The open-world Gacha genre has been exploding in popularity ever since the release of Genshin Impact in 2020 and Wuthering Waves in 2024. 2026 shows no signs of slowing down, with the recent releases of both Arknights Endfield and Neverness to Everness. With this in mind, here are 7 upcoming open-world Gacha games that could change the genre forever.

Ananta

  • Developer: Naked Rain (NetEase)
  • Publisher: NetEase Games
  • Combat Type: Real-time action (fluid, web-slinging/PvP elements)
  • World Type: Urban open-world RPG
  • Betas: Multiple (TGS 2025, technical/offline tests in 2026); more planned
  • Release Date: TBA (likely 2027)
  • What the Game Is: An urban open-world action RPG set in the vibrant, anime-styled Nova City. Players take on the role of an elite agent with high freedom to explore, swing between buildings like Spider-Man, drive vehicles, engage in PvP, and customize outfits, cars, and homes. The game stands out for its GTA-meets-Persona vibe with no character gacha – all characters are earned through progression, while monetization focuses on cosmetics and vehicles.

Aniimo

  • Developer/Publisher: Pawprint Studio
  • Combat Type: Action RPG
  • World Type: Stylized open-world
  • Betas: Multiple betas
  • Release Date: TBA
  • What the Game Is: A charming stylized open-world action RPG with strong Pokémon-like creature catching and exploration. Players explore a vibrant, interactive world, collect and train a variety of creatures, and engage in action combat in a whimsical, visually appealing setting.

Astrae Oratio

  • Developer/Publisher: Dynamis One
  • Combat Type: Action/strategy
  • World Type: Open-world elements
  • Betas: Planned
  • Release Date: TBA (2027 at the earliest)
  • What the Game Is: A strategic action game with strong narrative and oratorio-style storytelling elements. It blends combat with deeper world-building.

Azur Promilia

  • Developer/Publisher: Manjuu
  • Combat Type: Action RPG
  • World Type: Open-world fantasy
  • Betas: Multiple CBTs (recent CN/KR/JP tests; more planned, public beta possible end of 2026)
  • Release Date: TBA (2026-2027 expected)
  • What the Game Is: A colorful open-world fantasy RPG centered on creature companionship. Players bond with mysterious creatures called Kibo, explore a vast continent, engage in action combat with party members, and enjoy building and life-sim elements.

Chasing Kaleidorider

  • Developer: Fizzglee Studio (Tencent)
  • Publisher: Tencent/Proxima Beta
  • Combat Type: Action/romance RPG
  • World Type: Exploration-focused (futuristic city, not open-world)
  • Betas: CBTs (e.g., 2025 NAVI tests)
  • Release Date: TBA (2026 expected)
  • What the Game Is: A 3D “dokidoki” romance RPG featuring beautiful rider girls (motorcycle/mecha waifus) in a futuristic city called Terminus. Players take the role of a “Navigator,” build relationships with the girls, and experience thrilling motorcycle action and romantic storylines in a flashy, character-driven package.

Honkai Nexus Anima

  • Developer/Publisher: HoYoverse
  • Combat Type: Auto-battler/strategy (deck-building)
  • World Type: Adventure/creature-collecting (plane-hopping)
  • Betas: Multiple CBTs (Nexus Bond Test 2025, Aspect Exploration 2026)
  • Release Date: TBA (late 2026/2027 likely)
  • What the Game Is: A creature-collector adventure strategy game in the Honkai universe. Players travel across planes, bond with mysterious Anima creatures, build decks, and engage in auto-battler style combat while exploring and collecting. It offers a fresh twist on HoYoverse’s formula.

Honor of Kings: World

  • Developer: TiMi Studio (Tencent)
  • Publisher: Tencent
  • Combat Type: Action multiplayer 
  • World Type: Large-scale open-world Eastern fantasy
  • Betas: Alphas/tests (China launched April 2026; global alpha soon)
  • Release Date: Global TBA (2026 expected)
  • What the Game Is: A massive open-world online multiplayer RPG expanding the popular Honor of Kings MOBA IP into a vast Eastern fantasy realm. Players explore diverse civilizations, engage in large-scale action combat, swap heroes dynamically, and participate in multiplayer adventures across a richly detailed world.

MIRESI: Invisible Future

  • Developer: CONTROL9 (ex-Nikke devs)
  • Publisher: Smilegate
  • Combat Type: Tactical time-travel RPG (real-time combat with skill-based positioning / semi-automated hybrid)
  • World Type: Narrative-focused time-travel RPG (not traditional open-world)
  • Betas: Early demo tested; full betas upcoming
  • Release Date: TBA (2026 worldwide likely)
  • What the Game Is: A collectible time-travel RPG where players fight to save the future across different eras. It combines flashy real-time combat with tactical positioning, deep story, and character collection. Developed by veterans from Goddess of Victory: NIKKE.

Petit Planet

  • Developer/Publisher: HoYoverse
  • Combat Type: Life-sim/action hybrid
  • World Type: Open world
  • Betas: In testing
  • Release Date: TBA (2026-2027)
  • What the Game Is: A cozy yet gacha-driven life simulation game with creature and planet-building elements. Players explore, customize, and manage their own little world while collecting and interacting with characters in a relaxed, charming HoYoverse-style experience.

Project 2/3 Utopia

  • Developer: Diversity Game Studio
  • Publisher: Independent/TBA
  • Combat Type: Action ARPG
  • World Type: Anime-style open-world
  • Betas: Upcoming
  • Release Date: TBA
  • What the Game Is: An ambitious indie open-world action RPG with striking anime-style visuals. It offers large-scale exploration, fluid combat, and high production values.

Project RX

  • Developer: RX Studio (Nexon internal division)
  • Publisher: Nexon Games
  • Combat Type: Tactical / Strategic character-driven (evolving Blue Archive mechanics)
  • World Type: Isekai / Lifestyle RPG with life sim elements
  • Betas: Internal testing completed; no major public closed beta announced yet
  • Release Date: TBA (2026–2027 expected)
  • What the Game Is: A 3D anime-style isekai lifestyle RPG developed by Nexon’s RX Studio (featuring key developers from the Blue Archive team). It blends fantasy adventure with slice-of-life and life sim elements in a fully 3D world, featuring strategic character-driven combat, deep character interactions, and cinematic skill sequences. Built on Unreal Engine 5, it aims to expand on Blue Archive’s formula with more immersive living-world elements.

Rewinding Cadence (归环)

  • Developer: Saroasis Studios
  • Publisher: TBA
  • Combat Type: Action RPG
  • World Type: Open-world with time-loop mechanics
  • Betas: Technical/closed beta tests (recruitment ongoing)
  • Release Date: TBA (2027+)
  • What the Game Is: A groundbreaking open-world action RPG centered on time-loop mechanics. Players are “Recursors” trapped in repeating cycles of doom and must use each reset to learn, change outcomes, and save the world. It features D&D-style player choices, spirit companions, gliding/flying exploration, and narrative consequences that carry across loops.

Sea of Remnants

  • Developer: Joker Studio (Identity V team)
  • Publisher: NetEase Games
  • Combat Type: Hybrid – Strategic turn-based combat on islands + Real-time naval battles at sea (with roguelike progression)
  • World Type: Open-world ocean adventure (vast dynamic seas, islands, and exploration)
  • Betas: “Wanderer” Closed Alpha (February 2026 on PC); more tests expected
  • Release Date: 2026 (PC, PS5, iOS, Android)
  • What the Game Is: A free-to-play ocean fantasy adventure RPG where you play as a puppetfolk sailor seeking lost memories. Sail across a massive, dynamic sea, battle pirates and strange monsters, build your fleet and crew (with 300+ companions), and shape the evolving pirate city of Orbtopia through your choices.

Silver Palace

  • Developer: Silver Studio (Elementa)
  • Publisher: Elementa
  • Combat Type: Real-time action ARPG
  • World Type: Open-world Victorian fantasy metropolis
  • Betas: Early tests (e.g., Monotype Beta); more expected later 2026
  • Release Date: TBA (likely late 2026 or 2027)
  • What the Game Is: A stylish open-world action RPG set in the shadowy, industrialized Victorian metropolis of Silvernia. Players act as detectives solving mysteries while battling enemies with fluid, high-quality combat. 

Varsapura

  • Developer/Publisher: HoYoverse
  • Combat Type: Action RPG
  • World Type: Open-world (supernatural/modern/psychological elements)
  • Betas: In development/testing phase (possible 2026 tests)
  • Release Date: TBA (2027+)
  • What the Game Is: An ambitious open-world action RPG with psychological thriller and supernatural tones. Players join the mysterious organization SEAL to investigate “disruption events,” battle shadowy monsters, and explore a modern/supernatural world filled with shifting environments and deep narrative intrigue. It features high-production UE5 visuals and a darker, more mature tone than typical HoYoverse titles.

Wang Yue

  • Developer: Stars Studio
  • Publisher: TBA
  • Combat Type: Action
  • World Type: Open-world modern Chinese fantasy
  • Betas: Ongoing/Upcoming (e.g., CBT2 in 2026)
  • Release Date: TBA (2027+)
  • What the Game Is: An open-world action RPG set in a modern Chinese fantasy world. It blends urban exploration with fantastical elements, offering Pokémon/Zelda-inspired collection and puzzle mechanics alongside fast-paced combat. Recent betas have shown significant graphical improvements and immersive city environments.