Looking for great games to play while waiting for GTA 6? Pick by the experience you want: Red Dead Redemption 2 for a cinematic western, Cyberpunk 2077 for a futuristic city, Elden Ring for challenging fantasy exploration, or Grand Theft Auto V for the closest match to GTA’s modern crime sandbox. None is a preview of GTA VI’s unreleased systems; each offers a different way to spend the time.
Rockstar Games says Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to release on Thursday, November 19, 2026. Check Rockstar’s announcement for the latest timing.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Open World: Video Games and Contemporary Art | $60.25 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Ghost of Tsushima - PlayStation 4 | $22.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Mad Max - PlayStation Hits (PS4) | $19.45 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Just Cause 4 - PlayStation 4 | $11.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Elden Ring - PlayStation 4 | $33.83 | Buy on Amazon |
Choose by the kind of open world you want
| Game | Best fit | Setting and tone | Similarity to GTA’s modern sandbox | Story and combat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | A deliberate, cinematic adventure | A grounded western with varied landscapes and wildlife | Low: it is not a contemporary urban crime game | Story-led, with action in a western setting |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | A dense city to explore | A futuristic city with a distinct tone from GTA | Partial: the city-world appeal overlaps, but it is not a direct substitute | Story-focused, with combat; the sources do not establish a comparative difficulty rating |
| Elden Ring | Fantasy exploration and action RPG combat | A fantasy world, far removed from modern crime | Low: both are open-world games, but the mechanics and tone differ sharply | Exploration and demanding action RPG combat are central |
| Grand Theft Auto V | Revisiting the GTA formula | Rockstar’s existing GTA world | Closest of these four to the contemporary GTA sandbox | A familiar GTA-style crime and action experience |
These are editorial picks, not results from a controlled comparison or hands-on test. The best choice depends on whether you value a familiar sandbox, a different kind of setting, a story-led journey, or tougher combat.
What to play before GTA 6
Red Dead Redemption 2: choose a slower, cinematic western
Choose Red Dead Redemption 2 if you want a detailed world to explore at a deliberate pace, with varied landscapes and wildlife. Its western setting makes it a strong open-world alternative, but not a stand-in for GTA’s modern city crime setting.
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Cyberpunk 2077: choose a dense futuristic city
Cyberpunk 2077 suits players who want a city-focused world with a futuristic atmosphere. The overlap with GTA is the appeal of moving through an urban environment; its setting and tone are different, so approach it as a city-world alternative rather than a GTA clone.
Elden Ring: choose exploration with demanding combat
Elden Ring is for players who want fantasy exploration and challenging action RPG combat. It is the largest departure from GTA on this list in both tone and mechanics, making it a better pick for someone ready for a different kind of game. Bandai Namco Europe lists its release date as 25 February 2022 (official game page).
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.
Grand Theft Auto V: stay closest to the GTA formula
If what you want is another visit to Rockstar’s existing GTA world, Grand Theft Auto V is the natural choice. A 2026 games list says it still has content to offer, but that does not establish specifics about online updates or current player numbers (GamesRadar’s open-world games list).
GTA VI release and pre-order details
Rockstar Games’ announcement states: “Grand Theft Auto VI will now release on Thursday, November 19, 2026.” Rockstar Support currently lists pre-orders for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S (Rockstar Support). That information can change, so consult Rockstar’s official pages for the current release and purchase details. The available source information does not establish a PC release date.
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
Rockstar Support says the physical version contains a download code for the digital download. A physical pre-order should not be taken to mean that a game disc is included.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check platform and edition before buying
Availability and editions can vary by platform and region. Before purchasing any recommendation, check the current listing from the retailer or publisher to confirm platform compatibility, edition, region, and whether a bundle is included. No particular edition is established as the best choice here.
Quick Recap
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
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
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.
