The biggest upcoming open world survival RPG

2026 looks to be a great year for gaming, even with all the AI ​​debacles, rising game prices, and hardware price inflation for PC gamers. With big players like GTA 6, Fable, and Resident Evil: Requiem on the road it's hard not to get totally hyped, and that's just the triple side of things. The AA and indie side look equally delicious, with games like Paralives, Subnautica 2and Slay the Spire 2 creating a buzz. Also some good remasters: Gothic 1 and Deus Ex they are probably getting new players this year with their updates.

There's also some juicy stuff brewing on the open-world survival RPG side, and I've rounded up a few promising games with an estimated release sometime this year. Finding games that fit all three categories is pretty hard, so I'm going to be a little flexible with the definition of RPG here, since that's the hardest condition to meet. Additionally, you can expect to find a great open world environment to explore, paired with classic survival elements that range from crafting to base building. On the RPG side, we're talking about things like specializations, skill progression, or leveling, and potentially even quests, stories, and NPCs you can interact with.

Like the one we survive

The quest to save your sick daughter in a world ravaged by a pandemic

Like the one we survive could be considered more of an honorable mention here, mainly because it doesn't have an RPG tag on its Steam store page. It's too early to tell if it will have tangible RPG gameplay elements, but the information we have so far looks promising: story mode, NPCs to interact with, skill progression… I'd say that's enough to at least call it a light RPG, and its open-world survival elements are robust enough to earn a spot on this list.

It takes you straight into a post-apocalyptic world where your goal is to stay alive, find help for your sick daughter and manage a small community of survivors. Build your defenses, gather and scavenge resources and supplies, and make sure you're set up for long-term prosperity. The fact that there is actually a story premise makes it very interesting and the game is actually split into two different modes depending on whether you just want to test your survival skills in an apocalyptic world or experience the narrative. There are also companions you can take with you if you're too scared to venture out alone. It sounds very similar Project Zomboid with some colony management features, but time will tell what exactly we get our hands on. Fortunately, around the second quarter of 2026, you can get your hands on its Early Access version.

Delverium

A mix of Terraria and Stardew Valley in one charming package

If you ever thought Stardew Valley it needed a bit more of a fantasy RPG and Terrariums it would be better if it was 2D, Delverium it might just be what you're looking for. It has absolutely adorable pixel art graphics that will appeal to all the cozy gamers and retro game enthusiasts and promises an open world environment that you are free to explore. It's also procedurally generated, so no game will ever look the same, and you have plenty of colorful biomes to explore to find any resources, fun enemies, and more.

While you have the laid-back farming gameplay, base building, and NPC management that you may be familiar with from other similar games, there are also dungeons and caves to explore for players who enjoy some adventure. It doesn't seem to have very deep RPG mechanics, but rather similar Terrariumswhere you will upgrade your equipment and hunt for rare loot as you go through the dungeon. The first information we have also teases some sort of world mysteries that you can uncover during your adventures. You can probably expect it to be released around the second quarter of 2026.

Highreach

Procedurally generated Fantasy Survival RPG

It will definitely be one of the most unique novelties of this year Highreach. It seems to combine a lot of different elements, with RPG-style magical combat and character building progression, and survival-style gameplay that lets you build an entire settlement of working people. It features a world of floating islands after a great magical event that has gone away Highsearch in its current, broken state. Here you come as an adventurer to venture beyond the horizon in your own airship to discover what lies beyond.

It looks very similar to games Veiled and Externalwith the former also featuring base-building mechanics and the latter featuring robust survival. But the most exciting part is that the characters you recruit into your settlement actually have their own stories that you can progress through in the form of quests. It's really rare to see a game so packed with different gameplay features from different genres, but Highreach seems to be able to do it all. We probably won't have to wait too long to see what the game is all about, as it's estimated to hit Early Access in the first quarter of 2026.

Endalor

Dark Fantasy with brutal survival gameplay

Speaking of Veiledwe have Endalorwhich already looks like it might bring something enticing to fans of the former game. Only the environment seems much darker and more brutal, with terrifying enemies and a ruthless world. If you're a fan of Soulslike or Souls games, this might tickle your fancy as well, as the combat looks very similar to the classic Souls games and uses stamina. There are terrifying bosses, XP progression, and a myriad of kits to play with.

The world looks pretty interesting and alive, with different biomes, dungeons and caves to get lost in (and tragically die in). That said, the world is also extremely dangerous, which makes me think we could be looking at something very similar External here, where planning and preparation are everything. The peculiarity is that you will also need to build a small home or safe haven. Keep your resources and loot safe and rest between combat engagements. If that sounds more than exciting to you, keep your eyes peeled for a chance to jump into Early Access Endalor around the 1st quarter of 2026. And the good news? You can bring four challenge-loving friends with you.

Outside 2

The challenging survival RPG is getting a second installment

So here we are, with the most anticipated open world survival RPG of 2026 – yet! Outside 2 is set to continue the skin of the first game and bring an even bigger, bigger and more polished experience. If you don't know the first part, I highly recommend playing it before the sequel comes out, just to get a taste of the brutal yet beautiful world.

The game proudly announces that it won't hold hands as players return to the magical world of Aurai: you'll learn to survive and maybe eventually thrive on your own. Maybe. Only if you stay hydrated, rest when you're tired, and can you develop your skills. Every time you take another trip through the world, you move on foot. This isn't a classic open-world RPG where things are just handed to you, oh no: there are no grips and fast travel is simply out of the question. Even the act of equipping a backpack slows you down in combat, which just goes to show how much realism the game serves you up on a platter. For now, we have to wait until Q3 2026 to get our hands on it.