Open-World games are coming to PS5 very soon

2026 has so far been a good year for open world games on PS5. From massive success stories like Crimson Desert to smaller scale titles such as Ys 10: Proud Nordicthere are plenty of games across multiple genres to scratch that open world itch for gamers. There's also a solid catalog of open-world titles set for release sometime later this year, including Grand Theft Auto 6 and The Blood of Dawnwalker.

But since the big games are still a long way off, what games can you play in the meantime? Well, at least some interesting open world games are coming up. Whether you're looking to lose yourself in a 100-hour RPG or simply find a new horizon to race towards, the upcoming disc offers a perfect mix of established franchises and ambitious new IPs.

LEGO Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight

A nice set of friends and bat family members

Heading to PlayStation May 222026, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a narrative action-adventure game that follows Bruce Wayne's journey to become Batman. Starting with a young Bruce Wayne, players will train with the League of Shadows, gather allies and confront Batman's greatest enemies across the iconic city of Gotham.

In many respects, LEGO Batman seems to take pages from Arkham Batman titles as much as it draws from the past LEGO video games. Although it's been a while since we've seen a new Batman-centric one Arkham title, LEGO Batman's third-person action games are very similar to these Arkham gameplay, especially in its combat, and the combination of action and puzzle solving is also similar.

That said, there are some suggested differences. LEGO Batman will have seven playable characters – Batman, Jim Gordon, Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin, Catwoman and Talia al Ghul – which is far fewer than your usual LEGO video games, but more than Arkham titles have ever allowed. There's also local multiplayer, so you can let a friend or family member join in the crime-fighting.

Each character will have their own unique skills and gadgets, ensuring that play as each feels distinct. It has also been revealed that players will be able to customize the Batcave to display different vehicles and costumes, adding a more personal touch to the abode. Overall, it looks to be a feature-rich and fun spin on Arkham and LEGO old formulas.

Outgoing

Take the road to build a new life

If you are looking for a more relaxed adventure, Outgoing is a cozy open-world exploration title where players try to build their dream home on wheels. Set in a utopian near future, players start with an empty RV and take a road trip across multiple biomes, upgrading their mobile home along the way. Much like a real road trip, this one is better with friends, as the game supports four-player co-op.

During the journey, players will be able to upgrade and customize their vehicles, grow crops and practice sustainable living. There is also a crafting mechanic that allows players to gather resources, craft tools and build infrastructure such as bridges. If you prefer to keep things moving, there are also many landmarks to find and even pets to adopt.

There is a significant emphasis on player freedom in Outgoingwith players unburdened by society's misery. Travel where you want, how you want. Of course, there will be some problems along the way that you will have to solve, such as fallen trees, car problems, and building repairs. If you're in the mood for a more relaxed, free-roam experience, you won't have to wait long, because Outgoing coming to PlayStation 5 April 23, 2026.

Walking sword

Harness your Qi and master your weapon to find peace

Originally released on Steam for Microsoft Windows on September 15, 2023, Walking sword will make its PlayStation 5 debut on May 5, 2026. This Wuxia-inspired RPG follows a young swordsman named Yuwen Yi who gets caught up in a feud between the Tianlong gang and the Xuanhuo cult and is left for dead.

Yi is then rescued and brought under the tutelage of Jiang, a master martial artist who teaches Yi how to control his Qi. But soon after being rescued, the village he has taken refuge in is attacked, and Yi must venture forth to become a martial arts master and eliminate the evil besieging Jianghu.

The isometric HD 2D pixel art makes the visuals of this classic hero's journey pop, bringing to life the world and environments you'll pass through the story. As for its battle, Walking sword uses an ATB-like system that takes place on a square grid-based battlefield. It's quite an interesting mix of active and tactical styles that will keep you on your toes. Yi can also specialize in different weapon types, allowing for some nice customization and freedom in how players approach developing their loadout.

With many different characters to meet and places to go, Walking sword is a fantastic experience through and through. The PlayStation 5 version even includes all of the game's previous DLC. If you like turn-based RPGs, Wuxia games, or just think the game looks cool, be sure to check it out.

Echoes of Aincrad

This world holds both tranquility and secrets

Arriving further 9 July 2026, Echoes of Aincrad utilizes the setting made famous by anime Sword Art Online allowing players to create their own journey through this fictional world. Unlike others Sword Art Online game, this one features a fully customizable main character and allows players to choose equipment, skills, abilities, and even which partners to build synergy with.

Its third-person combat is significantly more methodical and punishing than the button-mashing styles of others Sword Art Online games from the past. The game allows for precision parrying, and players must manage their stamina as much as their health to survive the fights. Since there are many playstyles and stats to consider, there are bound to be a variety of solutions to the problems these metered battles pose.

Don't mistake the more deliberate style for blandness, though. Echoes of Aincrad is still flashy in all the right ways, with weapon skills and spells that look spectacular in battle. The environments are equally stunning, with vistas overlooking lush forests and moonlit plains, and cities filled with masses of people. Those gorgeous visuals aren't wasted either: players can explore outdoors as well as dark dungeons and caves to find treasures.

Total, Echoes of Aincrad is shaping up to be an excellent open world version of SAO environment, full of exploration and solid RPG mechanics. Hopefully it will be able to differentiate itself from the existing catalog of Sword Art Online RPGs and deliver a rewarding journey for all players, regardless of familiarity with the IP.

Gothic 1 Remake

Escape from the Mines

Scheduled for release on June 5, 2026the Gothic 1 Remake reprises the 2001 cult classic that defined the European RPG subgenre. This remake returns players to the Valley of Mines on the island of Khorinis, a sprawling prison camp encased in a magical dome where the kingdom's prisoners are forced to mine ore for the king's war effort.

You step into the boots of a nameless new prisoner, who has been thrown into this murderous ecosystem. After a few short introductory scenes, you then choose which camp of the prison you belong to: the old camp, the new camp, or the swamp camp. These camps change which side quests are available to you and also affect how your prisoner progresses.

The most notable feature of the original Gothic was its NPC reactivity and interactivity. Early on, NPCs will treat you poorly, as you're nothing more than a nuisance to them, but later they may fear and avoid you depending on your story choices and skills. Each NPC has their own daily routine and can be interacted with in one way or another. Everything we've seen so far suggests that the remake aims to continue this, with NPCs being a key driver of what makes the penal colony so interesting.

It should be noted that Gothic 1 Remake takes place in a dark, violent and overtly misogynistic setting, and that the developers have no plans to change this fact for the remake, although female characters will be more developed than they were in the original game. While the remake touches on and deals with some brutal circumstances, it doesn't aim to endorse them; instead, Gothic shows us a world where these issues are left to fester and how that shapes the people within it.