Biggest Upcoming Indie Open-World Games

Okay, so 2026 is looking amazing for anyone like me who loves indie open-world games! A bunch of smaller studios are really going all-out, creating huge worlds to put our skills to the test – think adventure, action, and just trying to survive. What’s cool is these new games aren’t just about endless freedom for the sake of it. Traveling actually takes work, you really need to manage your resources to stay alive, and you make progress by learning the world around you, figuring out how to use everything, and knowing what dangers to watch out for.

These games encourage players to take their time, think strategically, and adjust to changing situations instead of simply rushing in. They demonstrate how far the open-world genre has come, proving that compelling experiences don’t require huge development teams or enormous budgets.

Permafrost

Battling the Cold And Everything That Comes With It

Set on a frozen Earth, forcing players to constantly manage cold, hunger, and exhaustion to survive.
Supports online co-op for four players and features a companion dog that helps carry items and warn of nearby dangers.

In the game Permafrost, Earth has entered a perpetual winter because the moon has been destroyed. Players must carefully manage their character’s temperature, hunger, and energy to survive. The game also lets up to four players team up online, allowing them to share responsibilities like gathering resources, hunting, and constructing shelter, and to help each other stay warm and safe.

A key feature of the game is your companion dog, which isn’t just for emotional support. It can help you carry things and warn you of approaching threats. As you play, you’ll not only survive the harsh environment with your pet, but also rebuild the world by repairing and constructing shelters to protect you from the elements. Toplitz Productions, the creators of Permafrost, plans to release the survival adventure game for PC Early Access in 2026, though the exact date is still to come.

Outbound

Driving Through Utopia

A camper van that acts as a mobile sanctuary.
Players can personalize the interior with decorations and even grow small crops on the roof while traveling solo or with a team of three friends across a cozy open world.

Outbound is an open-world game focused on the joy of travel and crafting, rather than simply trying to survive. Set in a hopeful future where people live in harmony with nature, the game lets you explore a world from the comfort of your own camper van. This van isn’t just a vehicle – it’s your fully customizable home on wheels! You’ll live, upgrade, and travel in it, using it to craft items and store energy. A unique feature is the game’s use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to keep your van running smoothly.

Outbound offers a peaceful and inviting open world where you’re free to roam and explore at your own pace. Drive through diverse landscapes, stop to collect items, or simply soak in the scenery – there’s no rush or set path. The game emphasizes curiosity, relaxation, and letting you decide what to do. A key feature is customization: you can design the inside of your van with furniture, decorations, and upgrades as you find new tools. You can even use the roof for things like growing plants! You can play Outbound by yourself or with up to three friends, sharing resources, decorating the van together, and exploring the world as a team. Ultimately, Outbound is a cozy and relaxing open-world game centered around a vehicle, perfect for players looking for a fun and laid-back experience.

Erosion

Time Never Stops, Even In Death

Every time a player fails and dies, the game world jumps forward ten years into the future.
Players explore a massive wasteland to find a kidnapped daughter.

Erosion is a unique game where the world permanently changes with each failure. It blends open-world exploration with roguelike elements and a time-shifting mechanic. You play as a parent searching for their daughter, who has been taken to a strange place called the Pillar. Unlike typical games, dying doesn’t send you back to a previous save. Instead, the game world jumps forward ten years. This means towns evolve, people change, and landscapes are altered – some places might flourish, while others crumble and vanish completely.

The game takes place in a vast, broken world filled with towns, crumbling ruins, and hazardous areas. Players are free to roam, complete quests, join different groups, and discover hidden stories. In addition to the open world, there are challenging dungeon-like areas inspired by roguelike games, offering difficult fights with valuable rewards. Players can use a variety of weapons and abilities in combat and to improve their character. The game’s world is built from voxels, meaning everything is destructible, and damage to the environment is permanent and caused by player actions. This destruction isn’t just cosmetic; it changes how areas play over time. Lyrical Games plans to add a feature called Erosion in Spring 2026.

Free Stars: Children of Infinity

Build, Customize, And Command Spaceships Across The Galaxy

Space-faring adventure game where players explore an open galaxy full of systems, planets, alien life, and stories.
Sequel to The Ur-Quan Masters, with starship combat, interaction with alien species, and optional multiplayer modes like co-op and competitive matches.

Free Stars: Children of Infinity is a space exploration game that continues the story from the classic game, The Ur-Quan Masters. Developed by a team including the original creators, it puts you in command of a starship, letting you explore a huge galaxy full of planets and alien life. The core of the game is about freely traveling between star systems, visiting planets, and interacting with diverse alien civilizations.

I’m really excited about Free Stars: Children of Infinity! It’s not just about flying around and seeing what’s out there – you actually get to build and fully customize your own fleet of ships, each with its own special skills. The combat looks awesome too – it’s like those classic arcade space shooters, but from a top-down view, so it’s all about smart positioning and timing your attacks. It’s mainly a single-player game, but the developers are planning to add multiplayer options later on, so you can play with friends, either cooperatively or competitively. They’re aiming to release it in 2026, and it sounds like it’s going to be a great mix of the old Free Stars games and a completely new, open-world experience where you can really do whatever you want.

Outward 2

Stand The Test of Hunger, Thirst, Fatigue, and the Elements

Players have to manage their hunger, thirst, fatigue, temperature, and the weather.
Features refined combat with dodging, spellcasting, and two-handed weapon use, plus online and split-screen co-op.

Outward 2 builds on the challenging survival gameplay of the first Outward. You’re not a chosen hero, but an ordinary person trying to survive in a harsh fantasy world. Success depends more on careful preparation and planning than on simply being strong. The game features detailed survival mechanics – you’ll need to manage hunger, thirst, tiredness, temperature, and the weather, all of which impact how you move, fight, and make choices. Traveling unprepared or in bad weather can create major problems, forcing you to change your plans or retreat instead of pressing on recklessly.

Outward 2 features a vast, open world that rewards players for exploring, using a map as their guide. However, you’ll need to rely on your own two feet – there are no quick travel options, vehicles, or rideable animals. The combat system has been improved, but remains realistic. Players can fight with melee weapons, bows, and magic, and can also dodge attacks, cast spells, and even wield two weapons at once. You can play Outward 2 with a friend online or locally via split-screen, allowing you to team up, share supplies, and survive together. The game is being developed by Nine Dots Studio, who held a playtest in December 2025 and plan another for early 2026, with a full release expected around the third quarter of 2026.

2026-01-09 17:08