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These are matches rather than an objective ranking. None of the available sources establishes a comparable completion-time statistic, and “not too long” means different things to different players. Check the current PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for your country and tier before assuming any title is included; dated catalog announcements do not prove availability today.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Elden Ring (PS5) (European Version) | $34.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Elden Ring, 1 PS5-Blu-ray Disc | $74.25 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Demon's Souls - PlayStation 5 | $39.45 | Buy on Amazon |
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At a glance: which PS5 RPG fits your next mood?
The five games below cover distinctly different versions of the open-world RPG idea. Use the table to narrow the choice, then read the individual sections for edition details, story position and trade-offs.
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| Game | Best fit | Distinctive reason to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring | Players who want to roam, find their own routes and accept a serious combat challenge | Open exploration on foot or horseback paired with demanding but fair combat |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition | Players who put characters, quests and fantasy storytelling first | A Geralt-led adventure with two major story expansions included in the Complete Edition |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Players who prefer an urban science-fiction setting and role-playing choices | Night City, V’s mercenary story, character customization and the Phantom Liberty expansion |
| Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition | Players who want to continue Aloy’s world after Horizon Zero Dawn | The direct follow-up, with Burning Shores continuing after the main game |
| Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth | Players who want a different structure and many optional diversions | Turn-based role-playing battles across Yokohama and Honolulu, plus activities such as karaoke and arcade games |
What “after a long PlayStation Plus adventure” really changes
Finishing a large game can create two opposite problems. You may want another world with enough depth to justify your time, or you may want a different pace so the next game does not feel like a repeat of the one you just completed. The recommendations therefore emphasize contrast: combat difficulty, setting, narrative focus, expansion content and battle structure.
#1 Best Overall
- Collaborating with George R.R. Martin to create the ELDEN RING mythos has been a genuinely delightful experience and a source of wonderful inspiration. The team is working hard to ensure that the world of ELDEN RING will be a fascinating place for players to explore, filled with peril and wonder from its furthest reaches to its lowest depths. This is a FromSoftware title through and through, rich in fantasy and RPG action. We sincerely hope you look forward to it.
- Building the world of ELDEN RING with Miyazaki-san and his team was a treat! The graphics, mythos, and action-RPG gameplay will deliver an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait for people to see what ELDEN RING has in store for them.” Said George R.R. Martin.
The phrase “not too long” needs particular care. No official source in the available material supplies a common completion-time measurement for these games. A PlayStation Plus community discussion includes one player’s estimate that completing The Witcher 3 with extensive side missions, contracts and Gwent can exceed 100 hours, but that is an individual estimate, not an official statistic or a guarantee of your own playtime. Treat optional content, rather than a headline number, as the practical way to control the length of your next adventure.
Elden Ring: choose freedom and a demanding fight
Why it works after another open-world game
Elden Ring is the strongest pick when your priority is deciding where to go rather than being led from one story beat to the next. PlayStation describes an open world that can be explored on foot or horseback, with demanding but fair combat. That combination makes discovery itself the point: you can roam, find routes and decide when a challenge is worth attempting.
This is a deliberate change of emphasis from a heavily narrative-led adventure. The game’s appeal is not that it is a shorter replacement for a long Plus title; the available evidence does not establish a reliable runtime. Its distinction is that exploration and combat challenge are central, so it suits players who want to learn encounters and make progress through persistence.
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PlayStation lists Elden Ring for both PS4 and PS5. On PS5, select the edition clearly marked for the console before purchasing or downloading. The official description also identifies the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. If you are comparing editions in the Store, confirm whether the expansion is bundled or sold separately rather than assuming every listing contains it.
Who should skip it
- Skip Elden Ring if your main goal is a tightly directed, character-first story.
- Skip it if repeated combat attempts are likely to feel like work rather than discovery.
- Choose another recommendation if you specifically want a direct continuation of Horizon Zero Dawn.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition: choose story and included expansions
Why it works after a long adventure
The Witcher 3 is the most natural choice when the reason you enjoyed your previous game was its cast, quests and fantasy narrative. PlayStation’s description centers on Geralt’s quest and the game’s narrative themes, so the role-playing experience is built around a character with an established purpose rather than an empty map waiting for you to define it.
The Complete Edition is particularly important because it packages the two major add-ons, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. That gives a new player a clearly defined way to obtain the base game and its substantial additional stories without having to assemble separate purchases. It also means that the edition can represent a very large commitment, especially if you pursue optional quests, contracts and other diversions.
Edition and platform notes
PlayStation lists The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition for PS4 and PS5. Check the product name carefully: the Complete Edition is the listing that explicitly includes Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. A different edition or upgrade path may not present the same contents in the same way.
Who should choose something else
- Choose Elden Ring instead if unscripted exploration and combat mastery matter more than Geralt’s story.
- Choose Cyberpunk 2077 if you want a modern city and science-fiction role-playing rather than a fantasy setting.
- Choose Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth if turn-based battles and a variety of minigame-style diversions are the main attraction.
Cyberpunk 2077: choose Night City and role-playing decisions
What makes it different
Cyberpunk 2077 moves the open-world RPG into Night City. PlayStation describes V as a mercenary whose path is shaped by character customization, jobs, upgrades, relationships and choices. That makes it a good follow-up when you want the freedom of a large world but prefer a dense urban setting to wilderness or medieval fantasy.
The Phantom Liberty expansion takes the story into Dogtown. Treat that content as part of the edition and purchase decision: confirm whether a listing includes the expansion or only the base game. The available material does not establish a universal playtime for either component, so select it for its setting and role-playing structure rather than a promised number of hours.
What the Plus announcement does and does not prove
On July 9, 2025, Sony announced Cyberpunk 2077 for the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium Game Catalog. Adam Michel, Senior Director of Content Acquisition & Operations at Sony Interactive Entertainment, described it as “an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.” That announcement is useful historical context, but it does not establish that the game remains in your regional catalog on October 16, 2026.
Who should choose another game
- Choose Horizon Forbidden West if continuing Aloy’s story is more important than changing settings.
- Choose Elden Ring if you want open terrain and horseback exploration rather than a city-focused world.
- Choose The Witcher 3 if you prefer a fantasy quest centered on Geralt.
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition: choose the direct sequel
Why it is the safest follow-up to Horizon Zero Dawn
If the long PlayStation Plus adventure you just completed was Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West is the least disruptive next step. It continues Aloy’s world instead of asking you to learn an unrelated cast and setting. PlayStation Store describes the Complete Edition as including Burning Shores, an expansion that picks up after the main game.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThat sequence matters when you plan your order. Play the main Forbidden West campaign before starting Burning Shores so the expansion’s “after the main game” position matches the intended progression. The Complete Edition is therefore the straightforward choice for readers who want the continuation and the additional story in one product listing.
Rank #3
- Discover where the journey began - Experience the original brutal challenge, completely remade from the ground up. All presented in stunning visual quality with enhanced performance, this is the world of Boletaria as you have never seen it before.
- Become the Slayer of Demons - Venture to the northern kingdom of Boletaria – a once prosperous land of knights, now beset with unspeakable creatures and ravenous demons. Meet strange characters, unhinged and twisted by the world around them, and unravel the unsettling story of Demon’s Souls.
- Face the world’s greatest warriors in ferocious PVP combat - With online invasions adding to the danger of your quest. Or play cooperatively by summoning allies to aid in your fight against the demons. Active PS Plus subscription required for online multiplayer.
Edition and platform notes
Use the PlayStation Store listing to distinguish Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition from a base-game listing. Confirm the console label and the included Burning Shores content at checkout, because Store contents and availability can change by region and date.
Who should choose a different game
- Choose Elden Ring if you want the most emphasis on self-directed exploration and difficult combat.
- Choose Cyberpunk 2077 if a science-fiction city and role-playing decisions sound more appealing than Aloy’s setting.
- Choose Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth if you want turn-based battles and a broad set of optional activities.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth: choose turn-based battles and side activities
Why it is a useful change of pace
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the outlier in this group because its combat is turn-based. PlayStation’s May 22, 2026 PlayStation Plus catalog roundup describes exploration in Yokohama and Honolulu, along with diversions such as karaoke and arcade games. If your previous adventure left you tired of real-time combat, this structure offers a clear mechanical change without abandoning the role-playing format.
The two-city setting and optional activities also make it suitable for players who measure value by variety rather than by a single main quest. The available sources do not provide a standardized runtime, so do not assume that the number of activities translates into a short or long completion. Decide whether you want to sample diversions or pursue them extensively.
Catalog status
The May 2026 roundup is dated evidence of what PlayStation highlighted at that time, not a guarantee of what remains available in October 2026. Confirm the title in your own Game Catalog before planning to play it through a subscription.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to check PlayStation Plus access before you start
Catalog membership is time-sensitive and can differ by country and subscription tier. The dated PlayStation articles available for this topic are useful references, but neither the May 22, 2026 open-world roundup nor the July 9, 2025 Cyberpunk 2077 announcement establishes availability on October 16, 2026.
- Open the PlayStation Plus area on your PS5 or the PlayStation Store for your account region.
- Go to the Game Catalog and search for the exact title and edition name, not just the franchise name.
- Check whether the listing is included with your current tier. A title mentioned for Extra or Premium may not be available on a different tier.
- Verify the platform label. Select the PS5 version when both PS4 and PS5 products are shown.
- Read the listing’s edition contents before downloading. Look for named expansions such as Shadow of the Erdtree, Hearts of Stone, Blood and Wine, Phantom Liberty or Burning Shores only when the product page explicitly includes them.
- If the game is absent, shows a purchase price or displays a different tier, treat it as a purchase rather than an included catalog game. Do not rely on an old article or a community comment to override the live listing.
Pick by the kind of experience you want next
| If your priority is… | Start with… | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Finding your own routes and accepting hard fights | Elden Ring | Its official description combines open-world exploration on foot or horseback with demanding but fair combat. |
| A character-led fantasy narrative | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition | Geralt’s quest is the center of the experience, and the Complete Edition includes two major add-ons. |
| A science-fiction city and consequential role-playing choices | Cyberpunk 2077 | Night City, V’s mercenary story, customization, jobs, upgrades, relationships and choices define its identity. |
| Aloy’s continuing story | Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition | It follows Horizon Zero Dawn, with Burning Shores set after the main game. |
| Turn-based combat and optional diversions | Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth | Its battles are turn-based, and its Yokohama and Honolulu settings include activities such as karaoke and arcade games. |
Edition mistakes that can change your decision
Do not confuse a base game with a complete edition
Expansion contents are not interchangeable. The Witcher 3 Complete Edition includes Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition includes Burning Shores. Cyberpunk 2077 has Phantom Liberty associated with its Dogtown story, while Elden Ring has Shadow of the Erdtree. Read the exact Store description for the product in your region instead of assuming a similarly named listing contains every add-on.
Check PS5 compatibility explicitly
PlayStation’s open-world guide lists Elden Ring and The Witcher 3 for both PS4 and PS5, while Cyberpunk 2077 is listed for PS5. For Horizon Forbidden West and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, use the live Store page to confirm the PS5 product label and the edition you intend to install. A franchise name alone is not enough to identify the correct download.
A practical order after finishing your current game
When you want the biggest mechanical change
Move from a real-time action adventure to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s turn-based battles. Its different structure can make the next game feel new even if you still want an open-world role-playing format.
When you want to stay with familiar storytelling
Choose Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition after Horizon Zero Dawn. Start with the main campaign and then play Burning Shores, which is positioned after that campaign.
When you want discovery to replace quest direction
Choose Elden Ring. Its open exploration and combat challenge put the emphasis on where you go and how you handle encounters rather than on following a single narrative route.
When you want another authored character journey
Choose The Witcher 3 for Geralt’s fantasy quest or Cyberpunk 2077 for V’s Night City story. The former emphasizes fantasy narrative themes and included expansions; the latter emphasizes an urban science-fiction setting and role-playing choices.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat this list does not claim
- It is not an objective ranking. PlayStation’s open-world guide is editorial curation, not an independent comparative test.
- It does not promise that any game is “short.” No common, official completion-time study was established for these titles.
- It does not guarantee PlayStation Plus membership on a particular date or in a particular country. Catalog entries can change, and the live listing is the authority for your account.
- It does not replace checking edition contents. Named expansions are included only when the relevant product page says they are.
For most players, the decision is simple: pick Elden Ring for exploration and challenge, The Witcher 3 for a substantial fantasy narrative, Cyberpunk 2077 for Night City role-playing, Horizon Forbidden West for Aloy’s direct continuation, or Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth for turn-based variety. Then verify the PS5 edition, expansion contents and current regional PlayStation Plus status before you begin.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
