Open World
Ongoing coverage on Open World.
Latest coverage
What to Play Before GTA 6: 12 Backlog Clearers | TAG
This guide suggests games to play before the eventual launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, estimated for late 2026 or early 2027. It recommends clearing backlog titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and Elden Ring, which require significant time commitments. Shorter games such as Hi-Fi Rush and Mafia: Definitive Edition are also suggested for completion within the pre-GTA 6 window.
GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 writer Dan Houser says "the most fun thing about the game isn't any rubbish we…
Former Rockstar Games writer Dan Houser believes the core strength of open-world titles like Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 lies in their emergent systems and player freedom, rather than just the narrative. He emphasizes that player enjoyment, regardless of whether they complete the main story, is the ultimate measure of success for these games.
Cat Life Simulator Demo is here soon! 🐱
The demo for Cat Life Simulator is launching during Steam NextFest from June 15 to June 22. Players can experience life as a stray cat in an open-world urban environment, hunting for food, claiming territory, and interacting with the city. Players are encouraged to wishlist the game to support the developers.
Why Gothic 1 Remake Sold So Well Despite Its Flaws
Despite flaws like bugs, clunky combat, and performance issues on PlayStation 5, the Gothic 1 Remake achieved significant sales and player engagement. The article suggests that its success is driven by a dedicated audience seeking the original's challenging, unguided, and identity-defining gameplay, rather than just nostalgia.
Westlanders Announced
Team17 and Radical Theory have officially announced Westlanders, an open-world action-adventure game set in the wild west. The game is slated for an Early Access release on Steam next year.
'We want the player to kind of get lost in the world and 'force' them to have fun' — Control Resonant lead level designer teases new 'dungeons' and encourages players to explore the open world and engage in side content
Remedy Entertainment's Anne-Marie Grönroos and Elmeri Raitanen discussed the design of Control Resonant, emphasizing player exploration and side content within its open world. The game will feature linear 'dungeons' as a contrast to the overworld and launches September 24 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
I was big into Clutch's mix of story and racing styles, but the driving's a lot simmier than I expected
Clutch, an upcoming cinematic open-world action-driving game from Maverick Games, aims to blend professional and underground street racing with a strong narrative focus. While the game features detailed licensed cars and recreations of European cities, its driving mechanics lean towards simulation, similar to Forza Horizon, which may not appeal to players seeking a more arcade-style experience. The developers are investing heavily in mocapped actors and cutscenes to make players care about the characters and their stories, a departure from the more bland dialogue found in some other racing titles.
Demos and Freebies
The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire is available on Steam for PC, offering players the chance to rise from a street hustler to a kingpin in a seamless open-world sandbox. The game features no loading screens and allows players to manage businesses and build their criminal empire.
Clutch preview: A stylish open-world racing game that is trying to do too much too quickly
Clutch, an open-world racing game from Maverick Games, formerly of Playground Games, aims to blend circuit racing with cinematic storytelling set in the French Riviera. Built on a modified Unreal Engine 5, the game features a 'SimCade' driving model and draws inspiration from Need for Speed and Forza Horizon. Despite a promising presentation, concerns exist that the game may be trying to incorporate too many disparate elements, including on-rails missions, a harpoon gadget, and an overly online-focused live-stream racing mechanic. Clutch is slated for a Spring 2027 release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
Westlanders launches in Early Access for PC in early 2027
Westlanders, a Western-themed open-world survival game featuring crafting, building, and management, is set to launch in Early Access for PC in early 2027. Publisher Team17 and developer The Breach Studios announced that PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series versions will follow alongside the full release. The game allows players to evolve from survivors into leaders of a thriving economic network, utilizing a customizable wagon as a mobile base while exploring and surviving hostile environments.
Fight for Control of Night City in the ‘Rise of the Families’ Update Available Now for The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire on PC via Steam Early Access
The free 'Rise of the Families' update is now available for The Boss Gangster: Criminal Empire on PC via Steam Early Access. Developed by BEF Games and published by Tripwire Presents, the update introduces a third-person perspective, expands territory control with new rival families in Night City, and adds features like custom radio support and Steam Achievements.
Crimson Desert Hits Six Million Sales Milestone Inside Three Months
Pearl Abyss has announced that Crimson Desert has sold six million units within its first three months since its March 2026 release. The developer is actively improving the game with weekly updates, including plans for an expansion, more free content, and a cross-save feature. CEO Jin-young Heo expressed gratitude for the game's global success as a new intellectual property.
Multiplayer in JDM launches today on Steam!
The multiplayer component for the game JDM has launched today on Steam, with GOG and Epic Games Store releases to follow. The multiplayer mode supports up to 8 players in an open-world sandbox environment.
Ninjala Returns With An Open-World Sequel Exclusive To Switch 2 In 2027
GungHo announced Ninjala 2: The Uncharted Planet, an open-world sequel to Ninjala, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 in Spring 2027. This title will be the first chapter of a two-part saga and will feature co-op gameplay against large foes. The original Ninjala is currently offering in-game currency and its anime series is returning to YouTube to tie into the new game's story.
Crimson Desert tops 6 million copies sold worldwide
Pearl Abyss announced that Crimson Desert has sold over 6 million copies worldwide within 83 days of its launch. The open-world action-adventure game, available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, has seen consistent sales growth since its release in March. Pearl Abyss also confirmed that an expansion is in development.
This New Open-World Pokemon Competitor Is Wildly Ambitious
Aniimo is an ambitious open-world creature collector game from Pawprint Studio, featuring a unique "twine" mechanic allowing players to merge with their creatures in combat. The game will launch in Q3 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and mobile platforms as a free-to-play title, with plans for over 200 creatures, a story campaign, trading, base building, and multiplayer elements. Despite its extensive feature set, Aniimo will not launch in early access, and the developers have stated there will be no gacha elements for unlocking creatures.
Join Us – Creating Calamity Within a Chaotic Cultist Sandbox
Join Us is a darkly humorous open-world sandbox game where players create and manage their own cult. The preview highlights combat mechanics, weapon variety, and the game's quirky charm, including elements like riding deer and converting locals. The game is set to launch in March 2027 for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and cloud, included with Game Pass.
PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog lineup for June 2026 announced
Sony Interactive Entertainment has revealed the June 2026 lineup for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers. The Game Catalog will feature titles like Final Fantasy XVI, Sonic X Shadow Generations, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance, while the Classics Catalog will include Gitaroo Man. Some games will be available on June 10/11, with the majority releasing on June 16.
Are Games Getting Longer? The 2026 Data | TAG
Analysis of game length data from 2010-2026 reveals a significant increase in typical playthrough times, with the median notable release growing from approximately 16 hours to 25-27 hours. This trend is attributed to the prevalence of open-world design, marketing emphasis on content hours, and the influence of live-service models, leading to a decline in shorter, finishable games and contributing to player backlog guilt.
"It's not just one definition or meaning" - legendary designer Fumito Ueda says Gen Atlas, the title of his new game, means more than you might think
Legendary designer Fumito Ueda explained the multifaceted meaning behind the title of his new game, Gen Atlas. The title combines 'Gen,' referencing genesis, gene, and generate, with 'Atlas,' alluding to both the world map and the first cervical vertebra connecting the head to the neck. The game, developed by genDesign and published by Epic Games, is an open-world action-adventure coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X, and shares similarities with Ueda's previous work, particularly Shadow of the Colossus.
