10 GTA-Style Games to Play As You Wait for GTA VI

The GTA franchise revolutionized open-world games, combining narrative, freedom of exploration, and mechanics that range from trivial to creative chaos. With the announcement of GTA VI, the fan community was in an uproar, but Rockstar delayed the game until 2026, something that frustrated many. But there are great options for titles to play while we wait for what should be a new milestone in the video game industry. In this article, I bring you 10 games that capture the essence of the series and offer similar experiences, whether it's building criminal empires, exploring vibrant cities, or the freedom to create your own destiny.

Saints Row (2022)

Standing out for its irreverent humor, freedom of exploration and a more exaggerated approach compared to other titles in the genre, Saints Row has attracted attention since its launch. The series has won over fans looking for a fun experience, full of absurdities and lots of creativity. The gameplay combines shootings, varied missions, character customization and plenty of vehicles, all always with a humorous and often satirical touch.

You can create your own character, choose clothes, weapons and even build your gang, which gives a very satisfying sense of control and customization. The maps are large and full of side missions, such as races, rescue missions, skill challenges and random events that keep the player always entertained.

The game's tone is quite light, with funny dialogues, cartoonish characters and absurd situations that play on action movie and pop culture clichés. In addition, the narrative often ridicules current issues and stereotypes, something that reinforces the franchise's spirit of fun and social criticism. The games feature graphics and artistic styles that match the humorous tone, creating an intense and personality-filled universe.

Infamous Second Son

Infamous Second Son is an early PS4 game that stands out to this day for its impressive graphics and fun gameplay that captures the essence of being a hero with special powers. The game follows Delsin Rowe, who has the ability to absorb and manipulate powers from other Conduits, people with superhuman abilities.

After discovering his powers, Delsin becomes involved in a fight against the DUP, an organization that seeks to control and eliminate the Conduits, Delsing also fights against the government that tries to maintain order in a futuristic Seattle. The plot is well constructed, with dialogues and a narrative that explore themes of freedom, responsibility and morality.

The gameplay is one of the game's strong points, very fluid and dynamic, allowing the player to use various powers, such as smoke manipulation, neon, and other elements, each with their own abilities and combat styles. The player can freely explore the city, complete main and secondary missions, as well as undertake challenges that test their skills with their powers.

The graphics are beautiful, with detailed environments, incredible visual effects that are still impressive today, and smooth animation that takes full advantage of the PS4's potential. Infamous Second Son is an excellent choice for those who enjoy action games with special powers, a strong narrative in an open world to explore with freedom and style.

Mad Max

Mad Max perfectly captures the essence of the post-apocalyptic universe created by George Miller. Inspired by the film franchise, the game offers an immersive experience, full of action, exploration and a dark atmosphere. The story follows Max, a survivor who seeks revenge and redemption in a world devastated by war and scarcity of resources.

Throughout the game, you face dangerous enemies, melee combat challenges and participate in vehicle battles, which are one of the game's highlights. Mad Max's combat system is brutal and very satisfying, with a variety of weapons and abilities that can be improved over time. The customization of your car, Magnum Opus, is another strong point, allowing the player to modify it with different weapons, armor and performance improvements, making each vehicle unique and prepared to face the dangers of the desert.

The open world exploration is quite great, with abandoned environments, ruins and enemy camps to conquer. The game has detailed graphics that accurately portray the arid and dark landscape of the post-apocalyptic setting, as well as a soundtrack that matches the tense and adventurous atmosphere. Mad Max offers fun gameplay and a narrative that captures the essence of the universe created by the films, pleasing fans of action, vehicles and desolate worlds.

Just Cause

In Just Cause the player is in an open world full of action, destruction and freedom. The last two games in the franchise are the best in terms of frenetic action and exploration. In Just Cause 3 you take on the role of Rico Rodriguez, an agent fighting against an oppressive regime on Medici Island. The most striking feature of the games is their emphasis on massive destruction and creative missions.

You can use various weapons, vehicles, and the famous grappling hook to climb, pull objects, or create incredible combinations of destruction. The gameplay is fluid, allowing you to explore the island freely, completing main missions or simply causing chaos wherever you go. The graphics are beautiful, with detailed environments and a vibrant atmosphere.

Its successor Just Cause 4 has evolved the mechanics, bringing even more possibilities for destruction and a more dynamic environment. Rico explores the island of Solís, facing a new threat. The game's highlight is the improved weather and physics system, which allows storms, tornadoes and other natural phenomena that can be used to your advantage or against your enemies.

The gameplay maintains the essence of freedom, with a wide range of vehicles, weapons and gadgets. The graphics have also been improved, with more detailed environments and impressive visual effects. The story is more elaborate, with more developed characters, but maintains the fun and exaggerated tone typical of the franchise. The possibility of creating strategies using the weather and physics makes the game even more exciting and creative.

Mafia Definitive Edition

The Mafia trilogy is a series of games that has won over fans for its narrative, historical setting, and gameplay. Each title offers a unique experience, but they all share the central theme of organized crime and the search for redemption.

In Mafia Definitive Edition, the game takes place in the 1930s, during the Prohibition era in the United States. You take on the role of Tommy Angelo, a cab driver who gets involved with the Mafia and ends up immersed in a world of violence, loyalty and betrayal. The story is strong, with beautifully written dialogue and a setting that captures the atmosphere of the time with historical details and stunning visuals. The gameplay combines gunfights, car chases and free exploration, creating an immersive and exciting experience.

Set in the 1940s and early 1950s, Mafia II: Definitive Edition follows the story of Vito Scaletta, a young man who seeks to rise in the world of crime while facing the difficulties of a post-war America. The game has a well-crafted storyline, with charismatic characters and a detailed recreation of New York and its suburban areas. The gameplay maintains the essence of the first, with varied missions, combat and driving classic vehicles.

Even though there is no Definitive Edition version, Mafia III is worth playing. The game features a more modern and social narrative, set in the city of New Orleans in the 1960s. You control Lincoln Clay, a war veteran who seeks revenge against the local mafia. Addressing themes of racism, corruption and justice, with a more mature story and complex characters, the game offers freedom of exploration, intense combat and a soundtrack that captures the essence of the era.

Yakuza 0

Yakuza 0 is a prequel of sorts, set in the 1980s, that tells the stories of two iconic protagonists: Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima. The gameplay combines real-time fighting action, open-world exploration, and a narrative full of drama, humor, and heartfelt moments. What makes Yakuza 0 so special is its unique blend of serious elements with touches of humor and absurdity, creating an experience that is both intense and fun.

Players can engage in street battles, take part in side missions, play arcade games, shop at convenience stores, or even enjoy karaoke with the characters. The story is full of twists and turns, featuring gang conflicts, corruption, and deep personal issues, set in Tokyo and Osaka, recreated in stunning detail.

The graphics, despite being from a previous generation, are still beautiful and detailed, with environments that convey the atmosphere of the 80s well. Yakuza 0 is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in the series, offering a balanced combination of combat, narrative and a unique atmosphere. A game that wins over with its style, story and unforgettable characters, being an unmissable experience for action fans.

Sleeping Dogs

Sleeping Dogs is a game that has won over players with an interesting story and dynamic gameplay. Set in Hong Kong, the game offers scenarios full of details that truly transport the player to the city. The plot follows Wei Shen, an undercover police officer who needs to infiltrate one of the largest criminal organizations in the region, which generates a story full of tension, twists and moral dilemmas.

One of the greatest strengths of Sleeping Dogs is its combination of hand-to-hand combat, gunfights and car chases, all with a sense of fluidity and realism that keeps the player glued to the screen. The combat system is inspired by martial arts, allowing for quick strikes and combos that make fights quite satisfying. In addition, the game offers many side missions, such as races, street fights and investigations, which give the feeling of a living and breathing world.

Sleeping Dogs impresses with detailed graphics and well-built environments that capture the essence of Hong Kong. An excellent choice for those who enjoy action games with varied gameplay.

L.A. Noire

L.A. Noire stands out for its innovative combination of investigation, storytelling and motion capture technology. Set in 1940s Los Angeles, the game puts you in the role of Detective Cole Phelps, who works in different departments, from drug trafficking to homicide, as he tries to solve complex cases, unraveling a network of corruption and crime.

What stands out in the game is its investigation system, where we need to collect clues, interrogate witnesses and suspects, using intuition to determine if someone is lying or telling the truth. The big innovation here is the lie detection system, which evaluates facial expressions, micro expressions and body language, a facial capture technology that really impresses with its accuracy and realism. This mechanic makes each interrogation a tense and engaging experience, requiring attention to detail and a good dose of intuition.

The game's graphics are a work of art, combined with realistic facial capture, creating a unique and immersive atmosphere, transporting the player to old Los Angeles. The soundtrack complements the noir setting, reinforcing the atmosphere of mystery and suspense.

L.A. Noire has a deep narrative, with well-developed characters and plots that explore themes of corruption, morality, and justice. Each case is a unique story that requires logical reasoning and emotional sensitivity. An experience that combines investigation, strong storytelling, and technology. For those who enjoy mystery games and engaging stories, this is a work that is certainly worth exploring.

Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption is one of the most beloved games ever, a classic that redefines the genre of western and open world games. With gameplay that combines elements of action, exploration and storytelling, the player can hunt, fish, steal, fight and interact with a variety of characters, all in a vast and vibrant open world. The attention to detail is remarkable, from the weather to the wildlife, creating an immersive experience. In addition, the morality system influences how the world reacts to you, making every decision important.

It counts with two titles that keep the player hooked from start to finish. In the first game, we are taken to the end of the 19th century, following the story of John Marston, a former outlaw forced by the government to hunt down his former companions to guarantee his family's freedom. The narrative is exciting, full of dramatic moments, memorable characters and a setting that captures the essence of the Old West in impressive detail. The story of John Marston is a journey of redemption, full of twists and turns and exciting moments.

In Red Dead Redemption 2 we continue in the late 19th century, now following the story of Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang. RDR2 enhances the game world with a vast, vibrant and incredibly alive map, diverse wildlife, dynamic weather and characters that react realistically to the player's actions. Every interaction, mission or simple stroll reveals the depth of the game.

The combination of an engaging story, varied gameplay, and a living world makes Red Dead Redemption 2 a modern masterpiece that will delight fans of action and deep storytelling alike. It’s an experience that will stay with you forever and cement Rockstar’s status as one of the world’s leading game developers.

Both games are considered landmarks in gaming history for their strong narrative, detailed open world, and gameplay. It's an experience that leaves a lasting mark on video game history.

Watch Dogs 2

One of the strongest points of Watch Dogs 2 is its open-ended gameplay, full of possibilities. You can freely explore the city, hack devices, invade systems, manipulate vehicles and create strategies to accomplish your missions. The freedom of action is impressive, allowing the player to choose between stealth, combat or even humorous approaches, using gadgets and special abilities.

The game brings a lighter, more fun and engaging approach to the universe of hacking and action games. Set in the city of San Francisco, the game introduces us to Marcus Holloway, a young hacker with a rebellious spirit who joins the group DedSec to fight corruption, the control of large corporations and the surveillance system that threatens everyone's privacy.

The humorous narrative, with extroverted characters and intelligent dialogues, give a lighter tone to the serious theme of privacy and digital control. In addition, the game presents a colorful and vibrant aesthetic, which contrasts with the dark mood of other titles in the genre, making the experience more accessible and fun.

The graphics are beautiful and detailed, capturing the essence of San Francisco really well. An excellent choice for those who enjoy action games with a hacking twist and freedom of exploration. An exciting, intelligent adventure full of possibilities, which will certainly please fans of open-ended games and technology.

While GTA VI is still on the horizon, these games, along with many others, each with their own identity, offer open-world experiences. From the technological chaos of Watch Dogs 2 to the crime drama of Mafia, there are options for all tastes, and the essence of freedom and immersive storytelling lives on in the titles above. Explore, cause chaos, and build your legacy; the virtual world awaits you.

Which title would you include on this list? Leave a comment so I can play it while I wait for the greatest gaming classic to arrive.