Upcoming Open-World Games With A Focus On Realism

2026 and onward promises a wealth of ambitious open-world video games, many set in fictional realms like high fantasy, dark fantasy, sci-fi, or distinctly imaginative environments. Yet, gamers seeking immersive, realistic settings for exploration have limited choices available to them.

In the pipeline of announced open-world games, there’s a significant scarcity of titles that emphasize realism. Apart from the well-known ‘GTA 6’, only a few forthcoming open-world games offer authentic historical or contemporary settings with minimal to no fantasy elements such as magic, mythical creatures, or science fiction themes. This list showcases upcoming open-world games for those seeking immersive and grounded gaming experiences to anticipate.

Ghost of Yotei

Release Date: October 2, 2025

In the wake of the releases of “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2” and “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” this year, “Ghost of Yotei” stands out as one of the historically-based (to some extent) open-world games with high ambitions that are set to be unveiled in the near future. It is also expected to be a major release this fall and an eagerly awaited first-party PlayStation title, demonstrating the significant progress Sucker Punch Productions has made since “Ghost of Tsushima” on PS4.

As a passionate admirer, I can confidently say that the Ghost of Yotei delivers an expansive and breathtaking open-world, just like its predecessor, immersing us in 1603 Japan. It magnificently showcases the era’s grandeur, from the wilderness to bustling cities and villages. The setting is historically rich, with real-life locations, suggesting that fantastical elements will likely be sparse, much like Ghost of Tsushima, which weaves myths and legends inspired by local lore and conjecture rather than focusing on overt supernatural aspects. In combat, the game promises a realistic feel, offering players a wide array of grounded weapons, moves, and abilities to master.

Agefield High: Rock the School

Release Date: Q1 2026

The upcoming non-combat open-world game, titled “Agefield High: Rock the School,” offers an intriguing blend of contemporary style and nostalgic charm reminiscent of Rockstar’s classic title, “Bully.” Set in a small American town during the early 2000s named Agefield, players assume the role of Sam, a fresh, rebellious student eager to make his presence felt during the last three months of school. This is achieved through engaging social interactions, diverse activities, and rule-breaking escapades.

In the game “Agefield High: Rock the School“, players have the freedom to roam an intricately designed small-scale open world, encompassing the school campus, residential areas, town center, and rural landscapes. Players can also personalize their character and bike using various stores. Despite being designed for a quick playthrough, approximately 10 hours long, Agefield High includes a dynamic time-management system and a working school environment with diverse lesson types that demand attendance.

GTA 6

Release Date: May 26, 2026

The much-anticipated game, Grand Theft Auto 6, is all set to create a stir in the gaming world by 2026, with an unparalleled expanse and lifelike realism. Boasting the largest map in the series thus far, complete with a variety of distinct landscapes and the most intricately detailed non-player characters (NPCs), GTA 6 is poised to become the king of open-world games for many years, potentially offering an engaging experience through both multiplayer and single-player modes.

Though we’re approaching the release date (with no additional delays in sight), I, as a fan, am still left wondering about the finer details of GTA 6, as Rockstar Games has remained tight-lipped about the gameplay and the numerous activities that await us in the expansive open world of Vice City. However, there’s an undeniable excitement brewing among fans, fueled by the belief that GTA 6 will not only meet but surpass our expectations, given the long wait since the release of GTA 5 – over a decade now!

ArmA 4

Release Date: No Earlier Than 2027

Developer: Bohemia Interactive
Publisher: Bohemia Interactive

In natural and easy-to-read language: The next game in the renowned ArmA series by Bohemia Interactive, known as ArmA 4, is currently being developed. This highly anticipated title aims to introduce a new age of open-world combat environments with an immersive military simulation experience for strategy game enthusiasts. Expectations are high, given that it promises realistic bullet trajectories, vehicle dynamics, and sophisticated combat systems. ArmA 4 is slated to offer both single-player and multiplayer modes, emphasizing massive battles and customizable scenarios much like its influential predecessor.

First announced in 2022 with a projected launch date around 2027, “_Arma 4” is still on a lengthy journey, so fans should exercise patience and keep an eye out for future announcements and updates. Given the rarity of comparable projects, it’s definitely worth noting.

Tom Clancy’s The Division 3

Release Date: To Be Announced

Developer: Massive Entertainment
Publisher: Ubisoft

The third installment of Tom Clancy’s The Division, known as The Division 3, was confirmed by Massive Entertainment to be in development in 2023. However, as of now, an official unveiling of the game has not taken place. Similar to ArmA 4, fans will have to exercise patience until the team is ready to disclose the initial details about the game.

Under the guidance of Julian Gerighty, who has been involved in the earlier Division games, The Division 3 is anticipated to stick to the formula of third-person shooter gameplay combined with open-world exploration and tactical combat, similar to its predecessors. Just like the previous games, The Division 3 is expected to be set in a post-pandemic yet realistic urban America, with environments, weapons, and enemies designed with a minimum of creative license to provide authentic gunplay experience. Although there’s excitement for an official unveiling in the near future, it is unlikely that The Division 3 will hit the shelves before late 2026 at the earliest.

2025-09-06 04:04