7 upcoming open-world games in 2026 that you should keep an eye out for

Many open-world games are set to release in 2026, with the ambitious Grand Theft Auto 6 being the most anticipated. This genre is quite popular among gamers because it doesn't restrict them to anything specific and lets them enjoy fictional worlds at their own pace. Based on the lineup of titles slated for release in the coming year, fans will not only get to explore realistic open-world environments, but also historical and fantasy settings.

This article lists seven amazing open-world games releasing in 2026 that you should keep an eye out for.

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7 upcoming open-world games releasing in 2026

1) GTA 6

GTA 6 (Image via Rockstar Games)

• Publisher: Rockstar Games
• Release: November 19, 2026
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S

Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to release in 2026, offering a vast open world full of beaches, swamps, and city streets. Set in the fictional city of Leonida, you will play as Lucia and Jason, pulling off heists and causing mayhem wherever you go. Staying true to the franchise, it will offer players a lot of freedom in terms of exploration and activities, encouraging gameplay beyond just completing missions.

Also read: 5 open world games that you cannot miss in Steam Winter Sale 2025

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2) Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert (Image via Pearl Abyss)

• Publisher: Pearl Abyss
• Release: March 20, 2026
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Crimson Desert is a new open-world game arriving in 2026 that will drop you into the open-world continent of Pywel, which is full of bustling towns, deserts, mountains, and ruins. You will play as Kliff, a Greymane mercenary who survives an ambush by the Black Bears and sets out to reunite with other survivors to rebuild his group and face bigger threats. You will have a lot of freedom when it comes to exploration in the game, with one of the highlights being riding a dragon.

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3) Fable

Fable (Image via Playground Games)

• Publisher: Playground Games
• Release: Late 2026
• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Fable will take you back to the land of Albion for a brand-new adventure. This title will not be connected to previous games and will introduce a fresh cast of characters. Playground Games has announced that Fable will have an in-depth moral system where your good or bad choices will influence the narrative.

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4) The Blood of Dawnwalker

The Blood of Dawnwalker (Image via Bandai Namco)

• Publisher: Bandai Namco
• Release: 2026
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Set in 14th-century Europe, The Blood of Dawnwalker puts you in a dark, open world full of turmoil. You play as Coen, who has recently been turned into a Dawnwalker. You can either play as a Vampire or a human capable of using magic to embark on a journey across the open world. Similar to the previous entry, your choices within the game will influence your gameplay experience.

Also read: 5 souls-like games worth picking up in Steam Winter Sale 2025

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5) Forza Horizon 6

Forza Horizon 6 (Image via Playground Games)

• Publisher: Playground Games
• Release: 2026
• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, followed by PS5 later on

The latest installment in the series, Forza Horizon 6, returns in 2026 to deliver an open-world racing experience. Set in a map inspired by Japan, you can drive through city streets to mountain twists. Just like the previous Forza Horizon titles, the upcoming game will offer full freedom to drive anywhere within the open world, take photos, and race to your heart's content.

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6) Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (Image via Warner Bros. Games)

• Publisher: Warner Bros. Games
• Release: May 29, 2026
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2

In Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, you get to play through and explore a toy-inspired version of the grim Gotham City. You play as the Lego Batman in this open-world title to fight off and defeat some of the most notorious villains from the franchise. Moreover, you can also team up with the Lego variants of many of the Caped Crusader's allies, such as Jim Gordon, Catwoman, Robin, and more.

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7) Chrono Odyssey

Chrono Odyssey (Image via Kakao Games)

• Publisher: Kakao Games
• Release: Late 2026
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Chrono Odyssey is an upcoming MMORPG featuring a huge open world comprising many different biomes with unique terrain, including grasslands, snowlands, swamps, and more. The title offers an intricate character customization system and a unique battling mechanic utilizing an artifact called Chronotector, which can rewind time. It is speculated that Chrono Odyssey will debut during the fourth quarter of 2026.

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Also read: 6 major MMORPGs likely to come out in 2026

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Edited by Virat Fumakia