Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIf you want something to play while you wait for GTA 6, start with Watch Dogs 2 for a contemporary city and hacking, Red Dead Redemption 2 for Rockstar-style world immersion, or Sleeping Dogs for crime drama and martial-arts combat. None reproduces GTA’s exact mix of modern satire, driving, missions, and open-ended mayhem: each offers a different piece of the appeal.
Use the list below to match your preferred setting and play style. Platform labels reflect the cited roundups, not a guarantee that every edition is currently sold or playable on every system in every region; check the store for your platform before buying.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Open World: Video Games and Contemporary Art | $60.25 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Ghost of Tsushima - PlayStation 4 | $22.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Mad Max - PlayStation Hits (PS4) | $18.79 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Just Cause 4 - PlayStation 4 | $11.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Elden Ring - PlayStation 4 | $33.66 | Buy on Amazon |
Which game like GTA should you choose?
| If you want… | Try | What makes it different |
|---|---|---|
| A vast world and absorbing story | Red Dead Redemption 2 | A historical Western rather than a present-day city. |
| Hacking and a satirical modern city | Watch Dogs 2 | Technology and hacking are central to its urban action. |
| Crime, martial arts, and Hong Kong atmosphere | Sleeping Dogs | Hand-to-hand combat and undercover drama set it apart. |
| Unrestrained stunts and destruction | Just Cause 4 | Its appeal is spectacular sandbox chaos, not GTA-like storytelling. |
| A dense city and a lot of side activities | Yakuza 0 | A compact setting with a distinctive crime story and varied diversions. |
| Planning and carrying out heists with friends | Payday 2 | A co-op shooter focused on heists, not a broad open-world substitute. |
| A futuristic city and RPG progression | Cyberpunk 2077 | Night City and its role-playing structure make for a different kind of open world. |
10 open-world games to play while waiting for GTA 6
1. Red Dead Redemption 2 — for world and story immersion
For the closest connection to GTA’s developer, try Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2. It trades the contemporary city for an expansive early-twentieth-century Western world, with exploration and story at the center. Choose it for a richly realized setting, not for modern cars, urban satire, or the pace of a city crime sandbox. Rockstar’s official game page has product information; the GamesRadar roundup lists PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
2. Just Cause 4 — for spectacular sandbox chaos
Just Cause 4 is the pick if your favorite part of an open world is seeing how much trouble you can cause in it. Wingsuit traversal, grappling-hook movement, stunts, and environmental spectacle make it about exuberant action and destruction. It does not aim for GTA’s grounded crime storytelling. GamesRadar lists PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
3. Watch Dogs 2 — for hacking in a contemporary city
Among these choices, Watch Dogs 2 is one of the closest fits for players who want a modern urban setting and a satirical tone. Hacking gives its action a distinct identity: the city is not just a place to drive through, but part of the game’s central premise. Beebom categorizes it as an open-world action adventure; GamesRadar highlights its satire. Both roundups list PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
4. Yakuza 0 — for a compact city packed with activities
Pick Yakuza 0 if you care more about the character of a city and the variety of things to do than about a huge map. Its dense urban setting, crime story, and side activities offer a different kind of freedom from GTA’s wide-ranging driving sandbox. GamesRadar lists PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Rank #2
- Available Now - Ghost of Tsushima: Legends, a new cooperative multiplayer experience inspired by Japanese folk tales and mythology.
- Beyond war, ancient beauty endures: Uncover the hidden wonders of Tsushima in this open-world action adventure.
- The rise of the Ghost: Forge a new path and wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima.
5. Sleeping Dogs — for undercover crime and martial arts
Sleeping Dogs combines an undercover-crime drama with a strong hand-to-hand-combat identity and a Hong Kong setting. It suits players who want an open-world crime story but would rather throw punches and perform stunts than rely on GTA’s particular balance of guns, vehicles, and missions. GamesRadar lists PC, PS4, and Xbox One; Beebom also lists PS3 and Xbox 360.
6. Mafia 3 — for a slower, grounded crime story
Mafia 3 is a better fit for a focused organized-crime narrative than for GTA’s broad tonal range or comic sandbox freedom. It pairs a slow-burn story with open-world side activities, but it should not be mistaken for an equally expansive or similarly satirical alternative. GamesRadar lists PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Rank #3
- Be Mad Max - Become the iconic post-apocalyptic warrior, crafting and upgrading Max's equipment and weapons to survive by combining melee combat, gunplay and tactical techniques. Gamers must form alliances as they work towards the goal of building their "Magnum opus."
- Immersive savage Wasteland - Explore the gritty, dynamic world while braving the treacherous landscapes, hostile weather patterns and deadly marauders.
- survive the open-world landscape - Staying alive isn't easy. Players clash with deadly factions and gangs through scores of dangerous side-missions and quests in the dynamic open-world full of exploration.
- intense vehicular combat - Engage in dynamic inter-vehicular combat, taking down enemy vehicles with a range of powerful weapons. Car combat is entirely physics-based, so no two battles are ever the Same.
- build the ultimate survival machine - Players design, customize and upgrade their ultimate vehicle-the Magnum Opus-choosing from different car chassis and a slew of upgrades including mounted weapons, armour and engines to survive another day
7. Cyberpunk 2077 — for a futuristic city and RPG depth
Choose Cyberpunk 2077 for a futuristic city, driving, gigs, combat, and deeper role-playing systems. Night City makes it a compelling urban open world, but its setting and RPG structure distinguish it from GTA’s contemporary crime sandbox. The official Cyberpunk 2077 site provides current product information. GamesRadar and Beebom list different platform sets, so check the store for your region and the exact edition before purchasing; availability can vary by platform and edition.
8. Payday 2 — for co-op heists
If what you miss most is organizing and executing a robbery, Payday 2 focuses on heists, especially in co-op. It is a multiplayer co-op shooter rather than a general-purpose open-world game or a direct solo replacement for GTA. GamesRadar lists PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Rank #4
- Day One Edition includes Neon Racer Pack with these DLC items Neon Racer Supercar, Neon Racer Wingsuit, Neon Racer Parachute; see description for full details
- Bring The Thunder Soar through the skies with your wingsuit Skydive, Base Jump and Free Dive, as you fight your enemies harnessing extreme weather to your advantage
- Rico’s Ultimate Mission Spearhead the rebellion and defeat a hi tech private military organization; Face off against the most capable adversary yet; Uncover the mystery behind Rico’s Father’s past
- Huge South American World 100 square kilometers to explore from rainforest to desert, and across snowy mountain peaks as you explore the world of Solis from bustling cities to rural grasslands
- Creative destruction at its best Customize your new grapple hook with evolved and new capabilities; Experiment with military jets, helicopters, turbo fueled sports cars, and construction vehicles
9. The Simpsons: Hit & Run — for cartoon driving and mayhem
The Simpsons: Hit & Run is a lighter, older choice for Simpsons fans who want a licensed world, driving, and cartoon chaos. Treat it as a legacy pick: GamesRadar lists PC, PS2, Xbox, and GameCube, and current legitimate availability was not verified in the cited coverage. Check trusted storefronts and local rules before seeking a copy.
10. Saints Row (2022) — for irreverent crime-comedy action
The 2022 Saints Row reboot offers open-world crime-comedy action for players who want a more irreverent tone. Its reception has been divisive, so it is a taste-dependent recommendation rather than a safe stand-in for GTA. GamesRadar lists PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One.
Best Value
- ELDEN RING is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki—creator of the influential DARK SOULS video game series; and George R.R. Martin—author of The New York Times best-selling fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire
- Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to-date
- HIDETAKA MIYAZAKI: President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls
- GEORGE R. R. MARTIN: the #1 The New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire—A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons
What games are like GTA on PS5?
For a PS5 owner, the cited GamesRadar roundup lists Cyberpunk 2077 and the 2022 Saints Row reboot. Check the PlayStation Store in your region for the current edition and availability. The roundup’s PS4 labels for games such as Watch Dogs 2, Sleeping Dogs, and Red Dead Redemption 2 do not by themselves confirm a native PS5 version; consult the store listing for compatibility details.
How to pick the right alternative
- Setting: Choose a contemporary city in Watch Dogs 2, a Western in Red Dead Redemption 2, or futuristic Night City in Cyberpunk 2077.
- Action: Favor martial arts in Sleeping Dogs, hacking in Watch Dogs 2, or stunts and destruction in Just Cause 4.
- Story versus activity: Try Red Dead Redemption 2 or Mafia 3 for story-led play; choose Yakuza 0 for a compact city with abundant side activities.
- Solo or co-op: Most games here are framed as individual open-world adventures; Payday 2 is the distinct choice when co-op heists are the priority.
- Platform: Platform labels in roundups can differ, especially for Cyberpunk 2077. Confirm the specific edition, region, and store listing before buying.
For a broader set of alternatives and its own platform descriptions, see Beebom’s games like GTA list (updated March 26, 2026) and GamesRadar’s open-world game roundup. Rockstar’s official GTA VI page is the place to check current release and platform information.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
