Granted, many players would agree that flying in video games is always cool. No matter how it happens, whether through flying mounts, vehicles like planes, fantastic gadgets, or gear such as wingsuits, or superhero-like abilities – flying is always a memorable highlight. Combined with modern graphics, it brings the thrill of soaring above the world or engaging in high-speed aerial combat.
Still, there’s plenty of untapped potential here, as even today, not many games let players freely take to the skies. Fortunately, it seems like flying is finally becoming more common in big triple-A games, with several upcoming titles set to feature airborne gameplay in some form. Let’s take a look at some notable upcoming games teasing spectacular flying as part of their core appeal.
Upcoming smaller titles with a focus on flying:
Infinitesimals – Play as a tiny alien who pilots sci-fi vehicles like spaceships and uses a jetpack for flying, gliding, and evading.
Echoes of Elysium – Build and fly modular airships, take them into combat, and explore the vast world individually using handcrafted wings and other flight gear.
Undefeated: Genesis – Described as the ultimate superhero adventure, featuring free flight and other extraordinary powers for non-stop action that could put Superman to shame.
For the Stars – A classic sci-fi action and base-building game featuring customizable spacecraft built for combat, exploration, and resource gathering.
Grand Theft Auto 6
Flying Vehicles Like Planes, Helicopters, and More
As is tradition for the series, players can expect flying to make a return in Grand Theft Auto 6. Poised to be the biggest and most detailed entry in the legendary franchise, GTA 6 will undoubtedly feature planes of all sizes, helicopters, and possibly even more creative ways to traverse its vast map. Players can also look forward to performing breathtaking parachute jumps similar to those in GTA 5.
Given how stunning and detailed Vice City and its surroundings appear to be, fans of aerial gameplay are in for an unforgettable time. It’s also curious to see how grounded the all-new GTA Online experience will be in GTA 6, and whether the developers plan to introduce over-the-top flying vehicles like the notorious Oppressor hoverbikes.
The Duskbloods
Vampiric Airborne Superpowers and Steampunk Flying Gear
Following Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon and Elden Ring Nightreign, both of which featured flying, FromSoftware now aims to expand on aerial traversal in its upcoming action title The Duskbloods, currently announced as a Switch 2 exclusive. Set in a brand-new gothic world with steampunk elements, The Duskbloods lets players take on the roles of vampiric heroes, each with unique powers and abilities.
Judging by the first trailer, players can expect multiple forms of flight – either through supernatural powers that allow characters to glide or float through the air, or through equally striking steampunk gear such as heavy armored suits equipped with jetpacks for extended flight. These traversal abilities will likely play a role in combat as well, adding even more excitement to The Duskbloods.
Crimson Desert
Rideable Dragons and Magical Aerial Abilities
Currently one of the most anticipated open-world action RPGs, Crimson Desert seems to have been developed with an entirely unrestricted mindset – one that could very well set it apart. The developers have already showcased a wide range of combat and traversal options, including several exciting ways to fly across all of Pywel.
Kliff won’t just be able to tame and ride horses, but also massive dragons that serve as powerful flying mounts in battle. In addition, he possesses a supernatural ability to hover in the air using a magical cloak of some sort, which most likely won’t be available from the start. Either way, Crimson Desert fans should be thrilled by the sheer variety of possibilities on display here.
Star Citizen
Lots, Lots of Spaceships and Hovering Vehicles
A true paradise for spaceship enthusiasts, Star Citizen continues to shape up as the definitive sci-fi space game for years to come, featuring a seamless explorable universe, countless planets to freely land on, futuristic cities, and massive large-scale aerial battles. Naturally, that’s provided Cloud Imperium finally brings this colossal project to a proper launch, or at least delivers its single-player campaign, Squadron 42, currently slated for release (once again) in 2026.
Setting the constant delays aside, Star Citizen remains deeply impressive. Players who have supported its early version for years continue to praise the team’s meticulous approach to building the ultimate spacefaring experience on a scale never seen before. After all, there’s truly nothing else quite like it, with Star Citizen already boasting over 250 unique ships and other vehicles to acquire and test across the vast universe.
Pragmata
Advanced Spacesuit With Powerful Thrusters
After its mind-blowing first trailers, Pragmata appears to have shifted direction quite a bit, yet its key defining elements remain intact. The game is still expected to be one of the most flight-focused upcoming titles. Players step into the role of Hugh Williams, who wears an advanced astronaut suit equipped with powerful thrusters. Based on what Capcom has shown so far, the suit allows Hugh to hover, dash, and evade during both combat and exploration.
However, it’s still unclear how extensive the flying mechanics will be or whether Pragmata will feature truly expansive environments to make full use of the spacesuit’s potential. Hopefully, the intriguing lunar exploration element teased early on is still part of the experience, letting players set foot on the Moon, and perhaps fly around a bit.
Light No Fire
Flying Mounts Including Dragons and Giant Birds
Light No Fire is shaping up to be one of the biggest open-world games ever made, inviting players to explore an entire planet the size of Earth on a seamless scale. To make meaningful progress in such a vast fantasy world, fast travel options are essential, and fortunately, Light No Fire seems well-prepared to deliver them.
From the very first trailer, it’s clear that traversal is a major focus for the No Man’s Sky team with plenty of expertise. Players will be able to mount various creatures, including majestic rideable dragons, gigantic birds, and other beasts. As a co-op experience built around social interaction, Light No Fire promises unforgettable moments, like several dragon riders soaring side by side across its boundless world – something we surely don’t see too often.
ARK 2
Bonding With Flying Prehistoric Species
Set in a prehistoric world teeming with dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes, mounts have always been a major focus in the original ARK: Survival Evolved. Naturally, the upcoming sequel, ARK 2, is expected to double down on everything players loved about the first game. Dinosaur taming, including bonding with flying species like Pteranodons, Wyverns, and Quetzals, as well as aerial combat and exploration, are among the features every ARK fan eagerly awaits.
Given how ambitious ARK 2 appears to be, with developers teasing innovations such as sensory-based creature AI and a more advanced building and crafting system, it’s no surprise the game is taking longer than expected. Combined with all-new visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, flying should feel even more dynamic and rewarding in the massive sandbox world of ARK 2.
Iron Man
Hope Stark Solved the Icing Problem
Release Date: TBA
Developer: EA Motive Studio
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Last but not least, while we’ve only seen just a few concept arts for the upcoming Iron Man game (name not final) from Motive Studio, it’s shaping up to be a prime example of free-form flying. After all, who can imagine an Iron Man game without taking the iconic suit sky-high at breakneck speeds as Tony Stark?
Updates on Motive’s Iron Man have been scarce, but as of this May, we got steady confirmation that development is ongoing. Given Motive’s track record of delivering exciting flight mechanics in both Star Wars: Squadrons and Dead Space Remake, this Marvel project certainly seems to be in capable hands.
