Open-world games are some of the most popular gaming experiences out there, and it’s easy to see why. They give players the most bang for their buck by allowing them to explore a vast world stuffed with content. Some open-world games have better exploration options than others, but the point remains.
On the horizon, there are a few big open-world games coming out in 2026, like Grand Theft Auto 6 and The Blood of Dawnwalker. They should have the following features to make their worlds more immersive. Open-world games beyond this point should also take note. Not every open-world game has to be the same, but it would make for a more compelling experience if these features were involved.
Worlds Without Borders
And Make The Environments Varied And Interesting
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a great game with fantastic and scenic open-world areas to explore. However, there are gating issues as the game is very story-oriented. The same is true for a more recent open-world game, Borderlands 4, which is more open than Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, but it also has some gating problems. Again, these games are some of the best out there, but open-world games and the developers who make them should strive to achieve true open-world environments without much gating, if possible. Also, these worlds should be filled with interesting things to see.
As fun as it is to explore Forspoken thanks to the speed of the protagonist, Frey, there isn’t much to see or do. Some standout examples of open-world games where the player is free to do whatever they want almost from the start include The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Assassin's Creed Shadows and Xenoblade Chronicles X do have level gating to prevent players from getting too far, but these high-level areas are still accessible if players want to risk the danger. True open-world games are the main goal, but adding things like day and night cycles, along with seasons, would also be a plus.
Multiple Traversal Methods
From Climbing To Gliding
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild changed the open world scene in a lot of ways when it launched alongside the Switch in 2017. It added climbing mechanics along with a stamina meter to push players to their limits. Once a huge cliff was scaled, players could then jump off and glide away. Some games have used the gliding method since then, like Rise of the Ronin. Other games have added full flight into their open-world environments, like Anthem and Hogwarts Legacy.
The original Marvel’s Spider-Man let players climb buildings and swing around, and both mechanics felt natural. In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the suits got gliding upgrades. Beyond climbing and gliding, there should be some sort of mount or vehicular traversal too, which many games have, from horses in Ghost of Tsushima to driving the digi-runners in Borderlands 4. It seems like a no-brainer to add mounts of vehicles, but there are some games, like Fallout 4, that don’t have good traversal upgrades beyond a player’s own two feet.
Quests That Matter
Or Compelling Stories
An open-world game is only as compelling as the people who inhabit it. An open-world game could be filled with quests, but they may not be interesting. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was one of the first open-world games to push side quests to a new level, making every NPC matter. The story is equally compelling, giving players plenty to do if they so choose. Other great examples include Avowed and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
If the side quests aren’t good, then the story should at least be compelling. Nailing both is ideal, but not every game can be perfect, and some excel in certain aspects. For example, Deadly Premonition is a divisive open-world game that is not that compelling to explore. However, the game’s NPCs are memorable and quirky, and the overall story is THE reason to play. So, developers need to find a good balance in future open-world games.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
