Grand Theft Auto 5 became a massive hit in 2013 on both the PS3 and Xbox 360, which is wild since brand-new consoles launched not long after. It’s safe to say that, compared to the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One, Grand Theft Auto 5's launch was probably even bigger.
Open-World Games That Make Sandbox Mayhem Feel Better Than GTA Ever Did
If you want to cause uncontrolled chaos, these games are better at making mayhem than even GTA 5.
As an open-world game, there are impressive things about Grand Theft Auto 5 that are still amazing tofay, like swapping between Franklin, Trevor, and Michael, the three playable protagonists. The game will live on as one of the greatest of all time, but there are equally great, or even better open-world games out there with similar and different gameplay loops that every open-world fan should check out.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar’s Successor
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
Red Dead Redemption 2 was released after Grand Theft Auto 5, so it had the benefit of Rockstar learning from what they did right and wrong. It’s more of an open-world than the Los Santos region, giving players plenty to explore on the open prairies of the Old West.
As the protagonist, Arthur Morgan, they also have more say in how he turns out, with small character choices leading to different story outcomes. It’s one of the best Westerns ever made, with fun heists, memorable characters, gritty gun battles, and a touching story that will live on with the greats of cinema history.
Cyberpunk 2077
A Futuristic GTA
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
Cyberpunk 2077 is like a more futuristic version of Grand Theft Auto 5, complete with a bustling city and a desert wasteland outside its limits. It’s a more hardcore RPG, too, as players can customize their character’s looks, decide their origin story, and mod their body as they upgrade their cybernetics.
Players can approach missions in a myriad of ways, from being a badass gunner who doesn’t take guff from anyone to a more back-alley thief who likes to hack their way past security. All pathways are viable, giving players more leeway in how they want their cybernetic life to take shape in the neon streets of Night City.
Elden Ring
Trading Cars For Horses
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
Elden Ring is a dark fantasy open-world RPG with character customization and the ability to create builds to form class-like foundations. How players increase their stats will determine how effective their equipment or magic is, or if they want to favor heavier weapons over bows.
It’s a Soulslike, so players can expect a lot of pushback from the combat, but with a vast area to explore, they have the freedom to face challengers in any order or to skip some altogether. Players can also hook up with two others online to explore or fight bosses, which can make things easier.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
From Three Characters To Three Worlds
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom might appeal more to Grand Theft Auto 5 players, even though it is a fantasy action-adventure game. That’s because players have the tools to create various vehicles to mirror the carjacking mayhem of Rockstar’s classic.
8 Open-World Games With More Freedom Than GTA 5
GTA 5 is an important open-world game, but it has been surpassed in several areas, particularly in how much freedom the player has.
Players can zoom across the plains on a hover car, fly into the air, or even scoot across lakes. There are three overworlds to explore: the land, the underground, and the air, making this one of the biggest versions of Hyrule to date. For the creatives out there, this is the Zelda game to check out.
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
Sailing On A Dream
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
- Released
- October 29, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Genre(s)
- Action, Open-World, Adventure
In Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, players can live out their pirate dreams, who were like the old-school gangsters of the 1700s. As pirate captain Edward Kenway, players can sail the Caribbean, exploring islands for materials or rare animals to use in crafting new gear for their character.
They can also upgrade their ship to sail faster or to withstand bigger ship battles against the Navy or fellow pirates. From assassination plots to singing sea shanties to diving underwater for treasure, this is, without a doubt, the best pirate game ever put on consoles.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Hawaii Looks Lovely
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Released
- January 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Simulated Gambling, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The Yakuza franchise is a bit like mini-Grand Theft Auto adventures set in tight Japanese districts, but Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth expanded this idea by placing players in Honolulu, Hawaii, the first American city in the series. As Ichiban Kasuga, players need to find his mom and uncover the secrets as to how he got to Hawaii in the first place and what an underground network of Yakuza and cult leaders wants in the city.
In turn-based combat, players can piece together their party with a roster of various classes to get an edge in battle, from surfers to hula dancers. There are also plenty of mini-games around the city and a fun town-building segment on a private island, which is similar to some of the side activities found throughout Los Santos.
Fallout: New Vegas
Keeping Peace In The Desert
Fallout: New Vegas
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Fallout: New Vegas gives players a lot of freedom in their quest for revenge. With stat boosts and wild Perks, they can make their character into a tough melee-heavy brute, a sly talker who can bypass any fight with a few choice words, a know-it-all engineer with a finesse for energy weapons, and so on.
Besides character builds, each decision made will weigh on the player’s karma, meaning that NPCs will treat them differently depending on their choices and faction alliances. As a dweller in the Nevada area of the apocalypse, players can pretend they are Mad Max and bend the law to their will.
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Building A Haven
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
- Released
- September 1, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Genre(s)
- Action, Open-World
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain puts players in the role of Venom Snake, Big Boss’ codename for this adventure. On missions, players can find supplies, animals, and even knocked-out soldiers to send back home to Mother Base via a balloon system.
The Greatest Open-World Games Released Since GTA 5, Ranked
There have been giant leaps in open-world technology since Grand Theft Auto 5 was released in 2013, and these are the greatest examples.
Enemies can be turned into allied soldiers or scientists at Mother Base, and they can develop new tech to take on missions, from mini-mechs to sleeker guns. The open-world biomes that players can explore are like little sandboxes with a lot of gameplay potential, depending on whether they want this game to be a stealth-based thriller or an action-heavy epic.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Living Vertically
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
For something different, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a superhero game in which players can embody both Peter Parker and Miles Morales. They can switch between them freely while patrolling the streets of New York City from above as they web-swing or glide around, but some story and side missions do require one Spider-Man over the other.
Each character plays slightly differently, as Miles has more powers initially, whereas Peter relies on gadgets. This changes when he merges with the Venom symbiote, opening Peter up to more combat abilities. For Spider-Man fans, this game is both fun to play and to watch thanks to the action-packed and touching story.
Batman: Arkham City
Gotham’s Greatest Son
Batman: Arkham City
- Released
- October 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Rocksteady Studios
Batman: Arkham City is another great superhero game set in one city, Gotham, which has been partly turned into a prison colony. In one of the longest nights of his life, Batman has to stop his greatest enemies from wreaking more havoc, from The Penguin to Two-Face.
The action is brutal, with Batman being almost tank-like in design, and yet his quick movements in battle make him seem just as fast as Spider-Man. Batman: Arkham City is an absolute delight that still holds up as one of the finest Batman stories ever told in a video game, and can stand tall next to the 90s cartoon.
Open-World Innovations GTA 6 Should Include
From difficulty settings to replayable missions, GTA 6 is the perfect moment for Rockstar Games to add something new to its open-world franchise.