Games to Play Before GTA 6 Arrives: 5 Open-World Alternatives

The GTA 6 hype train is running at full speed after that first trailer dropped. With Vice City‘s palm trees and beaches calling your name, and the exact release date still unknown, the wait can feel unbearable. But don’t worry, plenty of games can help fill that gap with similar vibes, gameplay mechanics, and storytelling that make the Grand Theft Auto series so special. Let’s look at 5 games to play before GTA 6 arrives that will keep you busy and entertained!

1. Red Dead Redemption 2

• Developer: Rockstar
• Release Date: October 26th, 2018
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, and PS4
• Metacritic Score: 97

If you want the closest thing to a GTA experience, look no further than Rockstar’s other masterpiece. Red Dead Redemption 2 trades modern cities for the dying Wild West, but everything that makes GTA great is here:

• A massive and detailed open world that feels alive.
• Rockstar’s signature storytelling and character development.
• Countless side activities and random encounters.
• Attention to detail only Rockstar delivers.

The game might move at a slower pace than GTA, but the story of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang stands as one of gaming’s finest. The beautiful environments can make you forget about Vice City, at least for a while. What truly sets Red Dead Redemption 2 apart is how the world responds to you. NPCs remember your actions, animals behave realistically, and weather patterns affect gameplay. This level of immersion offers a glimpse of what we might expect from GTA 6’s world-building.

2. Cyberpunk 2077

• Developer: CD Projekt Red
• Release Date: December 10th, 2020
• Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PS4, and PS5
• Metacritic Score: 86

After its rough launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has evolved into the game it was always meant to be. Night City delivers a futuristic take on the GTA formula, featuring:

• An urban playground filled with unique districts.
• Engaging crime stories and colorful characters.
• Vehicle theft and high-speed chases.
• A wanted system that brings the police down on you for criminal activity.

The RPG elements give you more control over your character’s development than GTA, letting you shape your own criminal career. Each district has its own distinct vibe, from the corporate luxury of City Center to the gritty streets of Watson. The map comes with buildings you can actually enter and explore, and it might offer a glimpse of what GTA 6’s Vice City could deliver in terms of explorable interiors.

3. Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition

• Developer: United Front Games
• Release Date: October 14th, 2014
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, and PS4
• Metacritic Score: 77

Number three on the list of games to play before GTA 6 is Sleeping Dogs. This criminally underrated game set in Hong Kong deserves your attention. As undercover cop Wei Shen, you’ll infiltrate the Triads in a story that feels like it’s straight out of a crime thriller movie. What makes Sleeping Dogs stand out:

• Hollywood voice talent including Emma Stone and Lucy Liu.
• Focus on martial arts combat instead of just gunplay.
• A dense and atmospheric city to explore.
• An engaging story.

The Definitive Edition even packs in all 24 DLC packages, giving you tons of content to enjoy. Moreover, instead of just shooting everything in sight, you’ll use a complex martial arts system that lets you counter attacks, use environmental takedowns, and chain moves together. It’s a refreshing change from GTA’s more straightforward combat, and it might leave you hoping for more fighting options in GTA 6.

Also Read:

• Who Is Lucia in GTA 6? All About Rockstar’s First Female Protagonist
• GTA 6 System Requirements: Will Your PC Run the Game? (Speculation)
• Will GTA 6 Have Cheats? What We Know So Far

4. Yakuza: Like A Dragon

• Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
• Release Date: November 10th, 2020
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, and PS5
• Metacritic Score: 84

The Yakuza series offers some of gaming’s best crime drama stories, and Like a Dragon brings a fresh take with its new protagonist and combat system. Following Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza member with a heart of gold, you’ll experience:

• Two detailed cities (Yokohama and Kamurocho) packed with activities.
• Turn-based RPG combat that’s surprisingly deep and entertaining.
• A heartfelt crime story balanced with hilarious side quests.
• Dozens of mini-games from go-kart racing to business management.

What Like a Dragon lacks in map size, it makes up for in personality and things to do. Every street corner has something interesting happening, whether it’s a quirky side quest, a mini-game, or a random encounter. The Hawaiian-inspired section might even give you a taste of GTA 6’s beach vibe.

5. Watch Dogs 2

• Developer: Ubisoft
• Release Date: November 15th, 2016
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, and PS4
• Metacritic Score: 82

Set in a vibrant version of San Francisco, Watch Dogs 2 puts hacking tools at the center of your criminal activities. Instead of just shooting your way through problems, you can:

• Hack traffic lights to cause crashes.
• Control security cameras to scout areas.
• Manipulate people’s phones and personal devices.
• Take remote control of vehicles.

The younger, tech-savvy cast offers a different vibe from GTA’s criminals, but the open-world gameplay will feel familiar to any GTA fan. This game also lets you approach missions in multiple ways. You can go in gun fights like a traditional GTA mission, sneak in without being detected, or hack your way through problems from a distance.

Which Game Should You Choose?

Picking the right game depends on what aspects of GTA you enjoy most:

No single game can fully replace GTA, but trying out these games to play before GTA 6 releases can definitely make the wait easier. Each one brings its own twist on open-world action and crime stories, and might even help you see what makes GTA so great. Try one or try them all, they’ll help pass the time until you’re back in Vice City. Which one will you play first while waiting?