Upcoming Open-World Games in 2026 & Beyond

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Open-world games have exploded in popularity recently, and for good reason. The most successful ones create worlds that feel incredibly real and draw players in completely. They’re truly immersive experiences.

2025 was a great year for games, but 2026 looks even more promising, particularly for fans of open-world adventures. We’re expecting both highly anticipated sequels and completely new experiences, and here’s a look at the open-world games currently planned for release in 2026 and beyond.

Grand Theft Auto VI Will (Hopefully) Be Out On November 19

Even though some games on this list are coming out before GTA VI, this one is worth highlighting. It’s no surprise that Grand Theft Auto VI is one of the most eagerly awaited games ever made. After numerous delays, gamers are hoping it will finally be released on November 19, 2026. GTA V remains incredibly popular more than ten years after its launch, with players continuously drawn back to its huge world and the sheer amount of things to do.

Rumors suggest the development of GTA VI has cost at least a billion dollars. Considering how long fans have anticipated this release, it’s no surprise excitement is so high. So far, Rockstar has only shown trailers, not actual gameplay, but the footage already looks incredible and suggests this could be the best Grand Theft Auto game ever. Gamers are hoping the current 2026 release date remains firm so they can finally play it.

Crimson Desert Releases On March 19th

The highly anticipated game Crimson Desert, created by the team behind Black Desert Online, will launch in March. One of the most exciting features is its dynamic world. Players might begin a quest only to be unexpectedly thrown into battle, creating a more immersive and unpredictable experience.

The game’s marketing materials already show an incredibly detailed world. Crimson Desert is ambitious and trying to do a lot, so it will be exciting to see if it can successfully pull everything off. If it does, early 2026 could be a fantastic time for fans of open-world games.

Gotham Will Shine In Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

After some disappointing DC games like Gotham Knights and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, the return to the Lego Batman style is a welcome change. There’s a history of excellent Batman games, and Legacy of the Dark Knight appears to be another success. The game will delve into Batman’s beginnings, allowing players to battle famous villains such as the Joker and Bane, with Bane voiced by Matt Berry.

As a huge Batman fan, I’m really excited about the open-world design of this new game! It’s clearly taking a lot of inspiration from the Arkham series, especially Arkham Knight. It’s not just how the city looks, but everything you do in it – investigating crime scenes, solving mysteries, and, yes, even driving the Batmobile! They’re even bringing back the Riddler trophies, which is awesome. Honestly, exploring Gotham, whether it’s a realistic version or built with LEGOs, is always a blast, and this game looks like it’ll be a genuinely fun city to uncover, piece by piece.

Forza Horizon 6 Will Be Xbox’s Big Game For 2026

The next Forza Horizon game, Forza Horizon 6, is coming out next year and will be set in Japan. Although some players might be tired of games taking place in Japan, it’s a great fit for the Horizon series. Given Playground Games and Team10’s skill at creating open-world driving experiences, it’s time to get excited about this new installment.

For years, fans have wanted a Forza game set in Japan, and it’s now confirmed! The first look at the game is amazing, and imagining racing through bright cityscapes, along twisty mountain roads, and through the countryside with falling cherry blossoms feels incredible. Along with Fable, Forza Horizon 6 is looking like a huge title for Xbox in 2026.

Join Us Is Shaping Up To Be A Literal Cult Favorite

Join Us is a uniquely compelling game that blends the strategy of a cult simulator with the freedom of an open-world experience. Players start and grow their own cult, attracting new members while discovering a strange and atmospheric rural American landscape. The game’s visuals and themes are reminiscent of unsettling films like The Wicker Man and Midsommar, creating a captivating and slightly creepy world to explore.

Join Us isn’t a scary horror game, but it embraces its strange and unusual elements, which is great. Players have a lot of freedom to decide what their cult believes in – anything from aliens and Lovecraftian creatures to even music! If the game offers detailed management and allows players to really build up their cult, it has the potential to be very popular on streaming platforms. It’s a fresh and quirky take on the open-world survival genre that could appeal to players looking for something different and odd.

Blood of the Dawnwalker Has Is Perfect For Fans Of Witcher And Dishonored

The new dark fantasy game, Blood of the Dawnwalker, created by some of the developers behind The Witcher, is already generating excitement, and for good reason. You play as a warrior who becomes a dawnwalker – a vampire able to withstand sunlight – which creates unique opportunities for gameplay. The game’s day/night cycle will significantly affect the world and how you explore and fight. Players can choose between stealthy tactics or direct force, offering a strategic experience similar to Dishonored.

A unique element of the game is the ticking clock – players have 30 days within the game to rescue their family. Every choice you make, from using your abilities to conserving them, will impact how much time you have left. If Blood of the Dawnwalker delivers on its potential, it could be a truly replayable game, offering a dramatically different story depending on the decisions you make. Now, all we need is a release date so players can finally experience it.

Assassin’s Creed Codename Hex Beings Horror To The Franchise

When Ubisoft announced its future Assassin’s Creed games, Codename Hexe quickly grabbed attention. Setting an Assassin’s Creed game during the witch trials of the Holy Roman Empire is a particularly exciting new direction for the series. The brief preview suggests Ubisoft is aiming for a darker, more frightening experience with a strong focus on atmosphere.

Mixing the usual open-world gameplay of Assassin’s Creed with an atmosphere of paranoia, fear, and superstition feels like a new and exciting direction. While Ubisoft has experimented with horror elements before, bringing them to this well-known franchise could be really impactful. The series has faced challenges recently, but this game could be what it needs to regain its momentum.

The Witcher 4 Could Be Even Better Than The Witcher 3

As a huge fan of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, I keep thinking about how The Witcher 4 could possibly top its incredible open world. It’s the big question for all of us, and thankfully, CD Projekt Red is already working on it! The hype is real, and I’m hoping we don’t have to wait too long to find out what they’ve come up with.

While fans are excited for the next game, it’s a good idea for CD Projekt Red to take the time needed to develop it properly and avoid repeating the issues seen with the launch of Cyberpunk 2077. A smoother, bug-free experience exploring the new world will be much more enjoyable. The previous Witcher games offered incredible stories and memorable quests, and if The Witcher 4 can live up to Wild Hunt, it has the potential to be another classic open-world adventure.

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2025-11-11 21:41