Games Like GTA to Play Before GTA 6 Arrives
GTA 6 is close, but your backlog still needs something loud to play. That is where games like GTA come in. They give you crime, chaos, and open streets while you wait for launch. So this list covers six games like GTA, from a quiet western to a silly gang comedy.
Before the list, here is what Rockstar has confirmed about its next game. Anything Rockstar has not shared is marked clearly. Meanwhile, if you want other big maps, the best open world games of all time make a good side quest. Each pick below also points you to the store page for PC specs, since requirements change with updates.
| Detail | GTA 6 Status |
| Developer | Rockstar Games |
| Release date | November 19, 2026 |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S (PC not officially announced) |
| Price | Not officially announced |
| Setting | Leonida, a Florida-inspired state that includes Vice City |
1. Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar made this one too, although it swaps sports cars for horses and campfires.
| Release Date | Price | Platforms | Genre | PC Specs |
| October 26, 2018 (PC: November 5, 2019) | Varies by store | PS4, Xbox One, PC | Western action | Check the store page |
- Gameplay: Shootouts and heists feel familiar, yet horseback travel changes the rhythm of every trip.
- Setting: The story takes place in 1899, when outlaws like your gang are running out of room.
- Story: Arthur Morgan stays loyal to Dutch van der Linde, while doubts about the gang slowly grow.
- GTA link: Among games like GTA, none match Rockstar’s eye for small town details, so fans spot it fast.
- Strength: Because the characters are written so well, even quiet camp scenes pull you in.
- Strength: The world reacts to you, so crimes and good deeds both get noticed.
- Drawback: Because controls are deliberate, some players find them sluggish after GTA.
- Availability: It launched on consoles in 2018, then reached PC a year later, with the price depending on the store.
- PC specs: Check the store page, because requirements depend on the version.
- Best for: Players who want another Rockstar story, since it rewards patience.
2. Mafia: Definitive Edition
Hangar 13 rebuilt a 2002 crime story, and the result is a polished trip through the 1930s.
| Release Date | Price | Platforms | Genre | PC Specs |
| September 25, 2020 | Varies by store | PC, PS4, Xbox One | Crime action | Check the store page |
- Gameplay: Missions are tightly scripted, so the focus stays on shootouts and car chases.
- Setting: While Lost Heaven is a fictional city, it captures 1930s America with jazz, long coats, and old cars.
- Story: Tommy Angelo, a taxi driver, gets pulled into a mob family once he takes one risky ride.
- GTA link: Because its crime family drama centers on loyalty, this is one of the games like GTA with more heart.
- Strength: Cutscenes and voice acting stand out, while the period detail rarely slips.
- Strength: Driving old cars feels different from modern racing, which means every chase has charm.
- Drawback: Because the missions are linear, free roaming offers little beyond sightseeing.
- Availability: It came out on September 25, 2020, so it is easy to find, though the price varies by store.
- PC specs: Because updates change requirements, check the store page before buying.
- Best for: Story fans, because the mafia plot is the real star.
3. Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition
Hong Kong replaces Los Santos here, so fists matter as much as guns.
| Release Date | Price | Platforms | Genre | PC Specs |
| August 2012 (Definitive Edition: October 2014) | Varies by store | PC, PS4, Xbox One | Open world action | Check the store page |
- Gameplay: Martial arts fights fill most missions, while gunplay and driving fill the gaps.
- Setting: Because crowded markets, harbors, and bright night streets fill the map, the city has a look of its own.
- Story: Wei Shen, an undercover cop, tries to bring down the Sun On Yee triad while hiding his badge.
- GTA link: You steal cars and take jobs, so it fits right in with other games like GTA.
- Strength: Once you jump from your own car into another one at speed, you will see why fans love it.
- Strength: Karaoke, street races, and side jobs keep the city busy, so downtime is rare.
- Drawback: Since the original arrived in 2012, parts of the look feel dated.
- Availability: The Definitive Edition followed the original, so it now runs on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
- PC specs: Check the store page, because requirements differ between versions.
- Best for: Fans of martial arts movies, because the fights are the real draw.
4. Watch Dogs 2
Ubisoft swapped heavy guns for hacking, and a cheerful team of rebels came along with it.
| Release Date | Price | Platforms | Genre | PC Specs |
| November 15, 2016 (console) | Varies by store | PS4, Xbox One, PC | Action adventure | Check the store page |
- Gameplay: You hack phones, cars, and drones, so many missions can be solved without a fight.
- Setting: Because the game uses the San Francisco Bay Area, you get tech offices, steep hills, and bridges.
- Story: Marcus Holloway joins the hacker group DedSec, while the team pokes fun at tech giants.
- GTA link: Open streets give the same sandbox feel as games like GTA, while hacking adds new tools.
- Strength: The tone is bright and funny, which means it stands apart from darker crime games.
- Strength: Before a mission starts, a small drone and a remote-control car let you scout ahead.
- Drawback: Some missions repeat the same hacking tricks, so variety fades late in the story.
- Availability: Consoles got it first in November 2016, and then PC followed shortly after.
- PC specs: Since patches can change things, check the store page for the latest requirements.
- Best for: Players who enjoy stealth and jokes, since combat is optional.
5. Saints Row: The Third
Volition threw out realism, so the crime game is built around absurd fun.
| Release Date | Price | Platforms | Genre | PC Specs |
| November 15, 2011 | Varies by store | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 (remaster: 2020) | Open world action | Check the store page |
- Gameplay: You fight rival gangs with wild weapons, so every mission feels like an action comedy.
- Setting: While Steelport is a flashy city of rooftops and casinos, gang territory splits it up.
- Story: The Saints, a gang turned celebrities, face a new syndicate in a city they barely know.
- GTA link: Territory, cars, and side activities mirror games like GTA, yet the tone is much sillier.
- Strength: Because customization is deep, you can design your character, your cars, and even your gang’s look.
- Strength: Silly side jobs, like insurance fraud, keep play sessions short, so you can jump in quickly.
- Drawback: Because the humor is crude, it will not suit every player.
- Availability: The original arrived in 2011, and then a remaster followed in 2020 for newer hardware.
- PC specs: Check the store page, since the remaster has its own requirements.
- Best for: Players who want fun over realism, because the game never takes itself seriously.
6. Just Cause 3
Avalanche Studios made destruction the main attraction, and the whole map feels like a toy box.
| Release Date | Price | Platforms | Genre | PC Specs |
| December 1, 2015 | Varies by store | PC, PS4, Xbox One | Open world action | Check the store page |
- Gameplay: Because you carry a grappling hook, a parachute, and a wingsuit, you can cross the map in seconds.
- Setting: While Medici is a sunny Mediterranean island nation, military bases dot its coastlines and villages.
- Story: Rico Rodriguez returns home, and his goal is to free Medici from a dictator.
- GTA link: Because chaos is the goal, it scratches the same itch as other games like GTA.
- Strength: Blowing up fuel tanks and statues feels satisfying, so freeing each base stays fun.
- Strength: When you tether two objects together, silly physics moments follow, and fans love them.
- Drawback: The story is thin, yet the sandbox makes up for it.
- Availability: It launched on December 1, 2015, so it is easy to find, though the price varies by store.
- PC specs: Check the store page, since the game can push older machines.
- Best for: Players who want pure destruction, because realism is not the aim.
Key Takeaways From Games Like GTA
- GTA 6 release date: November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- Platforms confirmed: PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with PC not officially announced.
- Price: Not officially announced.
- Closest match: Red Dead Redemption 2, the nearest of all games like GTA.
- Funniest pick: Saints Row: The Third, for its absurd missions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does GTA 6 come out?
GTA 6 is scheduled for November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
How much will GTA 6 cost?
Rockstar has not officially announced a price yet.
Will GTA 6 come to PC?
A PC release has not been officially announced.
What is the best game like GTA?
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the closest match because Rockstar made it too.
Are games like GTA safe for kids?
Most carry mature ratings, so check each age rating before anyone plays.
Conclusion
Games like GTA come in many flavors, so this list shows a few of the best. Red Dead Redemption 2 is the closest match, while Saints Row: The Third is the silliest. If you care about plot most, the best action adventure games for story lovers are worth a look. For a closer look at design, see what makes a great open world. Either way, GTA 6 arrives soon, so pick one of these games like GTA and enjoy the wait.
