The PS5 launched in 2020, making 2025 its sixth year of operation, there are tons of games to play both exclusive and non-exclusive across all genres on Sony's modern console. Hardcore action fans have games that Stellar Blade and Ghost of Yoteiwhile RPG fans have Fire Ring and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. All of these are good examples in the open world.
Big triple-A games like these examples are fine, but one of the nicest things about the PS5 and this current generation is the wealth of free games out there that are still quality titles, incl open world genre. These are not mobile games that ask for money every two seconds. Sure, they all have microtransactions, but they feel less intrusive, and the games themselves feel like real, high-quality open-world experiences, despite the lack of a price tag.
Genshin Impact
Anime Zelda
Genshin Impact is one of the biggest free-to-play games on the planet, and it broke the mold and became wildly popular on every platform it hit. It was the free equivalent of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in so many ways, complete with a colorful anime style. Players choose their twin at the very beginning before venturing into the ever-expanding world.
Players can then explore a large world filled with action-packed battles and unlock new characters along the way through the story and through recorded currency and paid currency draws. Players can climb surfaces and slide while exploring, just like in Breath of the Wildand miHoYo hasn't stopped updating the game with new content since 2020. There's more than enough free content here to keep players busy for weeks or months on end without having to worry about sinking money into Genshin Impact.
Destiny 2
Shoot To Thrill
Destiny 2 started as a paid experience, but then Bungie decided to make it a platform. To keep up with expansions, players have to pay to see everything, but there's enough free in the base game that players can decide if they want to see more or not after giving it an extended look. For PS5 players, there are ways with PS+ to unlock more content for free. Aside from models, players can choose a class and customize their character at the beginning.
They'll take on missions on hub worlds, like The Tower, and then head off to new planets and moons. Missions are more linear events, but there are ways to freely roam these planets alone or with friends online. These planetary environments are smaller than other open world games, but so what Destiny 2 what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in great play. Between the various powers and sci-fi weapons, the gameplay in this game is second to none.
Infinity Nikki
Dress for the cold
Infinity Nikki is a chill game for anyone who wants to play an open world game just to explore. Players will command the titular Nikki on her quest to unlock new fashionable dresses as she explores Miraland on an isekai adventure. New dresses can unlock new abilities, from attack modes to gliding abilities.
There is combat, but it's a very small part of the game, and nothing too challenging will ever appear. It's a cute game that's all about spreading good vibes. Whether it amounts to hundreds of hours of content is up to the players. Infinity Nikki is at least worth a shot, even if it doesn't look inviting to anyone not interested in fashion or non-combat focused games.
Wuthering Waves
Adding Pokemon into the mix
Wuthering Waves looks and plays a lot like Genshin Impact between the anime visuals, the action combat and the ability to slide. Additionally, there are tons of characters to unlock with varying degrees of powers. However, there is one mechanic that sets it apart: it's also a monster-catching game. Players can capture enemies and turn them into Echoes, which will essentially give them useful abilities in battle, along with equipment to boost stats.
It's almost like the Materia system i Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthas each character i Wuthering Waves have their own unique traits and abilities, but they can be enhanced in battle with Echoes so players can shape them however they want. Switching between characters in battle will also create a combo chain that takes full advantage of the character system more than other action RPGs.
DC Universe Online
DC stands for decades of content
DC Universe Online has been going strong since 2011, and it's gotten better every year. Players can create their character, complete with stats and abilities based on iconic DC heroes. They can also be a villain, which is a fun road to travel down for fans of villains like The Joker or Lex Luthor.
Anyway, battles play out in typical MMO fashion, with players able to use a variety of powers and abilities that run on cooldowns. The fight is not as exciting as Batman: Arkham game, but the variety of skills and how players use them will give them a greater sense of ownership, as this is their hero or villain. The open world areas are more segmented, like Destiny 2but DC fans will love being able to explore places like Metropolis, Gotham City, Atlantis and more.
Final Fantasy 14
Free to start
DC Universe Online is a completely free-to-play MMO with microtransactions, while Final Fantasy 14 is a great example of a free-to-start experience that Destiny 2. There is a trial version on PS5 that allows players to play through the base game and the first two expansions for free, with some limitations. Some chat options are locked, limits on Gil, and characters stop leveling at level 70, but otherwise players have free rein to roam as long as they want. They can then port their character throughout the game and unlock more expansions if they so choose for cash and a subscription fee.
If they have friends who are already playing the game, it will make testing easier for new players, as they can join a party. Calling it a trial might make players think it's just a glorified demo, but it's a great free version of the game with a shockingly expansive world and story to explore. It is one of the finest Final Fantasy game to date, from the world building to the job system to easy-to-learn combat.
