The biggest upcoming exploration games

We've all felt that exciting tingle in the pit of our stomach at least once with a new game, entering a brand new world you know nothing about, completely open for you to explore. Possibilities, dangers, secrets, surprises… Nothing beats this excitement, and it's hard to find games that deliver this feeling so perfectly. 2026 is looking pretty juicy so far in terms of new releases, but especially on the exploration side, we have a lot to look forward to.

If you're an aspiring adventurer looking for a new world to step into, we've rounded up some interesting releases for 2026 that promise plenty of fun. There are cozy life sims and crafting games to play with friends, grueling survival titles that push you to your limits, and even a bit of horror thrown in for good measure. While research isn't their only selling point, it plays a major role. Put on your backpack and let's go.

Ranchers

If you get tired of farming, you can explore the whole world

Ranchers is among the other exciting games to be released this year for fans of the farming sim genre. Beloved Stardew Valleybut want to break out of the 2D formula? This could be something to keep an eye on, not only because you can build your own massive farm with automation and all, but because it supposedly comes with a large open world to explore.

If you ever get tired of managing crops and animals and want to break away from the routine, you can go mining. But be warned, as the world also comes with its own dangers that lurk in the darkness of these tunnels. Better come prepared. Aside from the exploration and farming features, you can also customize your house and meet some local NPCs to even make love to. Q2 2026 can't come soon enough.

Solarpunk

Explore the sky and its many islands

Solarpunk it promises to bring something a little different in the way of exploration, perfect for anyone tired of generic earth-bound adventuring. The game world is a collection of floating sky islands and you can hop between them using an airship. The main objective of the game is to establish a base on one of these islands, grow crops, take care of animals and create elaborate automated systems that use solar energy to your advantage.

However, to get all the things you need, you will have to visit islands with unique resources and fly further and further to find them. This means a lot of exploration in this vibrant world. I personally can't wait to get my hands on this cozy looking game and I really like how unique the open world survival systems and aesthetics are. The exact release date is not yet known, but it should be released sometime in 2026.

Outbound

Travel the World in a Van

in terms of vibration, Outbound emits the same energy as Solarpunkbut on the ground. You get a cute retro travel van that you can drive around the game world, explore different locations, collect resources and find the perfect place for a mobile home. As with Solarpunkyou'll have to poke around to power your new base and upgrade your tech as you progress through the game – all classic open-world survival crafting goodness in a visually colorful package.

We still don't know much about the world Outboundbut we do know that it comes with a few different biomes and supposedly some cool secrets for you to discover as well. I can totally see myself jumping into it with a bunch of friends thanks to the 4 player co-op it plans to ship with, and if you do too, keep your eyes peeled for Q2 2026.

Permafrost

A cold, harsh apocalyptic snowy wasteland

If the last three games looked too colorful and happy for you, don't worry, I can suggest the perfect upcoming exploration game for you. Permafrost is another major upcoming open-world survival game, but instead of sky islands and cozy wilderness, you'll find yourself in a harsh post-apocalyptic perma-winter after the moon is broken. You'll have to deal with harsh sub-zero temperatures, hunt wildlife to keep your belly full, and venture into abandoned cities to dismantle them for loot and supplies to level up your game.

The world looks interesting, like it just fell right out Subway game or STALKERand anyone who likes their survival games with a dash of challenge and a hearty dose of risk-reward exploration will probably love this game. There also seems to be a bit of a story as well, with one of your tasks being to find a lost friend, along with surviving and building a safe house. The game is due out in Early Access sometime in 2026, so keep an eye out.

Subliminal

Explore these all-too-real frontier spaces you'll remember

If Permafrost wasn't dark enough for you, how about a horror game that takes you to highly realistic liminal spaces straight from Backrooms? From what we've seen so far Subliminalit's beautifully realistic and terrifyingly surreal, with absolutely terrifying moments that will make your heart skip a beat. While not an open world game, each level can be played in a non-linear fashion as you solve puzzles and use light to your advantage to advance from one warped memory to the next.

A sense of dread and uneasiness slowly creeps up on you and you feel haunted. Something is coming after you in the colorful retro game place you're moving through and it's up to you to find a way to escape. It looks like a stunning horror game with lots of exploration, and if you've ever been intrigued by the concept of Backrooms and spooky liminal spaces, give this one a try when it comes out sometime around March 2026. I won't be responsible for any nightmares.

Subnautica 2

The return of the greatest underwater exploration game

Subnautica fans are understandably a little nervous about the future of their beloved franchise, but let's try to stay hopeful here and keep our fingers crossed that KRAFTON delivers something worthy of the first game. The premise doesn't seem quite the same this time around as the main character arrives in this new ocean world on a specific mission. Once again, you'll dive into the colorful depths to collect resources to build your arsenal of gear and tools, and make upgrades that allow you to dive even deeper.

We can probably expect to see the return of some of the game's iconic, terrifying creatures and that sense of dread you first felt when you sank into deeper waters and heard a distant roar. Few games have done underwater exploration as hard as it has Subnautica games, so if you're looking for an adventure, this time with friends in co-op, this is the one to watch out for. There is a lot of expectation and pressure Subnautica 2 shoulders, given how well the previous games did and how much fun it was to explore the alien ocean, and it's likely we'll have to wait a while to see it hit Early Access sometime in 2026.

Outside 2

Return to Aurai's Punishing Survival RPG world

One of the most exciting games that promises a lot of exploration for this coming year is Outside 2. Those familiar with the first game will know what to expect: a highly challenging and punishing fantasy RPG set in the open world known as Aurai. You start out as a nobody and have to plan everything carefully if you want to avoid death. It's not just monsters that haunt the wilds and dungeons Outside 2 you will need to take care of your fatigue, hunger and hydration.

The first game masterfully combined fantasy RPG with open world survival and managed to gain a devoted fan base. It remains to be seen whether Outside 2 it can surpass the first game and provide another unforgettable exploration experience, all without the use of fast travel mechanics or a mount. That's right, prepare to walk a lot, delve into challenging dungeons, and slowly build your character from a complete shifter to someone hardened by experience. Outside 2 has an estimated release in the 3rd quarter of 2026.