Upcoming Open-World Games That Let You Conquer Areas

Open-world games vary greatly, from vast landscapes with towering mountains to more intimate experiences focused on characters and locations. However, simply moving through a world isn’t always enjoyable unless players feel like they have some influence over it. Some games address this by letting players actively take control of the land, either through direct conflict or by gradually expanding their access and influence. While this type of gameplay is fairly specialized, it can be incredibly engaging. The ability to conquer and shape the game world, bit by bit, makes exploration much more meaningful than simply traveling from one place to another.

Many fantastic games already let you live out the dream of taking over the world, and even more are on the way! Soon, players will be able to explore vast open worlds filled with pirate adventures, huge medieval battles ripped straight from the big screen, and limitless fantasy experiences – all centered around that satisfying feeling of conquest. Over the next few months, we’ll see a ton of new open-world games, but only a few will truly make you feel like you’re in charge, letting you travel the land, defeat enemies, and reclaim territory as your own.

Chronicles: Medieval

The Next Middle Ages Addiction

Progress from peasant to leader.
Partake in huge battles across a range of locations and settings.

Chronicles: Medieval is a medieval strategy game where you build an empire and conquer land. You start with little and must grow your power by improving your skills and making smart decisions to create a lasting legacy for your people. Instead of simply controlling numbers, you command armies composed of realistic historical units – like archers and knights – that you train and lead to expand your territory.

Success in Chronicles: Medieval doesn’t come from winning a single, decisive battle. Instead, it’s built on a series of victories that gradually lead to your ultimate goal. The game is fundamentally about building an empire by conquering and expanding, and to do that, you need to master all of its systems. Importantly, you have choices in how you expand. While you can always rely on military strength, you can also negotiate and pursue a more peaceful, diplomatic approach – a welcome option when conflict becomes overwhelming.

War Of Banners

Rising To Lordship

Train new troops and progress further across the land.
Strategy-oriented real-time combat

War of Banners is looking like a standout strategy game coming in 2026, thanks to its unique combination of open-world freedom and in-depth RPG strategy. You start with a small group of soldiers and can explore a vast world filled with different groups – from small bandits to powerful kingdoms – each with their own goals and leadership. Unlike many strategy games, the world isn’t fixed; it changes based on your decisions. As you conquer land and take cities, you’ll grow your power and become a major threat.

This game doesn’t rely on set missions; instead, it lets players create their own stories. You can choose to be a hired gun, a ruler, or anything in between, focusing on combat or diplomacy as you see fit. Battles involve recruiting, training, and equipping mercenaries, then giving them commands during real-time fights to gain an edge. After each battle, you can either expand your influence or take time to regroup and plan your next move.

Mainland

Conquer The World, One Step At A Time

Cooperative faction warfare.
Real-time combat and city management.

Mainland is a new RPG focused on teamwork while still letting players feel personally rewarded for their achievements. It’s inspired by games like Mount & Blade, but with a key difference: you can play with up to three friends in a seamless online co-op experience. This makes the game’s large open world even more exciting. You’ll be able to build and lead armies in massive battles, and conquering new territory is how you progress towards ultimate control.

In Mainland, your choices truly matter, and every win or loss significantly changes the game world. If you enjoy direct involvement, you won’t just be giving orders – you’ll have a wide range of weapons to fight alongside your troops. This is just a glimpse of what’s in store, as Mainland boasts impressive strategic depth when it releases in 2026.

Guardians Of The Wild Sky

Conquering The Clouds

Sky-based exploration sets it apart.
Reclaim the world from the dark forces within it.

Guardians of the Wild Sky is an adventure game where you survive and build in a beautiful world of floating islands and clouds. You’ll explore a magical realm filled with amazing creatures called Guardians, and can build a base that actually flies between islands – you’ll never have to rebuild! The world is huge and full of secrets, with diverse environments, wildlife, ancient ruins, and challenging enemies to discover.

Instead of focusing on building a powerful faction, Guardians of the Wild Sky lets you reclaim the natural world from villains. As you defeat enemies, areas become safer, restoring a long-lost balance. If you enjoy open-world games, this one is worth checking out – the unique flying and aerial movement really set it apart.

Sails

Controlling The Open Seas

PvP naval battles and territorial raids.
Base-building and exploration focus on the high seas.

Sails is an exciting seafaring game where you explore abandoned islands and hidden coves in search of treasure. You begin with almost nothing and must gradually build up your base and skills to become a skilled sailor. Once you’re ready to set sail with your crew, you’ll discover you’re not the only one navigating these waters.

Players will fight both other players at sea and engage in intense sword fights on land, with each battle ultimately leaving only one victor. As they pursue wealth, their power and influence will grow. Combat extends beyond player-versus-player battles; players can raid NPC villages from their ships for valuable loot and strategic advantages. Claiming territory isn’t just about defeating enemies, it’s about securing better positions. Expanding your reach will bring increased resources, but also make you a prime target, and you’ll need to be careful to avoid defeat.

2026-01-26 19:08