Since its release in 2013, GTA 5 has become one of the most iconic open-world games ever made. It’s not just the fast cars or gunfights that make it legendary — it’s the freedom, the storylines, the chaos, and the immersive sandbox experience. But what if you’ve explored every alley in Los Santos and want more of that criminal empire vibe, open-world freedom, or urban madness?
Good news: there are plenty of games like GTA 5 that serve different flavors of freedom, storytelling, and action. Some lean more into crime syndicates, others into open-world exploration, but they all scratch that GTA-style itch.
What Makes These Games Similar to GTA 5?
- 🗺️ Expansive open-world exploration
- 🔫 Action-packed missions with dynamic combat
- 🚗 Vehicles, racing, and insane driving mechanics
- 💼 Storylines involving crime, gangs, or underground empires
- 🎮 Mod support or multiplayer options
- 🎯 Freedom of choice with chaos as a bonus
- 💥 High replayability and sandbox mechanics
Now, let’s dive into 13 top-tier games like GTA 5 — complete with release dates, daily active users (DAU) estimates, and the key standout feature of each title.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2
Set in the late 1800s, this game is basically GTA 5 but in the Wild West. You play as Arthur Morgan, an outlaw with a heart, trying to survive while being chased by the law. The world feels alive — there are random events, side missions, and a storyline that can hit you right in the feels. If you liked GTA’s freedom but want horses instead of cars, this one’s perfect. And yes, you can still rob trains.
- 🗓️ Release Date: October 26, 2018
- 👥 Average Daily Users: ~1.5 million
- ⭐ Standout: Cinematic storytelling in an immersive Wild West world
- 🔥 Why It’s Like GTA 5: Same developers (Rockstar Games), incredible open world, freedom to be good… or very bad.
2. Mafia III
In Mafia III, you’re Lincoln Clay, a Vietnam veteran out for revenge in a racially tense 1960s version of New Orleans. It has a dark, gritty story with a lot of heart. You take over districts, build your own crime family, and slowly rise to power. It’s more focused on the story than random chaos, which makes it easier for beginners to follow and get emotionally invested.
- 🗓️ Release Date: October 7, 2016
- 👥 Average Daily Users: ~300,000
- ⭐ Standout: Deep racial and political themes with a revenge-driven plot
- 🔥 Why It’s Like GTA 5: Crime-driven story, brutal takedowns, and city control mechanics.
3. Sleeping Dogs
Think GTA in Hong Kong — but with martial arts. You’re an undercover cop infiltrating a gang, which means you’ll fight bad guys with your fists just as much as with guns. The driving and city vibe are very GTA-like, but the hand-to-hand combat makes it stand out. It’s easy to pick up and super satisfying to play — especially if you love kung fu movies.
- 🗓️ Release Date: August 14, 2012
- 👥 Average Daily Users: ~250,000
- ⭐ Standout: Martial arts combat in an authentic Hong Kong underworld
- 🔥 Why It’s Like GTA 5: GTA formula with a Far Eastern twist, brutal hand-to-hand combat.
4. Saints Row IV (and Reboot 2022)
This is GTA… on steroids. In Saints Row IV, you’re the President of the United States with superpowers fighting off an alien invasion. Yeah, it’s that crazy. The reboot (2022) tones it down a bit and goes back to street gangs. Both are hilarious and don’t take themselves seriously, which makes them perfect if you just want to have fun without too many rules.
- 🗓️ Release Date: August 20, 2013 / Reboot: August 23, 2022
- 👥 Average Daily Users: ~400,000 (combined)
- ⭐ Standout: Absurd superpowers and alien invasions
- 🔥 Why It’s Like GTA 5: Parody-style chaos, open-world missions, gang warfare.
5. Watch Dogs 2
Instead of guns and gangs, Watch Dogs 2 is all about hacking. You’re part of a group of young hackers in San Francisco fighting against corrupt corporations. You can control traffic lights, spy cameras, even blow up things using your phone. It’s like GTA but with a techie twist, and the tone is fun and rebellious — great for beginners who want something different.
- 🗓️ Release Date: November 15, 2016
- 👥 Average Daily Users: ~350,000
- ⭐ Standout: Hacking as a core gameplay mechanic
- 🔥 Why It’s Like GTA 5: Urban setting, criminal missions, sandbox gameplay.
6. Cyberpunk 2077 (Post-Updates)
Set in a futuristic city, Cyberpunk 2077 lets you play as a customizable mercenary in a world filled with tech, gangs, and shady corporations. After some rough early days, the game is now polished and packed with content. If you love sci-fi or want a GTA-like game with flying cars and cyber upgrades, this is for you. Plus, the visuals are stunning and the story is deep.
- 🗓️ Release Date: December 10, 2020 (Major update in 2023)
- 👥 Average Daily Users: ~500,000
- ⭐ Standout: Futuristic open-world RPG with a neon-lit vibe
- 🔥 Why It’s Like GTA 5: Guns, cars, and cybercrime in a dystopian city.
7. Just Cause 4
If GTA lets you be wild, Just Cause says “go crazier.” You play Rico, a freedom fighter who can use a grappling hook, parachute, and wingsuit to fly around and blow up everything. There’s a lot of action and destruction, and you don’t need to follow a strict story. Perfect if you just want to mess around and have fun blowing stuff up in creative ways.
- 🗓️ Release Date: December 4, 2018
- 👥 Average Daily Users: ~300,000
- ⭐ Standout: Destruction physics and a wingsuit
- 🔥 Why It’s Like GTA 5: Explosions, open world, and an “anything goes” approach to missions.
8. L.A. Noire
Ever wanted to play as a detective in 1940s Los Angeles? L.A. Noire is slower-paced than GTA but equally immersive. You solve crimes by interviewing suspects and searching for clues — like a crime show come to life. It’s made by Rockstar (like GTA), so the world is detailed, and you get to drive classic cars through old-school Hollywood.
- 🗓️ Release Date: November 14, 2011
- 👥 Average Daily Users: ~200,000
- ⭐ Standout: Facial motion capture for intense interrogations
- 🔥 Why It’s Like GTA 5: 1940s crime setting, open city, Rockstar DNA.
9. Far Cry 6
Far Cry 6 is all about leading a revolution in a fictional Caribbean country ruled by a dictator. You’ll explore jungles, towns, and villages while using wild weapons (like a CD-shooting gun) and petting your attack alligator. It’s open world, full of chaos, and gives you a mix of stealth, action, and fun. Beginners will enjoy the freedom and wild creativity.
- 🗓️ Release Date: October 7, 2021
- 👥 Average Daily Users: ~400,000
- ⭐ Standout: Guerrilla warfare in a Caribbean dictatorship
- 🔥 Why It’s Like GTA 5: Open world, crazy weapons, chaos engine.
10. Payday 3
If your favorite part of GTA is planning and pulling off heists, Payday 3 is your dream game. It’s focused entirely on robbing banks and completing high-risk missions — solo or with friends. You’ll need teamwork and some strategy, but it’s not hard to get into, especially if you enjoy games with a bit of planning and a lot of action.
- 🗓️ Release Date: September 21, 2023
- 👥 Average Daily Users: ~500,000
- ⭐ Standout: Heist-based gameplay with deep multiplayer
- 🔥 Why It’s Like GTA 5: High-stakes robberies, team-based mechanics, masks and madness.
11. True Crime: Streets of LA
This is one of the early games inspired by GTA, and though it’s older, it still holds up. You play as a cop walking the line between justice and corruption. The map is based on real Los Angeles, and the missions are a mix of police work, car chases, and shootouts. It’s a bit retro now, but still a fun and beginner-friendly ride.
- 🗓️ Release Date: November 4, 2003
- 👥 Average Daily Users: ~100,000 (cult classic, still played via emulators)
- ⭐ Standout: Early attempt at mixing martial arts and cop drama
- 🔥 Why It’s Like GTA 5: LA setting, dual paths (cop or criminal), strong early influence.
12. Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Unlike GTA’s gunplay, this game is a mix of action, comedy, and turn-based combat — like a crime RPG. You play Ichiban, an ex-yakuza trying to rebuild his life while uncovering corruption in a Japanese city. It’s weird, emotional, and full of mini-games (karaoke, arcade games, etc.). Great if you want something story-rich and quirky.
- 🗓️ Release Date: January 16, 2020
- 👥 Average Daily Users: ~350,000
- ⭐ Standout: Mix of turn-based combat and heartfelt crime drama
- 🔥 Why It’s Like GTA 5: Deep crime story, quirky side content, city living vibes.
13. The Saboteur
Set in Nazi-occupied Paris, this game is part action, part stealth, and part rebellion. What’s cool is the black-and-white visuals that slowly turn to color as you liberate parts of the city. It’s a lesser-known gem, but the vibe is incredible. If you’re into spy movies and old-school resistance stories, give this one a shot.
- 🗓️ Release Date: December 8, 2009
- 👥 Average Daily Users: ~90,000
- ⭐ Standout: Black-and-white art style until liberation missions
- 🔥 Why It’s Like GTA 5: Unique WW2-era open-world game about rebellion and freedom.
Final Thoughts
GTA 5 is still a beast, but if you’re craving something new, these 13 games offer worlds worth losing yourself in — whether you’re looking for chaos, story, or pure sandbox fun. Some lean serious, others go full wild. One thing’s for sure: you won’t run out of things to blow up or cities to take over.