GTA 6 has a definitive release date of November 19, 2026, which is roughly one and a half months away. The game is highly anticipated, and Rockstar Games has left no stone unturned in hyping it up as much as possible. This developer even put up promotional material all over Miami, as GTA 6 features a fictional version of the real city. Fans may think that they should play GTA V while waiting for GTA 6, but here are the best games that they should try.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Vice City starts off similarly to most titles in the GTA franchise, with something going wrong and the main character going on a cycle of crime, violence, and awesome missions. This particular title features a fictional version of Miami and is the first time players see Tommy Vercetti. He is the main character, who gets betrayed, and the story follows how he gets his revenge. Vice City was the first game to introduce purchasing properties and made it a progression element, which also unlocked side missions.
The biggest reason to play Vice City is that GTA 6 will feature the location while reportedly expanding it into a massive in-game world. Vice City featured a retro 1980s Miami-like world, while GTA 6 will give players a more modern take on the location. Players can experience GTA’s initial introduction of Vice City and visit some of the memorable locations, such as the famous Malibu Club.
Red Dead Redemption 2
RDR2 is a relatively modern game, but the in-game setting is the American Wild West era. Players take control of Arthur Morgan as he flees after a robbery gone wrong. The game has similar popular GTA mechanics, such as gang relationships, survival, and butting heads with lawmen and rival factions. This isn’t surprising given the era it is set in and also because RDR2 is developed by Rockstar Games. There are several side activities, such as hunting, fishing, robbing, and even just talking to random NPCs.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a good choice when selecting games to play while waiting for GTA 6 because of its open-world design that encourages exploration. GTA 6 will also feature a massive open world, where players will be able to commit various crimes. RDR2 can allow players to experience some of the similar stuff before they can play Rockstar’s upcoming title.
Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition
This game is a little different from what GTA fans are used to, as you control an undercover police officer who is infiltrating the Triads. The game is open-world and is set in Hong Kong, with you being tasked with maintaining your cover while rising through the ranks of the Triads. There are several similarities to GTA games as well, as driving and gunfights are crucial elements to the gameplay. However, a major difference is that Sleeping Dogs has a strong focus on martial arts combat.
Sleeping Dogs may not follow the popular GTA formula, but it still features a criminal open-world setup. Players can explore Hong Kong while taking part in crimes, and also drive luxurious cars. The undercover police angle and hand-to-hand combat offer enough differences so the game doesn’t feel too similar to a GTA title.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk may be the most unique game on the list, as you control a cybernetic mercenary in a futuristic recreation of California. While the main character may be different, several gameplay elements are similar to GTA titles. Players can explore the open world on foot or drive around, use weapons in combat, and also form relationships with characters. The game also has no shortage of businesses and gangs, which are central elements in any GTA title.
Cyberpunk 2077’s main similarity with the GTA universe is the similar open-world setup, where players can roam around and look for different things to do rather than be focused on a linear path. The side missions, vehicles, and characters are another similarity between them, but Cyberpunk is more RPG-oriented, and your choices matter more than they typically would in a GTA game.
Watch Dogs 2
Watch Dogs 2 is set around the San Francisco Bay Area, and players control a young hacker, Marcus Holloway. The story focuses on Marcus fighting against ctOS 2.0, a system that is being used to monitor and control citizens. Marcus can hack into vehicles, drones, and other infrastructure. The mechanic is crucial to the gameplay and can be used to manipulate enemies, create distractions, or for other strategic situations. The gameplay can be tackled with hacking, stealth, or melee combat.
Watch Dogs 2’s hacking mechanics set it apart from GTA games, but the other elements, such as the open world where you can drive around, make it similar to Rockstar’s popular franchise. There’s no denying that the game focuses on technology, but players can also shoot their way through like they would in GTA. Both games also have similar modern locations, and fans should definitely give Watch Dogs 2 a go.
