Open-world games come in all shapes and sizes. Some offer huge, scalable mountains, while others focus more on character interactions across a range of locations. At the end of the day, moving through the world doesn't always feel that satisfying if players don't have a certain level of control or power over the lands around them. There are quite a few examples of games that remove this issue entirely, giving players a chance to venture out and take over the land for themselves, whether by physically pushing enemies out or by slowly giving them access to more of the environment. It is a pretty specific niche within the genre, but that doesn't mean it isn't a fun one. Having the ability to conquer the world itself, piece by piece, makes every bit of exploration feel more rewarding than if players are wandering from point A to B.
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There are already plenty of great games out there that feed into this world-conquering fantasy, yet just around the corner are even more open worlds waiting to be taken on. Players can look forward to pirating adventures across the open seas, large-scale medieval battles that feel right at home in a blockbuster movie, and fantasy thrill-rides that remove all limits, each with the same feeling of conquest that so many gamers have come to love. In the coming months, players will have a stacked library of open-world games to choose from, but only a select few will offer them the chance to feel fully in control of the world around them, as they journey from location to location, clearing out enemy camps and reclaiming the territory as their own.
Chronicles: Medieval
The Next Middle Ages Addiction
- Progress from peasant to leader.
- Partake in huge battles across a range of locations and settings.
Chronicles: Medieval throws players into a dynamic medieval sandbox where empire-building and territorial conquest are at the heart of the experience. Players begin humbly and must rise through the ranks, slowly leveling up their skills and making strategic choices to claim both the land and a legacy for themselves and their people. Armies are not just a static set of numbers, but a formation of historically influenced units like longbowmen and cavalry that must be trained, led, and leveraged to take over new ground and push further into new territory.
It isn't a case of a single battle completely shifting the tide in the player's favor; rather, it's the product of several different victories that, when put together, lead to the glory they are striving for. At its very core, Chronicles: Medieval is a game about conquering and expanding territories, and this can only be done by actively learning and utilizing every in-game system to its fullest. Yet even within the act of branching out, a whole set of options exists that players can choose from. Not only are they able to take over by brute force, but they can negotiate terms and carve out a more diplomatic path, a nice extra choice for when the bloodshed becomes too much.
War Of Banners
Rising To Lordship
- Train new troops and progress further across the land.
- Strategy-oriented real-time combat
War of Banners is shaping up to be one of the more interesting upcoming strategy games of 2026, and part of the reason why is how well the game blends open-world exploration with deeply strategic RPG gameplay. Players begin with a handful of soldiers and are free to roam a sprawling land full of factions, ranging from lowly raiders to rival kingdoms, each with their own agenda and hierarchical structure. Far from a scripted campaign, the world reacts to the player's actions within it. By conquering territories and capturing cities, players can watch as they slowly rise through the ranks and become a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
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Rather than offering static missions, the game encourages players to define their own path. Whether they want to be a mercenary or a future king, their path can take on the form of either pure warfare or peace, depending on how they approach each encounter. In terms of the combat itself, players will recruit and train mercenaries, equipping them for different roles and issuing real-time commands in the heat of battle to give them a distinct advantage over any opponent. When the battle is over, they are free to continue pressing forward, either extending their faction's reach into the world or slowing down to take stock and plan their next strategic excursion.
Mainland
Conquer The World, One Step At A Time
- Cooperative faction warfare.
- Real-time combat and city management.
Mainland is an upcoming RPG built around a more cooperative experience that still gives players just as much individual satisfaction every time they conquer a new area. It draws clear inspiration from sandbox strategy classics like Mount & Blade, but adds seamless co-op multiplayer for up to four players, turning the already large open world into a more action-packed environment that can be explored with friends. Players have a lot of control over their playthrough, with the main gameplay loop revolving around rallying troops and commanding them in large-scale battles that each represent another stepping stone towards complete domination.
The world responds to the player's actions in meaningful ways, turning every victory and defeat into a major turning point that can drastically alter the layout of the landscape. For players who like getting down and dirty, they don't have to worry about just watching soldiers do all the work; there is an array of weapons that they can use to lead the charge and quickly dispatch enemy troops. All these concepts barely scratch the surface, and players will be very surprised by just how much mechanical and logistical depth Mainland has when it finally launches in 2026.
Guardians Of The Wild Sky
Conquering The Clouds
- Sky-based exploration sets it apart.
- Reclaim the world from the dark forces within it.
Guardians of the Wild Sky is a survival-crafting adventure that lets players explore, build, and take back a vast world of floating islands and cloudy seas. Set in a magical realm populated by fantastical creatures known as Guardians, the game combines base-building with an extremely liberating exploration loop. Not only can players construct a base high above the mainland, but they are actually able to fly it across the many islands without ever needing to set up again. The sheer scale of the world is impressive enough, and rather than being just a backdrop for the action, it is teeming with hidden biomes and wildlife, alongside ancient ruins and dangerous foes just waiting to be confronted.
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Guardians of the Wild Sky isn't so much about spreading influence and expanding a specific faction, but there are still many opportunities for players to conquer enemies and take back the natural world from their evil grasp. Areas actually become safer as the group progresses further, with each enemy taken down representing a return to the natural order that has long been forgotten. From an exploration perspective alone, open-world fans should certainly keep this game on their radar, as the flight and aerial traversal genuinely make it look like a one-of-a-kind experience.
Sails
Controlling The Open Seas
- PvP naval battles and territorial raids.
- Base-building and exploration focus on the high seas.
Sails is a cool-looking sea-faring adventure that sends players to deserted islands and treasure-filled coves, with the sole goal being to plunder as much loot as possible. Starting out with virtually nothing, players need to slowly build their base and progress towards becoming a true master of the seas. When they're finally ready to take their crew out for a ride, they will quickly find that they are not alone in the water.
Players will need to fend off other ships and battle on land in tense sword fights that will always leave only one man standing. As they continue their path to riches, their influence in the world will slowly become more dominant. Combat isn't limited to just PvP either, as players can sail up to the shore and plunder NPC villages for loot and a better strategic position. The act of taking new ground becomes more about better positioning than purely pushing back enemy forces. As players carve out a larger space for themselves in the world, they will not only gain a huge boost to their resources, but they will also end up with a target on their back that won't leave until they are swimming with the fishes.
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