When it comes to iconic video game series, Grand Theft Auto is at the top of the list. After over 10 years of waiting, the hype surrounding the release of GTA 6 is reaching a boiling point, and people are eager to get a taste of what’s to come. Open-world games are incredibly common, but very few can come close to the level of detail, storytelling, and freedom that the best GTA games offer. There’s no doubt the next installment will blow all the upcoming video games out of the water, but we still have quite a while to go until it comes out. Until that day, these are the best games like GTA that will scratch that itch for a rich open-world experience.
Far Cry 6
71%
Platforms
Google Stadia, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher
Ubisoft Entertainment
Release
October 07, 2021
It’s easier to see the connections between GTA and Far Cry 6, as both feature drivable cars, fast-paced action, and a compelling story. However, Far Cry 6 differs in that it takes place on the fictional tropical island of Yara (which is loosely based on Cuba). The other major difference is that Far Cry is presented from a first-person perspective, whereas GTA is traditionally a third-person series (however, the mega-popular Grand Theft Auto V is playable in first-person on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC). Far Cry 6 is great because it follows that compelling Ubisoft formula, wherein the map is littered with objectives for you to check off your list. It’s a game you can get lost in while clearing out the map or even during the story-heavy sections — which are made even better by Giancarlo Esposito’s portrayal of dictator Antón Castillo.
Recommended Videos
Saints Row IV: Re-Elected
76%
Platforms
Google Stadia, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Volition
Publisher
Deep Silver
Release
January 20, 2015
Many of the games that play like Grand Theft Auto tend to gravitate towards realism. Saints Row IV is not one of those games. While the Saints Row series did initially start off with realism in mind, the fourth installment is over the top in the most wonderful ways. It still features third-person shooting mechanics, driving, and everything else you might love about an open-world game, but its characters also have superpowers. Yes, that’s right, your character can use telekinesis, super speed, and the ability to leap over tall buildings, making this a standout adventure. Along with that, Saints Row IV focuses on satire, poking fun at the United States and other pieces of media like Mass Effect, Gears of War, The Matrix, and Metal Gear. It’s self-aware, silly, and a ton of dumb fun. The series did get a more recent reboot, however that game lacks a lot of the joy this entry revels in.
Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition
82%
Platforms
PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox One
Genre
Shooter, Racing, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
United Front Games
Publisher
Square Enix
Release
October 10, 2014
It’s a shame Sleeping Dogs never got the credit it deserved because it was an excellent take on the open-world action formula. In fact, this title initially started out as a true-crime game but was ultimately renamed and referred to as a spiritual successor instead. Nonetheless, this one has it all: Fast cars, intense hand-to-hand (and shooting) combat, and some of the most satisfying parkour mechanics in all of gaming. Unlike GTA, Sleeping Dogs places you in the shoes of a police officer in Hong Kong, with the goal of stopping crime instead of causing it. This is a refreshing take on the chaotic style of GTA while still keeping the fun factor intact. You can definitely see where Sleeping Dogs draws inspiration from while also standing on its own, thanks to its themes and gameplay.
L.A. Noire
86%
Platforms
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Strategy, Adventure
Developer
Rockstar Games
Publisher
Rockstar Games
Release
November 14, 2017
Speaking of playing as law enforcement, L.A. Noire takes place from the perspective of a detective in the 1940s. In it, you must speak with witnesses and suspects to gather clues, and based on their facial expressions and non-verbal cues, you have to determine the authenticity of their story. It’s a unique mechanic that stands out to this day. Interestingly, this game is published by Rockstar Games, the same team behind the GTA series, and you can tell. The level of polish in L.A. Noire is top-notch, as demonstrated by its visuals and performances. L.A. Noire features a moderately sized open-world, driving, shooting, exploration, and an engaging story, so if you like GTA, you’ll be right at home with this game — even if its pace is significantly slower.
Cyberpunk 2077
82%
Platforms
Google Stadia, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac, Xbox One
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
CD Projekt RED
Publisher
CD Projekt
Release
December 10, 2020
If you took the GTA formula, set it in the near future, and added in some dope RPG elements, you’d get Cyberpunk 2077. The world of Night City is one of the few open worlds that we found just as detailed and living (at least after the patches) as any of RockStar’s. The infusion of futuristic technologies and weapons gives it a very distinct identity from GTA, but it is still all about the characters. Where Cyberpunk 2077 might even go above and beyond GTA is in the moral questions and philosophical delimmas the technology of that world brings up in the main and side stories. The ability to roleplay your own character, make different narrative choices, and have greater agency on the plot is something we wish GTA offered.
Mafia: Definitive Edition
78%
Platforms
PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Hangar 13
Publisher
2K
Release
September 24, 2020
Mafia: The Old Country is due out the same year as GTA 6, which should be an interesting matchup, but there’s a good chance most people will pass over it in favor of the bigger name. Mafia: Definitive Edition is a remake of the first game in the series, which is a classic mafia story set in the 1930s. On the surface, it looks like what you would imagine a GTA game set in this time period to be, with an open-world city to drive around and third-person shooting, but it isn’t quite that. You are free to explore the world as you wish, but it is very bare in terms of optional things to do and is more there for set dressing, which is a bit of a bummer. However, the Mafia story and commitment to the time period is great if you stick to the main missions.
Red Dead Redemption 2
93%
Platforms
Google Stadia, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Rockstar Games
Publisher
Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar Games
Release
October 26, 2018
Predictably, let’s end with Rockstar’s magnum opus, Red Dead Redemption 2. Hailing from the same company as GTA (just a different team), this is one of the most technically impressive games in existence. It’s understandable that some players might not be into the Western themes and the 1899 time period, but it’s hard to not at least appreciate this game from an artistic and technical perspective. It has a massive open world with various weather types, along with some of the most satisfying exploration in a video game ever. Unlike GTA, Red Dead Redemption 2 requires the player to be much more deliberate so as to ensure as much immersion as possible. It’s slow at times, but its pacing has a purpose, leading to a massive climax with explosive results. The characters are memorable, and while some of them may not be likable, they’re well-written and acted, which is one of the game’s highlights. Red Dead Redemption 2 features a world you can get lost in, allowing you to do pretty much whatever you want. You can be a bounty hunter, a fisherman, or an all-out criminal if you’d like, with numerous options in between. The sheer level of care given to nearly all aspects of this game is nothing short of impressive, and it’s our top pick for the best game like GTA.
