One day the company will release a game that allows players to go anywhere and do whatever they want, and maybe that will happen in VR. Imagine putting on a set of glasses, logging in, and being able to travel all over Paris in a day while doing something wild like riding a unicorn.
It's possible at some point, but for now, players need to keep their expectations in check. These are some upcoming games set in an open world environment that give players a lot of options to do. They may not have everything, but they look promising at the moment and are worth adding to your wishlist for the near future.
Crimson Desert
Pillars of Eternity
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Planned release date: 3/19/26
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Planned systems: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
Crimson desert it's been advertised as forever, but it's finally coming out next March on most major platforms. It is an action RPG set in the same universe as the previous MMO, Crimson Desert Online. Based on the footage so far, it seems that traversing is a significant feature as players can ride horses and dragons, steal horse carriages like in Grand Theft Auto game and climb different surfaces such as castle walls and trees.
In addition to action combat, players can also fish, play the flute, crowbar, pet various animals, and who knows what else before launching the game. Players can even collect items like full pillars and use them as weapons, Yakuza-a style that looks really wild.
Grand Theft Auto 6
Probably the biggest game of 2026
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Planned release date: 5/26/2026
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Planned systems: PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
Grand Theft Auto 6 is now easily the most anticipated game, especially since then Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launched. It looks set to be Rockstar's best yet, with an already packed list of activities that go beyond shooting and stealing cars.
The footage shown so far shows dirt bike racing, kayaking, mini golf, diving, swimming and much more. Rockstar has barely started promoting the game yet, but fans know they can expect a mighty one next May.
Ananta
GTA with Spider-Man
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Planned release date: TBA
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Planned systems: Mobile, PC and PS5
Ananta is another GTAa style game that fans may want to keep an eye on. Unlike Grand Theft Auto 6, Ananta will be free-to-play and will give anime fans something to get into based on the overall design. Players can unlock multiplayer characters and switch between them, do their own thing in the world, like Grand Theft Auto 5.
There are crawling abilities like Spider-Man, including swinging around the city, along with the standard drivable vehicles from cars to motorcycles. Players can shoot enemies or engage in melee combat, sneak around using stealth and gadgets, and play a variety of minigames from slapping opponents to basketball.
Nope
Wildest Pokemon clone yet
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Planned release date: TBA
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Planned systems: Mobile, PC and Xbox Series X
Nope looks like it might be the next one Palworld in terms of Pokemon clones that have a lot to do besides catching monsters. It will be another free-to-play game that will offer players a more dynamic battle system.
Players can fight monsters with their character, use monsters as weapons, or transform into monsters to perform various combos. The monsters on display look like they will offer players many ways to move, from sliding to rolling on a clam to surfing on water. There also seems to be some destructibility, like burning grass and breaking boulders, and more ways to play are sure to be introduced soon.
ArchAge Chronicles
Into The MMO Blue Yonder
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Developer: XLGames
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Publisher: Kakao Games
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Planned release date: TBA
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Planned systems: PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X
ArchAge Chronicles looks like an upcoming MMO-style action RPG with melee, ranged, and magical abilities. It will be open world, as the best MMOs tend to be, and the form of crawling shown so far will be on horseback.
Otherwise, there was a lot of teasing about other activities. Players can collect materials and craft through blacksmithing, farming, home improvement, and more. The basic premise is that players sail into a new world where they are explorers for a trading company, which is a good enough setting for an open world game bursting with activity.
Chrono Odyssey
Time-based exploration
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Planned release date: TBA
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Planned systems: PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
Chrono Odyssey is another open world MMORPG style game. According to the screenshots and footage, it looks like it Chrono Odyssey has a lot in common ArchAge Chronicles design-wise, but there is one unique feature that sets it apart.
Players can stop or rewind time, which should at least help differentiate the combat. Players can also fish, mine, mine, harvest, craft and more. Dungeons and raids can be enjoyed in co-op, so friends can get in on the action if they want to.
Tanuki: Summer Again
An adorable courier game
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Planned release date: TBA
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Planned systems: PC, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X
For anyone who wants to soak up a cozier open world and can't get enough courier action Death Stranding 2: On the Beachthen Tanuki: Summer Again there is something to look forward to. Players are a Tanuki courier whose main goal is to deliver packages across four city areas.
They can befriend towns, earn money to rebuild and customize their sanctuary, perform bike tricks, fish, play baseball and more. It may come out by the end of 2025, but right now there is no exact date like most of these games.
