Biggest Upcoming Open-World Crafting Games

Open-world crafting games remain incredibly popular. Titles like Minecraft, Valheim, Icarus, and Ark: Survival Evolved keep players engaged with their satisfying and addictive gameplay. There’s a unique appeal in starting with nothing, surviving harsh landscapes, and building a base while crafting essential tools. These games can also be surprisingly relaxing – many players enjoy simply gathering materials or building in Minecraft for hours. This genre doesn’t seem to be losing popularity anytime soon.

2026 is shaping up to be a great year for open-world crafting games, with several exciting titles on the horizon for both dedicated fans and new players. These games offer a range of experiences, from challenging survival adventures to more relaxed and cozy crafting experiences. We’re focusing on the biggest confirmed releases for 2026, and while there are other promising games like Light No Fire, we’re only including titles with a firm or estimated release date for this year.

Subnautica 2

Despite A Rocky Development, There Might Be Hope

The Subnautica series offers a truly unique open-world crafting experience, and its first two games were very successful. Now, KRAFTON is working hard to make the next installment just as good, but development hasn’t been smooth. The game has been delayed until 2026, and the firing of the three original creators from Unknown Worlds earlier in 2025 added to the difficulties. Furthermore, KRAFTON’s enthusiastic embrace of AI is causing concern among fans.

Things aren’t looking great for Subnautica 2 right now, but I’m still optimistic because the first game was so incredible and original. There’s also a chance we’ll get an Early Access version on Steam, which will give us a good idea of how the game is progressing. Ultimately, Subnautica 2 seems to be delivering more of what players loved in the previous games: exploring a fascinating alien ocean filled with bizarre and sometimes terrifying creatures that might give you a fear of the deep blue sea. You’ll need to survive by crafting tools, upgrading equipment, and building a base, then venturing into the depths. The biggest new feature is a co-op mode, which I’m really looking forward to—playing the original Subnautica alone could be pretty scary!

Permafrost

A Very Cold End Of The World

Permafrost takes place in a frozen world created by a cataclysmic event – the destruction of the Moon. You’ll need to rebuild and survive in this harsh environment, potentially with friends. The game’s trailers reveal a bleak but fascinating landscape reminiscent of titles like STALKER, Metro, and Fallout, featuring impressive ruined cities and snowy forests – a perfect playground for urban explorers. Expect a challenging survival experience with a strong focus on crafting and battling the elements to stay alive; it appears more demanding than many similar open-world games.

This game challenges you to survive in a frozen world by collecting supplies from ruins, hunting for food, and fighting off enemies. You’ll need to build a base, starting with something simple like a wooden shack, and brace against harsh weather like blizzards – every resource is crucial. Just like in Fallout, you’ll have a loyal dog companion. While there isn’t a firm release date yet, the game is planned for 2026, and you can sign up on Steam to participate in playtesting and help the developers improve it.

Endalor

A Grueling Dark Fantasy Survival Craft

As a big fan of challenging action RPGs, I’m really excited about Endalor! It definitely feels like a Soulslike game, with that same dark atmosphere and challenging combat. Visually, it reminds me a bit of those games, but the way you explore and the features seem to take inspiration from games like Outward and Enshrouded – which I absolutely loved! It’s got this beautiful, dark fantasy world that feels like it’s just begging to be explored like in Elden Ring, but you’ll need to be prepared for some seriously tough enemies and bosses. I’m definitely keeping a close eye on this one!

Okay, so the combat is tough, but thankfully there are a lot of ways to approach it – you can use magic, get up close with melee weapons, or try out tons of different weapons. You’ll need to spend time getting equipped and crafting, and it’s cool that, unlike many Soulslike games, you’re actually encouraged to build a base and gather resources. Honestly, if you’ve ever wished Elden Ring had a bit more of a fantasy RPG feel and let you really settle down and build a cozy farmhouse between fighting epic bosses, you need to check out Endalor. It’s heading into Early Access soon, and they’re aiming for a release in the first three months of 2026.

Solarpunk

Solar Energy On Floating Islands

If you found the last couple of games a bit depressing, you’ll love Solarpunk. It’s visually charming with a warm, vibrant style, and offers a fresh take on open-world crafting. You explore a world made up of floating islands using your own airship, and you’re free to build and create the farm of your dreams anywhere. It’s more than just a typical medieval farming game – it includes futuristic solar technology, alongside the familiar experience of raising animals and growing crops.

You can build complex, automated systems – think things like sprinklers – using renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. This game aims to strike a great balance between the depth of games like Satisfactory or Factorio, and the simplicity of Stardew Valley. If you’re interested in automation but find things like Minecraft redstone or other management games overwhelming, this could be a perfect way to get started. A free demo is available on Steam now, and the full game is expected to launch around 2026.

StarRupture

If Satisfactory And Factorio Had A Baby

If you enjoy intricate factory-building games like Satisfactory and Factorio, but are looking for something fresh – or even a blend of the two – StarRupture might be perfect for you. It’s launching into Early Access on January 6th, 2025, and offers a little bit of everything: explore an alien planet, build and manage complex bases and factories, gather resources, craft items, and more.

Honestly, the best part is teaming up with friends to try and survive this crazy planet together. It feels like a really good mix of fast-paced shooting and exploring, plus you get that classic open-world crafting where you’re always scavenging for stuff to build and improve your base. You really need to build up though, because it’s not just aliens trying to kill you – the weather and temperature are brutal too! It’s a constant struggle to survive and thrive, which is exactly what I’m looking for in a game.

Outbound

Van Life And Crafting In One Neat Package

Outbound is shaping up to be a wonderfully cozy open-world crafting game. Its bright colors, peaceful vibe, and focus on nature create a really relaxing experience, perfect for playing solo or with friends. The core idea is simple: you begin with a van, travel around collecting materials, and then build a mobile base that you can take with you wherever you go.

The game features a progression system where you unlock new technologies, including eco-friendly power sources. You can also care for pets and grow a garden. The world is designed to reward exploration with hidden areas and secrets, encouraging you to drive around and discover things. It’s a more relaxed experience compared to many survival-focused crafting games, which is something I’m excited about. Currently, the game is slated to release sometime in the second quarter of 2026, but it’s uncertain if that timeframe will remain accurate.

2025-12-29 01:07