Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PS5, PS4 Open World Game of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. This category specifically focuses on the games with the best open worlds, from how they’re implemented to what there is to see within their zones.
Bronze Trophy: Tchia
In Tchia, you can play as a young girl, or a fish, a pig, a dolphin, deer, cat, cow, or even a crow to get about the tropical island inspired by New Caledonia. The concept of Soul Jumping allows for this, and it opens up gameplay possibilities as well as new traversal options as you explore the world’s many biomes and secrets. It’s a more laidback experience where the objective markers are more about highlighting an area than pinpointing exactly where you need to go next. More about the journey than the destination, Tchia is so full of heart that it had to get its props somewhere.
Harry Potter fans have always dreamt of donning house robes and learning magic at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and that finally became a reality in Hogwarts Legacy. The open world experience allows you to fully explore the school and its grounds, as well as Hogsmeade and some areas brand new to the IP. It’s a truly magical experience that really grounds you in the universe, letting you be the witch or wizard you’ve always wanted. The open world loses some of its charm in the wider regions custom-built for Hogwarts Legacy, but the school’s recreation is so strong that it has to go down as one of the year’s best.
A very late entry but no less worthy, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora makes its open world recreation of new region The Western Frontier shine with impressive PS5 visuals and an immersive map. While some of the old Ubisoft open world elements are still present, developer Ubisoft Massive incentives you to clear how optional objectives and camps by tying its wildlife and crafting systems to them. Not only are you taking territory back, but also restoring life to the plant life surrounding the base. Since you need those resources to improve your character, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora forms an engaging loop where its open world is the star of the show.
Insomniac Games brought back the original New York map from PS4’s Marvel’s Spider-Man and bolted on a series of new districts representing Brooklyn and Queens to form a huge environment for web-slinging and crime fighting. While that may mean it feels a little too familiar in some ways, traversal and activities you encounter have been given an overhaul in order to feel fresh again. Peter and Miles now get about the city so much faster, with speedier web-slinging creating a constant rush of excitement, while side quests are much more thoughtful and engaging.
In a small nod to the more open-ended exploration mechanics of Elden Ring, you need to actually find these activities before some of them are marked on your map. Their icons will then be beamed up into the sky, meaning you don’t always have to check the map for where to go next. And with near-instant fast travel just a button hold away, the Sony developer has worked its magic under the hood to make getting about the open world a complete breeze.
Honourable Mentions: Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Forspoken.
What was your favourite PS5, PS4 open world game of 2023? Place a vote in our poll and then explain your personal pick in the comments below. For further Game of the Year coverage, click the link.
Laura Adams is a tech enthusiast residing in the UK. Her articles cover the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets, providing readers with a glimpse into the future of technology.
