Best Game Pass Games Like GTA 5

Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 5 seems like it will never go away, or at least not until its successor launches. The game debuted in 2013 to universal praise thanks to its gorgeous and vast open-world, engaging single-player story that goes to some grim places, multi-protagonist system, and, eventually, the introduction of GTA Online. The latter has hogged Rockstar's attention for the past decade, and while it is not to everyone's fancy, the online mode can be an absolute blast with the right crew. It is also overflowing with enough heists, missions, challenges, and distractions to keep somebody busy for potentially years.

At the beginning of July 2023, GTA 5 and its online companion were added back to Xbox Game Pass, making them available for the first time since August 2021. However, the game was removed just a few months later, meaning it is no longer part of the Game Pass library. Consequently, if someone wants something similar but different, they should check out the best Game Pass games like GTA 5.

Updated April 12, 2024 by Mark Sammut: GTA is not present on Game Pass, so fans will need to try some other games to scratch their Rockstar itch. March and April 2024 have added quite a few exciting titles to Game Pass, most of which do not have all that much in common with Grand Theft Auto. That said, Dead Island 2's Hollywood setting is not far removed from Los Santos, so that could be a valid option for people who also love a touch of horror and a lot of blood.

Just Cause 4 Reloaded

Destruction On A Large Scale

Madness and mayhem in an open-world environment are par for the course for Just Cause 4, and it is this quality that will appeal to any hardcore GTA fan. Players are placed in the shoes of Rico Rodriguez as he once again grapple-hooks his way past a host of enemies, destroying the environment with explosions and shoot-outs galore.

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Though less realistic than a typical Grand Theft Auto game (and that is saying something), Just Cause 4 ticks a lot of the same boxes. While they are funneled through a story, players are also encouraged to explore the map as they see fit, destroying as many things as they can along the way. A pure sandbox experience, this game (and the entire franchise) provides players with the tools required for them to create (explosive) magic. It is not necessarily deep or ground-breaking, but it is fun. While the fourth entry is fairly divisive among long-time Just Cause fans, the game is a fine option for newcomers, especially since none of its predecessors are on Xbox Game Pass.

Yakuza Series

More Than Just Japanese GTA

Sega's Yakuza series is overall a great recommendation for fans of GTA 5. While the Japanese games take place in much smaller open-worlds, both series offer stellar writing, memorable side content, and engaging main storylines that touch upon mature themes. Xbox Game Pass has the entirety of Sega's main series, allowing players to experience Kiryu's story in full (for the moment), starting from the brilliant Yakuza 0 and ending with Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon marks a new chapter in the franchise's history, introducing a fresh protagonist called Ichiban, a new central location, and an entirely different combat system. Narratively, Like a Dragon is just as strong as anything that came before it, and this feat is accomplished without the game retreading familiar ground. Rather than beat 'em up combat, this entry uses a turn-based battle system akin to Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. Gameplay-wise, Yakuza was never that similar to GTA, but this change created an even bigger divide between the franchises. That said, Sega's license is all about its stories.

Assassin's Creed Origins

A Historical Open-World Epic

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed games are nothing like Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto. The franchises have widely different tones, gameplay loops, themes, and settings; however, the one area they overlap is in their commitment to immersion. Both series are known for crafting detailed open-worlds driven by fantastical realism.

Assassin's Creed Origins drops players into a beautifully realized rendition of Ancient Egypt, and the game's main appeal is exploring this stunning world. GTA might prioritize fictional and modern settings over historical ones, but Rockstar takes plenty of inspiration from real-world locations. Assassin's Creed is like the History Channel version of GTA.

Payday 2: Crimewave Edition

A Heist Simulator

A co-op first-person shooter, Payday 2 revolves entirely around planning and executing heists, be it alone or as part of a team. These missions follow a narrative thread that, while not quite as complicated or fascinating as GTA 5, provides enough intrigue to keep new players hooked during their first few hours.

That said, Payday 2 is ultimately about its multiplayer content, and players will be spending most of their time conducting an array of jobs ranging from traditional bank heists to prison escapes. The gameplay loop is addictive and has kept the first-person shooter alive for close to a decade.

A Way Out (Requires EA Play)

A Mature Co-Op Crime Story

A Way Out's gameplay is nothing like Grand Theft Auto 5. Hazelight's title focuses on two convicts trying to escape prison, and most segments play out like puzzles. Consequently, the game is designed for co-op too, with each player assuming the role of one of the convicts as the story plays out on split-screen.

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Even with all these differences, A Way Out's narrative and characters are very reminiscent of GTA, although without the satire that defines Rockstar's franchise. They both tell mature stories that feature, to an extent, realistic characters.

Sea Of Thieves

Take To The High Seas Alongside A Crew

In terms of visuals, gameplay, and story content, Sea of Thieves and GTA 5 have almost nothing in common. However, there is one area where the two games overlap: they both let players make their own fun. While traversing Los Santos or Sea of Thieves' expansive world filled with islands waiting to be explored, the simple act of mucking around is not only encouraged but can produce moments of pure merriment.

Sea of Thieves is at its best when played with others, as forming a pirate crew and sailing the high seas in search of treasure provides endless rewards. Despite having a rather rough launch, Rare's dedication has permitted Sea of Thieves to flourish, and the game is now as good as it has ever been.

Fallout: New Vegas

Embrace The Wasteland

Those looking to immerse themselves in an open world where they are free to do as they please can check out Fallout: New Vegas. This entry in the Fallout series has players traveling across the wastelands in a bid for revenge but soon has them making choices and taking on missions that will help reshape the Mojave. Players are free to make their way through the expansive open world of New Vegas as they see fit, using an array of weapons and skills to complete the dangerous tasks at hand.

With a robust story and some seedier elements that feel right at home in the Grand Theft Auto series, Fallout: New Vegas is a great FPS alternative for those who want to explore an open world with the freedom to play their way.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Travel The World With Good Flight Controls

Microsoft Flight Simulator is just as marvelous on console as it is on PC. Flying a plane might not be a huge part of GTA 5, but its inclusion highlights Rockstar's tendency to go for broke.

As awe-inspiring as it can be to take to Los Santos' skies, GTA 5's trips through the clouds do not compare to the unlimited splendor offered by Microsoft Flight Simulator. Jump into one of the flight sim's many planes, pick a destination on Earth, and depart on a journey like no other offered on any console.

Watch Dogs 2

San Francisco Brought To Life Beautifully

Rockstar is not the only studio that specializes in open-world projects, and Ubisoft has made a couple of its releases available on Microsoft's subscription service. Assassin's Creed Origins is a bit too far removed from GTA 5 for a straight-up recommendation, but Watch Dogs 2 should be able to scratch that itch.

Set in a gorgeously recreated version of San Francisco, Ubisoft's game revolves around a group of hackers who are trying to take down the city's surveillance system. Third-person gunplay is a fixture of Watch Dogs 2; however, the gameplay primarily revolves around the player's hacking abilities. These skills provide quite a bit of freedom in how situations can be approached.

Skyrim Special Edition

Explore Endlessly

Skyrim might seem like an odd fit at first, but dragons aside, it’s got a lot more in common with Rockstar’s flagship crime simulator than one might imagine — an expansive open world with a nearly absurd depth of content, impressive levels of player agency, and of course, the ability to go on unprecedented crime sprees at the drop of a hat. Or helmet, as it were.

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Players can even choose to walk the path of a career criminal if they join up with Skyrim’s Thieves Guild, though they’ll be breaking into Imperial strongholds and hurling fireballs as opposed to robbing banks guns blazing.