Open World Games
Grand Theft Auto VI is bringing players back to Vice City, a world inspired by Florida and filled with crime, cars, characters, and opportunities for exploration. With its return to a familiar setting and a new story featuring Jason and Lucia, GTA 6 has become one of the most anticipated games in the industry.
But you do not have to wait for your next GTA adventure to enjoy a great open-world game. From realistic crime dramas and futuristic cities to massive landscapes and chaotic sandbox action, several games offer experiences that GTA fans may enjoy.
Whether you love driving through cities, completing missions, exploring detailed environments, or creating chaos outside the main story, here are 10 of the best open-world games to play if you love GTA 6.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Best for: Realistic open-world exploration and storytelling
If you want another game from Rockstar Games, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an excellent place to start. Instead of modern cities and sports cars, it takes players into the American frontier during the decline of the Wild West.
You play as Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang. The game combines a detailed open world with memorable characters, robberies, gunfights, hunting, horseback riding, and a story shaped by the gang’s struggles.
Its world feels alive because of the activities, environmental details, and encounters that happen as you explore. While its slower pace differs from GTA’s fast-moving urban action, fans of Rockstar’s storytelling and freedom may find plenty to enjoy.
Why GTA fans should play it: It offers Rockstar’s signature attention to detail, open-world freedom, and crime-focused storytelling in a completely different setting.
Cyberpunk 2077
Best for: A futuristic city packed with missions
Cyberpunk 2077 takes players to Night City, a futuristic metropolis dominated by powerful corporations, street gangs, advanced technology, and underground crime.
You play as V, a mercenary trying to survive in a dangerous world. The game features driving, weapons, side missions, character customization, and a large collection of activities throughout the city.
Unlike GTA, Cyberpunk 2077 places a stronger emphasis on role-playing. Your character build, dialogue choices, and approach to combat can influence how you experience missions.
The Phantom Liberty expansion adds another substantial story experience for players who want more content.
Why GTA fans should play it: It combines urban exploration, vehicles, criminal activities, and a detailed city with deeper role-playing systems.
Grand Theft Auto V
Best for: The closest experience to GTA 6
Before moving to other franchises, GTA V remains an obvious choice. Its fictional city of Los Santos offers a large environment filled with missions, side activities, vehicles, businesses, and opportunities to explore.
The single-player campaign follows Michael, Franklin, and Trevor, three characters whose stories connect through criminal operations and increasingly complicated situations. Switching between protagonists creates a different experience from games with one central character.
GTA Online provides another way to experience the game’s world through multiplayer activities, races, heists, and business management.
Although GTA V cannot reproduce the new features and story of GTA 6, it remains a natural choice for players who want more Grand Theft Auto before moving on.
Why GTA fans should play it: It offers familiar driving, criminal missions, urban exploration, and the freedom to create your own adventures.
Watch Dogs 2
Best for: Modern cities and hacking
Watch Dogs 2 puts you in the role of Marcus Holloway, a hacker working with the DedSec group in a fictionalized version of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Its open world features city streets, neighborhoods, vehicles, and numerous activities. However, hacking is what makes the game stand out. Players can manipulate connected devices, access security systems, control certain machines, and approach missions in different ways.
You can often choose between stealth, direct combat, or creative use of technology. This flexibility makes exploration and mission planning more interesting than simply entering an area with weapons.
Why GTA fans should play it: It offers a modern urban setting, driving, criminal-style missions, and freedom to experiment, with technology replacing some of GTA’s traditional action.
Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition
Best for: Undercover crime stories and martial arts
Sleeping Dogs takes place in a detailed version of Hong Kong. You play as Wei Shen, an undercover police officer who infiltrates the Triads while trying to maintain his cover.
The game mixes driving, shooting, exploration, and hand-to-hand combat. Its martial arts system is one of its biggest strengths, giving fights a different feel from the gun-heavy action found in many open-world crime games.
The story explores loyalty, identity, and the tension between law enforcement and criminal organizations. Although the game is older, its focused campaign and distinctive setting still make it worth considering.
Why GTA fans should play it: It delivers an engaging crime story, urban exploration, vehicle-based activities, and a different approach to street combat.
Mafia: Definitive Edition
Best for: A cinematic organized-crime story
Mafia: Definitive Edition follows Tommy Angelo, a taxi driver who becomes involved with the Italian-American Mafia in the fictional city of Lost Heaven.
The game emphasizes story, character development, and cinematic missions. Its setting captures the atmosphere of an American city during the Prohibition era, with period vehicles, architecture, and organized-crime conflicts.
Unlike GTA, Mafia: Definitive Edition is more structured and less focused on unrestricted sandbox activities. It is better suited to players who want a carefully directed crime drama rather than endless distractions across a huge map.
Why GTA fans should play it: It offers criminal organizations, driving, shootouts, and a cinematic narrative with a historical setting.
Just Cause 3
Best for Explosive Sandbox Action
If your favorite part of GTA is causing chaos and experimenting with the game world, Just Cause 3 deserves a place on your list.
The game takes place in the Mediterranean-inspired island nation of Medici. You play as Rico Rodriguez, who uses weapons, explosives, a grappling hook, and a wingsuit to challenge a dictatorship.
Its greatest strength is player freedom. You can move across the environment in creative ways, destroy military installations, and create spectacular chain reactions. The game prioritizes action and destruction over realistic crime storytelling.
Why GTA fans should play it: It offers vehicles, exploration, stunts, and large-scale destruction for players who enjoy making their own fun.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Best for Story-Driven Fantasy Exploration
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt proves that an open-world game does not need a modern city or criminal storyline to deliver an unforgettable adventure.
You play as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter searching for his adopted daughter while navigating political conflicts, dangerous creatures, and difficult choices.
The world includes villages, forests, cities, dangerous roads, and numerous optional quests. Many side stories feel meaningful because they introduce memorable characters and consequences rather than simply asking you to collect items.
Its fantasy combat and role-playing systems are very different from GTA, but the freedom to explore and discover unexpected stories makes it a strong alternative.
Why GTA fans should play it: It offers an expansive world, rewarding side quests, meaningful exploration, and a story that extends far beyond the main missions.
Forza Horizon 5
Best for Driving and Open-World Freedom
If driving around the map is one of your favorite parts of GTA, Forza Horizon 5 offers a different way to enjoy an open world.
Set in a fictionalized version of Mexico, the game features varied landscapes, including cities, deserts, forests, coastlines, and mountains. Players can explore in a wide selection of cars, participate in races, complete challenges, and customize their vehicles.
Unlike GTA, Forza Horizon 5 is focused on racing rather than crime or combat. Its appeal comes from vehicle variety, driving challenges, and the freedom to explore scenic roads.
Why GTA fans should play it: It delivers a large environment and extensive vehicle-based gameplay without the criminal missions.
Yakuza 0
Best for Crime Drama and Unexpected Side Activities
Yakuza 0 takes players to the fictional Japanese districts of Kamurocho and Sotenbori during the late 1980s. The story follows Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima as they become involved in dangerous conflicts connected to organized crime.
Its environments are smaller and denser than those in GTA, but they are filled with activities, shops, minigames, side stories, and memorable characters. The game balances serious crime drama with humorous situations and unusual optional activities.
Combat focuses on hand-to-hand fighting, and the story places a strong emphasis on character relationships and criminal politics.
Why GTA fans should play it: It offers organized-crime storytelling, lively urban environments, street fights, and a large variety of activities outside the main story.
Which Open-World Game Should You Play First?
The best choice depends on what you enjoy most about GTA.
| If you enjoy… | Start with… |
|---|---|
| Rockstar’s storytelling and detailed worlds | Red Dead Redemption 2 |
| Futuristic cities and character progression | Cyberpunk 2077 |
| Traditional GTA gameplay | Grand Theft Auto V |
| Hacking and modern urban exploration | Watch Dogs 2 |
| Undercover crime and martial arts | Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition |
| Cinematic Mafia stories | Mafia: Definitive Edition |
| Explosions and sandbox chaos | Just Cause 3 |
| Fantasy quests and exploration | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt |
| Cars, roads, and racing | Forza Horizon 5 |
| Organized crime and side activities | Yakuza 0 |
Final Verdict
There is no single game that completely replaces Grand Theft Auto. GTA combines driving, crime, action, humor, exploration, and storytelling in a distinctive way. However, these ten games each offer something that fans of GTA 6 may appreciate.
Start with Red Dead Redemption 2 if you want a detailed world and powerful story. Choose Cyberpunk 2077 for a futuristic city, Watch Dogs 2 for hacking, or Sleeping Dogs for a focused crime adventure. If you mainly want to drive, Forza Horizon 5 offers a different kind of open-world freedom.
While waiting for GTA 6, exploring these games can introduce you to new worlds and gameplay styles. You may even discover a favorite that offers something Grand Theft Auto does not.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest game to GTA 6?
Grand Theft Auto V is the most direct alternative because it shares the same franchise and core gameplay style. Red Dead Redemption 2 is another strong option for players who value Rockstar’s detailed worlds and storytelling.
Which open-world game has the best story?
Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are excellent choices for players who prioritize storytelling, character development, and meaningful side quests. The best choice depends on whether you prefer a realistic Western or a fantasy adventure.
Is Cyberpunk 2077 similar to GTA?
Yes, in some ways. Both feature large urban environments, driving, combat, missions, and opportunities to explore. However, Cyberpunk 2077 focuses more heavily on role-playing, character builds, dialogue, and its futuristic setting.
Are there open-world games like GTA without guns?
For players who prefer less gun-focused gameplay, Forza Horizon 5 emphasizes driving and racing, while The Witcher 3 focuses on fantasy exploration and sword combat. The best option depends on which activities you want to prioritize.
Is GTA 6 available on PC?
Rockstar’s currently published platform information lists PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. An official PC release and PC system requirements have not been announced in the cited platform information. Check Rockstar Games’ official website for the latest updates before making a purchase decision.
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