8 Best Open World Games of 2026 — GTA 6, Crimson Desert & More
The best open world games released or coming in 2026. From GTA 6 to Crimson Desert, ranked by scope, innovation, and must-play status.
- •GTA 6 is the most anticipated — November 19 on PS5/Xbox, largest map Rockstar has ever built
- •Crimson Desert is the dark horse — Black Desert Online devs making a single-player epic
- •Subnautica 2 is the best survival open world — alien ocean with 4-player co-op
The Year of the Open World
2026 is stacked with massive open worlds. Here are the 8 you can't miss, ranked by ambition and playability right now.
| # | Game | Status | Platform | |---|------|--------|----------| | 1 | GTA 6 | Nov 19 | PS5, Xbox | | 2 | Subnautica 2 | Early Access | PC, Xbox | | 3 | Crimson Desert | Released | PC, PS5, Xbox | | 4 | Assassin's Creed Black Flag Remake | Jul 9 | All platforms | | 5 | Marvel's Wolverine | Sep 15 | PS5 | | 6 | Phantom Blade Zero | Oct 28 | PS5, PC | | 7 | Star Wars Zero Company | Aug 27 | All platforms | | 8 | Control Resonant | Sep 24 | PS5, Xbox, PC |
1. GTA 6, The Undisputed King
November 19. Vice City. 700+ enterable interiors. The most expensive entertainment product ever made. If you only play one game in 2026, this is it.
Read our guides: GTA 6 Everything We Know
2. Subnautica 2, The Best Survival World
Already playable in Early Access. Alien ocean planet, 4-player co-op, terrifying Leviathans. The original defined the survival-exploration genre, the sequel expands it dramatically.
Read our guides: Subnautica 2 Beginner's Guide
3. Crimson Desert, The Dark Horse
From the devs of Black Desert Online. A single-player open world with the best combat animations in the genre. Stunning medieval fantasy setting. Already released to strong reviews.
4-8: The Rest
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Remake (Jul 9), The best pirate game ever, rebuilt from the ground up. Marvel's Wolverine (Sep 15), Insomniac's brutal take on Logan. Phantom Blade Zero (Oct 28), Wuxia action-RPG like Ninja Gaiden meets Devil May Cry. Star Wars Zero Company (Aug 27), Clone Wars tactical RPG. Control Resonant (Sep 24), Remedy's psychedelic open-world sequel.
Related Guides
This guide was compiled from multiple public sources. We cross-reference with 3+ sources before publishing.
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