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With hundreds of games to choose from, it's easy to be paralyzed with choice when you start exploring the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium library. The solution to this? Find one game that you can devote dozens of hours to, put on some blinkers, and focus solely on that specific title. Open-world games are usually the best for this approach, and you'll be able to run into a sandbox that's bound to suit your specific needs and tastes in the PS Plus library. We've gathered up several of the best examples below, and if that's not enough, you can check out GameSpot's lists on the best PS3 games to stream on PS Plus Premium, the best classic PlayStation games on the service, and the best overall games on PS Plus Extra and Premium. All of the games on this list are available for both PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers. We've listed our picks in alphabetical order.
Ashen
A terrific soulslike that emphasizes community-building and deadly boss fights, Ashen's focus on trust and socialization gives it a distinct flavor when compared to the Dark Souls series that it feels inspired by. It's those relationships forged in an unforgiving world that makes this title stand out, and if you're looking for something a little different after spending dozens of hours in Elden Ring, Ashen's take on the genre is worth diving into. Ashen has a more restrained approach to open-world design than a lot of games on this list, so it's a nice, focused choice that won't feel overwhelming. Read our Ashen review.
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
Assassin's Creed III may have been a lackluster follow-up to one of the best game trilogies of all time, but Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag was a prime example of course correction that put the franchise back on track. Hitting newer hardware with the wind at its back, this oceanic Assassin's Creed game emphasized freedom and exploration with its gigantic world, fun diversions, and plenty of rival pirates to battle across the dangerous seas. Read our Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag review.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Ubisoft might get flak for making sandboxes that are too big, but you can't argue with the results when you're thrust into multiple sandboxes that are a joy to explore. From Asgard to merry medieval England, Assassin's Creed Valhalla takes place in a world that is gorgeous to behold and teeming with life. There's always something to do; you can spend dozens of hours pursuing the Viking lifestyle to your heart's content. Read our Assassin's Creed Valhalla review.
Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection
Yes, we're cheating here since this is technically three games, but it's worth playing all of them. The original Assassin's Creed had an interesting but small world to explore, something that its sequels would rectify by going bigger and bolder over the years. Assassin's Creed II was a gorgeous dive into ancient Italy, Brotherhood expanded on the sequel with new gadgets, and Revelations concluded the Ezio trilogy in Constantinople. Ezio's saga is where Assassin's Creed truly established itself as one of Ubisoft's heavyweight franchises, and even though the Italian assassin has been succeeded by other heroes in the years since his story came to an end, the trilogy is still a grand adventure that's worth diving into. Read our Assassin's Creed II review.
Batman: Arkham Knight
Gotham City in all its glory, Batman: Arkham Knight finally unleashed the caped crusader onto an expanded slice of his iconic city that was in dire need of some two-fisted justice. Whether you're tearing through the streets in the Batmobile or gliding over skyscrapers, Arkham Knight's landscape is full of danger, mystery, and delightful secrets just waiting to be encountered. Read our Batman: Arkham Knight review.
Bloodborne
While we're still waiting for Sony to announce a grand remake of one of From Software's best games ever, there's no harm in diving into this PS4 classic so that you can experience the grim and atmospheric world of Yharnam for yourself. Thick with tension and Gothic danger, Yharnam is more than ready to take you and its secrets to the grave, but high risk yields high rewards in this intense masterpiece. Read our Bloodborne review.
The Crew 2
When it comes to sheer size, you've got to give Ubisoft credit for attempting to boil the entire US of A into a grand tour of land, sea, and air travel. The Crew 2 is a solid racing game, one with underrated features that allows for seamless switching between various forms of transport and a living world full of circuits to race inside of. It's gigantic, there's plenty of variety on offer, and the magic of its design allows for some truly epic races across a continent. Read our The Crew 2 review.
Death Stranding: Director's Cut
Who would have thought that an extinction-level event could result in a deadly world that's so relaxing? While rampant terrorist organizations, deadly ghosts tethered to this world, and rainfall that'll age you quicker than teenagers confirming that they've never heard of your favorite band does add some danger to Death Stranding's world, everything else is a blast. It's a meditative game with fascinating themes born from the mind of Hideo Kojima, and it feels wonderfully unique with its oddball ideas. Read our Death Stranding review.
The Division
The Division has one of the most fascinating environments to explore, a section of New York City that has been abandoned save for gangs of criminals who inhabit Manhattan and have established new kingdoms within the world-famous city. While some of its gameplay might feel dated when compared to its sequel, there's still plenty to see and do in The Division in case you're a fan of wasteland tourism, as each level in this sandbox is a work of haunting art. Most players moved onto The Division 2 years ago, but the original game is still worth checking out if you're new to the series. Read our The Division review.
Fallout 4
Sure, the world of Fallout 4 might be an irradiated wasteland populated by mutated abominations and survivors who aren't averse to some occasional cannibalism, but on the plus side, you can explore Boston and New England with a faithful canine companion. Aside from having the best boy at your side, Fallout 4 also has a fascinatingly harsh world to survive in, fairly satisfying gunplay, and interesting characters to meet on your post-apocalyptic journey. Read our Fallout 4 review.
Far Cry 3: Classic Edition
Far Cry 3 is proof that the third time is the charm. A vastly expanded open-world full of tropical danger, Far Cry 3 became the template for every other game in the series. It has a perfect mix of exploration, combat, and growth; the induced drug trips became a series staple; and it tells a fantastic story. The classic edition spruces up the game for modern consoles, drops in plenty of DLC content, and even sends you on a hunting safari against some of the deadliest animals roaming the lush landscape. Read our Far Cry 3 review.
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
How do you make Far Cry 3 better? By tossing out all the contemporary content and replacing it with a neon-soaked love letter to cheesy action films. Part sci-fi odyssey and part Hollywood spectacle, Blood Dragon is a shorter spin-off that takes all the DNA of Far Cry 3 and shoves a laser-pistol into its hand so that it can fend for itself against the dragons inhabiting the world. It's a compact Far Cry experience that knows how ridiculous it is and revels in its absurdity. Read our Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon review.
Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition
While it may not be the quintessential Final Fantasy game, Final Fantasy XV is still a gorgeous road trip anchored by a quartet of likable dudes as they set off to save the kingdom. Epic quests, titanic boss fights, and more crystals than the storeroom of a homeopathic hospital are a given, but throw in some stunning scenery and camping gameplay, and you've got one of the prettiest Final Fantasies of all time. The Royal Edition expands on those ideas further with additional content, and if the game grabs you, don't be surprised to discover that you'll lose dozens of hours to it. Read our Final Fantasy XV review.
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
One of the most visually sumptuous open-world games of recent memory, Ghost of Tsushima's Japanese islands are colorful and artistic expressions of creativity in which you can lose yourself for hours. All the Mongol invaders might sour the digital tourism slightly, but that's nothing that a sharp-edged weapon and keen swordsmanship can't solve in this delightful trek across bloodstained battlefields and authentic villages. Read our Ghost of Tsushima review.
God of War
2018's God of War has just enough sandbox DNA to make the cut, but don't expect to spend too much time stopping to smell the Nordic roses. An action game to its very core, God of War excels at making Kratos feel deadlier than ever with its fine-tuned gameplay. While you may not be paying too much attention to the world around you during the heat of battle, at least you'll be clobbering enemies in gorgeous locations that hold a few secrets of their own. Read our God of War review.
Gravity Rush 2
Gravity Rush 2 isn't just a fantastic sequel to a beloved PS Vita classic, it's a jam-packed showcase of how to improve on a game and tap into unrealized potential. Its gameplay is joyful in the freedom that it provides to players; it has impressive boss fights; and it weaves all of these elements together with an engaging story. With landscapes that serve to enhance and propel the action forward, this is a textbook example of how to craft a sequel. Read our Gravity Rush 2 review.
Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition
Technically more of a metroidvania than a traditional open-world game, Hollow Knight still manages to contain a staggering amount of explorative content that captures the spirit of the sandbox genre. It's also so good at creating a finely-crafted tale of intense combat, challenging platforming, and artisanal graphics, that any complaints about its inclusion on this list are automatically null and void. The Voidheart Edition is the game at its very best, and if you're in the mood for excellent level design married to smart enemies alongside tons of secrets, Hollow Knight will capture your heart. Read our Hollow Knight review.
Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition
Stepping out of the Killzone trenches and forging a new path forward, Guerilla's first chapter in the Horizon series is a gorgeous treat for the eyes. Aloy's story and journey across a world where humanity has been knocked off the apex predator throne by legions of feral robots makes for a great premise, but it's the actual care and attention to the environment that makes the first Horizon such an enchanting title. The sequel Forbidden West expands greatly on its ideas and environments, but as far as first impressions go, Horizon: Zero Dawn sticks the landing with its debut. Read our Horizon Zero Dawn review.
Infamous: Second Son
Before it was making feudal Japan a decadent collection of color and blood, developer Sucker Punch was running wild in Seattle with superpowers that made the alt-rock capital a blast to explore. The game still holds up well, and as protagonist Delsin Rowe unlocks more powers, you'll be able to wreak even more havoc while tagging graffiti spots or liberating city blocks from the control of DUP. Read our Infamous: Second Son review.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Feudal sandboxes don't come along often, but when a studio does put some effort into a serf's up project, the end result can be a hard-hitting clash of steel and flesh. Take Kingdom Come: Deliverance for example, which slaps you into a suit of armor and sends you out to do battle against other knaves of the era. The first-person swordplay is fun, but what's really amazing is the staggering attention to detail here, an authentic air of historical accuracy, and a beautifully designed world that draws you into its medieval setting. Read our Kingdom Come: Deliverance review.
Marvel's Spider-Man
New York, New York, a name so great that they named it twice and allowed a web-slinger to ply his vigilante trade there. In case you missed it the last couple of years, Insomniac's adventure is the definitive Spider-Man experience. It still looks fantastic; it has a story that unleashes emotional haymakers; and its gameplay will make you believe that you truly do have the proportionate speed, strength, and agility of a spider-human. Plus, all those Spidey-gadgets are pretty neat as well. Read our Marvel's Spider-Man review.
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
While not too much has changed in the New York landscape of Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the game feels fresh and upbeat thanks to how Insomniac changes up the Spidey-formula. A more compact Spider-Man game that's charged up with energetic gameplay and stunning visuals, the debut adventure of Miles doesn't disappoint. Read our Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales review.
Outer Wilds
Most open-world games take place inside of an impressively massive slice of digital real estate, but Outer Wilds keeps things simple with a more compact design. Favoring quality over quantity, Outer Wilds uses its environment to tell a poignant tale across time and space, with each loop through the timestream offering more answers and discoveries as you start to build a complete story. That effort to create a more personal space odyssey is hard to beat, making this game a unique treasure. Read our Outer Wilds review.
Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition
A lengthy role-playing game that harks back to an older era of fantasy, Pillars of Eternity is a love letter to the past. Baldur's Gate and Planescape: Torment are obvious influences, but Pillars of Eternity evolves those systems with fresh new ideas, shorter standalone stories, and a real sense of progression to create a more modern take on its inspiration. With an art direction that can only be described as ornate, Pillars of Eternity is style and substance in one massive RPG package. Read our Pillars of Eternity review.
Red Dead Redemption 2
The original Red Dead Redemption was a very sandy box of old frontier action, but 2018's Red Dead Redemption 2 expanded on the wildest of wests with a design that was epic, nuanced, and gorgeous to behold. A story of the cowboy era coming to an end, Red Dead Redemption 2 is harsh yet beautiful adventure with memorable characters, landscapes, and a bounty of unique activities. Read our Red Dead Redemption 2 review.
Saints Row: The Third Remastered
The best Saints Row game by a wide margin, Saints Row: The Third combines excellent gameplay with an engaging story and a finely balanced sense of over-the-top action. It's a digital spectacle that you're behind the wheel of, but there's no denying that the third time was the super-charm in this classic caper. Read our Saints Row: The Third Remastered review.
Shadow of the Colossus
The original Shadow of the Colossus was a breath of fresh air when it debuted in 2005, and many years later, its remake proved to be worthy of the name. A tragic story with ambitious design, the PS4 remake is a colossal realization of the PS2 game and tells a gripping story in a beautiful world. There's a sadness to the land that permeates every pixel, but the fights against the Colossi, stunning audio-visual design, and the best horse in video games make it an eternal classic. Read our Shadow of the Colossus review.
Watch Dogs
Aiden Pearce might be the least-interesting Ubisoft protagonist of all time, but at least the first Watch Dogs game makes up for that blandness with a Chicago sandbox that's brimming with hacktivist activities. A mix of vigilante justice, fun online modes, and underrated hacking gameplay, the first Watch Dogs still holds up well and the open-world design encourages you to make the most of the most powerful device the world has ever known: a smartphone with unlimited battery life and an unbreakable LTE connection. Read our Watch Dogs review.
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