The open-world genre is always chock-full of some of the most impressive titles in the entire gaming space. There are decade-long icons with sequels releasing every few years, and brand-new IPs breaking down expectations and setting new standards for what is possible in a single title.
The future of the open-world genre of video games is looking bright. There are quite a few incredible -looking games on the horizon that will shake up the genre in a big way. From long-awaited follow-ups to adventures into uncharted waters, fans of open-world games have more than a few great things to look forward to in the coming year.
Upcoming Role-Playing Games People Are Excited For
While plenty of RPGs have been announced for 2026 and beyond, these upcoming role-playing games are especially exciting.
Blood of the Dawnwalker
Darkness Is Your Only Friend
The Blood of Dawnwalker
- Developer(s)
- Rebel Wolves
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5
Blood of the Dawnwalker stands poised to become a landmark in narrative-driven open-world game design. Set in a fractured realm ruled by solar cults and ancient beasts, it merges mythological storytelling with the brutality of the undead, delivering an experience that is both exciting and terrifying. Each region is handcrafted and full of character, and the branching morality systems ensure that no two playthroughs will ever unfold the same way.
Beyond its lore, the game’s defining strength lies in its dynamic day-night cycle, which influences combat tactics, NPC activity, and world events. Survival under the harsh dawnlight becomes a mission of its own. The game clearly cares a lot about all facets of the open-world genre, from engaging mechanics to creating a compelling setting that players can get lost in for hours on end.
Crimson Desert
Scale Like Nothing Else
Crimson Desert
- Released
- March 19, 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Open-World, Exploration
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Crimson Desert, an upcoming project from the creators of Black Desert Online, promises a monumental medieval fantasy world. The game is built with astonishing visual realism, powered by next-generation physics and motion capture. Every encounter, whether it's a skirmish in a snow-blown valley or a duel atop a castle wall, feels cinematic yet unscripted. The game's landscapes breathe with activity, from mercenary bands to dynamic weather systems that alter how players interact with the world.
Rather than an expansive MMO like Black Desert Online, Crimson Desert focuses on a single-player narrative that prioritizes individual expression over multiplayer interactions. By bringing a decade of talent to a brand-new title, the game is almost guaranteed to find success in the genre. With any luck, it will demonstrate a new level of quality that other games will struggle to match.
Beast of Reincarnation
Something New From A Veteran Developer
Beast of Reincarnation
- Released
- 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Beast of Reincarnation is an ambitious dark fantasy adventure that explores what it means to be human in a world full of creatures and landscapes devoid of civilization. The reason the game is so exciting is that it comes from GameFreak, the developers best known for their work on several Pokémon games. Seeing a departure from the cutesy, colorful aesthetic that the studio is known for has many players eager to see more.
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The aesthetic in Beasts of Reincarnation recalls the melancholic tone of the Souls-like genre, promising gameplay that demands a lot of technical skill from the player throughout. With expectations so high, the game stands as both an artistic statement and a mechanical innovation. Hopefully, it is able to demonstrate that iconic developers can be known for more than one kind of game.
The Witcher 4
The Legendary Tale Continues
The Witcher 4
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Open-World
The Witcher 4 represents the return of one of gaming’s most beloved universes, now rebuilt with the power of Unreal Engine 5. CD Projekt Red has always been at the forefront of video game storytelling, and from everything that has been shown so far, that same trend looks to continue down a new path. This new entry in the series will feature Ciri at the helm, Geralt's adopted daughter.
Visually, the game is a cut above nearly every other game on the horizon, boasting a level of graphical fidelity and detail that has many players itching to upgrade their PCs in time for the launch. Because of the franchise name and the huge hype behind it, the game is not just a sequel, but a reinvention of the modern RPG and the first step towards the future of open-world epics.
Fable
Returning To The Classic Series
Fable
- Released
- 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Playground Games
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Windows, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Fable returns as one of the most anticipated reimaginings in modern gaming. The first new entry in the series since 2012, the upcoming reboot looks to maintain the high-fantasy whimsy with brand-new visuals and updates to the core game mechanics. It promises a lush, explorable world built with the same technical precision that defined the originals, and a world that responds to player decisions in ways that are both impactful and unexpected.
Moral decisions have always been a hallmark of the franchise, and that system is being rebuilt from the ground up for a new generation. After a long and patient wait, Fable’s revival is poised to celebrate both nostalgia and innovation. Players will get to return to an open world where every act of heroism or mischief becomes part of Albion’s living legend.
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