9 Best Open-World RPGs on PS5 & Xbox That Are Worth Your Time
You want games that grab your attention quickly and keep you engaged. These open-world RPGs on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S offer large maps, important choices, and stories you’ll actually care about. You'll hunt for secrets, create unique characters, and enjoy exploring every corner.
How we picked the best open-world RPGs on PS5 & Xbox
We focused on fun that lasts. Not just size for size’s sake.
- Cross‑platform priority for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S
- Exploration loops that reward curiosity and skill
- Player agency that matters in quests and builds
- Native or enhanced current‑gen support for better performance and visuals
The 9 Best Open-World RPGs on PS5 & Xbox
Elden Ring — the open-world RPG benchmark on PS5 & Xbox
Elden Ring rewards curiosity. You explore at your own pace, solving the world’s secrets as you go. Each area hides weapons or ashes that can change how you play. Bosses are tough, but you always have options to get stronger first. Performance modes on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S keep fights smooth, which is important in tough battles.
Why it’s worth your time:
- True open exploration with minimal handholding
- Wide range of builds, from bleed to beast magic
- A map full of surprises and valuable gear
Best fit:
- You love to improvise. You hate rigid quest lines.
Keywords to note:
- Open-world RPGs PS5 that reward curiosity
- Story-driven open world RPG where lore unfolds if you chase it
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition — Night City finally sings
Night City is alive. The 2.0 update improved perks and cyberware. Combat is smooth. The city is packed with side gigs, fixers, and factions that challenge you. Phantom Liberty adds a spy thriller with smart stealth and tough choices. You can use Sandevistans and shotguns or become a netrunner. Both paths are effective and powerful.
Why it’s worth your time:
- A vertical city that never runs out of trouble
- Builds feel distinct after the perk rework
- Dogtown ramps tension and loot variety
Best fit:
- You want a story-first open world with expressive combat.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — questcraft and consequence
Geralt’s world is alive and full of challenges. Side quests have meaningful arcs, sometimes better than main stories. Choices affect regions and relationships. The Complete Edition upgrades PS5 and Xbox with next-gen features. Frame-rate modes improve swordplay. Toussaint glows at sunset, and Hearts of Stone is still emotional. This RPG sets the standard for story-driven open worlds.
Why it’s worth your time:
- Top-tier writing with complex moral issues
- Huge expansions that feel like full games
- Contracts and question marks that reward detours
Best fit:
- You seek meaningful choices, emotional depth, and monsters with backstories.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 — a world that pushes back
Capcom created a game where different systems interact. Fast travel is limited, so you need to plan your routes and pack carefully. The night is genuinely frightening. Pawns act like friends who remember caves and bosses. You can climb a griffin and bring it down mid-air with a well-timed spell. The experience feels physical, reactive, and chaotic. On PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, it looks sharp and performs well.
Why it’s worth your time:
- Travel is important and ambushes are exciting
- Vocations allow for creative experimentation
- Unexpected encounters create memorable stories
Best fit:
- You love tinkering and thriving in controlled chaos.
Baldur’s Gate 3 — tabletop-grade choice at massive scale
Larian didn’t just adapt D&D. They captured its freedom. You solve quests by sweet‑talking, spelunking, or shoving a boss into environmental doom. Each zone is full of secrets and multiple ways to solve problems. Companions react, remember, and sometimes ruin your plans. It’s not “one map” open world, yet each region offers freeform exploration that scratches the same itch on console.
Why it’s worth your time:
- Meaningful choices in combat and conversation
- Party dynamics that reshape outcomes
- A modern epic that respects your creativity
Best fit:
- You want a deep, reactive RPG with room to roam.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows — feudal Japan, finally
Shadows is a fantasy game with dual protagonists. It features stealthy infiltration and intense sword duels. Clans and weather affect your routes. The dense map rewards patience. It runs well on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S with quality and performance options. You can sneak through an estate at night and duel a warlord in a dawn rainstorm.
Why it’s worth your time:
- Two distinct playstyles across a reactive Japan
- Strong stealth mechanics and deadly swordplay
- An open world rich in historical detail
Best fit:
- You like stealth missions and samurai battles.
Diablo 4 — shared world, endless builds
Sanctuary is always active. Helltides, Legion Events, world bosses, and Nightmare Dungeons fill your map with things to do. Seasonal changes mix up builds and keep the hunt for loot interesting. The game runs well on PS5 and Xbox, and couch co-op is still great. It’s ideal for weeknight gaming that goes late.
Why it’s worth your time:
- Always something happening in a big, shared world
- Deep build options and easy respecs
- Fresh seasonal content that keeps the core gameplay intact
Best fit:
- You live for loot and you want a world that feeds it.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition — timeless wanderlust
Skyrim never gets old. After escaping Helgen, you can ignore the main quest and wander off to explore a cave just because it catches your eye. The Anniversary Edition adds new content from the Creation Club, along with survival features, fishing, and more. Mods are easy to use on Xbox and give you even more ways to play. On modern consoles, performance modes keep everything running smoothly for hours on end.
Why it’s worth playing:
- Open world built for your own adventures
- Improved performance and lots of extras
- Endless roleplay options without pressure
Best fit:
- Players who want freedom and a world full of secrets to discover.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II — rigorous, grounded role‑play
Bohemia requires patience and rewards careful planning. You rely on timing, not button mashing. You learn to read the wind when shooting an arrow. Your choices affect your reputation and change how villages treat you. It’s slower than most open-world RPGs on Xbox Series X and PS5, but the historical immersion is unmatched. When a quest fails, you live with the consequences and role-play the outcome.
Why it’s worth your time:
- Realistic systems that shape your journey
- Decisions that impact the world
- A lived‑in setting with striking authenticity
Best fit:
- You want a grounded, consequence‑heavy story.
Quick guidance to pick your next open-world RPG
Time budget matters
Short on hours. Cyberpunk’s main story runs tighter than The Witcher 3’s sprawling arcs.
Combat flavor decides your fun
Soulslike precision in Elden Ring. Tactical turn‑based in BG3. ARPG speed in Diablo 4.
Structure preference helps
Love a single contiguous map like Elden Ring and Skyrim. Prefer zone‑based but open hubs like Baldur’s Gate 3.
Performance changes feel
Favor 60 FPS on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S for responsiveness, especially in reactive combat.
DLC and expansions can seal it
Phantom Liberty elevates Cyberpunk. Witcher 3’s expansions are essential. Live seasons keep Diablo humming.
Pro tips to enjoy open-world RPGs on PS5 & Xbox without burnout
Set micro‑goals per session
Clear a region. Knock out a faction chain. Then stop.
Mix activities
Alternate main quests with exploration sprints or side stories.
Respect difficulty
Respec early if your build stalls. It’s not quitting. It’s evolving.
Use photo mode breathers
You’ll notice art direction and stop rushing.
FAQ — Best Open-World RPGs on PS5 & Xbox
What’s the best starting point for newcomers?
Try The Witcher 3 if you want a story-first open world with big payoffs. Go Elden Ring if pure discovery thrills you and you like combat challenges.
Which open-world RPGs Xbox Series X players should try first?
Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077 deliver cutting-edge performance. Diablo 4 shines for co‑op nights. Skyrim still eats weekends and never judges you for it.
What’s the most replayable?
Skyrim and Elden Ring for freedom and new routes. Diablo 4 for seasons and fresh build metas.
Final take — chart your own path
You don’t need to clear every icon. Chase the stories and systems you love. Pick a world. Wander. Get distracted. That’s the magic of the best open-world RPGs on PS5 & Xbox.