Hit the town in another game
Despite constant controversy in pop culture and the news media, Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is still alive and well. Many fans hold a soft spot for Grand Theft Auto despite its latest entry, GTA V. Starting out as a top-down world, it gravitated toward a completely sprawling experience enhanced with incredible gameplay, dramatic narrative, and engaging architecture and design.
If you’ve finished playing Grand Theft Auto and are looking for another game, no worries! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the trouble with our top 8 picks.
Of course, we’ve also added a handy link to every game we’ve reviewed, so you can check out our full thoughts on it and see if it’s something you want to invest your time in.
Without further ado, here are eight games to see if you’re looking for a game like Grand Theft Auto.
red dead redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the sequel to the acclaimed game of the same name. Like Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption 2 was developed by Rockstar Games and features a vast open world for players to explore.
Despite the game taking place in its early days, it still evokes the same exhilarating and quirky fun that fans have come to expect from a Grand Theft Auto title. The world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is vibrant and offers many activities for players to participate in.
You can hunt down various enemies, travel around the world in search of new scenery, and freely manipulate the entire world. Additionally, Red Dead Redemption 2 offers numerous online activities for players to compete against friends and strangers.
Saints row: The third
Saints Row: The Third is the third installment in the experimental Saints Row franchise. Despite starting out as a Grand Theft Auto knockoff, the franchise has bounced back and forged a great identity in its third installment.
Unlike Grand Theft Auto, Saints Row: The Third offers a more ridiculous and silly experience compared to the gritty, serious tone that its inspiration established. For example, you can find yourself in quirky scenarios such as skydiving in a tank or arming yourself with erotic toys to protect yourself from armed forces.
Grand Theft Auto lets you do some heinous deeds, but this Saints Row title amplifies that a millionfold. But stupidity doesn’t make Saints Row: The Third completely original. The game features the same open world as Grand Theft Auto and approaches gameplay from a similar angle.
However, if you’re looking for a goofier time, we recommend Saints Row: The Third.
Just Cause 4
Like Saints Row: The Third, Just Cause 4 offers a similar gameplay format to Grand Theft Auto, but approaches it from a humorous angle. While realistic visuals play a large part, the game aims to satisfy players with its comedic yet fun approach to action-packed gameplay.
Just Cause feels like Grand Theft Auto’s heroic counterpart, as you find yourself performing heroic stunts and actions for the majority of the game. Like Grand Theft Auto, players have the freedom to visit remote locations, steal different vehicles to move around, and have access to a plethora of great weapons and gadgets.
However, the protagonist makes more use of certain items for story purposes. These items include his parachute, grappling his hook, and wings his suit. These three items of his are essential to exploration in the game, allowing him to quickly zoom past locations.
Just Cause 4 also offers a fair share of unlockable items to collect and achievements for players to complete. For a more heroic effort, check out Just Cause 4.
Yakuza: Like a dragon
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have JRPG mechanics in Grand Theft Auto, look no further than the Yakuza series. I have no doubt that.
It tackles some serious topics like Grand Theft Auto, but in the most hilarious way possible. It’s a breath of fresh air for those tired of beating NPCs and others offline or online.
Despite its comedic approach, Yakuza: Like A Dragon offers stellar turn-based combat. Especially the action scenes are perfect and remind us of classic kung fu movies. Like Grand Theft Auto, Yakuza: Like a Dragon offers other activities that players can participate in. These activities range from kart racing to crane games found in arcades.
lego city undercover
If you’re looking for a Grand Theft Auto clone for kids, look no further than LEGO City Undercover. The game offers a similar open world, but with a more childlike and imaginative feel. In it, you help an undercover cop named Chase McCain stop the terrifying antics across the city of an evil criminal named Rex Fury.
Despite being a children’s game, Lego City Undercover’s story is engaging and compelling. It’s packed with incredible dialogue, great jokes, and parodies of police pop culture. There are some adult jokes sprinkled throughout the game that are sure to make hardcore gamers laugh. The pace of the story can be slow at times, but it leaves an impression on you.
Gameplay is imaginative, but a bit repetitive. The final mechanic used in this game features swapping out different outfits for Chris, each of which has special abilities. I have. The gameplay her loop includes similar animations, sound her effects, and quick her time her events, but the developers have successfully created a level around these abilities.
Gameplay is fairly repetitive by the end of the story. The core mechanic involves switching between several different outfits and using each outfit’s special abilities. What this means in practice is that you face a series of obstacles that require different costumes with the same animations, sounds, and QTEs.
So if you’re looking for a family-friendly GTA clone that everyone can enjoy, check out LEGO City Undercover.
The Simpsons Hit and Run
At the time, The Simpsons Hit & Run was a notable licensed video game. Rather than just following the trend of bringing out mediocre TV and movie-based games, its developers chose to give fans a great experience from The Simpsons Universe. This game is a classic action-adventure title that everyone can enjoy.
The Simpsons Hit & Run takes place in the show’s hometown of Springfield. Many strange incidents occur in the city with crimes and supernatural pranks. Play as Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, and their friend App while completing a number of missions to help uncover the perpetrators behind this strange phenomenon.
The game feels like a Grand Theft Auto clone in every way, and just like GTA’s realistic city, players can traverse Springfield in a variety of ways. Walk, run, or drive past Springfield’s iconic buildings, side streets, and more. The game also features simple action commands that let you punch and kick fellow citizens. The violence is overly brutal as it feels more comical and cartoonish than GTA.
If you’re looking for a great licensed game with hints of GTA elements, find your copy of this game.
Retro City Rampage DX
While titles like The Simpsons Hit & Run and Lego City Undercover copy the ideas and formulas established by modern GTA titles, this game aims to return to its franchise roots. Before jumping into 3D space, his GTA was a top-down game of hijacking cars, running from cops, and completing missions.
Retro City Rampage DX is an action-adventure title with a captivating world, great story, and immersive crime-focused activities. Just like in GTA, you’ll find yourself completing multiple missions, outsmarting the law, and rampaging through 8-bit cityscapes.
Violence is on par with current Grand Theft Auto games. You can use fists and different weapons, power-ups and vehicles to attack enemies and civilians. The landscapes of Retro City Rampage DX are full of life and freedom. You can find many shops, mini-games, collectibles, and customizations in this game.
Unlike GTA, Retro City Rampage includes crossovers with beloved mascots, from Meat Boy to CommanderVideo to Microsoft’s Minecraft Steve. If you’re a retro gamer who misses GTA’s retro gameplay formula, Retro City Rampage DX is for you.
Bully
Bully was released in Rockstar’s experimental phase. It’s kept the GTA game mechanics that fans have become so enamored with, but has the atmosphere, setting, and characters aimed at a younger adult. The game features its share of mature violence and themes, and it feels like a younger sibling version of GTA, but in a good way.
The game takes place in the fictional town of Bulworth. The game follows a juvenile delinquent named Jimmy Hopkins. Due to his disorderly behavior, Jimmy was forced into Bulworth Academy for a year, where players experience his life as Jimmy. With his desire to move up the ranks and end bullying, it’s up to you to help Jimmy survive in this ramshackle institution.
Like GTA, Bully features a great storyline with several chapters. Each chapter contains numerous missions that must be completed. Some make you compete against bad guys in bicycle races, while others fight students with various problems. The vehicles and weapons available in this game look more like a child or teenager than a GTA selection.
You can pick up a variety of weapons, from stink bombs to slingshots. These weapons can damage and stun enemies, but the animations don’t delve into the realms of gore and brutality like GTA (like). On the other hand, the game gives you the freedom to live Jimmy’s life.
However, just like in GTA, fearful actions have consequences.
GTA fans looking to experience a game with similar mechanics in a teenage setting will appreciate what Bully has to offer.
Here are eight video game picks to keep you busy after playing Grand Theft Auto.
What do you think about our recommendations? do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
