The top 10 best games like Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto 5 may be rather old at this point, but these 10 games are sure to keep you busy until GTA 6 comes out.
The Grand Theft Auto series is easily one of the most beloved game series of all time. Giving players the freedom to do whatever they want, games like GTA San Andreas, Vice City, and GTA 5 have gone down in history as some of the most successful and nostalgia-inducing games.
However, it’s been years since GTA 5 came out back in 2013. While there’s much to do and experience in the bustling world of Los Santos, the fact of the matter is that ten years is more than enough for someone to grow bored of a game. Those who have done everything in GTA 5 will want to know about more games that give a similar experience to it.
Fortunately, we’re here with a list of ten games that are similar to GTA 5. While they obviously aren’t exact replicas, they’re all games that take the Grand Theft Auto formula and add their own spin to it.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2
The first game on this list has to be Red Dead Redemption 2. Created by Rockstar Games and having much of the same feel as Grand Theft Auto 5, this 2018 game was a contender for Game of The Year but lost to the excellent God of War.
In Red Dead Redemption 2 the player fills the shoes of Arthur Morgan as he tries to survive in a world where the Wild West is slowly dying. Featuring much of the same freedom that the GTA series is known for, the thing that makes Red Dead Redemption 2 stand out is the tear-jerking story that has had many gamers shed tears.
Red Dead Redemption’s meticulous attention to detail is rare to find and Arthur Morgan sets the bar for how a protagonist should be. If you’re someone who loves the GTA games for more than just the cars and large skyscrapers then Red Dead Redemption 2 is the game for you.
2. Yakuza 0
Let us take a look into the Japan of the 1980s where the Yakuza were found everywhere. Yakuza 0 is a game created by RGG Studios where the player plays the role of both Kiryu Kazuma and Majima Goro, two younglings in the yakuza world who want to prove themselves.
Yakuza 0 is the prequel to the overall Yakuza series. The freedom GTA 5 is known for is found in spades in this game as the player can literally do whatever they want. From singing karaoke to picking up and throwing cycles on enemies, the sky is the limit in this game. This is all without mentioning the tear-jerking story the game has.
Perhaps the best part is just how many Yakuza games there are. With over eight Yakuza mainline games and multiple spin-offs, players will be more than busy as they wait for the upcoming GTA 6 to hit shelves.
3. Saints Row IV
The Saints Row games were initially passed off as yet another GTA clone when they initially came out. However, they’ve made a name for themselves over the years thanks to their satirical take on the criminal world and freedom to do whatever you want with your custom-made character.
The one we want to focus on today is Saints Row IV, the fourth game in the series. While the other games were slightly more grounded in their gameplay approach, the same can’t be said for this entry. From flying around to running at super speed, Saints Row IV is known for its superpowers and floaty gameplay.
The game combines open-world mayhem with comedic storytelling and absurd missions as the player character works with their team to rid the Earth of aliens. Oh, and did we mention you’re the president too?
4. Sleeping Dogs
GTA 5 initially came out in 2013. While it didn’t have the enhanced features the game has today for modern consoles, it was considered a graphical and technical masterpiece of the time. Just a year before it, Sleeping Dogs was the game that was carrying the open-world criminal genre on its back while Rockstar worked its magic.
Sleeping Dogs is a 2012 action-adventure game developed by United Front Games and published by Square Enix. Set in contemporary Hong Kong, the player character is an undercover agent and excellent martial artist who gets into all sorts of trouble while navigating the criminal world.
From taking place in martial arts tournaments to participating in high-speed chases, Sleeping Dogs may be more than a decade old but players still consider it one of the best games in the genre. For a game that takes the GTA formula and expands on it so much, those who have sworn by the GTA series must experience Sleeping Dogs at least once.
5. Mad Max
The “auto” part of Grand Theft Auto is often overlooked by casual players who just like blowing stuff up and driving fast cars. However, those who enjoy customizing their vehicles to suit their preferences will likely appreciate Mad Max.
Set in an apocalyptic world, Mad Max is inspired by the popular film franchise of the same name. The game centers around vehicular combat, exploration, and survival in an unforgiving desert landscape that no one in their right mind would want to be a part of. While Mad Max only has one car, it’s so customizable that every player’s Magnum Opus will look and feel different.
What’s more, the game’s combat is excellent. Using the same combat the Batman Arkham series is known for, players can expect many counters and even more open-world chaos that will make them forget about Los Santos, at least for a while.
6. Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 may have been released as a buggy mess with multiple broken promises, but it has more than turned over a new leaf. Set in a futuristic world where robotics and overall technology run rampant, Cyberpunk 2077 has the player fill the shoes of V.
While the game is first-person as opposed to GTA 5’s more popular third-person P.O.V., it’s the closest thing to the Grand Theft Auto series that has come out in years. The game features excellent combat with customizable enhancements that the player chooses based on their preferences.
Additionally, the open world is full of freedom. The player chooses what path they want V to pursue. This includes the overall story and things like who the player’s character dates, how they want to be known in the criminal world, and whether they should meet Idris Elba in the excellent DLC.
7. Far Cry 6
The Far Cry series is known for its freedom and over-exaggeration and Far Cry 6 bumps the experience to an eleven. The Far Cry games allow players to approach the many missions with stealth or by going guns blazing. Speaking of guns, there are so many weapons in the game that most players likely won’t ever find all of them.
One of the biggest complaints for GTA 5 is that Rockstar Games doesn’t let players complete main missions with friends. Well, Far Cry 6 doesn’t have that issue as every mission in the game can be tackled alone or with a buddy. This adds a new element of co-op goodness into the mix as players find new and imaginative ways to complete missions.
8. Mafia: Definitive Edition
The Mafia series is arguably the closest to the Grand Theft Auto series on this list. Much of the things GTA 5 is known for, like stealing cars, beating up random civilians, and the freedom to do whatever you want, is found in the excellent remake of the original Mafia.
The major difference between the two games is that Mafia: Definitive Edition is set in the 1930s. Machinery is everywhere and cars aren’t as advanced as they are in GTA 5. However, the overall Mafia theme is excellent and extremely immersive, while Mafia’s gameplay is satisfying and memorable. Not to mention, Mafia: Definitive Edition has an excellent story.
9. Watch Dogs 2
Forgetting the dumpster fire that was Watch Dogs: Legion, Watch Dogs 2 was where the Watch Dogs game series really peaked. The game shifts players to the tech-centric city of San Francisco, where they control Marcus Holloway. While Marcus isn’t too memorable on his own and doesn’t stand up against the trio of GTA 5, Watch Dogs 2 makes up with its unique take on hacking.
The game introduces a range of hacking mechanics that allow for creative problem-solving. This can be anything, from manipulating city infrastructure to disrupting communications and ensuring the police are never on your back again. Watch Dogs 2 is vibrant and different enough to make players forget about GTA 5 for a while.
10. Just Cause 4
The final game on this list focuses on the feature of GTA 5 that most players love. That’s right, the destruction and chaos of making things go boom. If you’re such a player then Just Cause 4 is definitely the game for you.
The Just Cause series has always been over-the-top and Just Cause 4 is no different. Created by Avalanche Studios and published by Square Enix, Just Cause 4 offers an action-packed sandbox filled with explosions and destruction. If you see it then it can probably be blown up. Now, the story isn’t really anything to write home about. You play as Rico Rodriguez, a rebel agent, who ventures into the fictional South American nation of Solís to fight a military dictatorship.
However, while the game lacks in the story department, one use of its signature grappling hook is enough for most players to forget Just Cause 4 has a story. The grappling hook lets players create wild setups, combine vehicles, and wreak havoc on anything that moves.
