Best Games Like GTA to Play Before GTA 6 (2026)
Last Updated: July 2026
Grand Theft Auto VI is coming on November 19, 2026, and it’s shaping up to be the most ambitious open-world game ever made. Set in Vice City and the sun-soaked state of Leonida — a fictional take on Florida — GTA 6 follows dual protagonists Jason and Lucia across what Rockstar calls the biggest map in the franchise’s history. But November is still months away, and that wait is going to feel long. If you’re craving the freedom of an open world, the thrill of a high-speed chase, the weight of a great crime story, or just the satisfaction of causing beautiful chaos in a digital city, you need something to play right now. We’ve ranked the seven best games like GTA available today — each one scratches a different piece of that itch while you count down to launch day.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices are approximate as of July 2026 and may change.
Quick Picks: Best Games Like GTA at a Glance
| Rank | Product | Platform | Best For | Price | Rating | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition | PS5 | Best Overall GTA Alternative | ~$49 | ★★★★★ | Massive open world, deep story, driving |
| #2 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | PS5/PS4 | Best Rockstar Alternative | ~$40 | ★★★★★ | Same developer, cinematic open world |
| #3 | Watch Dogs Legion | PS5 | Best Hacker Sandbox | ~$20 | ★★★★ | Play as anyone, modern open city |
| #4 | Saints Row (2022) | PS5 | Best GTA Clone | ~$20 | ★★★½ | Crime sandbox with humor |
| #5 | Mafia Definitive Edition | PS4 | Best Crime Story | ~$30 | ★★★★ | 1930s mob narrative |
| #6 | Sleeping Dogs | PS4 | Best Undercover Cop Story | ~$25 | ★★★★ | Hong Kong open world, melee combat |
| #7 | Yakuza: Like a Dragon | PS5 | Best RPG Crime | ~$20 | ★★★★ | Japanese underworld, turn-based combat |
#1 — Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition (PS5) — Best Overall GTA Alternative
Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Price: ~$49
Amazon Link: Check Price on Amazon
Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition bundles the base game with the Phantom Liberty expansion and the massive 2.1 update that overhauled everything from police AI to skill trees. After a notoriously rough launch, Cyberpunk is now the game it was always meant to be — and it’s the single best GTA-style experience you can have while waiting for GTA 6. Night City is a staggeringly detailed urban playground packed with crime, cars, and chaos.
Key Features
- Night City Open World: A dense, vertical, neon-soaked metropolis that rivals anything Rockstar has built — complete with gangs, corrupt corporations, and constant trouble.
- Vehicular Combat: Drive motorcycles, sports cars, and tanks through traffic while engaging in high-speed shootouts — exactly the kind of action GTA 6 promises.
- Branching Story: A deeply personal narrative with multiple endings, memorable characters, and the kind of mission variety that Rockstar fans expect.
- Phantom Liberty Expansion: A full spy-thriller storyline set in a new district, included in the Ultimate Edition.
- Build Variety: Play as a netrunner hacker, samurai melee fighter, or guns-blazing solo — each fundamentally changes how you approach missions.
- Complete Edition Value: Base game plus all DLC and updates in one package at a mid-range price.
Why It’s Great for GTA 6 Fans
If GTA 6’s Vice City setting has you excited for sun, crime, and open-world freedom, Cyberpunk delivers a parallel experience in a different genre skin. The driving feels weighty and fun, the shooting is versatile, and the world reacts to your actions in ways that will feel familiar to any GTA player. The wanted system — revamped in the 2.0 update — has police that actually chase you through the city, which is precisely the kind of dynamic chaos that makes GTA so addictive.
The story structure also mirrors GTA’s DNA: a protagonist rising through a criminal underworld, making uneasy alliances, and navigating moral gray areas. Jason and Lucia’s Bonnie-and-Clyde dynamic in GTA 6 has a spiritual cousin in V and Johnny Silverhand’s fractious partnership. If you want a deep, meaty open-world crime game to fill the months before November, this is the one.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Incredible, detailed open world | First-person default (third-person limited) |
| Deep, branching storyline | Skill tree can be overwhelming |
| Driving and shooting both feel great | Requires PS5/Xbox Series for best experience |
| Phantom Liberty is excellent | Some bugs still linger |
| Tons of content — 80+ hours |
Verdict
The closest thing to a GTA experience from another studio, now in its best form. If you buy one game on this list, make it this one.
#2 — Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS5/PS4) — Best Rockstar Alternative
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox, PC
Price: ~$40
Amazon Link: Check Price on Amazon
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the last game Rockstar shipped before turning full attention to GTA 6, and it remains the gold standard for open-world design. If you want to understand the DNA of what GTA 6 will likely deliver — the meticulous world-building, the cinematic storytelling, the living ecosystem of NPCs — this is essential playing. Playing RDR2 before GTA 6 isn’t just filling time; it’s homework for appreciating what Rockstar does better than anyone else.
Key Features
- Rockstar-Quality Open World: The same studio, same attention to detail, same living-world philosophy that will define GTA 6’s Leonida.
- Arthur Morgan’s Story: One of the most acclaimed narratives in gaming history — a gang’s collapse told with novelistic depth.
- Stunning Detail: NPCs with daily routines, dynamic weather, wildlife that behaves realistically, and environments that feel genuinely alive.
- Horseback Riding & Combat: A different flavor of traversal and action that still scratches the open-world itch.
- Online Mode: Red Dead Online still has active players for co-op missions and free-roam fun.
Why It’s Great for GTA 6 Fans
This is literally Rockstar’s most recent game. Everything about how RDR2 constructs its world — the way strangers on the road have their own stories, the way the law responds to your crimes, the way a town feels different at dawn than at midnight — is a preview of the ambition behind GTA 6. GTA 6’s dual-protagonist structure, online integration, and living-city goals all trace directly back to lessons Rockstar learned building RDR2.
Playing as Arthur Morgan also trains you in the Rockstar storytelling rhythm: slow buildup, explosive missions, quiet character moments, moral weight. When Jason and Lucia’s story begins on November 19, you’ll appreciate the craft more if you’ve recently experienced Rockstar at their peak.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Masterpiece-level storytelling | Slow pacing — not for impatient players |
| Unmatched world detail | Controls can feel clunky |
| 60+ hour story campaign | Online mode less active than GTA Online |
| Visually stunning on PS5 | Some find the simulation elements tedious |
| Made by the GTA 6 developers |
Verdict
The ultimate “while you wait” experience from the exact studio making GTA 6. Essential for any serious fan.
#3 — Watch Dogs Legion (PS5) — Best Hacker Sandbox
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Price: ~$20
Amazon Link: Check Price on Amazon
Watch Dogs Legion takes the GTA formula of “modern open city + crime + gadgets” and adds a wild twist: you can play as literally anyone in London. Recruited NPCs become playable characters, each with unique skills, backgrounds, and perks. It’s a hacker’s sandbox set in a near-future city under surveillance, and at twenty bucks, it’s one of the best-value open-world experiences on this list.
Key Features
- Play as Anyone: Recruit any NPC — from construction workers to spies to grandmothers — each with unique abilities and playstyles.
- Near-Future London: A dense, recognizable open city with drones, self-driving cars, and hackable infrastructure everywhere.
- Hacking Gameplay: Manipulate traffic lights, security cameras, and connected devices to outsmart enemies — a fresh take on open-world problem-solving.
- Co-Op Online Mode: Team up with friends for missions and free-roam chaos in a shared London.
- Stealth or Action: Approach every mission your way — ghost through with hacking or go in guns blazing.
Why It’s Great for GTA 6 Fans
Watch Dogs Legion scratches the “cause chaos in a modern city” itch beautifully. The hacking mechanics add a layer of creativity that GTA’s more straightforward action doesn’t always offer — you can neutralize an entire enemy squad without firing a shot by triggering environmental traps. GTA 6’s modern setting, online ambitions, and gadget-driven gameplay will feel familiar after time in Legion’s London.
The “play as anyone” mechanic also previews the kind of character-switching freedom GTA 6 is expanding with its dual protagonists. And at this price, it’s a low-risk way to fill a weekend or three before November.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unique “play as anyone” system | Story is weaker than Watch Dogs 1 & 2 |
| Hacking adds creative depth | Some recruited characters feel gimmicky |
| Bargain price | Online mode requires subscription |
| Great-looking on PS5 | Driving physics are merely okay |
| Lots of side content |
Verdict
A creative, affordable sandbox that brings fresh ideas to the GTA-adjacent formula. Perfect budget pick.
#4 — Saints Row (2022 reboot, PS5) — Best GTA Clone
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Price: ~$20
Amazon Link: Check Price on Amazon
The Saints Row franchise has always worn its GTA-clone badge with pride, and the 2022 reboot leans fully into the formula: build a criminal empire, cause chaos, customize everything. Set in the fictional desert city of Santo Ileso, it follows a crew of young entrepreneurs building a startup — except the startup is organized crime. It’s lighter, sillier, and more over-the-top than GTA, which is exactly the point.
Key Features
- Criminal Empire Building: Construct and upgrade multiple criminal ventures across the city, each adding new missions and income.
- Extensive Customization: Customize your character, vehicles, weapons, and headquarters to a degree that GTA doesn’t offer.
- Co-Op Campaign: Play the entire story with a friend in seamless drop-in/drop-out co-op.
- Over-the-Top Action: Wingsuits, weird weapons, and absurd set pieces that embrace fun over realism.
- Open Desert City: A large, varied map blending urban streets with desert landscapes.
Why It’s Great for GTA 6 Fans
Saints Row exists because GTA exists, and it knows it. If you love the GTA loop — missions, mayhem, money — but want something less serious, this is your game. The empire-building mechanic gives you a tangible sense of progression that GTA’s mission structure sometimes lacks, and the deep customization scratches a different creative itch. With GTA 6 still months away, Saints Row is the most direct “GTA but different” option on this list, and the co-op mode means you can share the chaos with a friend.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pure GTA-style sandbox fun | Story and writing divide fans |
| Deep customization options | Technical issues at launch (mostly patched) |
| Great co-op experience | Map feels emptier than GTA’s cities |
| Budget-friendly price | Some mission design feels repetitive |
| Lighter tone is refreshing |
Verdict
Not trying to be high art — just trying to be fun, and mostly succeeding. A great palate cleanser before GTA 6’s heavier storytelling.
#5 — Mafia Definitive Edition (PS4) — Best Crime Story
Platform: PS4 (plays on PS5), Xbox, PC
Price: ~$30
Amazon Link: Check Price on Amazon
Mafia Definitive Edition is a ground-up remake of the 2002 classic, and it tells the best straight crime story of any game on this list. Set in the 1930s prohibition era, it follows cab driver Tommy Angelo as he’s pulled into the Salieri crime family. It’s more linear than GTA — closer to a cinematic crime drama with driving sequences — but the narrative is so strong that GTA fans who love the story missions will be hooked.
Key Features
- 1930s Lost Heaven: A beautifully recreated period city with vintage cars, period-accurate weapons, and authentic atmosphere.
- Mob Narrative: A tightly written, cinematic crime story that rivals the best gangster films.
- Full Remake: Completely rebuilt from scratch with modern graphics, controls, and expanded story content.
- Classic Mission Structure: Linear, story-driven missions that feel like playable episodes of a prestige crime drama.
- Driving Mechanics: Vintage car handling that’s a deliberate, period-appropriate change of pace.
Why It’s Great for GTA 6 Fans
If the crime-story aspect of GTA is what you love most — the character arcs, the double-crosses, the rise and fall — Mafia delivers that in a more focused package. GTA 6’s Jason and Lucia are being positioned as characters with real depth, and Mafia’s Tommy Angelo is a masterclass in the “reluctant criminal” archetype that GTA 6 seems to be channeling. The period setting is also a refreshing change from modern open worlds, and the shorter runtime (15-20 hours) makes it a perfect between-games experience.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Outstanding crime narrative | More linear than open-world GTA fans expect |
| Gorgeous period recreation | Less freedom/side content |
| Remake looks and plays great | Some driving sections feel slow |
| Strong voice acting | Shorter than typical open-world games |
| Tight, focused experience |
Verdict
The best pure crime story in gaming. Not a sandbox — a drama. Perfect when you want narrative over mayhem.
#6 — Sleeping Dogs (PS4) — Best Undercover Cop Story
Platform: PS4 (plays on PS5), Xbox, PC
Price: ~$25
Amazon Link: Check Price on Amazon
Sleeping Dogs is the cult classic that GTA fans consistently recommend to each other. You play as Wei Shen, an undercover cop infiltrating the Hong Kong Triads — a setup that delivers both police procedural drama and criminal underworld action. The melee combat system is exceptional (think Batman Arkham-style fighting in an open world), and Hong Kong is a vibrant, dense setting that feels nothing like Liberty City or Los Santos.
Key Features
- Hong Kong Open World: A neon-lit, densely packed city with a completely different feel from Western open worlds.
- Brutal Melee Combat: Arkham-style counter-and-combo fighting that’s more satisfying than most open-world brawlers.
- Undercover Cop Story: Constant tension between your loyalty to the police and your growing bonds with the Triad — a brilliant narrative engine.
- Driving and Gunplay: Car chases, shootouts, and environmental takedowns round out the action.
- Karaoke and Side Activities: Genuinely fun minigames that make Hong Kong feel alive.
Why It’s Great for GTA 6 Fans
Sleeping Dogs shares GTA’s core DNA — open city, crime story, driving, shooting — but the melee combat and Hong Kong setting make it feel entirely fresh. The undercover-cop tension is something GTA has explored (most notably in GTA San Andreas’s C.R.A.S.H. storyline), and GTA 6’s Jason — who appears to have a complicated relationship with the law based on trailers — may evoke similar themes. This is the game that proves you don’t need Rockstar’s budget to make an unforgettable open-world crime experience.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fantastic melee combat | Shows its age graphically |
| Gripping undercover story | Gunplay is the weakest element |
| Unique Hong Kong setting | Limited customization |
| Strong character writing | No current-gen remaster |
| Affordable and widely loved |
Verdict
A beloved cult classic that every GTA fan should play at least once. The melee combat alone is worth the price.
#7 — Yakuza: Like a Dragon (PS5) — Best RPG Crime
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Price: ~$20
Amazon Link: Check Price on Amazon
Yakuza: Like a Dragon reinvented the long-running Yakuza series by switching to turn-based RPG combat, and the result is one of the most unique crime games ever made. You play as Ichiban Kasuga, a low-level yakuza who takes the fall for his boss and emerges from prison to find everything has changed. It’s heartfelt, absurd, violent, and hilarious — often within the same scene. The Japanese underworld setting and RPG depth make it unlike anything else on this list.
Key Features
- Turn-Based RPG Combat: A complete reinvention of the series — think Persona meets crime drama, with jobs, leveling, and party management.
- Isezaki Ijincho District: A dense, detailed slice of Yokohama packed with substories, minigames, and surprises.
- Ichiban Kasuga: One of gaming’s most lovable protagonists — earnest, Dragon Quest-obsessed, and endlessly charming.
- Absurd Minigames: Karaoke, kart racing, managing a confectionery company, and dozens more deeply optional activities.
- Deep Crime Narrative: Family, betrayal, honor, and politics across a 50+ hour story.
Why It’s Great for GTA 6 Fans
Yakuza: Like a Dragon proves that crime games don’t have to follow the GTA template to be extraordinary. The density of its world — where every side alley has a story and every NPC might pull you into a bizarre substory — is a philosophy GTA 6 is clearly pursuing in Vice City. The tonal range is also instructive: GTA has always balanced dark crime drama with absurd humor, and Yakuza takes that contrast to the extreme. If you’re open to something structurally different but emotionally familiar, this is a revelation.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Brilliant, unique combat system | Turn-based combat isn’t for everyone |
| Incredible tonal range | Dense Japanese text/cultural references |
| Massive amount of content | Slower start than action-focused games |
| Heartwarming protagonist | Some minigames are obtuse |
| Incredible value at $20 |
Verdict
The most creative crime game on this list. If you’re open to RPG mechanics, it’s an unforgettable experience.
What to Look for in a Game Like GTA
1. Open-World Freedom
The best GTA alternatives give you a world that rewards exploration. Look for games where you can ignore the main story and still find meaningful things to do — side missions, collectibles, random encounters, or emergent chaos. Cyberpunk and RDR2 excel here; more linear titles like Mafia trade freedom for narrative focus.
2. Crime Story Quality
GTA is fundamentally about crime narratives — the rise, the power, the inevitable complications. The games on this list range from cinematic dramas (Mafia, Sleeping Dogs) to sandbox fun (Saints Row). Decide whether you want story depth or freedom first.
3. Driving and Vehicles
For many players, driving IS GTA. If high-speed chases and car culture matter to you, prioritize Cyberpunk 2077 and Saints Row. If you’re fine with horseback or on-foot traversal, RDR2 and Yakuza offer different but satisfying movement.
4. Combat Feel
GTA’s shooting is solid but not genre-leading. If combat matters, Sleeping Dogs (melee) and Yakuza (turn-based) offer superior fighting systems, while Watch Dogs Legion’s hacking approach changes the paradigm entirely.
5. Tone and Maturity
GTA balances satire, dark drama, and absurdist humor. Decide what you want: RDR2 is serious and literary, Saints Row is goofy, Mafia is a period drama, and Yakuza swings wildly between both extremes.
6. Playtime and Pacing
If you want a deep 80+ hour experience, Cyberpunk and RDR2 deliver. If you want a tighter 15-20 hour story, Mafia is ideal. Match the game to how much time you have before November 19.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best game like GTA overall?
Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition is our top pick. It offers the most complete GTA-style experience — open world, crime story, driving, combat, and massive content — especially in its current fully-updated form.
Is Red Dead Redemption 2 made by the same company as GTA 6?
Yes. Rockstar Games developed both RDR2 and GTA 6. Playing RDR2 gives you a clear sense of the studio’s current capabilities and storytelling ambitions. It’s the best preview of what GTA 6 will likely deliver.
Which GTA-like game is best on a budget?
At ~$20 each, Watch Dogs Legion, Saints Row, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon all offer tremendous value. Any of them will easily fill the weeks before GTA 6 launches.
When does GTA 6 come out?
GTA 6 releases on November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The standard edition costs $79.99 and the Ultimate edition is $99.99. A PC release has not been announced.
Do I need a PS5 to play these games?
Most games on this list are available on both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and several are playable on PS4 or Xbox One. Check each product’s platform listing. For the best experience with modern open worlds, a current-gen console is recommended.
Can I play these games with friends?
Watch Dogs Legion and Saints Row both feature online co-op modes. Cyberpunk 2077 has no multiplayer (yet), and the others are single-player experiences. Red Dead Online and GTA Online remain the best online crime sandboxes available.
Final Thoughts
The best game like GTA depends on what you love most about the series and what kind of experience you want while waiting for November 19, 2026:
- Best overall: Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition — the most complete GTA-style experience available today
- Best Rockstar experience: Red Dead Redemption 2 — the same studio, same DNA, same ambition
- Best budget pick: Watch Dogs Legion — creative hacking sandbox at a bargain price
- Best crime story: Mafia Definitive Edition — the tightest, most cinematic mob narrative in gaming
- Best wild card: Yakuza: Like a Dragon — unlike anything else, and unforgettable
Whatever you choose, order early and savor the wait. November 19, 2026 will be here before you know it, and Vice City is calling.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices are approximate as of July 2026 and may change.