Games to Play Before GTA 6 Arrives: 5 Open-World Alternatives
TheGTA 6hype train is running at full speed after that first trailer dropped. WithVice City‘s palm trees and beaches calling your name, and the exact release date still unknown, the wait can feel unbearable. But don’t worry, plenty of games can help fill that gap with similar vibes, gameplay mechanics, and storytelling that make the Grand Theft Auto series so special. Let’s look at 5 games to play before GTA 6 arrives that will keep you busy and entertained!
Table of Contents
If you want the closest thing to a GTA experience, look no further than Rockstar’s other masterpiece. Red Dead Redemption 2 trades modern cities for the dying Wild West, but everything that makes GTA great is here:
The game might move at a slower pace than GTA, but the story of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang stands as one of gaming’s finest. The beautiful environments can make you forget about Vice City, at least for a while. What truly sets Red Dead Redemption 2 apart is how the world responds to you. NPCs remember your actions, animals behave realistically, and weather patterns affect gameplay. This level of immersion offers a glimpse of what we might expect from GTA 6’s world-building.
2. Cyberpunk 2077
After its rough launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has evolved into the game it was always meant to be. Night City delivers a futuristic take on the GTA formula, featuring:
The RPG elements give you more control over your character’s development than GTA, letting you shape your own criminal career. Each district has its own distinct vibe, from the corporate luxury of City Center to the gritty streets of Watson. The map comes with buildings you can actually enter and explore, and it might offer a glimpse of what GTA 6’s Vice City could deliver in terms of explorable interiors.
3. Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition
Number three on the list of games to play before GTA 6 is Sleeping Dogs. This criminally underrated game set in Hong Kong deserves your attention. As undercover cop Wei Shen, you’ll infiltrate the Triads in a story that feels like it’s straight out of a crime thriller movie. What makes Sleeping Dogs stand out:
The Definitive Edition even packs in all 24 DLC packages, giving you tons of content to enjoy. Moreover, instead of just shooting everything in sight, you’ll use a complex martial arts system that lets you counter attacks, use environmental takedowns, and chain moves together. It’s a refreshing change from GTA’s more straightforward combat, and it might leave you hoping for more fighting options in GTA 6.
Also Read:
4. Yakuza: Like A Dragon
The Yakuza series offers some of gaming’s best crime drama stories, and Like a Dragon brings a fresh take with its new protagonist and combat system. Following Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking yakuza member with a heart of gold, you’ll experience:
What Like a Dragon lacks in map size, it makes up for in personality and things to do. Every street corner has something interesting happening, whether it’s a quirky side quest, a mini-game, or a random encounter. The Hawaiian-inspired section might even give you a taste of GTA 6’s beach vibe.
5. Watch Dogs 2
Set in a vibrant version of San Francisco, Watch Dogs 2 puts hacking tools at the center of your criminal activities. Instead of just shooting your way through problems, you can:
The younger, tech-savvy cast offers a different vibe from GTA’s criminals, but the open-world gameplay will feel familiar to any GTA fan. This game also lets you approach missions in multiple ways. you may go in gun fights like a traditional GTA mission, sneak in without being detected, or hack your way through problems from a distance.
Which Game Should You Choose?
Picking the right game depends on what aspects of GTA you enjoy most:
No single game can fully replace GTA, but trying out these games to play before GTA 6 releases can definitely make the wait easier. Each one brings its own twist on open-world action and crime stories, and might even help you see what makes GTA so great. Try one or try them all, they’ll help pass the time until you’re back in Vice City. Which one will you play first while waiting?
Shida Aruya
Shida is a gaming writer at TechWiser who loves getting comfy with a good book. When she is not writing, you’ll catch her growing crops in Stardew Valley and Fields of Mistria, or exploring Fortnite. For Shida, nothing beats a day split between reading books and playing games.
