As one of the most highly acclaimed video game franchises, it's not surprising that video game developers want to replicate Grand Theft Auto. As a game series with a premise about stealing cars, Grand Theft Auto has generated revenue figures in the billions of dollars.
Numerous spinoffs try to replace Grand Theft Auto, but few have come close to making a meaningful impact in the subgenre. Since it is such a revered game series, it's only natural to want to put together this compilation. These are 10 games like Grand Theft Auto V which you need to play.
10 Watch Dogs 2
Set in San Fransisco's cultural center in Northern California, Watch Dogs 2 is a vast improvement over its predecessor, which was set in Chicago. Exploring Watch Dogs 2's vibrant open world gives you a sense of what San Francisco is about.
Watch Dogs 2 contrasts from Grand Theft Auto. It gives players the ability to manipulate electronic devices, allowing them to control cell phones, traffic lights, surveillance cameras, and other objects. It's a smart take on the open-world action-adventure genre that you need to play to appreciate.
9 Saints Row: The Third
Although Saints Row: The Third is not the final game in the Saints Row series, it may be the strongest entry.
Saints Row: The Third took away some of the nonsensical elements of the game and gave the game a more full-fleshed story. There is nothing wrong with Saints Row IV, and many players will find it better for its improved map. However, Saints Row: The Third was more monumental when it released and was less absurd than Sants Row IV's god-like powers that hindered gameplay.
8 Crackdown
Crackdown takes elements from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas by incorporating skill-building. Performing tasks like running and driving improve your skills and in turn, makes you a better runner and driver.
The original Crackdown was a hit when it released due to its appealing gameplay. Starting the game as a low-class soldier, and rising the ranks to become a superhuman is a thrill ride of its own kind. Crackdown 3 may have received mixed reviews, but the original Crackdown is still every bit as enjoyable as when it released.
7 Sleeping Dogs
What separates Sleeping Dogs from Grand Theft Auto, among other things is its fresh setting in the streets of Hong Kong. Every Grand Theft Auto game is set in America, which makes Sleeping Dogs a welcome change. Contrary to what many might believe, Sleeping Dogs is unrelated to Watch Dogs.
In 2014, Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition released for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. The definitive edition has a noticeable graphical upgrade and contains all the DLC. Even to this day, Sleeping Dogs remains relevant, and we can't help but be enthusiastic about a sequel.
6 Mafia 3
Mafia 3 is gritty and can be over-the-top with its action sequences. Like in Grand Theft Auto, players start from the bottom and go from rags to riches in an open-world game.
The first game in the Mafia series received the most favorable reviews. However, Mafia 3 is a popular game to play for its dark themes and wide availability. The game is often on sale in the Steam, PSN, or Xbox store, so there is little reason not to try this Grand Theft Auto-esque game.
5 Payday 2
In Payday 2, players are put into precarious roles where they must cooperate with teammates to achieve objectives. Like Grand Theft Auto V, Payday 2 puts players in heist situations, which they complete to earn cash.
Payday 2 is highly similar to Grand Theft Auto V's multiplayer heists. Differing from Grand Theft Auto, Payday 2 requires players to play in the first-person.
What Payday 2 does it does exceptionally well. The content makes Payday 2 worth grabbing on sale. It has an abundance of content, but some may grow tired of its gameplay.
4 Scarface: The World Is Yours
Scarface: The World Is Yours is one of the few exceptional video games based on a movie. Shootout sequences are a thrill, and years after its release, the game remains to be fun. The story of Scarface: The World Is Yours is a pseudo-sequel that follows the events of the movie.
Spoiler alert. In the original Scarface movie, Tony Montana dies at the end. In this alternate story, he survives and exacts revenge on those who betrayed him. He plans to rebuild his Miami drug empire. Fans of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas will find excitement from Scarface: The World Is Yours.
3 The Simpsons Hit & Run
An immersive open-world The Simpsons game sounds too good to be true. Against all expectations, The Simpsons Hit & Run does a remarkable job as a Grand Theft Auto copycat.
Cruising around the fictional town of Springfield is a delight. It's not surprising as to why The Simpsons Hit & Run is regarded as one of the best The Simpsons games of all time. Driving through Springfield, you'll encounter characters from the show. Some banter to go with the driving makes the game a thrillfest. Its mission-based story mode isn't bad either.
2 The Godfather II
In The Godfather 2, players utilize squad members with custom traits to achieve objectives. This open-world game encourages exploration. Players can interact with NPCs who can sometimes do favors for you.
Driving cars and earning money is contained in The Godfather 2, much like it is in Grand Theft Auto. The map of The Godfather 2 and shootout sequences bears similarities to Grand Theft Auto as well. As part of the Italian American mafia, you have a world of possibilities to explore.
1 Red Dead Redemption 2
From the same development company as Grand Theft Auto comes Red Dead Redemption 2, a western open-world action-adventure game. Grand Theft Auto meets the wild west in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Many of Red Dead Redemption 2's gameplay mechanics are taken from Grand Theft Auto. Shooting, navigation, and hand-to-hand combat are very similar. According to TheGamer, Red Dead Redemption 2 was a massive success, selling more copies in 8 days than the first game did in 8 years.