If you’re on the hunt for games like GTA 5 that are currently available, you’ve landed in the perfect spot.
Whether you crave immersive narratives, intense shootouts, vehicle theft, or other illicit thrills, this curated selection has something to satisfy every taste.
Check out this compilation of top-notch games like GTA 5 for a dose of action-packed open-world escapades while you await the next installment in the GTA series.
5 best games like GTA 5
Watch Dogs 2
Watch Dogs 2 improves upon its predecessor, offering a more refined and engaging open-world experience.
The game introduces players to Marcus Holloway, a skilled hacker in San Francisco who allies with DedSec to dismantle Blume’s central operating system.
Think of Watch Dogs 2 as a GTA game that allows players to hack into various aspects of the city at the touch of a button.
Marcus can access personal information, manipulate cars, and control electronic devices, all in pursuit of vengeance against the system that falsely labeled him a criminal.
The game’s narrative is well-crafted, providing a more fleshed-out storyline and enhanced gameplay mechanics.
Players have greater freedom to approach missions as they see fit, making for a compelling open-world experience that builds upon and surpasses the ambitions of its predecessor.
This game is available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Steam.
Yakuza 0
Yakuza 0 serves as a prelude to both Yakuza 1 and its recent remake, Yakuza Kiwami. While it deviates from the typical structure of Grand Theft Auto-style games, Yakuza 0 is a must-play for enthusiasts of crime dramas.
The game revolves around Kazuma Kiryu, offering a glimpse into his early years within the Yakuza world.
Yakuza 0 boasts a wealth of side content, ensuring hours of gameplay within a compact yet richly detailed open world centered around Kamurocho.
Its strengths lie in a compelling story, cinematic flair, memorable characters, and entertaining side quests. Combat is stylized, featuring various stances for players to master.
A notable aspect of Yakuza 0 is that it opens the door to a series of seven additional games, making it an enticing starting point for those captivated by its universe.
Yakuza 0 is playable on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Steam.
L.A. Noire
Despite its age, L.A. Noire remains Rockstar’s most definitive investigative game to date. This title made waves as a semi-open world experience centered on mystery and puzzle-solving.
While it does offer moments of open-world exploration, LA Noire is more linear compared to other games like GTA 5.
Players step into the shoes of Cole Phelps, a war veteran turned cop, navigating his journey from the ranks to becoming a detective renowned for cracking high-profile cases.
Phelps’s story is rife with intrigue, featuring ups and downs that keep players engaged. The gameplay revolves around gathering clues, conducting interviews, and uncovering the truth behind each case.
A standout feature of L.A. Noire is its use of motion scan technology, which accurately captures actors’ facial expressions and integrates them into the game engine. Although this innovation was costly and is now considered unnecessary by many developers, it significantly enhanced the game’s immersion.
Despite minor aging in some environmental and texture aspects, L.A. Noire remains a compelling experience thanks to its stellar voice acting, well-crafted writing, and authentic portrayal of late 1940s Los Angeles.
The game is available on Xbox 360 and One, PlayStation 3 and 4, Nintendo Switch, and Steam.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 stands as Rockstar’s most ambitious and expansive title yet. Its unparalleled scale and attention to detail continue to astound players, with new discoveries that impress both technically and artistically.
Set as a prequel to Red Dead Redemption, the game places players in the shoes of Arthur Morgan, a seasoned member of the Van der Linde gang.
Through Arthur, players embark on an extensive single-player campaign filled with meticulously crafted side content scattered throughout the vast world.
Events unfold dynamically, offering a sense of immersion that draws players back into this captivating setting. The wealth of content available often leads to delightful distractions, from the deep hunting and fishing systems to collecting treasures, hunting bounties, and encountering unique gunslingers.
With its richly layered gameplay and expansive world, players lose themselves for hours on end, continuously surprised by the myriad of experiences awaiting them at every turn.
You can play Red Dead Redemption 2 on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Steam.
Sleeping Dogs
Among the games like GTA 5, Sleeping Dogs share the most similarities.
Sleeping Dogs presents an open-world action experience akin to Grand Theft Auto, set in the vibrant streets of Hong Kong.
Assuming the role of Wei Shen, an undercover cop on a mission to dismantle the Triads, players navigate a world filled with crime and intrigue.
While there are notable similarities to Grand Theft Auto, Sleeping Dogs distinguishes itself with a melee-focused combat system that feels remarkably impactful.
You can feel the weight of each punch. Environmental takedowns are visceral. And the overall combat experience is reminiscent of iconic martial arts films.
What sets Sleeping Dogs apart is its compelling narrative, a rarity among GTA-inspired games. It digs into the complexities of crime, featuring twists, betrayals, and formidable antagonists that keep players engaged throughout.
As an undercover cop, the game offers a wealth of side missions and activities, from high-speed races to criminal arrests, romantic pursuits, and meaningful collectibles that shape Wei Shen’s character development.
The Definitive Edition includes two expansions that add more depth to the experience, offering additional content for players eager to burrow deeper into the world of Sleeping Dogs even after completing the main storyline.
The game is available on Xbox 360 and One, PlayStation 3 and 4, and Steam.
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