Biggest Upcoming Open-World Games With Sci-Fi Settings

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If you’re like me and love getting lost in huge, open-world sci-fi games, the next few years are going to be incredible. Developers are really going all-out, creating massive worlds set in space, futuristic cities, and even underwater on alien planets. The coolest part? The variety is insane. I’ve heard about one game where you explore a retro-futuristic take on the Soviet Union and beyond, and another where you get to build and fly your own starship through a galaxy with thousands of different planets. Seriously, it’s a great time to be a sci-fi gamer!

Some games let you control time, allowing you to rewind battles or see the long-term consequences of your decisions. Others put you in a desperate fight for survival against frightening creatures in the depths of an alien ocean.

Atomic Heart 2

Same Retrofuturistic Soviet-Era Aesthetics As The First Game, But Now With A Global Focus

  • The story continues after the first game as a mechanical rebellion spreads far beyond the original Soviet borders.
  • This sequel shows how advanced technology has collapsed society on a global scale.

So, the first Atomic Heart took place in this one crazy Soviet facility, but the developers have said Atomic Heart 2 is going to be way bigger – like, worldwide! The CEO, Robert Bagratuni, said it’s going to be a much bolder game than the first one. They’re building it in Unreal Engine 5 to handle all those massive, detailed open areas, which is awesome. I’m really excited to explore a much larger world this time around.

This new installment delves further into the dangers of technology and the aftermath of the previous game. Expect the same fast-paced action and challenging enemies, but now in a wider range of outdoor environments. While there’s no confirmed release date, the prospect of an open-world, retrofuturistic game extending beyond Soviet settings is really promising.

Last Sentinel

A Cyberpunk Tokyo Story

  • Set in a future version of Tokyo that looks incredibly real and gritty.
  • The team includes people who worked on Grand Theft Auto, so the city is built to feel dangerous and rich with culture rather than just being a big empty map.

A new game studio, Lightspeed LA, is quickly gaining attention with its ambitious projects. Led by Steve C. Martin, a veteran of popular open-world games like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, the studio is developing Last Sentinel, a cyberpunk game set in a futuristic, rebuilt Tokyo. The game aims to combine a gritty, dystopian atmosphere with a compelling narrative.

While the team hasn’t revealed much about how the game plays, their past work indicates it will be refined and thoughtfully designed. Players will take on the role of Hiromi Shoda in a world that blends vibrant culture with advanced technology. Last Sentinel isn’t aiming to be just another large open-world game; instead, it’s prioritizing a distinctive setting inspired by graphic novels and classic science fiction films. The developers are striving for deep immersion, crafting a version of Tokyo that feels like a living, breathing city rather than simply a backdrop for adventure.

Cinder City

Searching For A Loved One In A High-Tech Ruined Seoul

  • Follows a father’s search for his daughter within a futuristic version of South Korea’s capital.
  • Fast-paced, large-scale tactical shooting in two open worlds.

Cinder City, formerly known as Project LLL, is a tactical shooter MMO developed by BigFire Games. The game takes place in a futuristic Seoul, blending cutting-edge 23rd-century technology with remnants of the present day. While the game features large robot enemies, players primarily experience a third-person shooter as a human soldier called a Knight.

Cinder City is an upcoming MMO tactical shooter where you play as a father searching for his daughter in a world on the brink of collapse. The game features two expansive open-world maps, totaling around 14 kilometers, and offers exciting gameplay beyond just driving mechs or motorcycles. BigFire Games reports that playtests have included massive battles with up to 200 players. NCSOFT plans to release the game on both consoles and PC around the second half of 2026.

Subnautica 2

Co-Op Survival Under The Sea

  • Players can finally bring up to three friends along to help build bases and survive in the scary deep water.
  • The developers are making a whole new planet with fresh monsters and dark underwater areas to explore.

Subnautica 2 is the sequel to the popular 2018 game, and it’s introducing some major changes. The biggest update is the ability to play with up to four friends! For the first time, you won’t have to explore the underwater world alone. You and your friends can build bases, pilot submarines, and experience the thrill – and fear – of encountering massive creatures together.

The next installment in the Subnautica series takes place on an entirely new planet, filled with unique creatures and plant life – though some of those creatures might eat you! Gameplay footage has revealed terrifying new Leviathan-class creatures and vast underwater environments, ranging from peaceful shallows to incredibly deep and dangerous areas. Unfortunately, KRAFTON has announced the game is now scheduled to release in 2026. If you enjoyed the sense of wonder and fear in the original Subnautica, Subnautica 2 aims to deliver an even more immersive and shared experience.

Chrono Odyssey

Bend Time And Space To Save The World In A Fantasy MMORPG

  • Fight to stop a dark force from erasing the history of their world.
  • Players can freeze the hands of time as they explore Setera and the deep dungeons.

Chrono Studio is creating a large-scale online adventure game called Chrono Odyssey where the world changes over time. Players take on the role of soldiers battling a spreading darkness called the Void, which is destroying the world’s history. To fully experience the game of Setera, players need the Chronotector, a device that lets them control time. With it, they can do things like freeze enemies during combat or rewind their own actions to avoid damage.

Players can choose from various classes like the powerful Berserker and the quick Assassin. A key feature of the game is the ability to seamlessly switch between different weapons during combat.

Free Stars: Children of Infinity

Explore A Galaxy Full Of Alien Threats

  • Play as a captain exploring a galaxy filled with hundreds of star systems and funny alien species.
  • The game mixes ship battles with resource gathering, and the aliens will remember if you were nice or mean to them.

Fans of classic sci-fi games such as The Ur-Quan Masters will likely enjoy Free Stars: Children of Infinity. In this game, you play as a starship captain exploring a remote region of space.

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This game features a vast galaxy to explore, with hundreds of star systems and thousands of planets. You can land on planets to gather resources, interact with alien civilizations, and engage in fast-paced spaceship combat. The combat system, called Super Melee, returns with over 30 unique starships, each boasting special abilities. While the game is currently planned for release in 2025, its actual launch date is still uncertain. It’s designed as a spiritual successor to the beloved 1992 game, Star Control 2, offering a similar space adventure experience.

StarRupture

The Galactic Factory-Builder

  • The core gameplay mixes survival and factory building, requiring players to set up huge, automated production lines on the hostile planet.
  • A star causes massive waves of fire and heat that regularly destroy the surface, so players must quickly build strong shelters to survive.

StarRupture is a sci-fi survival and base-building game launching on January 6, 2026. You can play alone or team up with up to three friends in co-op. The game puts you on the harsh planet Arcadia-7 as a prisoner forced to gather resources for large corporations.

The core of the game revolves around rapidly building and protecting your base. It’s not just about staying alive—you’ll need to create complex systems of machines and conveyor belts to gather resources and craft new items. As your factory expands, you’ll face increasing threats. First, waves of hostile aliens will attack, requiring you to defend with automated weapons and shields. Second, the star, Ruptura, periodically emits intense heat, forcing you to seek shelter or risk losing everything you’ve built.

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2025-12-21 20:08