By There are no other open-world games like GTA 5. Period!
But if you’ve finished GTA 5 multiple times and still have that itch to play another game like it, then this list is for you.
Here, I’m showcasing some of my favorite games like GTA 5 that offer similar vibes.
These are fully open-world games with some form of vehicle-based gameplay. In most of these games, you will be able to steal vehicles, drive them around causing mayhem, and even shoot while driving.
Again, these games don’t even come close to the level of detail, quality, and immersion offered by Grand Theft Auto games. But they are close enough.
1. Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is the closest thing you’ll get to a GTA 5 alternative.
After so many updates and expansions, Cyberpunk 2077 now features almost everything you’ll find in a GTA game.
It has vehicles that you can buy and upgrade, you can steal vehicles, shoot while driving, drive anywhere you want, shoot all sorts of guns, and much more.
Things like planes and boats are missing in this game. But it more than makes up for those missing activities by offering a highly immersive futuristic world with vibrant colors and unique characters.
Plus you’ll get to drive around with Keanu Reeves in the backseat of your car.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
RDR2 takes place in 1899, so you won’t find any motorized vehicles in this game. Instead, it has horses and horse carriages that you can steal and ride around a massive open-world map.
Since it comes from Rockstar Games, the same developers of GTA 5, you can expect to have the same level of detail and immersion from this game.
RDR2 is one of my favorite games that I still play to this day. It has a highly detailed world filled with engaging interactions, animals, and beautiful biomes that you can explore over and over again.
After playing the game multiple times, I still discover new things in this game. RDR2 also has an online mode, which works like an MMO. But I highly recommend playing the story campaign first.
3. Watch Dogs 1 & 2
The Watch Dogs series is Ubisoft’s attempt at creating a GTA alternative world. These games are not bad, but as usual, not as great as GTA.
Watch Dogs 1 is still one of my favorite games. It introduced a cool mechanic where you can hack into vehicles and people’s electronic devices.
The second title in the series was also good. It featured a much more casual campaign with more fun activities than the first game.
There’s also a third game in the series called Watch Dogs: Legion. This game takes place in a futuristic London. I found it to be a bit too repetitive so try it at your own risk.
4. Far Cry 4 & 5
Far Cry games are a bit more linear and less open than GTA games. But they offer a similar experience to gamers who prefer first-person shooters.
I especially enjoyed Far Cry 4, which takes place in a fictional country inspired by India and Pakistan. It features fun vehicles like TukTuks that you can drive around while hunting bad guys and shooting animals.
The game even allows you to ride an elephant, which you won’t find in any other game.
Far Cry 5 is another great open-world game like GTA 5 that takes you back to America. It features an engaging story, a great selection of vehicles to drive around, and even has planes.
5. Mafia (Remake)
If you enjoy driving vintage cars and classic Godfather-like movies, Mafia is the perfect game for you.
This is the remake of one of the most iconic games ever made. In Mafia, you take on the role of a gangster in the 1930s and it follows a very engaging and immersive story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
In Mafia, you will get to drive some old-school vehicles. They are not as fast as the cars you’ll find in GTA 5, but they are fun to drive.
The Mafia series also includes Mafia II and Mafia III. These sequels are not as great as the first game, but worth playing if you enjoyed the original title.
6. Just Cause 3 & 4
Just Cause 3 is one of the most underrated games ever made.
This game takes GTA-style gameplay to the next level with its wacky action-packed mechanics, like the grabbling hook that attaches to anything, high-flying airborne fights, jets, blowing up buildings, and so much more mayhem.
Both Just Cause 3 and 4 are great titles that you’ll enjoy if you like games like GTA 5. Just don’t expect the same level of realism from Just Cause games. These are made for entertainment only.
7. Sleeping Dogs
Even though this game was released in 2014, it still holds up in terms of quality gameplay experience.
Sleeping Dogs takes you to a beautifully designed Hong Kong where you play as an undercover cop, uncovering a mystery.
The game comes packed with action combat, including hand-to-hand combat, as well as driveable vehicles and lots of great locations to explore.
You can also do crazy stuff like gamble, do street racing, drive boats, bikes, and more.
9. Mad Max
Mad Max is another fun open-world game that you must play if you enjoy vehicle-based combat.
The Mad Max game follows its own storyline inspired by the movies. In this game, your car is your home. You can upgrade it as you progress through the story.
There are tons of fist fights and gun fights in the game. You can also drive around the massive deserted wasteland to fight enemies and shoot while driving your car.
The game has a great story as well, and the leveling and progression system in the game will keep you coming back for more.
9. Rage 2
Rage 2 received a lot of hate at launch for being too repetitive and empty. But that’s not entirely true.
Yes, the game could have been better, and yes, the map feels empty in most areas, but the core gameplay of Rage 2 is pretty fun.
Rage 2 combines Doom-style gunplay with Far Cry-style open world gameplay. It has very brutal weapon effects where you can blow people up. And the weapons feel impactful as well.
You can also drive around in vehicles across the map while completing missions to upgrade your abilities and gear.
Grab the game when it’s cheap on sale. It’ll be worth it.
10. Yakuza 0
I haven’t played any of the Yakuza games, so I can’t speak from personal experience, but a few of my friends highly recommend the series as a GTA-like experience.
Yakuza 0 takes place in 1980s Tokyo, where you take on the role of two characters fighting to take control.
This game is basically a crime drama filled with action-packed gameplay, along with the classic Japanese mobster storyline.
Even though Yakuza 0 doesn’t have any drivable vehicles, it has an engaging open environment that lets you go mad with hand-to-hand combat.
11. Saints Row: The Third
This is one of the wackiest games you’ll play and in a good way.
Saints Row took a different turn after the third title and it got crazier with every sequel.
This game is also full of fun missions, just like GTA. It has open-world driving, shooting, and crazy voice acting that will crack you up.
Saints Row IV is also really fun and even crazier than the third game. Both games show their age, but they are great for having a chill, relaxing time.
You can grab these games during sales for less than $5.
12. Days Gone
Days Gone is a completely different game from GTA but I wanted to mention it here since it has some similarities and it’s also one of my favorite games ever.
In Days Gone, you get to explore a massive open world in a zombie apocalypse. You ride around in your bike, which you have to maintain, refuel, and upgrade at your own pace.
The game has a great, engaging story, awesome gunplay with a variety of weapons, zombie hordes, exploration, and more.
Days Gone’s vehicular combat and missions are superb. The voice acting and the story will keep you on the edge too.
