The wait for GTA 6 has been long and arduous, to say the least. The upcoming installment in Rockstar’s marquee franchise is possibly the most anticipated game ever, a status it earned long before the studio confirmed active development on the game. With a late 2025 release looking likely, the finish line is in sight. However, there’s still plenty of time to go before the game is finally in the hands of players. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of great open-world games to hold you over until then. So with that, here are the best games like GTA 6 you should play right now to pass the time.
1. Cyberpunk 2077
- Developer(s): CD Projekt Red
- Release Date: 10 December, 2020
It’s no secret that CD Projekt Red’s futuristic RPG had its fair share of turbulence at launch. A catastrophic amount of bugs and mismanaged expectations led to Cyberpunk 2077 deservedly earning a ton of notoriety. It took a while, but the devs managed to turn things around through a series of patches and the excellent Phantom Liberty expansion. In its current state, we feel it’s deservedly good that we begin our list of games like GTA 6 with it.
I’d even go so far as to say that Cyberpunk 2077 sets the standard for open-world games in the modern era. From the incredible verticality of Night City to the richly detailed pedestrians that populate its streets, the game’s open world is unlike any other. For that reason alone, Cyberpunk is a must-play. But on top of this, the RPG offers a thrilling narrative, stellar combat, and some of the best real-time character animations the industry has to offer. To sum things up, go and play Cyberpunk 2077.
2. Sleeping Dogs
- Developer(s): United Front Games
- Release Date: 13 August 2012
The 2012 cult-classic takes the GTA formula and applies it to the densely packed streets and bustling markets of Hong Kong. You play as Wei Shen, an undercover cop with former ties to the mob who must submerge himself in the underworld once again. That core premise unravels into a frankly gripping story that sees our protagonist inch closer and closer towards a life of crime.
But when you aren’t doing police stuff, you’re bashing up goons through a flurry of punches and kicks before stuffing their heads into AC units or straight-up hanging them using grand chandeliers as counterweight. Besides that, the game also features many ways to interact with its open world and wacky side content to keep you busy.
Sadly, the IP has been dormant for a decade, with any chance of a sequel being dead and buried. This also means that it frequently goes on sale for dirt-cheap prices. So, you really have no excuse not to play Sleeping Dogs, thereby also making it one of the best games like GTA 6 to try out.
3. Red Dead Redemption 2
- Developer(s): Rockstar Games
- Release Date: 26 October 2018
You probably saw this one coming from miles away, but it would be impossible to leave Rockstar’s western classic out of this list. There isn’t enough praise I could heap on RDR 2. The game overindulges in so many different ways, yet it manages to pull off almost everything it attempts.
It features a beautiful open world that turns into the picturesque backdrop for one of the best stories in gaming history. The cutscene direction, coupled with masterful performances from the entire ensemble, will keep you glued to the screen for the 50-60 hour narrative. In Arthur Morgan, Rockstar also crafted their finest protagonist to date, rivalled only by fellow outlaw, John Marston.
Once you blow through its treasure trove of main and side content, you can spend your time roleplaying as a farmer or travel from town to town gambling your riches away. If you want to witness this beloved studio firing on all cylinders, look no further than Red Dead Redemption 2.
4. Bully
- Developer(s): Rockstar Vancouver
- Release Date: 17 October 2006
A real gem from the PS2 generation, Bully is essentially a byte-sized iteration of the Grand Theft Auto formula, down to the ages of its characters. Set in the quaint town of Bullworth, the game lets players take control of rebellious teenager Jimmy Hopkins. The narrative follows Jimmy’s many escapades as he attempts to win over the five cliques at Bullworth Academy, all while attending classes and doing his best to abide by the 11 PM curfew.
The experience is best described as a zany coming-of-age story, and for good reason. The game will have you rummaging around for transistors to deliver to a hobo before sending you off to the girls’ dormitory in the hunt for undergarments. Next thing you know, you’ll be fighting through packs of snot-nosed nerds and laying siege on their super-secret hideout. The high-school tropes are blown to the highest degree here, and it makes for incredible fun. Things only get better once you get access to the town itself, which, despite its humble size, is filled with interesting things to see and do.
5. Watch Dogs 2
- Developer(s): Ubisoft
- Release Date: 15 Novemver, 2016
Watch Dogs 2 didn’t make the biggest splash when it landed on all platforms back in 2016. With that said, Ubisoft’s open-world title is a home run in many aspects, falling just short of being truly great. Set in sunny San Francisco, the game’s narrative is a scathing satire of Silicon Valley, but one that isn’t afraid to get goofy from time to time. Just like in the first game, hacking is central to the experience as you’ll be tapping into street cameras, wiping away bank accounts with the press of a button, and swatting innocent civilians because why not?
The combat veers more towards stealth and slick movement, but there’s still plenty of 3D-printed guns if you simply want to blow stuff up. The driving mechanics are…fine, but you’ll primarily be playing this game for the story. Packed with jabs at real-world figures, such as Donald Trump, and hilarious remarks directed at social media and AI, the game’s themes feel as relevant as they did nine years ago.
6. Saints Row: The Third Remastered
- Developer(s): Deep Silver Volition
- Release Date: 22 May 2021
Saints Row 1 and 2 were the benchmark for GTA clones back in the day, with both titles eventually managing to carve out a unique identity for the franchise that was still grounded in reality. Then came Saints Row 3, and the franchise went berserk from that point on.
The game kicks off with the titular Saints, who are in-game pop-culture icons, ridiculously robbing a bank just to promote a movie about themselves. Shortly after this, the game has you parachuting on top of a penthouse with Kanye West’s ‘Power’ blaring in the background. The track also sticks around for the ensuing shootout, and it’s honestly one of the most awesome gameplay sequences I’ve experienced.
Things only get more absurd from this point, but most importantly, they’re constantly fun. For this and many other reasons, Saints Row: The Third is a must-play. A remastered version of the classic from the Xbox 360 era was released in 2021, featuring updated visuals. So, make sure that’s the version you pick up.
7. Mafia: Definitive Edition
- Developer(s): Hangar 13
- Release Date: 25 September 2020
The first of two Mafia mentions on the list, Mafia: Definitive Edition, is a faithful remake of the 2002 classic. The game is pretty linear at first, as its 11-hour story unfolds in a series of chapters, with the open world being inaccessible to the player. Fortunately, a free roam mode opens up after you wrap up the story, allowing you to roam around Hanger 13’s gorgeous recreation of the Prohibition-era Chicago (called Lost Haven in-game). While there isn’t much to do in this world, you can still partake in standard GTA stuff by robbing cars or sparking violent shootouts.
What you’ll mainly be here for is the story, which feels like it was ripped out of a Scorsese mob movie, and I mean that in the best way possible. Told through meticulously crafted cutscenes and sharp dialogue, it’s an engrossing tale of brotherhood, honor among thieves, and eventually, betrayal. While not as expansive, Mafia remains one of the best games like GTA 6 to play.
8. Just Cause 3
- Developer(s): Avalanche Studios
- Release Date: 1 December 2015
Expansive open world, destructible environments, tons of explosions, and a glider-cum-wingsuit that players can access while flying through the air. That’s enough to sell most players on this game, but for GTA fans specifically, JC3 offers up an invitation to go ballistic and rack their brains to think of the craziest stunts possible.
You can fly off conveniently placed ramps and ram vehicles into the nearby gas station or lead local authorities towards a bridge rigged with explosives and watch as it all comes crashing down. Just Cause 3 is high-octane fun at all times, although the story missions aren’t anything to rave about. It’s the perfect game if you want to shut off your brain and wreak digital havoc.
9. Far Cry 3
- Developer(s): Ubisoft
- Release Date: 28 November 2012
Far Cry 3 doesn’t share much with the GTA franchise besides its penchant for wanton destruction. It does feature an open world, but one that’s not populated with pedestrians or towering skyscrapers as seen in every GTA game. You can steal and drive cars, but due to the first-person perspective, it’s not as fun to do so. Fortunately, the missions and their linear structure will feel really familiar to GTA fans. The story here is also top-class and worth paying attention to. And while the map isn’t a bustling city, the tropical setting of the Rook Islands offers plenty of interesting sights and distractions.
The real pull here is the main story. Released during a time when Far Cry games weren’t afraid to get ‘political’ or controversial, you play as Jason Brody, a carefree tourist turned rampant murderer who’s on a quest to rescue his friends. In the process of doing so, he commits increasingly violent acts as players witness his gradual decline into a full-blown monster. The game’s ending presents this transformation perfectly, as players have the choice to give in to his newfound impulses or tap into that remaining slice of the real Jason. It’s one of the best stories Ubisoft has ever crafted, paired alongside a gameplay loop so entertaining that it spawned six new Far Cry games. For all these reasons and more, this is by far one of the best games like GTA 6 you should play right now.
10. Mafia 2
- Developer(s): 2K Czech
- Release Date: 23 August 2010
Mafia 2 delivers on many of the aspects mentioned in the Mafia: Definitive Edition brief and also manages to exceed its predecessor when it comes to gameplay and open world. The story is heavily stylized and captures the vibe of a mafia flick perfectly, with memorable characters and twists that leave a lasting impression.
Set within the fictional setting of Empire Bay, the city is an amalgamation of Chicago, New York, Boston, and Detroit. Due to these influences, it exudes a personality of its own, further selling the cinematic mood the game is swinging for. The combat and mission variety is also a step up from the first game, ensuring that things feel fresh for the game’s entire runtime. If you enjoyed the first Mafia, you’ll likely love the sequel even more.
That wraps up our list of the best open-world games to play while you count down the days until GTA 6’s arrival. If you’re excited for Rockstar’s upcoming release or if you think we missed out on a must-play game, let us know in the comments below.
