Summary
Everybody knows thatGrand Theft Auto 6(also known asGTA 6) is the biggest and most highly anticipated video game of this generation. After waiting for over thirteen years, gamers will finally be able to experience this massive sandbox title soon, when it comes out on consoles on July 05, 2025.
However, as important and exciting as the release ofGTA 6is, it’s worth pointing out that this is not the only open-world game currently in development. Many other games in this genre will also come out in the near future, either before or after Rockstar’s massive project.GTA 6is the undisputed king ofupcoming open-world games, but the following games have the potential to be just as good.
The release ofPokemon Legends: Arceusin 2022 was widely celebrated byPokemonfans, who loved the new semi-open world formula that felt like a breath of fresh air for this franchise. However,Pokemon Scarlet and Violetcame out a few months later, and doubled down on this formula by implementing an even bigger and interconnected open world. However, these two Generation 9 games were scrutinized due to their glitches, bugs, and technical issues.
Fortunately, Game Freak decided to take its time on the next entry in the series, which is whyPokemon Legends: Z-Ahas been looking so promising in all the images and trailers released so far. The return to theLegendsformula is a welcome change. It seems like fans will be able to explore a brand-new open-world version of Kalos’ Lumiose City, complete with new locations, new characters, and a bunch of Mega Evolved Pokemon. While other upcoming games in this genre are only suitable for adults,Pokemon: Legends Z-Awill allow younger players to enjoy a well-made open world.
Pokemondeveloper Game Freak is currently developing two different open-world RPGs, but this one is much more different and ambitious. Revealed during Xbox Games Showcase 2025,Beast of Reincarnationis an upcoming action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic version of Japan. Despite Game Freak’s tendency to make cartoony games, this one will have a more realistic presentation that’s still brimming with style.
Little is known aboutBeast of Reincarnationso far, but it looks promising. The unique reimagined version of Japan will be interesting to explore, and the game features a dynamic combat system reminiscent of games likeDevil May CryandElden Ring. This project is much more ambitious than what Game Freak usually makes, but if it’s as good as it looks, it may elevate this iconic studio’s reputation.
Back in 2019, Obsidian Entertainment (the studio known forFallout: New VegasandSouth Park: The Stick of Truth) releasedThe Outer Worlds, a first-person action RPG that was promoted as"Falloutin space." This game sold and was reviewed pretty well, despite a few minor issues.
After many years in development (and with the studio working on other projects in the interim), its follow-up,The Outer Worlds 2,is finally set to release in October 2025. Based on what has been shown so far, it seems this sequel will improve on pretty much everything from its predecessor, like the shooting, the weapons, the NPCs, and the map. It reportedly won’t be as ambitious as the massive world ofGTA 6, but it will still give players freedom of choice and a multitude of fun missions to complete.
Lost Soul Asidewent viral when it was first revealed back in 2016. This open-world hack-and-slash/RPG based on games likeFinal Fantasy 15,Kingdom HeartsandDevil May Crylooked incredible, not to mention that it was ambitious for a project being developed by one person. Fortunately, Sony Interactive Entertainment decided to support this game, which allowed creator Yang Bing to found his own small studio.
After so much waiting,Lost Soul Asideis set to release in August 2025. Not only does the combat system look fun and diverse, but the map is surprisingly large for a game like this. The fast-paced action will take center stage, but the open-world gameplay will also be very engaging, especially considering that the playable character, Kaser, can use his incredible powers for both movement and exploration.
2019’sBorderlands 3was well-received by general audiences, but seasoned fans of the series criticized it for its characters, story and sense of humor. Now, after waiting over five years for a sequel, it seems likeBorderlands 4will be a major return to form in terms of writing, and fans couldn’t be more excited about it.
Like its predecessors,Borderlands 4will be another over-the-top FPS adventure with fast-paced gun play. It’s set in a seamless semi-open world filled with lovable characters, hilarious comedy, and a lot of valuable loot for Vault Hunters to find and collect. In the words of the official Gearbox social media accounts, “everything the player sees (in this game) is playable space that they can get to and reach without a load time”, which sounds exciting and promising.
The developers at CD Projekt Red are experts at creating immersive open-world experiences brimming with content. Two of the studio’s most recent games,The Witcher 3: Wild HuntandCyberpunk 2077,are often considered some of the best in the genre. Fortunately for fans that have been waiting for this sequel since 2015, it seems likeThe Witcher 4won’t disappoint either.
Not much has been shown about this upcoming action RPG, but what the developers have revealed looks incredible, with a beautiful open world populated by both regular NPCs and deadly monsters. The fact that this adventure will star Ciri, Geralt of Rivia’s adoptive daughter, is also very interesting. TThe Witcher 4is one of the few upcoming open-world titles on this list that may not only be just as good asGTA 6, but it may also surpass it in terms of overall quality.
The Elder Scrolls 6
The next entry in theElder Scrollsseries was originally announced back in 2018, and almost no information about it has been revealed since.However, lifelong fans know that they just have to keep waiting a little bit more. Not only will their patience be rewarded at the end, but because Bethesda releasedStarfielda few years ago, the studio must be focusing entirely onThe Elder Scrolls 6now.
Skyrimis one of the biggest and most ambitious open-world RPGs ever made, and it was incredibly impressive for its time. Its sequel, which is being made with the more modern technology of current game systems, has the potential to be even bigger, better, and more immersive.Starfield’s polarizing reception made some fans worry about Bethesda’s capacity to make expansive open-world games like this. However, the worldwide success ofOblivion Remasteredput those worries to rest, while also giving fans a high-quality product that will tide them over until the release of the sixth entry.
Ghost of Tsushimawas, one of the biggest surprises of 2020, so gamers are extremely excited about its upcoming sequel,Ghost of Yotei. Set 329 years after the events of the original game, it will tell the story of Atsu, a wandering ronin who will have to take revenge on the six renegade samurai who killed her entire family.
Ghost of Yoteilooks gorgeous, with detailed graphics and a beautiful art style that’s reminiscent of old-school samurai films. It will take place in a vast open-world version of Japan’s Ezo region (nowadays known as Hokkaido), which will have multiple fun activities for the player to engage in. On top of that, its storyline will be entirely non-linear, meaning that players will be able to explore this beautiful map and complete the main campaign at their hearts’ content.Ghost of Yoteihas the potential to not only become one of the best video games of 2025, but of this entire generation.
