The Most Anticipated Open-World Games to Watch

Open-world games appeal to players because of their freedom, their detail and the slow discovery of a new world. Whether it is a crime-ridden city or a fantasy land full of secrets, an open world lets you set off and find places nobody has shown you.

But a big map is not enough. A good open world needs characters, choices, things to do and places worth exploring, and developers keep finding new ways to make them more interesting. Here are the open-world games worth watching, plus a few recent releases you can play now. Release dates are as announced at the time of writing and may change.

1. Grand Theft Auto VI

Developer: Rockstar Games | Expected release: 19 November 2026

Image: Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto VI takes players back to Vice City, Rockstar's fictional version of Miami. Its two main characters, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos, let you experience the story and the world from two perspectives. Rockstar has set the release date for 19 November 2026.

2. The Witcher 4

Developer: CD Projekt Red | Release date: not yet announced

Image: CD Projekt Red

Fans of fantasy role-playing games have good reason to wait for the next Witcher. It begins a new saga with Ciri as the main character, opening a new era for the series in the same dark fantasy world.

The Witcher 4 is a single-player open-world RPG built in Unreal Engine 5. Expect dangerous monsters, hard decisions and a divided society. Ciri's abilities and history could reshape both the story and the gameplay, since her challenges will differ from Geralt's. The Witcher 3 was famous for its detailed quests and moral choices, and the new game is expected to continue that tradition. CD Projekt Red has not announced a release date yet, so it will be a long wait.

3. Fable

Developer: Playground Games | Release date: 23 February 2027

Image: Xbox Game Studios

The Fable reboot brings the series' mix of fantasy, humour and player choice to a new generation. It is developed by Playground Games, the studio behind the Forza Horizon series, and set in Albion, a land of eccentric people and magical creatures.

Unlike games focused only on combat, Fable puts weight on your character's development and reputation. Your actions change how villagers treat you, and quests can be completed in different ways. According to the official website, it launches on 23 February 2027 on Xbox Series X/S, PC and PlayStation 5.

4. The Blood of Dawnwalker

Developer: Rebel Wolves | Released: 3 September 2026

Image: Rebel Wolves / Bandai Namco

The Blood of Dawnwalker takes the open-world RPG in a darker, story-driven direction. It is set in a fictional world inspired by 14th-century Europe, where a young man named Coen becomes a vampire while trying to save his family.

The premise lets you use different abilities and approaches depending on the situation and the people involved, and you decide your own goals, allies and methods for saving your loved ones. It came out on 3 September 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

5. Crimson Desert

Developer: Pearl Abyss | Released: 19 March 2026

Image: Pearl Abyss

Crimson Desert combines exploration, combat and cinematic moments. Developed by Pearl Abyss, it is set on the continent of Pywel, where Kliff sets out to rebuild the Greymanes after his clan is attacked.

The world is full of landscapes, towns, dangers and discoveries, and you are free to explore, fight, earn rewards and get caught up in the conflicts that drive the story. It launched on 19 March 2026.

6. Marvel's Wolverine

Developer: Insomniac Games | Released: 15 September 2026

Image: Marvel / Insomniac Games

Marvel's Wolverine is a more intimate and brutal superhero game. Developed by Insomniac Games with Marvel Games, it stars Logan, the mutant known as Wolverine.

Its strengths are close-range combat, ferocious claw attacks and a darker tone than most superhero games. Wolverine's healing factor and aggression make for a very different fighting style from games built around ranged weapons or swords. It launched on 15 September 2026 on PlayStation 5. Its world is more focused than a traditional sandbox, but action and superhero fans will find plenty to enjoy.

7. Ananta

Developer: Naked Rain | Expected release: 15 January 2027

Image: Naked Rain

For players who want an open-world RPG set in a modern city rather than a medieval land, Ananta offers an Asian-inspired urban world built for exploration.

It has drawn plenty of attention for blending city life with fast-paced action: beyond running through the streets and fighting, there is a lot to explore and do. According to its announced launch details, Ananta arrives on 15 January 2027.

8. CLUTCH

Developer: Maverick Games | Planned release: spring 2027

Image: Maverick Games

Open worlds are not only for fantasy and action. CLUTCH is an upcoming open-world racing game from Maverick Games, a studio founded by veterans of the Forza Horizon series.

It follows a generation of drivers who mix professional racing with the thrill of dangerous underground street races, with a story built on rivalry, prestige and pursuit. Its publisher has announced a spring 2027 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. It looks like one to watch for racing fans.

9. gen ATLAS

Developer: genDESIGN | Release date: to be announced

Image: genDESIGN

gen ATLAS is one of the most intriguing games on this list for anyone who loves mystery and atmosphere. It comes from genDESIGN, the studio led by Fumito Ueda, director of Ico, Shadow of the Colossus and The Last Guardian. It is a single-player adventure set on an abandoned planet.

The first announcement mentioned giant robots and a terraforming project that went wrong: you wake up in this mysterious world and must learn about it to continue the planet's transformation. Ueda's earlier games are known for their atmosphere, music and sense of place, which could set gen ATLAS apart from open worlds that rely on size alone. There is no release date yet.

Why we want to play these open-world games

These games are very different from each other. Some recreate a modern city with a crime story; others offer supernatural powers, fantasy or racing. What the best open worlds share:

• A well-built world with interesting places, secrets and things to do.
• Player choice in combat, missions and character development.
• Good storytelling, with characters and motives that make the world matter.
• Variety, from combat and movement to driving and side quests, so exploring never becomes routine.
• Solid performance. Good looks are not enough if the game does not run well.

A big map does not make a great open-world game. The game has to make you want to see what lies beyond the next mountain, city or street.

Conclusion: which open-world games should you watch?

There is plenty to look forward to, starting with Grand Theft Auto VI in Vice City, then The Witcher 4 with Ciri in the lead and the Fable reboot. Beyond those, upcoming games offer modern cities, open-world racing and mysterious planets. And recent releases such as Crimson Desert and The Blood of Dawnwalker are already out and ready to play.

Which open-world game will you play next?