3 open-world games to play before launch

Ubisoft recently announced that Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced drops this July, bringing high-seas exploration to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For many players, the upcoming release represents the chance to return to an adventurous Assassin’s Creed setting they love, after their experiences with the original release back in 2013. For others, it will be the next big open-world adventure, and completely fresh.

Those of you eager for expansive environments need not wait until July to scratch that itch. New open-world games come out all the time, and they’re no less thrilling just because Ubisoft is set to deliver another huge helping in a few weeks. Here are three open-world games from other developers that you can play right now to prepare for your virtual vacation in the Caribbean.

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Crimson Desert (2026)

Pearl Abyss reportedly worked on Crimson Desert for seven years, and it shows. The game’s sprawling medieval world presents enough monsters, swordplay, and adventure to occupy dozens of hours of your time. Since its March launch, the game has been a hit with players. In mid-April, the publisher announced Crimson Desert sold more than 5 million units. That’s an impressive milestone by nearly any measure, but especially for a game that doesn’t come from a beloved franchise.

Although Crimson Desert is already a hit, the developers haven’t been content to rest on their laurels. Updates continue to arrive periodically, polishing away rough edges and introducing quality-of-life improvements, such as an expanded registry for pets. Those updates, though robust, have been free. Players eager for meatier additions will be pleased to learn Pearl Abyss is working on DLC, though there’s not yet a firm date for when to expect it.

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Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (2025)

Image: Warhorse Studios/Deep Silver via Polygon

More medieval action awaits in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which we called “the best RPG I’ve ever played” in 2025. It combines deep narration with a memorable campaign and side quests buoyed by memorable dialog, all playing out in a world that simply feels lived in.

The game casts players as Henry of Skalitz, who is just a regular guy, not an orphan foretold by prophecy to achieve greatness. With your assistance, though, he might still make a name for himself. Combat is brutal and (particularly in the early going) often fatal, but the game’s world offers plenty of opportunities to prepare oneself for greater things. Put simply, it’s a proper role-playing game, with realistic consequences waiting in the wings for those who take advantage of their freedom.

Its immersive world and compelling gameplay left many players ready to crown Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 the best game of the year in 2025, and it’s every bit as enthralling a few short months later.

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Dragon’s Dogma 2 (2024)

Image: Capcom

Dragon’s Dogma debuted on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2012, where it developed a cult following. Except for Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen, an expanded release that made its way to a much wider variety of platforms, the franchise mostly went dormant outside of Japan after that.

In 2024, Capcom revived the franchise with Dragon’s Dogma 2, which again centered on a dark medieval world where lone adventurers vanquish monstrous beasts in order to fulfill their destiny. The sequel’s world doesn’t immediately seem expansive, but it features a variety of side quests that lend it new depth. The hostile wastelands are a joy to explore, even though a more generous fast-travel system would be appreciated. Combat is lively and engaging, especially as players learn new skills and experiment with the class system.

Capcom recently announced a port of Dragon’s Dogma 2 for Switch 2, as the developer goes all-in on the platform in 2026. It won’t reach the platform until after Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, but if you have the means to play it elsewhere in the meantime, you’re in for a good time.

With three excellent choices for open-world adventuring already available, the wait for Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced will be over before you’re ready for it. The medium is wide open for adventure when you know where to look.