing minigame.

Even if you aren’t a typical indie game fan, Dredge is one of those games we recommend to all gamers who just want to sit down and have a great time.

9 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

A Long But Worthwhile Journey

Trust me, we have all been there before: interested in a brand new open-world title but utterly terrified by the hundred-plus hours of playtime. While we at DualShockers don’t have a way to give you a hyperbolic time chamber to play The Witcher 3, maybe its availability on PlayStation Plus is enough to get you started.

There’s a reason why, almost a decade later, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has remained one of the most significant RPGs ever, as it expertly mixes a magnificent main story with some of the most memorable side quests of the genre.

Geralt of Rivia is one of the best protagonists of any open-world game or RPG, and the great moral choices and monster-hunting combat create memorable moments every time you play.

With the PS5 next-gen update available, it’s a better time than ever to try The Witcher 3 (even if you don’t make it all the way through).

8 Watch Dogs 2

Pick Up Your Phone And Get Hacking

I believe Watch Dogs 2 to be one of the best open worlds that Ubisoft has ever made. While the Far Cry and Assassin’s Creed titles are still worthy of your time, when it came down to picking a single offering on PlayStation Plus, Watch Dogs 2 was the standout.

Watch Dogs 2 is based on modern-day San Francisco, and as someone who lives in California, I can vouch for how well it represents the good and bad parts of our state.

Commentaries on Silicon Valley’s big elites, run-of-the-mill hippies, and, of course, our main cast of underground punk revolutionists all feel both realistic and satirical enough to allow us to turn off our brains and mindlessly shoot the bad guys.

With possibly the best hacking mechanics in the whole series, Watch Dogs 2 takes typical action car chases, shootouts, and stealth missions from something like GTA, and elevates them by making the player feel like an unstoppable gun nut with a flipper zero in their pocket.

7 Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor

The One Game To Rule Them All

Us Lord of the Rings fans often have the highest of highs and lowest of lows regarding video game adaptations. But luckily for us, Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor is undoubtedly one of the greats.

Dumping players in a period sometime after The Hobbit, yet before the main Lord of the Rings story, your main priority feels absolutely natural: kill as many Orcs as you possibly can. On top of that, it builds an immaculate cast of gameplay elements, such as fun combat and an intriguing story.

With the start of the series-defining “Nemesis” system, where your wins and losses actively impact the developing narrative, Shadow Of Mordor is not only an incredible open world, but one of the most innovative ones on this list.

6 Yakuza: Like A Dragon

A JRPG As Weird As It Is Wonderful

Many of us can’t help ourselves from the lure of JRPGs, and while numerous open-world JRPGs can make it on this list, Yakuza: Like A Dragon‘s genre-breaking popularity makes it an ideal title to include for those looking for something new.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon was the start of many changes in the Yakuza franchise, such as being the first to have turn-based combat. Additionally, aspects like its relatively self-contained story make it one of the ideal starting points for anyone new to the Yakuza series.

The greatest advice we have for new players is just to get lost in the twists and turns the game throws at you, and with a world brimming with side activities and quests, it’s seriously hard not to get sidetracked in Yakuza.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon is remarkable because, honestly, it’s just another Yakuza game. With a plot that takes itself way too seriously but also doesn’t in the slightest, this JRPG is a top contender for open-world titles on PS Plus.

5 The Outer Worlds

Sure Starfield Was Good, But This Is Even Better

Among all the new open-world RPGs that attempt to explore the final frontier of space, we still consider The Outer Worlds to be one of the finest.

Developers Obsidian bring the same charm they’ve brought to titles like Fallout: New Vegas, with great storylines that put the player and their decision-making at the apex of everything.

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Even though this space adventure doesn’t have a hundred-hour procedurally generated campaign, the directness of its RPG elements, companion characters, and solid combat make The Outer Worlds definitely worth checking out.

4 Shadow Of The Colossus

Team Ico’s PS2 Masterpiece Still Holds Up Today

Shadow Of The Colossus is truly one of those cult classic titles that’s hard to resist appreciating.

Like a siren calling from the ocean, the ambiance in this game captivates you and then completely subverts the player’s expectations, making Shadow Of The Colossus as impactful thematically as it is beautiful to look at.

The combination of the calmness of the open world with the exhilarating boss fights that are almost wandering Zelda Dongeons creates a well-contained, albeit not very lengthy, video game experience.

Coined on this list as the game we hope everyone plays through once before they die, Shadow Of The Colossus is an experience on PlayStation Plus that we promise you won’t forget.

3 Red Dead Redemption 2

Fulfilling Everyone’s Cowboy Simulation Fantasy

Red Dead Redemption 2 may be the most detailed open-world title ever released, with a complete day-night cycle where each NPC has its own specific daily routine, hundreds of discoverable wildlife, and other small realistic details that only a small percentage of gamers actually notice.

On top of that, this game provides one of the most emotional and well-crafted stories Rockstar Games has put out. Following Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang, we are shown a harrowing tale of the end of the western cowboy.

There’s so much to do between the linear story and an open world brimming with secrets and mechanics that Red Dead Redemption 2 can have any gamer busy for days on end.

2 Disco Elysium: The Final Cut

Who Said CRPG’s Are A Dying Breed?

When thinking of the most impressive narrative-driven open worlds ever made, Disco Elysium is simply S-tier. It takes the wit and charm from titles like Planescape: Torment and elaborates on it with a modern spin, creating a detective mystery brimming with twists around every corner.

You play as a drunken detective who has forgotten all of his memories, making every moment of discovery a surprise for you and your character alike. The game’s core mechanic is dialogue, and luckily, the writing, dialogue trees, and voice acting are some of, if not the best ever put in a game.

Yes, Disco Elysium is an open world, but unlike others on this list, the open-nature is mostly designed to allow the player to accomplish tasks at their own will, and make story-changing decisions based on what you choose to do next.

We can’t recommend Disco Elysium enough, as it’s not only one of the best open-world experiences, but among the greatest story-driven games ever made.

1 Ghost Of Tsushima: Directors Cut

The Feudal Japanese Samurai

Sure, some games on this list may have a more impressive story, others a better explorable world, and possibly even better combat or RPG elements, but when looking at the full experience, nothing is as solid from head to toe as Ghost Of Tsushima.

Ghost of Tsushima is almost a typical Ubisoft-style open world, but it has been expanded upon tenfold. Each element feels precisely made to fit the game’s atmosphere, from the minimal HUD to the flowing combat and stealth systems.

The overarching story achieves the same style and pacing as a great samurai movie, creating impactful moments filled with loss, redemption, and revenge.

Ghost Of Tsushima is just a well put-together, cohesive masterpiece that knows what it wants to be, and perfectly delivers every single aspect. We figure this is the best cap on our list because there are almost no games as well-rounded as Ghost Of Tsushima.