There are many exciting open-world games coming out on Steam in 2022 and 2023 that hardly anyone knows about. We’ve got the best insider tips for you.
Attention, controversial opinion: Open Worlds are sometimes pretty big. And whether you like it or not – it leads to the fact that we sometimes have to wait many years for our much-coveted open-world thrillers. That’s why small indie gems and insider tips sometimes come in handy to satisfy our hunger. And there are plenty of them on Steam: whether role-playing, survival or adventure.
So we’ve picked out the most exciting open-world candidates for you that hardly anyone has on their radar yet, even though they have a lot of potential. We hope you enjoy browsing through them!
Content description
- Dread Delusion
- Karagon
- DokeV
- Voidtrain
- V Rising
- Nimoyd
- Sand of Aura
- Smalland
Table of Contents
Dread Delusion
- For fans of: role-playing games, dark fantasy, oldschool graphics
- Release: tbd
- Developer: Lovely Hellplace
Dread Delusion takes you into a nightmarish world with burning skies, twisted demons and gloomy castles – and presents itself in chic oldschool graphics à la Morrowind. If you loved early 3D action role-playing games, you might be right on the money with this insider tip. There is supposed to be a large quest line with significant decisions, a skill system and numerous spells.
By the way, the game comes from the makers of the Dread X Collection, a very special favourite of the horror community. So we are excited!
Karagon
- For fans of: survival, post-apocalypse, robots
- Release: 2022
- Developer: Tbjbu2
Modern Unreal Engine 5 graphics, a large open world, crafting and the post-apocalypse: these sound like pretty promising ingredients. And these are exactly what Karagon brings with it, which exposes you to a deadly world full of robots in which you build, fight and, in the best case scenario, survive. Karagon will initially be released in Early Access, but a playable demo is already available.
DokeV
- For fans of: Pokémon, modern settings, good graphics
- Release: 2022
- Developer: Pearl Abyss
The open-world adventure DokeV was the highlight of gamescom 2021 with its trailer, as it presented itself in chic graphics and showed a modern city setting with Pokémon references. In DokeV, too, you make monsters your friends – by completing their very own series of quests. DokeV will also have a multiplayer or co-op component, but will not be an MMO.
Voidtrain
- For fans of: shooters, steampunk, puzzles, optional co-op
- Release: tbd
- Developer: Nearga
Imagine riding an interdimensional train on rails through the skies – tethered only by a rope to your train as you float weightlessly through the Void – this is Voidtrain! Curious? So are we!
In Voidtrain, your train is your entire progress – because on your journey through the dimensions you collect upgrades that turn your small lorry into a huge express train step by step. But monsters also make life difficult for you, who want to kill you or your train – this is where the shooter gameplay comes into play. Depending on how you do and how quickly you upgrade your train, you will also experience a dynamic storyline narrated by a narrator.
Each new dimension has its own rules that you must figure out and adapt to. Solve puzzles, defend yourself against monsters and try to reach your destination station.
V Rising
- For fans of: Diablo, Valheim, Vampires, Survival, MMOs
- Release: tbd
- Developer: Stunlock Studios
If a vampire were to bite Valheim while summoning Diablo with a dark ritual, something similar to V Rising would probably result. Why Valheim? Because there is survival-type base building in the form of a handsome vampire castle and action fights against monsters. In addition, V Rising can be played in co-op or in PvP with other vampires.
And why Diablo? Because there’s a big focus on looting and leveling – not to mention the gritty Gothic atmosphere. Apart from these comparisons, however, V Rising still shows itself to be decidedly mysterious. The Swedish Stunlock Studios have so far mainly developed action MOBAs. You can find out whether the V Rising concept works out in the beta, which you can register for on the (official website).
Nimoyd – Survival Sandbox
- For fans of: post-apocalypse, survival, life simulation
- Release: 2022
- Developer: Nudge Nudge Games
Pixel art is always such a thing. Except, of course, when it looks as detailed and chic as it does in the sandbox game Nimoyd. Here you are thrown into a (very pretty) post-apocalypse full of aliens, mechs and underground dungeons. As one of 16 customisable hero types, from human to alien, you craft houses, vehicles and mechs.
You fight wars as one of the opposing factions or comfortably tinker with your perfect base. By the way, you can do this alone, in co-op or on a public server. And if that’s not enough, you can also find love, start a family and uncover the story behind the apocalypse. Nimoyd is scheduled to go into Early Access on Steam later this year.
Sea of Craft
- For fans of: sea battles, crafting, PvP, exploration
- Release: 2022
- Developer: Wizard Games
Imagine being able to build almost limitlessly any sea vehicle your imagination can conjure up, no matter how curious. Giant ships, spider-like mechs, floating missiles. And then you set your creations against each other in spectacular naval battles in PvP! Or you join forces on the open sea to kill sea monsters and collect treasures together.
In the MMO Sea of Craft, all this is to become reality. To do this, you have to collect materials in the open world, transform them into ship parts in the factory and then you can sell your best creations at the ship exhibition. The map will cover 64 square kilometres at release, but will become even larger over time. In addition to the sandbox mode, there will also be a single-player mode for puzzle fans.
Smalland
- For fans of: co-op, PvP, special settings, crafting
- Release: tbd
- Developer: Merge Games
Some of you may have heard of Smalland, which aims to offer a very special open world. namely, you explore the world as an adventurer the size of an insect and learn about life from a whole new perspective. Insects become life-threatening enemies or flying mounts, tall grass becomes an insurmountable barricade and small sticks become valuable crafting material for weapons and houses.
Smalland does not yet have a release date, but is initially scheduled to go into Early Access. Online co-op and PvP will also be part of the game.
