Even though 2026 is only a quarter of the way through, we’ve already seen some excellent open-world RPGs. Games like Nioh 3 and Monster Hunter Stories 3 show how to successfully update a series while staying true to what fans love, but they might be overshadowed by the many other great RPGs coming this year. We can expect one or two high-quality open-world RPGs almost every month, and they’ll all be competing for attention alongside popular, ongoing games like Where Winds Meet and Genshin Impact.
With so many games available on platforms like Steam, Game Pass, and PS Plus, choosing what to play can be surprisingly tiring, especially when you’re unsure about new releases. So, I’m going to simplify things by suggesting a few open-world RPGs worth checking out in 2026.
I’ll be sticking to games that have already been released, since I can’t recommend RPGs that aren’t out yet. I’ll also be adding an honorable mention at the end.
The 2026 Quick Picks Selection
Just looking for an open-world RPG to play right now? Then here are a few quick recommendations.
| If You Want… | The 2026 Recommendation | Why This Game? |
|---|---|---|
| An Evolving Free Open-World RPG | Where Winds Meet | You can be a doctor, an architect, or a master swordsman. The global version is about a year behind the Chinese version, so expect a steady stream of new content in 2026. |
| A Game That Respects Your Time | Cyberpunk 2077 | Along with a pretty tight main campaign, the open-world content is among the best in RPG history. |
| A Combat-Only Game | Nioh 3 | A few cutscenes aside, Team Ninja’s game is all action, all the time. |
Where Winds Meet
Play This If You Want A Gorgeous Free RPG That Is Releasing A Big 2026 Expansion
The game Where Winds Meet launched globally near the end of 2025 and continues to gain popularity, with even more planned for 2026. The Hexi expansion, divided into three chapters, will be a major focus in the first half of the year. The first chapter, “Jade Gate Pass,” was released in early March 2026, followed by “Liangzhou” on April 2nd. The final chapter is anticipated in May, though a specific release date hasn’t been announced yet.
This expansion significantly adds to the game, introducing new areas with diverse environments, plus a wealth of new weapons, enemies, and potentially over 100 hours of gameplay. Already considered by many to be the best “wuxia” RPG ever made, Where Winds Meet beautifully combines historical elements with fantasy, offering an immersive experience deeply rooted in Chinese culture. I would have recommended the game based on what it offered before this expansion, but now it’s an absolute must-play.
Cyberpunk 2077
If You Want A Tight Open-World Game With Very Little Filler
Open-world games often feel padded with meaningless tasks just to make them longer – things like repetitive side quests, identical enemy camps, and collectibles that don’t add much value. However, Cyberpunk 2077 does a much better job of avoiding this. CD Projekt Red clearly focused on quality over quantity, giving even small optional quests the same care and storytelling as the main game. Instead of relying on tired, predictable formulas, the game’s side missions feel unique and thoughtfully designed.
Many gamers have grown tired of huge open-world games, but they remain popular. If you haven’t experienced Cyberpunk 2077 since the Phantom Liberty expansion, now is a great time to check it out in 2026. It’s available on all current consoles and is included with Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Extra, making it easier to play than ever. The game’s approach to design feels particularly fresh and appealing now.
Nioh 3
If You Want An RPG That Focuses Exclusively On Satisfying Combat
It’s still too soon to pick the best open-world RPG of 2026, but Nioh 3 is definitely a strong contender for the best Soulslike game. In fact, it looks poised to be one of the year’s biggest hits, especially when it comes to its exciting combat. Team Ninja clearly excels at action games, and Nioh 3 could be their best work yet.
Unlike many open-world RPGs, Nioh 3 keeps things straightforward by concentrating solely on engaging combat. You won’t get bogged down in endless side quests, resource management, or complicated, rarely-used mechanics. Instead, the game focuses on moving from one challenging enemy to the next, with a deep combat system that becomes intuitive with practice. The areas are a good size, encouraging progress, and optional content feels worthwhile because action is always the main focus.
Nioh 3 blends the freedom of an open world with a generally straightforward path through the game, offering a lot of content. Depending on how much you play each day, you could easily spend a couple of months exploring everything it has to offer. It took me around 51 hours to complete the main story and most of the side quests. I still plan to start New Game +, which will likely add another 20 hours of gameplay. The game is also getting two downloadable expansions, planned for release in 2026. Considering how good the expansions were for Nioh 2, I’m hoping the sequel’s DLC will be just as impressive.
TopMob Quiz
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Results
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Kingdom Come: Deliverance 1 & 2
If You Want No Hand-Holding
2026 is a fantastic time to start playing Warhorse’s realistic medieval RPG, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, especially with all the content available. The game received a major update in February 2026 that made it run much better on consoles, with improved graphics, faster loading, and smoother performance. Plus, it’s frequently discounted – PlayStation Plus members can currently get it for just $7.99, which is a great deal! Despite a few quirks, the game still holds up remarkably well, and its deliberate, immersive style feels surprisingly modern.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance (KCD) follows Henry, a blacksmith who is the sole survivor of a brutal village attack. Driven by revenge, he embarks on a difficult journey. Unlike many games, Henry isn’t a powerful hero with special abilities; he’s vulnerable and must learn to fight and survive. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (KCD2) continues Henry’s story and improves upon the original game. While you can jump into the sequel, playing the first game is recommended, as it’s been refined and is now a great experience.
Honorable Mention: Crimson Desert
If You Want A Flawed But Ambitious 2026 Action-Adventure Game (With RPG Elements)
Compared to other games, I’m hesitant to fully recommend Crimson Desert. I suggest watching some gameplay first. It’s an action-adventure game with some RPG features, like skill upgrades, but it’s not a traditional RPG. Also, it’s received mixed reactions so far and wasn’t perfect at launch, though the developers have already released several updates. It could be fantastic, but it’s still uncertain.
After playing for around 15 hours, Crimson Desert seems to have a really well-developed combat system. It skillfully combines close-up fighting, long-range attacks, moves to control groups of enemies, and realistic physics. However, the game requires a lot of repetitive effort, which initially limits the variety of moves you can use. The game is absolutely stunning to look at, with incredibly realistic yet colorful graphics. In fact, the open world is the standout feature of Crimson Desert. Based on what I’ve seen, the main story will likely take at least 40 hours to finish, and a player aiming to complete everything could easily spend over 100 hours.
The game’s story feels disjointed, with quests that don’t always flow together smoothly, and it starts off feeling very similar to a typical online role-playing game. The combat can be a little clunky at times, and aiming at enemies isn’t always precise. Boss battles are inconsistent in quality, and some are surprisingly difficult. Getting around the game world is frustrating because of the fast-travel system, and you’ll often find yourself revisiting the same locations. Plus, the game doesn’t always explain how things work very well – I even had to learn how to fast travel through trial and error.
If you are on the fence, maybe wait for Crimson Desert to go on sale.
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2026-03-23 17:06