Open World
Ongoing coverage on Open World.
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PlayStation State of Play live report - all of today's news from Sony's September 2026 showcases
Sony held two State of Play showcases, one focusing on upcoming PlayStation 5 titles and another dedicated to Japanese games. The events revealed new trailers and release dates for titles including Marvel's Wolverine, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, Grand Theft Auto 6, and Until Dawn 2.
Crimson Desert: Charting the Unknown DLC Announced, Launches on October 15th
Pearl Abyss has announced the first paid DLC for Crimson Desert, titled "Charting the Unknown," set to launch on October 15th. This expansion will introduce players to a new region beyond the desert, featuring underwater exploration, ship sailing, base building, and new boss encounters. The DLC will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Maneater 2 Revealed, Trailer Shows Off Stylish New Gameplay
Tripwire Interactive has revealed Maneater 2 with a trailer showcasing new gameplay set in Neptune's Park, an underwater theme park. The sequel expands on the original's enjoyable mechanics, featuring a challenging ecosystem with hostile whales and piranhas, and an improved combat system.
CD Projekt mystery games update: Yes, they're still happening, and no, not any time soon
CD Projekt has confirmed that its two mystery projects, codenamed Sirius and Hadar, are still in development but will not be released anytime soon. Sirius, a multiplayer game based on The Witcher universe, is in pre-production with ongoing testing, while Hadar, an original open-world property, remains in the concept phase. The company is looking to expand the development teams for both projects.
CD Projekt Red wants to hire 50 more devs for its secret Project Hadar "by the end of this year" as it starts…
CD Projekt Red is expanding the development team for its unannounced new IP, Project Hadar, aiming to reach 50 developers by the end of the year. While Hadar is in pre-production and prototyping, the studio's primary focus remains on The Witcher 4, which has a much larger team assigned and a targeted 2028 release date.
LOTR Fans Need To “Be Patient,” Kingdom Come Dev Says About New Middle-earth RPG
Warhorse Studios has stated that fans will need to be patient for more information regarding their upcoming open-world RPG set in Middle-earth. The developer, owned by Embracer, is also working on a new Kingdom Come game and movie. Other companies like Crystal Dynamics and Aspyr Media are also involved with The Lord of the Rings game properties.
Dragon's Dogma 2 update finally gives the RPG the performance boost it desperately needed, and it's so good that it's even lowered the PC system requirements
Capcom has released a significant update for Dragon's Dogma 2, addressing long-standing performance issues and improving the game's overall stability. This patch has been met with widespread player approval, with many reporting drastically increased frame rates and even a reduction in the game's PC system requirements. The update also includes quality-of-life improvements such as unlimited fast travel and adjustments to the controversial Dragonsplague mechanic.
GTA 6 Will Make Players “Forget That They’re Simply Playing a Game,” Says Co-Studio Head
Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson stated that Grand Theft Auto 6's interconnected systems and player agency will allow players to "forget that they’re simply playing a game." The upcoming title aims to provide unprecedented freedom in how players approach situations and missions. The game is set to release on November 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
15 Biggest Games Launching in September 2026
September 2026 is set to be a massive month for game releases, featuring titles across numerous genres including open-world, action RPGs, sports, and racing. Notable upcoming games include Control Resonant, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Silent Hill: Townfall, Marvel's Wolverine, and the 1.0 launch of Valheim.
(Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced) Popular Open-World PlayStation 5 Game’s Free Update Adds New Features
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a remake of the 2013 open-world game, has received a free update (1.0.7) for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The update introduces new player customization options, including hiding Edward Kenway's pistols and toggling visual perk effects, alongside various gameplay, stability, quest, and accessibility fixes. A new animal rescue encounter has also been added.
GTA 6 will lock you out of story missions if you're too broke, so it's good to know the robbery mechanics have…
Grand Theft Auto 6 will feature detailed robbery mechanics, including unique interactions for different store types and potential CCTV and hostage situations. Players may be blocked from progressing the story if they do not accumulate enough in-game cash through these activities or other means like street racing.
GTA 6 isn't flashy for the sake of it – I'm impressed at how additive every new detail feels to gameplay
Grand Theft Auto 6 is poised to be an industry milestone, building upon Rockstar Games' established crime sandbox formula with additive gameplay details. The article highlights how mechanics like physically carrying loot and an overhauled Wanted system integrate seamlessly into core gameplay, making the world feel more convincing and interactive than in previous titles, including Red Dead Redemption 2. The focus on natural integration of details and the partnership between protagonists Lucia and Jason suggest a refined and impactful sequel.
Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons will take players through a magic-filled open world
Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons is an upcoming open-world RPG from Invoke Studios and Wizards of the Coast, set to release in 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players will explore the lands of Darkon as Kaatri, a character seeking to master forbidden magic to find a loved one, utilizing a variety of spells and melee combat.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Requires Raising Funds to Continue Through the Story
Grand Theft Auto 6 will feature a gameplay mechanic where players must accumulate a specific amount of capital to progress through the story. This can be achieved through various criminal activities, including organizing heists, robbing stores, and stealing/selling cars, with different approaches offering varying risks and rewards. The game is set to launch on November 19th for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Could Make Linear Exploration Exciting Again
Onimusha: Way of the Sword aims to revitalize linear action-adventure gameplay by blending focused combat and puzzle-solving with optional exploration in its open-town sections. Director Satoru Nihei emphasizes skill-based mechanics like parrying and Issen, contrasting it with Souls-like difficulty. The game is set to launch on September 4th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
GTA 6’s Leonida is So Massive Even Its Developers Haven’t Seen All Of It, Per Rockstar
Rockstar North studio co-head Rob Nelson stated that Grand Theft Auto 6 is so vast that it's unlikely any single developer has experienced its entirety. The game's immense scale, even with potential cut features, suggests a deep and expansive world for players to explore upon its release.
The Blood of Dawnwalker review - worthy to sip blood at the top RPGs' table
The Blood of Dawnwalker is a worthy addition to the RPG genre, drawing clear inspiration from CD Projekt Red's The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077. Developed by Rebel Wolves, the game features a compelling day/night cycle that impacts combat and abilities, a deep narrative with player choice, and engaging open-world elements. While some combat mechanics can be janky, the overall experience is highly praised.
GTA 6 is so big, Rockstar doesn't "know that there's anybody on the team that knows all of it"
Rockstar Games' Rob Nelson stated that Grand Theft Auto VI is so vast that no single team member may have experienced its entirety. The studio aims to evolve its signature open-world design while retaining core elements that resonate with players. The game is set to launch in November.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Review – In the right vein
The Blood of Dawnwalker is a debut action RPG from Rebel Wolves that offers a compelling narrative and characters, but suffers from uneven gameplay mechanics and performance issues. The game features a unique time-tracking system and a focus on combat, but struggles with enemy variety and questline connectivity. Despite its flaws, the strong story and world-building make it a promising start for a potential new saga.
Fable Reboot’s Main Story Is About 20 Hours Long, Dev Says
Playground Games has stated that the main story of the upcoming Fable reboot will take approximately 15-20 hours to complete, with an additional 15-20 hours of side content and open-world exploration. The developers also mentioned that the life simulation aspects of the game are designed to be played indefinitely. The Fable reboot is scheduled to launch on February 23, 2027, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
