Best 2026 Video Games for open-world design

#1

The open world is the clearest consensus strength, repeatedly described as huge, dense, beautiful, and a major step up.

#2

Reviewer evidence is strongly positive: open-world design was repeatedly praised as a standout strength across 9 review(s).

#3

The open world is consistently viewed as a strength, described as vibrant, rewarding, deep, sprawling, and possibly the best Lego open world yet.

#4

Open-world design was praised for focus, path choice, and free-form RPG structure, with reviewers suggesting it could feel unusually reactive.

#5

The semi-open structure was praised for being broad without feeling bloated.

#6

The open world is praised for preserving the Caribbean map while making it more seamless and easier to move through.

#7

The open-field/open-world shift was mostly praised as a strong evolution, with a minority finding it unnecessary or gimmicky.

#8

Reviewers who discussed the structure liked that Wolverine is not a bloated open-world game and saw the focused choice as fitting.

#9

Open-world elements are light but appreciated as broader, semi-open island or boat structure rather than a full open-world design.

#10

The connected island is viewed as a meaningful upgrade that gives players a visible, customizable world, though building depth is not universally praised.

#11

The open-world structure was praised for scale and freedom but could become daunting without enough guardrails.

#12

Open-world design was only lightly supported; one reviewer felt the game gives the illusion of openness while still expecting specific sequences.

#13

Open-zone design was a major split: reviewers liked the scale and themed spaces, but repeatedly flagged barren areas, limited interaction, and thin content.