5 best open world games to play in New Year 2026

As we enter 2026, the open-world genre still remains one of the best genres of games. It has produced some of the biggest titles of all time, including the likes of The Witcher franchise and Red Dead Redemption.
With time, the genre has evolved a lot, producing novel and extraordinary experiences, enabling you to explore brand-new worlds. If you are looking forward to playing open-world games in 2026, here is a list of the finest ones that you can try out.

Best open-world games to play in 2026

Red Dead Redemption 2

Even years after its original release, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the benchmark for the open-world genre. The game’s world is extremely beautiful, and you will fall in love exploring the wild west. Besides that, the title also features arguably the best story in gaming history, with Arthur Morgan being among the finest written characters. Accordingly, you must surely try out Red Dead Redemption 2.

Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultimate Edition)

Cyberpunk 2077 is another fantastic open-world game that you can play in 2026. Following the "Night City Expansion" last year, the game is more polished, and you have a lot of content to explore. The main highlight of Cyberpunk is the level of NPC interactivity in Night City, making it a lot denser than most of the other titles.

Elden Ring

If you are looking forward to starting 2026 with a challenge, playing Elden Ring would be an appropriate option. The soulslike offers you an open world, and you can explore the game however you want. In the process, you will be able to encounter loads of challenging bosses and a wonderful storyline.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3 is widely considered by many to be the best open-world game of all time, and it is an absolute masterpiece from CD Projekt Red. If you still haven’t experienced the title in 2026, you are missing out, and this must be among your main priorities. The game essentially defined the RPG and open-world genres.

Ghost of Yotei

Ghost of Yotei is among the newer games on this list, and it offers one of the best open-world experiences in 2026. As a standalone sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, it follows a new protagonist, Atsu, through the rugged landscapes of 1603 Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido). The game utilizes the full power of the PS5, and you will fall in love with the world in Ghost of Yotei.