GTA 6, coming out in November, is undoubtedly near the top of the wishlist for most gamers. With just about six months to go before the release of GTA 6, now may be a good time to whet your appetite by playing certain other games of the same kind. Games that would not only offer something fresh for GTA 6 fans but also do that while not straying too far from the tried-and-tested GTA formula.
What is that formula, you say? Well, just the key fundamentals shared across all mainline GTA titles in the 3D and HD eras: an open world setting, a crime-related plot, third-person shooter gameplay, and a fair bit of driving to get around the in-game map. Fortunately, these traits are all common among what the gaming community calls “GTA clones.”
About GTA clones
Back in 2001, GTA 3 came out and became one of the most influential games in history. In the years that followed, there was an influx of games featuring similar story themes and gameplay, such as True Crime: Streets Of LA (2003) and Scarface (2006), which achieved remarkable success of their own.
From the 2000s to the mid-2010s, there were multiple GTA clones coming out each year and thriving in the market. During this time, quite a few franchises, including Saints Row and Just Cause, also established themselves as competent GTA alternatives.
In recent years, this throughput has slowed down. However, there are still enough GTA clones from yesteryear that you can dive into for assuaging that familiar open-world crime shooter itch, especially if you already enjoy sandbox-style shooting games with chaotic action and large maps.
5 GTA-like games to play before GTA 6
Ranging from established GTA clones to a new GTA-style indie title, the following list contains all sorts of similar games you can play right now before you head out to Vice City later this year.
1. Mafia: Definitive Edition
Initial release: 2020 | Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
2002’s Mafia was one of the earliest GTA-like games to actually do well both critically and commercially. It showed how you don’t always have to break the mold to make something successful, leading to more games in this subgenre appearing soon. Mafia: Definitive Edition is the 2020 remake of the original, built from the ground up.
In this game, you play as Tommy Angelo and witness him rise through the ranks of Lost Heaven’s criminal world and then persevere to stay at the top. Being set in the 1930s, the remake game inherits the original’s distinct dated aura, although with a renewed appeal coming from upgraded visuals. Whether it be completing story missions or exploring the fictional city at leisure in the Free Ride mode, you have total freedom over your next move as you navigate the world of Prohibition-era organized crime.
2. Sleeping Dogs
Initial release: 2012 | Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360
At a time when most GTA clones stuck to the cliché American setting, Sleeping Dogs shook things up significantly and virtually transported players into the neon-lit streets of Hong Kong, China. Originally conceived as a sequel in the True Crime series, it ended up becoming a thing of its own and achieved commendable success that way.
Sleeping Dogs follows the escapades of an undercover cop tasked with dismantling the Triads in Hong Kong. As protagonist Wei Shen tiptoes the tightrope of living life as both a cop and a criminal, the lines between his duty to uphold the law and his responsibility to not blow his cover often get blurred. Amidst all this, the side missions and side activities, such as taking part in street races and singing karaoke, spring up as worthwhile distractions. In fact, some of the driving sections feel surprisingly enjoyable for fans of open-world racing games.
It is my favorite GTA clone yet and, in some aspects, it even outsmarts GTA titles. Particularly, the combat in Sleeping Dogs is much more layered and equips the player with various flashy martial arts moves. The ability to use the environment to your advantage during fights is certainly another attractive feature. For instance, when you are not in the mood for triggering move combos, you can simply grab hold of your enemy and throw him into a ventilation shaft or a dumpster to end the confrontation.
3. Just Cause 3
Initial release: 2015 | Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
If you ever wanted to play a GTA game whose action and stunts were dialed up to a hundred, this is it. Unlike the newest entry in the series, Just Cause 3 is the last critically acclaimed title that lets you step into the shoes of Rico Rodriguez, a mercenary-cum-adrenaline junkie.
Set in the fictional island of Medici, the campaign involves Rodriguez going up against the country’s dictatorial powers and helping the local resistance against the rule thrive. To aid you in your mission, you have a few intriguing pieces of equipment, such as a grappling hook and a wingsuit, besides a wide array of weapons.
The aforementioned equipment helps you traverse more freely and quickly, allowing you to scale tall structures rather easily. From escaping explosions to getting on top of an aircraft, there’s a multitude of outlandish stunts that mastering such abilities can unlock in this game.
4. Saints Row IV
Initial release: 2013 | Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PS3, Xbox 360, Linux
If there’s one GTA clone that has ever looked like it may give GTA a run for its money at some point, it’s the Saints Row franchise. Even though the reboot game, 2022’s Saints Row, was a debacle, the original mainline titles are still considered an integral part in its subgenre. Notably, Saints Row IV is the highest-rated entry in the series.
The Boss, your player character, finds himself in the Oval Office after becoming the US President. In a bizarre turn of events, your first assignment in the new role takes shape into countering an alien invasion. From sci-fi weapons to superpowers, you have a variety of options in your arsenal to take down foes in Steelport. There’s also an impressive amount of customization, which lets you customize everything from clothes to cars to weapons.
5. Samson
Initial release: 2026 | Platform: PC
This short and straightforward game is the closest to a contained GTA experience that you can possibly get. The only reason it’s this far down the list is its critical and fan reception, both of which have been underwhelming. While the appeal of the fictional city of Tyndalston has been received well, the game’s repetitive gameplay and optimization issues have been common pain points.
The debut project of former Just Cause and Mad Max devs, Samson revolves around the hustle of its titular character to survive through a crushing debt that he owes to the wrong kind of people. What’s unique about this game is that it gives you a specific amount of money to make for every in-game day by completing various quests, failing which results in higher interest on your debt and makes the next day tougher than the one before.
Rounding up
While each entry on this list has something unique to offer, it can broadly be divided into two kinds of preferences. If you like your GTA gritty and realistic, like GTA IV, Sleeping Dogs, Mafia: Definitive Edition, and Sam’s Club are more suitable for you. On the other hand, if you like GTA titles like GTA San Andreas that don’t take themselves too seriously and are more about the fun factor, then Saints Row IV and Just Cause 3 are the most fitting picks from those listed here.
And, if you’ve got time for just one game, I enthusiastically recommend you to try Sleeping Dogs. It is a widely reputed essential in the GTA clone subgenre and is only garnering more praise and adulation as the years roll by.
