Despite a seemingly quiet start to 2026 (at least, compared to what’s coming in September and October), this year has actually been a huge success for the gaming industry. There have been very few misses and a ton of hits, from indie successes to triple-A bangers, and the year isn’t even halfway done yet.
Much of that success has come in the open-world genre. Some games that weren’t even expected to be fully open-world have stepped in and delivered some of the best entries the genre has seen in a while. Therefore, even though we’ve still got seven months’ worth of games to go, let’s take a look at the 2026 open-world games that are already 10/10 hits.
Crimson Desert
An Explorer’s Dream
It took a bit, but Crimson Desert has definitely earned itself a lot of praise following a rocky launch. With millions of units sold and a ton of positive word of mouth from players around the world, this open-world action RPG is winning over new players every day. The fact that it has been updated with new content multiple times since launch doesn’t hurt, either.
Crimson Desert is not going to win any accolades for its narrative, and its combat system is very unusual and takes a while to get used to (although once you do, it feels fantastic). No, the major appeal of this game is just how incredible it feels to explore its world. There are secrets hidden everywhere, many of which have no quest marker or even landmarks to indicate their presence. It’s a game that encourages its players to explore wherever and however they like, and it consistently rewards that exploration with incredible finds. This is the kind of game where people will still be uncovering secrets this time next year.
Forza Horizon 6
A Visit To The Mecca Of Car Culture
Not a ton has changed between Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Horizon 6, but that’s not a bad thing. Following up one of the greatest racing games of all time with another game just like it is hardly a knock against this sequel. The biggest change is its new setting, which finally takes the series to Japan to celebrate one of the most avid car cultures on the planet. And celebrate it does.
There is a smaller focus on off-road racing in FH6, mostly because there is less off-road terrain in the game’s map, but that is replaced by a much more varied environment, from bustling cities to gorgeous rural vistas. The reward system has been tweaked to make winning currency feel more useful, as you won’t unlock every car through Wheel Spins anymore. The rest is pretty much just more Forza Horizon, and that’s all we really wanted anyway.
Cairn
Not Your Typical Open World
Cairn is not a standard open-world game. It’s set entirely on a massive mountain, and while you are free to approach it however you like, you can’t jump from the base right to the top. You’ll have to tackle it methodically, like a real mountain climber, choosing your routes and planning well in advance so you don’t get stuck or forced to retreat and find a new route.
So while it’s not a typical open world in the exploration sense, you are still free to approach the climb however you see fit. Take any route you like, stop and camp whenever you want, and track down lost climbers as you go. There’s still lots of variety in how you approach the game, and its singular focus is what makes it so special. You don’t need to worry about side quests or filling out the map. You have one goal, reaching the mountain top, and how you get there is what makes your personal journey unique.
Esoteric Ebb
A Disco-Like Paying Homage To Terry Pratchett
There has been a wave of “Disco-likes” lately, which borrow many of the iconic elements of Disco Elysium, and other than ZA/UM’s follow-up, Zero Parades for Dead Spies (which is not open world), the best example of this trend is a weird little indie RPG called Esoteric Ebb. Despite reviewing well, this game still hasn’t been discussed much, but that’s bound to change because it’s absolutely brilliant.
Instead of your inner thoughts being speaking characters, in Esoteric Ebb, it’s your stat categories like Strength and Charisma that do the talking. It’s a delightful twist, especially for DnD fans, and it’s always funny to hear these stats bickering over a minor in-game decision. Unlike Disco Elysium, there is combat in Esoteric Ebb, although it’s still defined by a dice roll. The whole thing has a distinct Terry Pratchett Discworld vibe to it that makes for the perfect humorous twist on a fantasy realm, and it delivers on all fronts. The narrative is great, the RPG systems are complex, and the voice acting is stellar. What’s not to like?
Mina The Hollower
A Tribute To Retro Gaming That Outdoes Modern Classics
Yacht Club’s Shovel Knight redefined how indie games could interpret retro aesthetics and mechanics into a modern package, and it’s something that we’ve seen countless games follow-up on since, from horror games like Crow Country to throwbacks like Ninja Gaiden Ragebound. Yacht Club is at it again, this time turning a lens on old-school The Legend of Zelda games and creating something truly outstanding.
Mina the Hollower doesn’t show all its cards right away, and between its extremely understated visual style and its simple but intensely challenging combat, it will take a bit to get used to. Once you get the hang of it, though, this is a game that will take over your life. There are secrets everywhere, just waiting for you to spot the tiny clues giving them away. Boss fights are a standout here, with some boss sprites being truly spectacular. The combat is pitch-perfect, with dozens of options for customization, and it even allows you to tweak the difficulty in over a dozen different ways if you find the game too challenging. It’s almost a certainty that we’ll be talking about Mina the Hollower during 2026’s GOTY deliberations.
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