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Grand Theft Auto is a name that is known by everyone alive. Gamers know of it because of how much they enjoy playing the franchise, while others know it because they think it’s making kids angrier.
But one way or another – we can’t ignore its influence on the video game industry and even the entertainment industry as a whole considering the fact it set a new bar for how much money an entertainment franchise can generate.
Since Grand Theft Auto was so innovative and popular, it set off an entire genre that was originally referred to as ‘GTA clones’ but since then have found their own identity as great video games. Since Grand Theft Auto games take so long to come out, it’s only natural that you want to play games similar to it while you wait for the next big installment.
What Games Are Similar to Grand Theft Auto?
Unfortunately, there are far too many games like Grand Theft Auto in the market and it can take a long time to figure out which ones are worth your time and money.
That’s why we’ve created a thorough list of the 10 best games like Grand Theft Auto that will keep you busy and entertained! Furthermore, we’ve attached gameplay videos to make it easier for you to pick the game best suited to your preferences too. So, let’s get started.
1. Saints Row (franchise)
Available On: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC
The Saints Row franchise never became as big as Grand Theft Auto, but it was still always seen as a kind of a competition to it. The first game was nothing too special but it sold well-enough for a sequel to come out – and that’s when things really picked up for the franchise because Saints Row 2 and 3 are excellent games.
What sets it apart from GTA is that while it’s still about gangsters making a lot of money and occasionally taking over the city – it is far goofier and more action-packed. And if all of that wasn’t enough, the last two games in the series are about aliens and satan. Yeah.
2. Mafia (franchise)
Available On: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS2, PS3, PS4, PC.
The Mafia series quickly made its place in the industry because of its Italian-mob atmosphere and great story-writing. The first game has recently been remade from scratch so it’s the best time to get into the franchise, while the second and third games were pretty entertaining from the very beginning.
If you loved movies like The Godfather, then this game is for you.
3. Cyberpunk 2077
Available On: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PC.
Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most controversial video games of all time due to its immensely disastrous launch – but the developers have been working themselves to the bone to make things right.
After receiving many hotfixes, the game is far from perfect but it works well enough to provide you with a great single-player experience that has a taking-over-the-city storyline like GTA games but in a futuristic setting.
Ultimately, it’s one of the best games like Grand Theft Auto if you can overlook the issues.
4. Watch Dogs (franchise)
Available On: PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PC.
The Watch Dogs franchise may not be a favorite of many people but if three installments have said anything it’s the fact that it’s a series that’s here to stay. It adds a unique touch to games like Grand Theft Auto by adding the aspect of hacking and futuristic gadgets to make the game more fun – and it only improves after every installment.
Watch Dogs Legion is the latest entry and it does not require previous games to be played, since its gameplay is very unique you can say that it’s finally the moment where the series has found its true identity.
5. Just Cause (franchise)
Available On: PS2, PS3, PS4, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC.
Even when Just Cause became mainstream with the third and fourth games – it’s never managed to gain an extensively large fanbase. And in a way, that’s a good thing about it because it allows the developers to stay true to the interests of the niche audience that enjoys this series.
While the first game was awfully similar to Grand Theft Auto, the sequels have since found their own identity and offer very over-the-top gameplay that is full of action, explosions, and grappling hooks that allow you to climb even mountains.
6. Red Dead Redemption (franchise)
Available On: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Stadia.
Red Dead Redemption is by the same developers as Grand Theft Auto and it’s also an open-world shooter with mission-based progression. Although one can vaguely describe RDR as GTA but in the wild west, it’s actually deeper than that.
Read Dead Redemption tries to offer a more grounded experience with storylines that make a lasting impact on the player and drops GTA’s occasional goofiness for a more serious tone.
As a result, it’s not just GTA in an older era – it’s a whole different adventure that you need to play.
7. L.A Noire
Available On: PS3, PS4 Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch.
L.A Noire is another game by the same developers as GTA and it shares many similarities in the gameplay department, such as driving cars, exploring a large city, beating, and shooting. However, it has its own unique take on the formula as you play as a detective who must solve different cases in the golden age of Hollywood.
As with any Rockstar game in recent times, the story is of course never that simple and there are many twists and turns to live through. Ultimately, it’s one of the best games like GTA which are not too much like it in the end.
8. Sleeping Dogs
Available On: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC.
True Crime has always been one of those series that never truly left the ‘GTA clone’ phase but they were still entertaining games to mess around with. Although the second game in the series was an unpolished disaster, there was good effort being put into making a sequel that takes place in Hong Kong.
In the end, we just got a new title instead called Sleeping Dogs and it earned its place as one of the best open-world action video games of all time. It has everything that Grand Theft Auto has and features so much that it doesn’t – such as a faster pacing in missions, better action sequences, and a grounded storyline.
9. Yakuza (franchise)
Available On: PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox One series S/X, PC.
Yakuza is more of a beat ‘em up than it is a game like Grand Theft Auto – but that does not stop it from being compared to the series because of the fact it’s open-world, about beating people up and working for crime syndicates.
The difference here is, of course, that Kiryu has a no-kill code, and the only times he helps the Japanese syndicate is when he’s trying to stop country-threatening events from unfolding. Ultimately, it’s still something that would appeal to gamers as one of the best games like GTA. And if you already love anime, then you’re in for a treat.
10. Crackdown (franchise)
Available On: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC.
The crackdown was kind of a sleeper-hit because no one expected it to become as critically acclaimed as it ended up being.
It offers a big open-world with very entertaining destruction and its non-linear gameplay allows people to mess around in it however they like outside of the scripted missions – which is something that would immediately remind people of Grand Theft Auto.
While the third game failed to live up to the advertised hype – it’s still a fun game at the end of the day and has received several fixes that improved some of the issues.
That’s a wrap for the 10 best games like Grand Theft Auto! We hope that you found the game best suited for your preferences and are here to answer any questions that you might have. And while you’re here, do check out some of our other helpful articles too.
