On the lookout for the best games like GTA? Considering that GTA 6 is nowhere near the horizon, it might be time to start catching up with some great open-world alternatives. Whether you’re looking to cause as much mayhem as virtually possible or to just cruise through the night listening to music from your car’s stereo, our recommendations offer a range of options to appease everybody.
From throwbacks to the Western era to rowdy high schools and dystopian cities in the future, you’ll have no shortage of missions to complete and cars to stea- err, borrow. If you want to test your driving skills further, don’t miss out on the best racing games. And, in case your aim isn’t as good as you thought it was, the best FPS games out there will help you practice.
The best games like GTA are:
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Yakuza 0
- Watch Dogs 2
- Sleeping Dogs
- Mafia 3
- Just Cause 3
- Bully
- Cyberpunk 2077
1. Red Dead Redemption 2
In Red Dead Redemption 2, living the cowboy life is as lush as it is dangerous. This sequel takes place before the events of the emblematic Red Dead Redemption from Rockstar Games, telling the origins of the Van der Linde gang through the bandanna and pointy boots of Arthur Morgan. The story invites you to embark on a gritty campaign set in the dawn of the modern age. But, at the same time, you’re free to roam the world at your own pace, taking bounties, hunting exotic wildlife, or just enjoying the scenery while riding your horse.
If at any point things get a bit overwhelming, don’t fret, as we’ve gathered the complete list of Red Dead Redemption 2 cheats for your leisure. Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone.
2. Yakuza 0
In recent times, the Yakuza series has grown to amass worldwide recognition, and Yakuza 0 is one of the big responsible parties behind this success. Acting as a prequel centered on two of the most emblematic series of the franchise, Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, you’ll explore the fictional city of Kamurocho throwing money, and fists, at every problem that crosses your path in this engrossing RPG.
The main story, comprised of over a dozen chapters, is simply one of the best you’ll experience in games, dealing with drama, rivalries, and territory disputes in ways very few other titles have managed. But you’ll also spend a ton of time playing with go-karts, singing at the local karaoke bar, and helping the townsfolk with all sorts of bizarre and exhilarating requests.
3. Watch Dogs 2
Before Watch Dogs Legion took us to a dystopian London up in arms against an authoritarian regime, Watch Dogs 2 shared a similar spirit across the pond. Set in a virtual take on San Francisco, you take command of Marcus Holloway, one of the members of the prominent hacker group DedSec.
Crafting useful gadgets in a sticker-plastered 3D printer and using your hacking skills to infiltrate and disrupt billionaire companies, this open-world is filled with style, and open to experimentation with your tools at hand. And hey, if you’re looking to just take selfies in front of city landmarks while listening to an in-game playlist, you can do that too.
4. Sleeping Dogs
Sleeping Dogs fits the definition of a modern classic. This open-world action game has you infiltrating Hong Kong as an undercover cop, tasking you to earn your place in the streets with brute force. Serving as an iteration of the Batman Arkham-style combat system, Sleeping Dogs offers a city to explore that no other game has managed to mimic yet. It’s a thrilling and snappy ride that never aimed to change history. Yet, it has definitely left a mark over the years.
5. Mafia 3
The Mafia series has always centered itself around the perspective of staple mob members. But if you’re looking for something different than Tony Soprano variants and more The Godfather references than you can count, Mafia 3 is a breath of fresh air. Set on the brink of the 1970s, Vietnam veteran Lincoln Clay is on a hellbent mission to revenge the deaths of his surrogate family.
In order to achieve this objective, you’ll have to hunt down the Italian mafia scattered across New Bordeaux, a fictional take on New Orleans. It’s a vibrant setting for a game, and the historical references — from the soundtrack to the art direction — won’t take long to immerse you in.
6. Just Cause 3
If you’re a fan of wreaking havoc and performing stunts that would make Tom Cruise jealous, then Just Cause 3 is the one game for you. While Just Cause 4 turned out to be quite divisive, its predecessor is still kicking strong after all these years in terms of sheer identity, scope, and player agency. From destroying entire facilities with explosives and imagination to attaching cows to a helicopter using your grappling hook, Just Cause 3 is probably the most out-there pick on our list. And honestly, it deserves all the praise.
7. Bully
You don’t need an open-world with tall skyscrapers or busy nightlife to relive the GTA spirit. Bully, one of Rockstar Games’ most acclaimed titles, retains its staple charm and dark humor after all these years. Following a structure similar to the pre-GTA 4 era of the studio, the biggest twist is the setting, taking place in a boarding school where student cliques replace gangs and slingshots are as mighty as the sword.
Take (or ditch) classes, sneak in the school corridors at night past curfew, and befriend all sorts of student cliches in one of the most imaginative open-worlds to date. Thanks to Bully: Scholarship Edition, you can jump into this classic at any time on modern consoles or PC.
8. Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is rooted in RPG foundations, but the sense of revelry and chaos akin to GTA is definitely part of the picture. As you pave your way to the top through the tumultuous and hostile Night City, you’ll encounter all sorts of characters along the way — including Keanu Reeves himself — and take ahold of different weaponry, vehicles, and abilities to survive the journey ahead. With the Phantom Liberty DLC quickly approaching, it’s the best time to catch up on the stories that Night City has to offer.
That covers the best games like GTA you can play right now. For even more great open-world games to play, check out our lists of the best open world games, best Xbox open-world games, and best PS5 open-world games to play.