Can’t shake the excitement for Grand Theft Auto 6? While the wait feels agonizing, here are five open-world titles you can dive into that might just make you forget about GTA 6, at least for a little while. These fantastic games capture the same grit and atmosphere Rockstar is known for, while bringing their own unique flair to the genre.
Here are five fantastic open-world titles to play while you wait for GTA 6:
Sleeping Dogs
If you’ve been chatting with a friend about their favorite open-world game, you might hear Sleeping Dogs come up. It’s one of the most underrated titles in recent memory, and it’s a shame the series never took off. With great Arkham-like combat, it really stands out from Grand Theft Auto and other giants in the genre.
Set in Hong Kong, Sleeping Dogs throws you into a gritty, crime-fueled adventure as you dive deep into the criminal underworld of the triads. The game nails its neon-soaked atmosphere and delivers everything you’d want from a GTA-style experience: drivable cars, brutal hand-to-hand combat, and high-octane shootouts.
READ: Sleeping Dogs May Finally Get the Sequel It Deserves
The Mafia Trilogy
The Mafia series has always been a solid alternative when you’re feeling burned out on GTA. These games deliver that familiar power fantasy, blasting through mobs of enemies with ease, as long as you’ve got the firepower and the connections. The Mafia Trilogy is worth exploring, but The Old Country (a prequel set before the original game) offers a refreshing new take on the series and it's coming this August.
While it’s not a traditional open-world game, The Old Country lets you explore the stunning sights of 1900s Sicily as you follow the earliest roots of the Mafia.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
If you’re craving the kind of chaos GTA 6 promises; or just want more of the wild energy Trevor brought to GTA 5, the Yakuza series is a perfect fit. Not only is it laugh-out-loud funny, but it also offers some of the most emotionally rich storytelling in modern Japanese media.
Starting with Like A Dragon, the series shifts from real-time brawling to turn-based combat. But don’t worry, it keeps its signature offbeat humor and deeply human narrative intact, while taking you to a sprawling open-world packed with activities.
Grand Theft Auto 5
If none of these games scratch the itch, why not return to where it all began? Grand Theft Auto 5 still holds up remarkably well. Whether you’re revisiting the chaos of Trevor, Michael, and Franklin’s crime sprees, or experiencing it for the first time, it’s a great way to appreciate just how far Rockstar’s RAGE engine has come, especially after that second GTA 6 trailer.
And if the story’s not enough, GTA Online is still going strong, with regular updates and a massive community to dive into.
Cyberpunk 2077
Night City is calling, and Johnny Silverhand and V are waiting for you. Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way since launch. Updates and patches have made it live up to its potential, while The Phantom Liberty expansion adds more intrigue and world-building to an already excellent story.
This is CD Projekt Red’s most ambitious project yet, even surpassing The Witcher 3 in scope. Its bleak, dystopian story, memorable characters, and fantastic soundtrack will stay with you long after the credits roll.
While there are plenty more open-world titles to help ease the wait for Grand Theft Auto 6, these five stand out for their distinctive styles and immersive worlds. For more gaming recommendations, check out Gfinity.