The Grand Theft Auto series is probably one of the most (if not the most) recognisable game franchises in existence, one that influecend countless games
With a genre-bending style of crime drama, third-person action-adventure, and open-world exploration, GTA has had players hooked since its first released game in 1999. Marked by gritty narratives, engaging missions, and unforgettable characters (you thought of Trevor just now, didn’t you?), the series has carved a niche for itself and left a permanent impact on the industry, influencing countless game franchises along the way.
It’s been almost a full decade since we’ve been last blessed with a brand new Grand Theft Auto game, GTA V. Now all eyes are on Rockstar’s YouTube channel, impatiently waiting for the much anticipated, for the better or worse, Grand Theft Auto VI announcement trailer. In the meantime, let’s get on with our games like GTA article, and point out some of the best GTA alternative titles to scratch that open-world crime itch.
One of the defining features of the GTA series that sets it apart from other games is the extensive array of vehicles that players can control. From cars, bikes, helicopters, planes to boats, blimps, and even submarines, the diversity is unparalleled. The sheer freedom of movement across the vast, immersive game world in any vehicle of choice has been a significant driver of the series’ popularity. But while GTA might be a category leader, there are other games like GTA that offer similar experiences. We’ve handpicked the top 10 games like GTA, which are similar in all aspects: free roaming, diverse vehicle selection, crime-style storytelling, and of course, guns. Lots and lots of guns, an arsenal of weapons sitting in your pockets.
Sleeping Dogs
Starting off, we have ‘Sleeping Dogs.’ This game stands out among games similar to GTA with its unique setting in Hong Kong and a captivating story that revolves around an undercover cop. The hand-to-hand martial arts-style combat system adds a distinctive flavor to this somehow underrated open-world crime game. An important aspect of this game is the exquisite music selection on its radio stations, similar to GTA’s OST.
Watch Dogs: Legion
Watch Dogs Legion has an exciting feature of recruiting and playing as any NPC in the game, which breathes a new life into the open-world genre. Its hacking mechanics and London setting give it a unique touch, but the whole Watch Dogs series is also worth playing as they offer exciting experiences similar to the Grand Theft Auto series.
Just Cause 4
Just Cause 4 is another open-world game like GTA, but a bit more extreme… Known for its over-the-top action sequences and unparalleled destruction mechanics. Rico Rodriguez’s grappling hook and wingsuit stunts are unforgettable. The entire series is a must-play for fans of free-roam games like GTA.
Mafia 3
Mafia 3 is an excellent choice for those seeking games like GTA. Set in a fictional recreation of New Orleans, Mafia 3 offers a compelling narrative coupled with intense action in this historical piece. The entire Mafia series, with its focus on organized crime and immersive narrative, would appeal to any GTA fan, especially with the new Mafia Definitive Edition, which is truly one of the best remakes a video game has ever received. For more games like Mafia, check out our other article.
LA Noire
Another history piece, LA Noire, a game published by Rockstar Games, is a detective thriller set in the 1940s. It’s more narrative-driven and slower-paced than GTA, but offers a rich, detailed world and engaging crime-solving mechanics. The detective game also features state-of-the-art facial animation technology, never used before (or after) in a video game, that captures the exact facial expressions of the actors portraying the game’s characters. Really helpful feature when you need to figure out if a serial killer is lying to you or not. La Noire is a must-play for a true GTA and Rockstar Games fan.
Saints Row (2022)
The Saints Row series injects a dose of outrageous humor and absurdity into the open-world crime genre. It’s what you would call ‘GTA on steroids’. The entire Saints Row series is known for its ludicrous weapons and over-the-top action, offering a more light-hearted, yet equally engaging experience to games like GTA. Past Saints Row games like Saints Row The Third Remastered and Saints Row IV: Re-Elected have also received some pretty successful remastered versions, which are definitely worth playing this year.
Cyberpunk 2077
Moving on to a more futuristic setting, ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ allows players to explore Night City, a sprawling dystopian city. With multiple character paths, engaging storylines, and a vast array of vehicles, it shares many elements with the GTA series. While Cyberpunk 2077 had a rocky launch (to say the least), the developers over at CD Projekt Red had really doubled down on fixing the game, making it quite a worthwhile gaming experience after recent patches. It’s a title worth revisiting, especially with its first Phantom Liberty DLC around the corner.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2, another masterpiece from Rockstar Games, offers an engaging narrative set in a meticulously crafted open world. Though set in the late 1800s, the game’s depth and immersion make it a great choice for GTA fans. While cars, boats, or planes are not available in RDR 2 (although you might want to try out the original RDR if you’re into flying), horses and carriages are so fun and realistic to drive and control, you won’t feel the need, the need for speed. RDR 2 is arguably one of the most advanced games in terms of visual fidelity, game physics, storytelling, and overall aesthetic of the game, which makes it a good recommendation even if you’re not looking for a game similar to GTA.
Lost Judgment
Lost Judgment offers a unique blend of gritty crime drama and quirky mini-games. Set in the bustling streets of Japan, Sega’s Yakuza and Judgement series offers a rich narrative and engaging gameplay reminiscent of GTA, even though is not necessarily an open-world vehicle theft simulator. The Yakuza and Judgement series is known for its crime-driven narrative, and memorable characters, which is on par with any Grand Theft Auto game.
Far Cry 5
Finally, Far Cry 5 offers an open-world experience in rural America, with intense action and a charismatic antagonist (which you might know from a certain crime TV show, like the best one ever made). The Far Cry series, known for its exotic locales and intense action, is another compelling set of games like GTA. A more First Person Shooter than a 3rd person action adventure, but an open-world banger, nevertheless!
Other memorable mentions
- Driver series – although a pretty old game franchise, Driver has laid out the foundation of open-world vehicle games, even before GTA. Driver: San Francisco is the latest instalment (released back in 2011) of the prodigy series, and a good game to revisit if you haven’t already
- The Simpsons: Hit & Run – If you’re looking for games like GTA for kids, The Simpsons Hit and Run is your best bet together with Lego City Undercover.
- True Crime series – True Crime: Streets of LA and True Crime: Streets of NY are a couple of games that were truly made in GTA fashion. It’s just that they are pretty old, dating to 2003 and 2005 respectively. It would interesting to see a new instalment of True Crime sometime in the future.
As we traverse the open roads of Los Santos, Liberty City, or Vice City in our favorite GTA instalment, it’s easy to feel like we’ve exhausted all the thrills and spills these streets have to offer. However, in the sprawling worlds of the games we’ve covered above, from the neon-lit Night City of ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ to the humid bayous of ‘Mafia 3,’ there’s a whole universe of crime, chaos, and high-speed chases waiting to be discovered.
Just as the GTA series offers the thrill of stepping into the shoes of charismatic anti-heroes, these open-world games like GTA provide a similar experience. They let you infiltrate the London underworld in Watch Dogs Legion, bring a crime syndicate to its knees in Sleeping Dogs, or enforce your brand of justice in the wild west with Red Dead Redemption 2. Each game offers a unique ride, but always with the windows down and the radio up, a feeling GTA fans know all too well.
So, whether you’re waiting for the next big GTA release or looking for a fresh world to conquer, remember that there’s an abundance of games like GTA out there. Each provides the same exhilarating sense of freedom, the rush of a high-speed chase, and the deep immersion in tales of crime and redemption. Get ready to hotwire a new adventure, because in these worlds, just like in GTA, the city streets are yours for the taking.
