2025 is shaping up to be a monumental year for open-world gaming, with a diverse array of titles promising expansive landscapes, compelling narratives, and innovative gameplay. From gritty crime dramas to fantastical adventures, here’s a look at 25 of the most anticipated open world games hitting shelves this year.
25. The Precinct
Ever wanted to experience life as a rookie cop in a neon-drenched 1980s city, without the cyberpunk clichés? The Precinct puts you in the shoes of Nick Cordell in 1983, tackling everything from parking tickets to bank heists in a reverse Grand Theft Auto experience.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
24. MindsEye
This single-player action-adventure thriller plunges you into an AI-driven, hyper-capitalist world reminiscent of Blade Runner and Total Recall. With amnesia as your starting point, your goal is to uncover your past and survive in a truly chaotic environment.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series (Summer)
23. Atomfall
Imagine a blend of STALKER, Fallout, and even a touch of BioShock, and you get Atomfall. Set in an alternate 1962 Britain, five years after a nuclear disaster, you’ll navigate a quarantined countryside teeming with mutated creatures and cults. Expect exploration, crafting, survival elements, and moral choices.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC (March 27th)
22. Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Finally, Assassin’s Creed ventures into Feudal Japan during the Sengoku period. Play as Naoe, a ninja, or Yasuke, an African-born brawler (a historical figure). One of the interesting new world games, Assassin’s Creed, promises solid stealth, incredible settings, and a renewed focus on what makes Assassin’s Creed great, learning lessons from Ghost of Tsushima‘s success.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, iPad, PC (March 20th)
21. Crimson Desert
What began as an expansion for Black Desert Online has evolved into a massive experience, akin to Game of Thrones meets The Witcher. You play as a battle-weary mercenary haunted by his past, with intense sword fights and a visually stunning world.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, PC (Late this year)
20. Dune: Awakening
Fans of Frank Herbert’s Dune rejoice! This MMO blends elements of Conan Exiles and No Man’s Sky, challenging you to survive the harsh Arrakis desert. Start with nothing, scavenge for resources, build shelters, and perhaps even become a spice trade king.
Platforms: PC (May 20th), PS5, Xbox Series (Later)
19. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
The Like a Dragon series takes a wild turn with this canon entry. Goro Majima wakes up with amnesia on a Hawaiian island and somehow becomes a pirate. Expect the series’ signature blend of humor and action, with Majima’s “Mad Dog” style complemented by a new “Sea Dog” style featuring a cutlass and pistols. Yes, you get a ship, too!
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC (Already released)
18. Ghost of Yotei
Three centuries after Ghost of Tsushima, we enter a slightly more modern era. Play as Atsu, a new warrior, in a journey that hopes to be as compelling as Jin Sakai’s. The game is set to expand on the beloved formula, potentially incorporating elements from games like Sekiro.
Platforms: PS5 (Later this year)
17. Alkahest
This adventure RPG draws inspiration from Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, Kingdom Come, and possibly even BioShock. It features a complex alchemy system and a world that evokes thoughts of Dishonored and Skyrim, with a dash of Resident Evil.
Platforms: PC (No release date yet)
16. Hell is Us
Step into the shoes of Remy, a UN Peacekeeper who goes AWOL to return to his home country of Hadea, now overrun by “Hollow Walkers.” This intriguing mix of Dark Souls, Death Stranding, and Spec Ops: The Line features archaic melee weapons as modern weaponry is ineffective against the mysterious enemies.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, PC (September 4th)
15. ARK 2
The prehistoric survival game returns with a massive overhaul, a stunning new world, and third-person Souls-like combat. Most notably, ARK 2 will feature full platform cross-mod support in Unreal Engine 5, setting a new standard for modding accessibility. Oh, and Vin Diesel is in it!
Platforms: Xbox Series, PC (Late this year)
14. Light No Fire
From Hello Games, the creators of No Man’s Sky, comes Light No Fire. Instead of an infinite universe, this game features a single, procedurally generated planet the size of Earth. It gives off Valheim meets Breath of the Wild vibes, with extensive building mechanics and vast exploration.
Platforms: PC (Late this year, speculative)
13. Exoborne
Death Stranding‘s influence is clear in Exoborne, where the United States has been transformed into a chaotic wasteland with dynamic weather events. The focus here is on intense battles and customising your Exo-Rig, in what looks like a potential realisation of Anthem‘s original promise.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, PC (Later this year)
12. Project: The Perceiver
This open-world action game from Papergames, 17ZHE Studio, introduces the concept of “Varietas.” You, as the master of Varietas, can perceive and consolidate diverse ideals into powerful masks, each granting unique combat abilities. Think Majora’s Mask meets Sekiro.
Platforms: PlayStation (Possibly other platforms, no release date yet)
11. The Outer Worlds 2
Obsidian’s beloved RPG series continues in the Arcadia star system. Expect the signature blend of Fallout‘s energy with a touch of Futurama-esque silliness. If you enjoyed the first game, this sequel promises more of the same witty writing and engaging gameplay.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, PC (Later this year)
10. Ballad of Antara
A free-to-play Souls-like game that defies expectations. Imagine if Genshin Impact were modelled after Dark Souls, with incredibly varied and interesting landscapes. While free-to-play models always carry risks, Ballad of Antara shows significant potential.
Platforms: PS5, PC, Mobile (Later this year)
9. Dying Light: The Beast
Kyle Crane returns after 13 years of experimentation, now with a vendetta and the ability to transform into a “were-hog.” Equipped with a grappling hook, this installment promises more of the parkour and zombie-slaying action fans love, with some wild new twists.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC (Summer)
8. Borderlands 4
Gearbox aims for a slightly darker, more mature tone while retaining the series’ signature humor (yes, probably still some fart jokes). This fully open-world title boasts no loading screens, grappling hooks, gliding, and a ridiculous amount of new guns, expanding on the beloved Borderlands formula in exciting ways.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, PC (September 23rd)
7. Gothic 1 Remake
After 20 years, Gothic 1 Remake brings the pioneering RPG back to modern audiences. Alkimia Interactive aims to modernise controls and graphics while retaining the unique faction system and charming tedium that defined the original. It will be fascinating to see how this classic translates to a contemporary gaming landscape.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, PC (Later this year)
6. Where Winds Meet
This martial arts-centric open-world game is set during China’s Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Beyond its impressive combat, players can take on roles like doctor or merchant, influencing the world around them. It evokes strong Witcher 3 vibes, despite its distinct combat system.
Platforms: PS5, PC (Sometime this year, already out in China)
5. Terminator: Survivors
A Fallout-style game set in the Terminator universe? Sign us up! This survival-oriented title features base-building and co-op battles against Terminator units for up to four players. It looks to be a promising entry in a series that has seen its share of ups and downs.
Platforms: PC (Steam Early Access), Consoles (Later date)
4. Monster Hunter Wilds
This highly anticipated instalment streamlines elements from Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise, introducing more verticality and maintaining the series’ core loop of hunting massive creatures. While some streamlining may be controversial, it’s a solid entry that delivers on what Monster Hunter fans expect.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, PC (Already released)
3. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
An undeniable upgrade from its predecessor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II expands on the historical RPG’s strengths. Cleverly resetting your abilities at the start, it offers a larger, more detailed Bohemia to explore, delivering on the promise of a bigger, better Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
Platforms: All platforms (Already released)
2. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Hideo Kojima’s next masterpiece looks even more insane than the first, blending elements of Metal Gear into the unique Death Stranding formula. With intriguing characters and a visually stunning world, it promises a completely wild and utterly compelling experience.
Platforms: PS5 (June 26th)
1. Grand Theft Auto 6
Unsurprisingly, Grand Theft Auto 6 takes the top spot in the Top 25 New Open World Games of 2025. Set in the familiar yet reimagined Vice City (a fictional Miami), the game is rumoured to feature dual protagonists and an expansive world that combines the best of Florida and San Andreas. Expect the unexpected from Rockstar, as this is undoubtedly the biggest open-world release of the year.
Platforms: TBA (Coming out this year)
