Biggest Upcoming Open-World Games With Fantasy Settings

For many people, gaming is a relaxing way to step away from everyday life, and that’s especially true with open-world fantasy games. These games let you explore huge, magical worlds completely unlike our own, offering a chance to experience exciting adventures you could never have in real life.

Gamers who enjoy open-world fantasy games will be excited to hear about upcoming releases. Here’s a look at the most anticipated titles and when you can expect to play them – mark your calendars!

This list includes only games that are definitely open-world, so titles like The Duskbloods, which aren’t confirmed as such, aren’t included.

The Elder Scrolls 6

The Long Awaited Sequel to Skyrim

Release Date: TBA

Any discussion of upcoming open-world fantasy games has to include The Elder Scrolls 6, which is arguably one of the most eagerly awaited games ever. Bethesda first announced the next main installment in the Elder Scrolls series with a brief teaser trailer on June 10, 2018, and fans have been anticipating its release for years.

Bethesda hasn’t officially said where the next Elder Scrolls game will be set, but over time they’ve suggested it will likely be in Hammerfell and High Rock – areas of Tamriel we haven’t seen in a game before. This would be a natural progression for the series, giving the developers a fresh setting for new stories and adventures.

Crimson Desert

The Next Giant Leap for Open-World Adventure Games

Release Date: March 19, 2026

So, I’ve been following this new game, Crimson Desert, by Pearl Abyss, and it’s really interesting. Originally, it was supposed to be like, a sequel to Black Desert Online, but it’s changed a lot. Now it’s shaping up to be a huge, open-world, single-player adventure game – think The Witcher 3 or Skyrim. It’s set in the same universe as Black Desert, but on a different continent called Pywel, which is apparently packed with awesome mythical creatures like dragons and all sorts of monsters. I’m really excited to see how it turns out!

Based on early looks and gameplay videos released before its launch, Crimson Desert has the potential to be a major hit in the open-world fantasy genre. It boasts stunning graphics, satisfying combat, and a huge world packed with content, seemingly offering everything players could want. Now, the question is whether the final game lives up to the hype.

The Witcher 4

A New Era of Witcher Legends Begins With Ciri as the Protagonist

Release Date: 2027/2028

I’m so excited for the new Witcher game – it’s basically The Witcher 4! CD Projekt Red is really working hard on it, and it’s going to be another huge open-world adventure. What’s really cool is that instead of playing as Geralt, we’ll be playing as Ciri! I think it’s a brilliant move – it opens up so many possibilities for fresh stories and adventures, and it means the game can really branch out from the original books a bit. I can’t wait to see what they do with it!

At The Game Awards 2024, the creators showed off an impressive tech demo for the next Witcher game, made with Unreal Engine 5, and planned for release in June 2025. This got fans excited, thinking the game was almost here. However, CD Projekt Red (CDPR) has since explained that The Witcher 4 won’t be available in 2026. The game is still in development and needs more time before it’s finished and ready for players.

Fable

A Full Franchise Reboot for the Iconic Fantasy Series

Release Date: 2026

The Fable series is a long-standing favorite in the fantasy genre, and the new game, also called Fable, aims to recapture the quirky and exaggerated humor that defined the original games from the early 2000s. This Fable will be a fresh start for the franchise, telling an entirely new story in the world of Albion, separate from previous games.

The new Fable game will return players to the medieval world of Albion, much like the original game. Developers say they’re striving to recreate the feel of Fable (2004) but with more realistic gameplay, significantly better graphics, and updated combat. Originally planned for release in 2025, the game is now expected in 2026.

The Blood Of Dawnwalker

A Dark Fantasy Open-World Adventure Game Driven by Choice

Release Date: 2026

I’m really excited about The Blood of Dawnwalker! It’s a new open-world action game that’s clearly taking inspiration from The Witcher, and it’s being made by some of the people who used to work at CD Projekt Red – that’s a great sign! You play as Coen, who’s half-human and half-vampire, and his story is all about saving his family from some seriously powerful vampires. The coolest part? He’s strong with his vampire powers at night, but during the day he can blend in as a normal human. It sounds like you’ll have to really think about how you approach problems, because some things are easier to solve as a vampire, and others need a more human approach.

In The Blood of Dawnwalker, players have complete freedom to shape their experience. You decide how much you explore each side of Coen’s personality, which creates unique playstyles and encourages multiple playthroughs. Like games from Atlus such as Persona and Metaphor: ReFantazio, the game features a day/night cycle, but with a twist: you only have 30 days and 30 nights to finish everything, adding a real sense of pressure and excitement.

Light No Fire

A Massive Fantasy Playground from the Makers of No Man’s Sky

Release Date: TBA

Light No Fire, currently in development by Hello Games, is an exciting new open-world survival game. It takes place on a magical planet filled with creatures, and combines classic survival gameplay – like building a base and gathering resources – with a detailed RPG system, letting players progress and develop their characters in new ways.

One of the biggest reasons people are excited about the upcoming survival game Light No Fire is its incredibly ambitious scale. The game claims to be set on a fantasy planet as large as Earth, which sounds unbelievable – except it’s coming from Hello Games, the studio behind No Man’s Sky. Their previous game proved they can create worlds vastly larger and more expansive than most other developers even try to build, making the claims about Light No Fire seem genuinely possible.

The Wayward Realms

A Grand Fantasy Epic Based On Procedural Generation

Release Date: TBA

Okay, so I’m super hyped about this new RPG called The Wayward Realms. It’s being made by some of the original developers from The Elder Scrolls: Arena and Daggerfall – the people who really knew how to make a sprawling, adventurous world. They’re aiming to bring back that same feeling of freedom and exploration those older games had. Basically, expect all the classic fantasy stuff – orcs, elves, skeletons, magic users, the whole nine yards – but they’re promising even more to discover. It sounds like exactly the kind of game I’ve been waiting for!

To make each game unique, The Wayward Realms uses an AI system that acts like a game master, changing how characters respond to your choices. Quests won’t be set in advance; instead, they’ll emerge based on what you do, creating unpredictable situations. Combined with a world that’s partially created using procedural generation, The Wayward Realms relies heavily on AI – something players should know before buying.

Soulframe

A Fresh MMO Experience From the Warframe Team

Release Date: TBA

From the creators of the popular free-to-play game Warframe comes Soulframe, a new open-world MMORPG. Described as a fantasy take on Warframe, Soulframe features magic, swords, and monsters. The game is set in the world of Midrath, a unique setting that blends fantasy with sci-fi elements, creating a truly original experience.

While Soulframe won’t be as intensely difficult as a typical Soulslike game, the combat appears to be more methodical and strategic than in Warframe. A strong community has already formed around Soulframe thanks to ‘Preludes’ – early, limited-access versions of the game. Players who’ve tried these early builds are giving very positive feedback, which is a great sign for the full game’s launch.

Chrono Odyssey

A Lovecraftian Horror MMORPG Adventure in a Dark Fantasy Realm

Release Date: TBA

Originally unveiled in 2021, Chrono Odyssey is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) created by Chrono Studio, which is part of NPIXEL. Initially planned as a mobile game, Chrono Odyssey has grown into a large-scale, open-world experience with a lot of content designed to appeal to a wide audience. The game combines fantasy and horror themes, drawing inspiration from the writings of H.P. Lovecraft.

A key part of Chrono Odyssey is exploring its open world, and the developers say you’ll be well-rewarded for doing so. Battles focus on skillful timing – dodging, blocking, and chaining attacks – much like in other action games. Players can also control time using a device called the “Chronotector,” letting them rewind or pause it at will.

Currently, there are six playable classes, each with its own weapons and a distinct way of playing. The developers made sure all classes can successfully complete the game’s challenges, even though they each approach them differently, so players won’t be penalized for their class choice when playing alone.

ArcheAge Chronicles

The Stunning Rebirth of an MMORPG Legend

Release Date: Q3 2026

Originally called ArcheAge 2, ArcheAge Chronicles is a new online multiplayer game aiming to recapture the magic of the popular ArcheAge, first released in 2013. The game takes place in the fantasy world of Auroria and offers players a large and immersive world to discover.

Early previews of ArcheAge Chronicles show stunning graphics that rival those of top-tier AAA games, and perhaps even surpass them. The developers are prioritizing exciting and satisfying combat, aiming for a fast-paced, action-packed style more reminiscent of games like Devil May Cry than typical MMORPGs.

The game is bringing back essential skills like hunting, fishing, farming, crafting, and blacksmithing, and they’ve been improved to feel more satisfying. Plus, players will be able to trade goods between settlements using caravans they need to defend, which points to an economy entirely run by players.

2025-12-18 08:37