It's been a banner year for open-world titles, with high-profile releases like Cyberpunk 2077 and Monster Hunter Rise having already made considerable waves. But the recent wrap of E3 2021 has clearly shown that there's plenty more on the table — some less obvious than others.

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From large online titles to reboots of fan-favorite classics, 2021 still has some interesting titles coming up. Here are a few of the highlights that many players may not have heard about but should be keeping an eye on.

9 State Of Decay 3

State Of Decay 3

State of Decay 3 is going to be the latest entry in a strong zombie survival series. With the franchise's established emphasis being on base-building survival mechanics and players struggling to keep a community of survivors alive in a post-apocalyptic world, the frigid setting depicted in the trailer leaves it poised to iterate on those challenges significantly. The prospect of surviving the omnipresent threat of the undead in a near-arctic setting is enticingly compelling, to say the least of it.

8 Fable

Fable Toad

While many fans were expecting the latest Fable title to be a continuation of the series, it’s definitely shaping up to be a soft reboot of the series. The trailer also suggests that this open-world will be less steampunk (in the vein of Fable 3) and more classical medieval fantasy like the early games were.

Not a lot of details have come out, but the trailer suggests that the game will retain its humor, magic, and other familiar components. Apart from that, the franchise's dedicated fans have spurred on an endless (though insightful) font of speculation.

7 Dying Light 2 Stay Human

Dying Light 2 Weapons and Vehicles
A brawl in Dying Light 2

Dying Light 2 Stay Human combines an open-world environment with both a post-zombie-apocalypse setting and parkour-esque traversal mechanics. The game has been a long time coming, and 2021 will see it reach the hands of excited gamers once and for all. Gameplay footage revealed much about the story and the combat we can expect to see in this highly anticipated sequel.

6 GTA V

via Firstpost

Though certainly not a new open-world game, Grand Theft Auto V is making a bold, new start on the next generation of consoles. Fans of this incredibly immersive and entertaining title can experience it once more on both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X|S in 2021. The most fantastic thing about GTA V has always been the sheer amount of activities contained within it. You can lose hours of your life simply exploring a tiny corner of Los Santos, and this loss will always be worth it.

5 Forza Horizon 5

The racing mechanics of the Forza series are a highlight of the games, showcasing the prowess with which the developers created them. However, one of the other most-loved aspects of these popular racing games is the environment. Players are treated to gorgeous vistas as they race across open courses. Forza Horizon 5 seems to continue this tradition, taking you to the vibrant roadways of Mexico and allowing you to cruise past mesmerizing sunsets, lush forests, and arid deserts.

4 Hazel Sky

Hazel Sky

Hazel Sky is an indie title centered around a young man alone on a mysterious island. The youth has been sent to the island to prove his skills as an engineer in order to return home — to do this, he must repair various broken airships around the island.

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It’s described as a story-rich adventure in an open world. Players will explore every inch of the island finding parts, repairing ships, and learning about the world around them.

3 Occupy Mars: The Game

Occupy Mars The Game

In Occupy Mars: The Game players take on the role of an astronaut looking to colonize Mars. Conquering the alien wastes requires building a base, maintaining systems, and ensuring the colony has enough life support and other systems to keep everyone alive.

It seems to be a more technical version of games like Subnautica with a bit more realism thrown into the mix. There are no aliens or robotic threats, just the environmental hazards of Mars and the inevitable degradation of machinery.

2 Going Medieval

Going Medieval

Another open-world title releasing in 2021 is Going Medieval — it is available as an early access title as of June 2021. It’s a city simulation game with various elements of survival simulation thrown in. The world has been decimated by a mass plague leaving only a few alive.

The player must build a stronghold meant to keep everyone alive and rebuild society using medieval technology. Players will be assaulted by hostile factions, sickness, wild animals, and other threats that lurk outside the stone walls.

1 New World

New World Siege

New World is an open-world MMORPG set in the mysterious lands of Aeternum, the Eternal Isle. Various factions are struggling for control of what is believed to be the key to eternal life. The player is tossed into the world and must struggle to survive and uncover the island’s dark secrets.

While the game did have an Alpha launch in 2020 the feedback caused the game to be pushed back to 2021 so they can implement the changes suggested. This appears to be a positive thing and looks to make the game a stronger and more rounded experience for official release.

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