10 PS4 Open-World Games That Reward Exploration

The PlayStation 4 had a legendary run in its prime, being the console that I had spent a ton of memories on with my friends and family. And, equally, it had a fantastic catalog of games, from cross-gen first-party releases on the PS5 to a wide range of genres for everyone to experience, especially if this is their first time with a modern gaming device, with an extreme budget in mind.

You can rightfully say that the PS4 truly has something for everyone, and in that case, it equally has a rich array of open-world titles that reward your exploration incentives. This now budget-friendly console will cater to anyone looking for a sizable and rewarding open-world game, so join me as I discuss my favorites.

10 Elden Ring

Rise ye Tarnished

We'll get the obvious pick out of the way first, but it begs no question that Elden Ring is definitely one of the best modern open-world games with a base foundation that's comprised of FromSoftware's Soulsborne formula.

That gameplay formula might not be everyone's cup of tea, but beyond that, you have to understand that it was a monumental release, given the prior hype train and how otherworldly the exploration felt when everyone finally jumped in the initial week.

From catacombs, caves, main story legacy dungeons, and world bosses, there's no shortage of stuff in the Lands Between. And that's discounting the unique underground areas or even the new map featured within the DLC/expansion for those that are brave enough to fight against the likes of Rellana or Messmer. We'll ignore the heavily nerfed Consort Radahn, even if it's still an enjoyable fight.

9 Horizon Zero Dawn

Bows, Slings & Deadly Mechanical Wildlife

Putting aside the polarizing discourse around the franchise, make no mistake: Horizon Zero Dawn is widely regarded as one of the most engrossing open-world titles. It received a remastered version for the PS5, and, generally speaking, Guerrilla Games did a great job in their first foray into such an ambitious title, especially with their groundbreaking Decima engine at the helm.

As much as the gameplay and exploration feel dull at certain intervals, it still makes up for that with the amount of stuff you can do here, from various Hunting Challenges that unlock new weapons and armor for Aloy, the dungeon-like Cauldrons, and mapping the region with the Tallneck puzzles. And this excludes the various collectibles you need to find to attain the Platinum Trophy.

And if you felt the PS4 version of the game lacked in detail compared to the PS5 Remastered variant, then I recommend tackling the Frozen Wilds DLC because the motion capture animation and overall gameplay engagement feel vastly better in there; it is worth the trouble you'll face battling the Frostclaws.

Bethesda's Golden Goose

Since its release, Skyrim has become an unparalleled financial juggernaut for Bethesda, selling over 60 million copies and generating billions in revenue through constant re-releases across nearly every platform.

As an open-world game, it stands out because exploring it doesn’t feel like a mundane checklist. Instead of just following map markers from one task to the next, the game inspires you to venture off the main roads and uncover all sorts of surprises.

You might set out to complete a quest in one city, only to stumble upon an abandoned fort filled with bandits, a hidden cave housing an ancient artifact, or a mysterious encounter that leads to an entirely new storyline.

Plus, you've got a freedom of choice in playstyle, whether you want to be a stealthy thief, an assassin, or a powerful mage, as well as one of the largest modding communities to dabble in should you want to change the game's entire complexion.

7 Borderlands 3

Guns, Guns, and Even More Guns

As someone who's addictively played through the entire franchise, especially with his friends, Borderlands 3 genuinely feels like where the series peaked in the gameplay department. I know, I know—some of the main narrative writing moments are extremely questionable, and that's probably why you've seen the satirical-like posts of people telling you to delete the character audio files.

But anyhow, that doesn't change the fact that this is a Borderlands game that truly rewards you for your efforts. It has a bazillion different guns and, dare I say, the shooting feels slightly more fluid to me than Borderlands 4. And in terms of exploration, it truly rewards you with that, with the collectibles and side quests scattered across the different worlds that you explore.

A lot of these collectibles, or rather checklist activities, reward you with a chunk of XP and Eridium to spend on cosmetic upgrades. And the sidequests are filled with some of the best nonsensical moments that the series has to offer. And if you're feeling like testing your endgame build, activities like Slaughterhouse 3000 are there to test your Vault Hunter's grit to the utmost.

6 Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Local Misthios Ruins Everything

I honestly think this would've felt incomplete to some degree without mentioning AC Odyssey, even though I know people largely prefer Origins or anything besides the RPG entries in the series.

However, as much as it may seem bloated or repetitive to some, the world of Ancient Greece in the Odyssey is incredibly rich in detail and packed with activities. From dozens of branching questlines, an evolving mercenary leaderboard to hunt, a whole other board of cultists to go assassinate, and even large-scale repeatable conquest battles between two factions that you can partake in.

It's obviously the prime Ubisoft slop game, but as someone who's put in hundreds of hours alongside the Atlantis DLC, give AC Odyssey a shot if you're looking for the most bang for your buck open world game on the PS4.

5 Ghost of Tsushima

Point Me to the Nearest Bamboo Strike

Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima instantly became one of their most successful new IPs, especially given that it launched during the COVID-19 lockdown on the PS4. And even though the development was impacted by it, the game still managed to surpass expectations, albeit with the Ubisoft checklist map design.

But even that surface-level criticism is outweighed by the quality of these side-activity markers. Instead of filling the map with endless icons from the start, GoT encourages players to follow environmental cues via the Guiding Wind system and their own sense of wonder.

Wandering off the beaten path can lead you to hidden hot springs that increase your health, Bamboo Strikes that expand your Resolve gauge, Shinto Shrines containing powerful charms, and Fox Dens that unlock additional charm slots. These rewards offer actual gameplay incentives, ensuring exploration feels rewarding rather than just dripping Jin with new armor sets.

4 Sleeping Dogs

Hard Boiled in Hong Kong

The reimagined Hong Kong is truly the star of the show in Sleeping Dogs because almost every district feels distinct, from crowded night markets with their neon-lit alleyways to wealthy waterfront areas and industrial backstreets. Simply wandering around the city often leads to hidden lockboxes, health shrines, side missions, street races, or even your usual rotating Cop and Triad XP activities.

Exploration is also tied directly to character progression. Finding health shrines permanently increases Wei Shen's health, collecting lockboxes rewards money and other useful items.

And the parkour system really takes exploration to the next level, letting you vault over obstacles, scale rooftops, and leap across gaps with fluidity. This makes the experience of navigating Hong Kong truly enjoyable, turning the city into more of a playground than just a backdrop for Wei's undercover missions.

3 Red Dead Redemption 2

Yer a Good Boah

Even with GTA VI on the horizon, I can confidently say with every fiber in my body that I'll always consider Red Dead Redemption 2 as Rockstar Games' magnum opus.

Mainly because only a handful of open-world games reward curiosity quite like it, and where its most memorable discoveries aren't tied to the main missions; they're instead hidden in the wilderness, tucked away in abandoned places, or found through random NPC encounters that can easily be missed if you're playing the game on an autopilot mindset with fast traveling.

Besides the staggering environmental details, RDR2's hunting, fishing, treasure maps, and legendary animal pursuits also give you reasons to stray off from the main story of the Van Der Linde gang. It rewards you for your patience, especially if you're the type who wants to replay the game and has to go through the prologue in the snowy mountains.

2 Kingdom Come: Deliverance

How to Fight (And Lose To) Three Peasants with Sticks

Kingdom Come: Deliverance gives you the freedom to explore its version of medieval Bohemia however you like, because it's a living, breathing world where dense forests are filled with hidden camps, hunting spots, and surprising encounters you’ll discover if you take the time to wander off the usual paths.

One of the standout features of KCD is definitely its world, crafted with such incredible historical detail that just traveling around feels like a treat, even on the PS4. Riding through the countryside as Henry isn't just a means to reach your next quest; it's an opportunity to soak up the atmosphere and discover what surprises lie just beyond the next hill.

And hey, you might just stumble upon a roadside shrine, overhear travelers discussing local rumors, or find evidence of a crime tucked away deep where you least expect it, and all of these discoveries feel meaningful because the game rarely points you directly toward them.

1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Roach on the Roof

Even without the visual upgrades and quality-of-life improvements found in the next-gen edition, The Witcher 3 remains one of the best open-world games on PS4 because the exploration is genuinely engaging, rather than just a means to stretch out the map.

Those infamous little question markers on the map might lead to a hidden cave with a monster nest, a sunken treasure guarded by drowned dead, or a side quest whose ending (unexpectedly) sticks with you more than those of main quests in this game or, dare I say, in some other RPGs.

Despite the hardware limitations on the PS4, the game's atmosphere still holds strong in every region that you explore, as well as the DLCs themselves, should you want more out of this masterpiece, whether it’s the muddy war-torn fields of Velen or the cold, myth-soaked Skellige Isles; there's no wind in the world that can knock down Geralt of Rivia.