Open-World Games To Play If You Loved Grand Theft Auto V

There was a time when open-world games were few and far between, but the success of Grand Theft Auto as a series after going completely 3D ended up changing this notion completely. Grand Theft Auto 3 ended up taking over the gaming world by storm, showcasing just what the medium was capable of when creative geniuses were at the helm of driving the next generation of video gaming experiences. The template of Grand Theft Auto 3 ended up being massively influential for obvious reasons. This formula has been improved bit by bit until Rockstar Games perfected their development all the way in 2013 with the release of Grand Theft Auto 5.

The fact that Grand Theft Auto 5 is still one of the most popular games to this date is a testament to the sheer quality of this brilliant title, and players who ended up experiencing this brilliant title firsthand would obviously want to play more games in the same vein. Keeping this in mind, the following ten games could certainly fill the void this game has left behind.

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Updated June 14, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: There's no denying that Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of the greatest open-world games ever made, especially from a technical standpoint. The idea of switching between three protagonists and engaging in an epic story that's full of memorable dialogue and amazing set-pieces is a brilliant one. It's easy to see why players would want to check out more games in the same vein if they can't get enough of Rockstar's biggest open-world game to date. Since the wait for Grand Theft Auto 6 is proving downright agonizing, here are a few more titles to play in the meantime.

13 Mafia: Definitive Edition

A 1930s Sandbox Game

The first Mafia title featured one of the best video game stories, even if the open world itself felt lifeless at times. With the game getting on in years and not aging all that well, it's clear to see why most players didn't mind a remake of the first game. The rerelease lets both new and old players enjoy this title with a fresh coat of paint.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is an easy recommendation for fans of Grand Theft Auto 5 who want to check out a title in the vein of movies like The Godfather. Players take on the role of a lowly cab driver who impresses a member of the Mafia and is indoctrinated into the Salieri Family, rising up the ranks before this life of crime eventually catches up to him.

12 Red Dead Redemption 2

One Of The Greatest Story-Driven Rockstar Games

Red Dead Redemption 2 features the finest story ever told in a Rockstar game to date, establishing Arthur Morgan as one of the best video game protagonists of all time. Watching this character slowly become disillusioned with Dutch's leadership before striving to amend his own ways makes for a great time.

This amazing narrative is further bolstered by a beautiful open world that players will love exploring, displaying all of Rockstar's strengths. Fans of GTA 5 will settle into this game in no time after the prologue. Players witness Marston's story before the events of the first game, before Arthur's story either ends on a poignant or brutal note.

11 Cyberpunk 2077

A Dense Open World Set In A Futuristic Landscape

Image via CD Projekt RED

It's a shame that the GTA comparisons plagued Cyberpunk 2077's reputation at launch, even if the marketing did the game no favors. Still, there were parallels to be made here. Thankfully, CD Projekt Red took all this criticism on the chin and released patches and updates to ensure that this game met the high standards of their fans.

As of this point, Cyberpunk 2077 is considered by many to be one of the greatest open-world games ever made. Players can channel the spirit of GTA by carjacking everything in sight and losing themselves in an open world that is detailed and breathtaking to look at. All of this is held up by V's emotional story as they strive to regain control of their body after a botched heist that implants the engram of Johnny Silverhand in their mind, turning their body into a ticking time bomb.

10 True Crime: Streets Of L.A.

Imitating What Made Grand Theft Auto Successful

After the massive success of Grand Theft Auto 3, it was only a given that more and more games would try and emulate the formula of this landmark title. Such a title came in the form of True Crime: Streets of L.A.

While the game did suffer from a myriad of technical issues, playing through the title when it was released was quite enjoyable nonetheless. Ultimately, it was a great experience for any fan of the GTA series.

9 Sleeping Dogs

Players Take On The Role Of An Undercover Cop In Hong Kong

While Streets of L.A. Was a decent title, its sequel — True Crime: Streets of New York — was anything but. This critical and commercial failure prompted Activision to develop another GTA-esque game set in Hong Kong without the True Crime label.

The end result was Sleeping Dogs, a wildly imaginative title that was as ridiculous as it was brilliant. Getting into the shoes of an undercover cop has never been as engaging as it was in this title.

8 Watch Dogs Legion

The Protagonist Can Change At A Moment's Notice

The Watch Dogs series started off on the highest of highs with the announcement of the first title, before its release ended up majorly disappointing fans. However, Ubisoft didn't give up on the series, and Watch Dogs 2 ended up being an improvement over its predecessor in every way, shape, and form.

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The latest game in the series, Watch Dogs Legion, might suffer from a few issues. Still, it's impossible to deny that the ability to record every NPC in the game is a neat touch, and elevates the experience to a new level.

7 Saints Row 4

A Bonkers Game Where The Main Character Has Superpowers

The Saints Row series is widely considered to be the GTA clone that ends up racking up the ridiculous nature of its gameplay to the max. While the first two games in the series were excellent, the third and fourth titles ended up cranking their strangeness meter all the way to the max.

Saints Row 4 went so far as to turning the player — who's the President of the United States as well — into a superhero, turning the sandbox into a playground for the player to mess around in with zero repercussions. This ultimately made for an experience that prioritized player fun over everything else.

6 Just Cause 4

A Massive Destructive Sandbox

Speaking of sandboxes that give players full reign to go completely berserk, one can't fail to mention the brilliance of the Just Cause series as well. The games have always ensured that players can blow up as many things as possible in the game without any problems, making for an experience that would be the perfect example of what a Michael Bay game would look like. Just Cause 4 — the latest game in the series — perfects this aforementioned formula and makes for a brilliant experience indeed.

5 Driver

High-Octane Chase Sequences & Driving

Released more than two decades ago but still harped on to this day, there's a reason why Driver has attained such a cult reputation in the gaming fandom. It features some memorable driving missions, coupled with one of the hardest tutorials ever featured in a video game. Altogether, Driver is a classic title that any fan of Grand Theft Auto titles should not miss out on.

4 Mafia 2

Perfect For Fans Of Movies Like The Godfather

A Grand Theft Auto-like game set in the 40s and 50s is bound to turn some heads, and that's exactly what Mafia 2 managed to accomplish. While the open world might not be packed with enough content to satiate most games, it's the story of this title that serves as the major draw. A riveting tale of crime families and betrayals, Mafia 2 is a game that will definitely keep fans hooked all the way to the very end.