Are you a fan of the Grand Theft Auto series and looking for some similar games to play? Well, you’re in luck because there are plenty of awesome open world games out there that offer the same kind of crazy, action-packed gameplay that GTA is known for.
In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best open world games like GTA that you can play right now.
Saints Row Series: Over-the-Top Open World Mayhem
If you’re looking for a game that takes the GTA formula and cranks it up to 11, then you need to check out the Saints Row series, the ultimate GTA clone with an over-the-top take on open-world chaos, eagerly awaited in its 2024 releases.
These games are all about causing chaos and mayhem in a huge open world, with crazy weapons, vehicles, and characters.
The latest entry in the series, Saints Row (2022), is a reboot that takes the franchise in a new direction while still keeping the core gameplay that fans love, drawing parallels to the evolution seen in GTA 5 and the anticipation for GTA 6.
You can create your own character, build your criminal empire, and take over the city in a variety of wild and wacky ways, all in this expansive open-world game.
Watch Dogs Series: Hack the City Like a Pro
The Watch Dogs series puts a unique spin on the open world crime genre by letting you hack everything in the city. You play as a vigilante hacker who uses their skills to take down criminals and corrupt corporations, positioning this gameplay among the best games like GTA for those who enjoy a mix of technology and urban exploration.
Watch Dogs 2 is considered the best game in the series, with its vibrant recreation of San Francisco and fun hacking mechanics. You can hack cars, security cameras, and even people’s phones to cause all sorts of chaos and complete your missions.
Sleeping Dogs: Kung Fu Action in Hong Kong
Sleeping Dogs is a bit of a hidden gem in the open world crime genre. It’s set in Hong Kong and follows an undercover cop who infiltrates the city’s criminal underworld, a plot that could easily be explored in a GTA 5 remaster or the anticipated GTA 6.
What sets Sleeping Dogs apart is its awesome kung fu combat system, which lets you pull off all sorts of crazy moves and combos, making it feel like a GTA clone but with a unique twist. The game also has a great story and a detailed recreation of Hong Kong to explore, reminiscent of the immersive environment found in Yakuza 0.
Mafia Series: Crime in the 20th Century
If you’re a fan of crime dramas set in the past, then the Mafia series is definitely worth checking out. These games take place in the early to mid-20th century and follow the rise and fall of various criminal organizations, similar to the best games like GTA.
The Mafia series is known for its immersive open-world environments, engaging stories, solid gameplay, and could be considered a remaster in setting a standard for the open-world genre. Mafia 1 remake and Mafia 3 are the standout entries in the series, with their detailed recreations of Lost Heaven and New Bordeaux respectively.
Just Cause Series: Blow Everything Up
The Just Cause series is all about causing as much destruction as possible in a huge open world. You play as Rico Rodriguez, a special agent with a grappling hook and a wingsuit who takes on dictators and mercenaries in a variety of exotic locations.
Just Cause 3 is the best game in the series, with its beautiful recreation of the Mediterranean and its over-the-top action set pieces. You can grapple onto helicopters, blow up bridges, and cause all sorts of mayhem in this game.
Red Dead Redemption 2: The Ultimate Open World Western
If you’re looking for a more serious and immersive open-world experience, then you need to play Red Dead Redemption 2, a landmark title from Rockstar. This game is a masterpiece of open-world design, with its incredibly detailed recreation of the American West in the late 19th century, a feat rivaling Rockstar’s efforts in Red Dead Redemption 2.
You play as Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang, as he tries to survive in a changing world. The game has an emotional and engaging story, with memorable characters and moments that will stay with you long after you finish playing.
Cyberpunk 2077: Neon-Soaked Sci-Fi Action
Cyberpunk 2077 is a bit different from the other games on this list, but it still scratches that open world crime itch in its own unique way. Set in the futuristic city of Night City, you play as a mercenary named V who gets caught up in a dangerous conspiracy.
The game had a bit of a rocky launch, but it’s been greatly improved with updates and patches. It offers a huge open world to explore, with tons of side quests, activities, and characters to interact with, reminiscent of the expansive universe found in titles for the PS4 and PS5.
The game’s neon-soaked visuals and immersive first-person gameplay make it a must-play for any fan of open world games.
Yakuza Series: Japanese Crime Drama
The Yakuza series is a long-running franchise that follows the adventures of Kazuma Kiryu, a former yakuza member who gets caught up in the criminal underworld of Japan, offering a unique narrative depth comparable to the best games like GTA. These games are known for their engaging stories, memorable characters, and unique blend of serious crime drama and wacky humor, a hallmark of titles that often feature in lists of the 10 best open-world games.
While the Yakuza games are a bit more linear than some of the other games on this list, they still offer plenty of open world activities and side quests to keep you busy. The combat system is also a lot of fun, with its mix of brutal melee attacks and over-the-top special moves, similar to the action in Yakuza 0, making it stand out among the best games like GTA.
Infamous Second Son: Superhero Action in Seattle
Infamous Second Son is a bit of a departure from the other games on this list, but it still offers a great open world experience with plenty of crime-fighting action. You play as Delsin Rowe, a young man who gains superhuman abilities and uses them to fight against the oppressive Department of Unified Protection.
The game takes place in a beautifully recreated version of Seattle, with tons of side activities and collectibles to find. The combat system is also a lot of fun, with its mix of melee attacks and superpowered abilities, a feature that might make it a contender among the best games like GTA for innovative combat.
The Saboteur: Fight Nazis in Paris
The Saboteur is a bit of an underrated gem in the open-world crime genre, offering a unique mix of noire aesthetics and resistance-fueled sabotage. Set in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II, you play as Sean Devlin, an Irish racecar mechanic turned resistance fighter in this noire-inspired open-world game.
The game has a unique art style that starts out in black and white and gradually adds color as you liberate areas of the city, a feature that fans of noire aesthetics will appreciate.
The gameplay is a mix of stealth, combat, and sabotage, with plenty of side activities and collectibles to keep you busy in this open-world adventure, rivaling the immersive experience of GTA 5 and its predecessors.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the best open world games like GTA that you can play right now. Whether you’re looking for over-the-top action, immersive storytelling, or just a huge open world to explore, there’s something on this list for everyone, including multiplayer options.
So what are you waiting for? Dive into these worlds that rival the best experiences on PS4 and PS5, exploring narratives as rich and engaging as those found in GTA 6 speculations.
Dive into an open-world game and start your adventure today! Pick up one of these open-world games and start causing some chaos in a virtual open world today!
