Best PlayStation 4 Exclusive Open-World Games

The PlayStation 4 stands as one of Sony’s greatest consoles in history. How could it not, with the wealth of exclusive games available since its launch in late 2013? Compared to the PS4’s robust lineup of first-party titles, the current PS5 generation lags far behind, a consequence of today’s lengthy and costly triple-A game development cycles.

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During the PS4 era, Sony mostly kept its games exclusive and rarely released them on other platforms. That approach has shifted in recent years. Many former PS4 and PS5 exclusives have now arrived on PC, with Sony emphasizing the profitability of this strategy. Even so, several exceptional open-world games remain exclusive to the PlayStation ecosystem.

Updated on March 11, 2025, by Vlad Mazanko: This list has been rewritten from the ground up to reexamine the excellent stable of open-world games exclusive to the PlayStation 4. Since every PS4 game is playable on the PS5 through backward compatibility, this list focuses on the best open-world titles from the PS4 generation (November 2013 to November 2020). With that in mind, let’s explore the top open-world offerings from Sony’s first-party studios and exclusive partnerships with major developers during that era, sorted by release date.

1

InFamous Second Son

An Early PS4 Open-World Exclusive That Never Made It To PC

Systems

Released

March 21, 2014

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Infamous Second Son, the third major entry in a now-forgotten series, was one of the first true PS4 exclusives from Sony’s first-party studios. It showcased the new hardware’s potential with crisp, striking graphics, engaging combat, superpowers, and a fluid parkour system. The game’s detailed depiction of Seattle, paired with stunning visuals, earned high praise. Its skyscrapers lend a unique verticality to free-roam exploration, setting it apart from other open-world titles on this list. The story also deepens the series’ emotional weight, brought to life by believable characters, impressive facial animations, and strong voice acting.

Though visually breathtaking, the game’s vibrant open world feels somewhat hollow by today’s standards, offering little to do beyond the story missions. Among the PS4’s best open-world games, Infamous: Second Son is one of the few that never came to PC, remaining exclusive to the PS4 and PS5.

2

Gravity Rush 2

Gravity-Shifting Powers In A Distinctive Open-World Journey

Systems

Released

January 20, 2017

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Gravity Rush ranks among the most underrated series on the PS4, and Gravity Rush 2 elevates everything that made the first game special. As a PS4 exclusive never released on other platforms, it harnesses the hardware’s power to deliver a larger, more immersive world. The floating city, paired with gravity-shifting abilities, lets players explore vertically and horizontally in a whimsical, physics-defying sandbox.

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Though it features open-world elements, Gravity Rush 2 leans more toward action-adventure. Its sandbox offers limited interaction beyond experimenting with the protagonist’s unique abilities. Even so, this rare gem from Japan Studio remains one of the best open-world exclusives on PlayStation platforms.

3

Horizon Zero Dawn

A Huge Success For A New Open-World IP

Horizon Zero Dawn

Systems

Released

February 28, 2017

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Horizon Zero Dawn was one of the first PlayStation first-party games to embrace the Ubisoft-style open-world design, featuring vast and diverse maps filled with side quests, optional collectibles, and hidden locations with unique rewards. The biggest highlight is undoubtedly its distinctive sci-fi setting that’s unlike anything else, featuring machine lifeforms and primitive tribes in a post-apocalyptic world. As one of the most visually stunning and polished titles on the PS4, it became a major success, with Aloy quickly emerging as a new mascot for the console.

Several years after its initial release, the game launched on PC and later received a remastered edition for the PS5, featuring significantly enhanced visuals and technical improvements. Its recent sequel has solidified Horizon as one of PlayStation’s flagship franchises, ensuring it remains a priority for the company.

4

Shadow Of The Colossus

A Timeless Open-World Classic Still Exclusive To PlayStation

Systems

Released

February 6, 2018

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Few games have managed to transcend not just one but three console generations. Shadow of the Colossus first debuted on the PS2, received an HD remaster for the PS3, and was later fully remade for the PS4. As one of Sony’s most revered exclusives, the love and dedication it has received from both fans and the publisher are unmatched. In many ways, this remake presents the game as it was always meant to be experienced.

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Despite featuring an open-world environment, Shadow of the Colossus treats it as a vast, atmospheric backdrop rather than a space for rewarding exploration or side activities. However, the remake elevates the experience with enhanced animations, stunning graphics, and improved lighting, taking its technical presentation to a whole new level — all while preserving the essence of the original. Still unavailable on other platforms like PC, this masterpiece remains exclusive to PS4 and PS5, offering a journey well worth taking.

5

Marvel’s Spider-Man

The Ultimate Spider-Man Game Fans Deserve

Action

Adventure

Open-World

Systems

Released

September 7, 2018

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

The PlayStation 4 was a defining console for one of the most popular and iconic superheroes, finally delivering the Spider-Man game fans had long been waiting for. Alongside the Batman: Arkham series, Marvel’s Spider-Man by Insomniac Games stands in a league of its own, offering a vast and beautifully crafted open-world version of New York City where players can truly embody the life of a wall-crawler and web-slinger like never before.

With its dense urban sandbox filled with activities and vertical exploration, Marvel’s Spider-Man brings fresh excitement to the genre, cementing itself as one of the PS4’s standout first-party titles. It later received a Remastered edition for the PS5 and PC, featuring enhanced visuals and some character design changes.

6

Days Gone

A Beloved Open-World With A Unique Atmosphere

Open-World

Action

Adventure

Systems

Released

April 26, 2019

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

Days Gone was first revealed to widespread excitement, impressing fans with its innovative dynamic horde system, which made zombie swarms feel vast, terrifying, and truly deadly, enhancing the game’s eerie atmosphere. While its overall concept wasn’t entirely original, Days Gone introduced standout features, such as traversing its post-apocalyptic Oregon setting by motorcycle, adding a unique touch to the open-world experience.

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Though the game didn’t quite meet Sony’s expectations, leading to the cancelation of its ambitious sequel, Days Gone still became one of the most beloved open-world titles on the PS4. It has since been ported to PC, with a PS5-upgraded Remastered version set to launch this April.

7

Death Stranding

A Special Open-World Strand Game Like No Other

Released

November 8, 2019

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

While Death Stranding wasn’t developed by a Sony first-party studio, Kojima Productions’ ambitious title launched as a timed PS4 exclusive, earning it a place on this list. Its vast, melancholic, and visually stunning world is central to the entire journey, as players traverse desolate landscapes in an effort to reconnect a fractured nation. True to Hideo Kojima’s signature style, Death Stranding features lengthy cutscenes, an intriguing cast brought to life by renowned film actors, and an imaginative design for costumes, gear, vehicles, and other aspects of its unique setting.

Today, Death Stranding Director’s Cut is available on multiple platforms beyond the PS4 and PS5. Players can also experience the game on PC and, as of November 2024, on Xbox Series X/S, while awaiting the release of its highly anticipated sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, later this year.

8

Ghost Of Tsushima

A Swan Song Of The Open-World PS4 Era

Systems

Released

July 17, 2020

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Ghost of Tsushima was one of the last major PS4 exclusives from Sony’s first-party developers, serving as both a technical showcase and a refinement of open-world mechanics. It introduced seamless exploration that minimized reliance on traditional maps, making its vast feudal Japan setting of Tsushima Island a joy to traverse. With its diverse regions, engaging side activities, and a blend of stealth and open combat, the game offered a deeply immersive experience, complemented by horseback riding and an emotionally compelling story.

The game later received a Director’s Cut edition for PS5 and PC, which included the Iki Island expansion along with other improvements. Interestingly, even later samurai-focused open-world titles, such as Rise of the Ronin, struggle to match Ghost of Tsushima — a game that remains one of the greatest open-world PS4 exclusives to date.

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