GTA 6 arrives on 19 November 2026. If the wait feels endless, here are ten great games that scratch the same itch: big cities, fast cars, crime stories and lots of freedom.
From PixelAlex: If you want a huge world to get lost in before GTA 6 arrives, my personal picks are The Witcher 3 for story and Forza Horizon 5 for pure open-road fun. From this list, I’ve played GTA 5, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Mafia myself, so those three come with my own recommendation.
With only a few weeks left, it also helps to pick something you can actually finish. That is why each entry below explains who it suits and how much time it takes. Tables at the end sort the games by mood and by commitment.
How we chose these games
Every pick shares at least one thing with GTA: a living city, a crime story, great driving or the freedom to make your own fun. We favoured games that are still easy to buy on current platforms. We also mixed huge adventures with shorter stories that fit into a few weekends.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One (playable on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S) · Released: 2018
This is Rockstar’s previous game, and many people’s favourite game of all time. It is slow and detailed, with an unforgettable story. It is also the best preview of the level of detail Rockstar can reach.
Be warned: it is a long game with a deliberately slow start. Give it a few evenings before you judge it. Once the story opens up, the Wild West world feels as alive as any modern city.
Good if you want: the closest idea of how a Rockstar world feels today.
2. Grand Theft Auto V
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S · Released: 2013
The obvious choice. If you have only played GTA Online, go back to the story mode with Michael, Franklin and Trevor. The PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions look better and load much faster than the originals.
Switching between three main characters is the most interesting part. GTA 6 also has two leads, Lucia and Jason, so this is a good reminder of how Rockstar handles more than one hero.
Good if you want: pure GTA, right now.
3. Cyberpunk 2077
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 · Released: 2020
After years of updates, Cyberpunk is now a great open-world game with a strong story. The Phantom Liberty expansion is one of the best spy stories in gaming.
Night City is dense and vertical, with lots of side jobs and gangs. It plays more like a role-playing game than GTA, with skills and upgrades to choose. Phantom Liberty arrived in September 2023 and requires the main game.
Good if you want: a dark city and choices that matter.
4. Mafia: The Old Country
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S · Released: 2025
A story-focused crime game set in early 1900s Sicily. More linear than GTA, but full of atmosphere.
It is one of the newest games on this list, which makes it a good choice if you want modern graphics without a huge time commitment.
Good if you want: a crime film you can play.
5. Mafia: Definitive Edition
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One · Released: 2020
A full remake of the classic gangster story in 1930s America. Great characters and a cinematic story you can finish in a couple of weekends.
The city is mostly a backdrop for the missions rather than a giant playground. That is exactly why it works as a short, focused break before GTA 6.
Good if you want: a satisfying story that won’t take months.
6. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S · Released: 2024
Part of the game is set in sunny Hawaii, so it is a perfect warm-up for Vice City’s beaches. It is funny, emotional and full of side activities.
Combat is turn-based, not real-time action like GTA. If that sounds odd, give it a chance: the silly side stories and mini-games are some of the best in the genre.
Good if you want: sunshine, humour and endless side activities.
7. Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One · Released: 2014
You play an undercover cop in Hong Kong, with great martial-arts fighting. It is often called “the best GTA-like game that isn’t GTA”.
It is older, so the graphics show their age, but the fighting, driving and story still hold up well. It is often very cheap in sales.
Good if you want: a GTA-style game on a small budget.
8. Watch Dogs 2
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One · Released: 2016
A colourful San Francisco where you hack phones, cars and the whole city. It is lighter and more playful than most crime games.
Its jokes about tech companies and social media fit nicely with what the GTA 6 trailers have shown about influencers and viral videos.
Good if you want: a playful, tech-themed city.
9. Forza Horizon 5
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS5 · Released: 2021 (PS5: 2025)
If driving is your favourite part of GTA, this is a dream: a huge, beautiful version of Mexico with hundreds of cars.
There is no crime story, but cruising past jungles, beaches and towns is relaxing. It is easy to play for twenty minutes or two hours. For more racing ideas, see our best racing games.
Good if you want: driving without the police chasing you.
10. L.A. Noire
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2011
A detective game published by Rockstar (developed by Team Bondi), set in 1940s Los Angeles. You solve cases by searching for clues and questioning suspects.
It is slower than GTA and more about thinking than shooting. Treat it as a crime drama with a Rockstar-style city around it.
Good if you want: to play the detective instead of the criminal.
Tip: Before you install a big game now, check how much free storage you will have left. GTA 6 is likely to need a lot of space on launch day, so plan which games you can delete before 19 November.
Quick picks
| If you want… | Play |
|---|---|
| The closest thing to GTA 6 | GTA 5 or Red Dead Redemption 2 |
| A great story | Cyberpunk 2077 |
| Sunshine and beaches | Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth |
| Driving | Forza Horizon 5 |
| Something short | Mafia: Definitive Edition |
How much time do you have?
Launch is close, so be realistic. This rough guide sorts the list by commitment.
| Commitment | Games |
|---|---|
| A few weekends | Mafia: Definitive Edition, Mafia: The Old Country, Sleeping Dogs, L.A. Noire |
| Several weeks | Watch Dogs 2, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Cyberpunk 2077 |
| Months (or forever) | Red Dead Redemption 2, GTA 5, Forza Horizon 5 |
If you start a very long game now, you may have to pause it on 19 November. That is fine for Forza Horizon 5, which you can dip into at any time. It is harder with a story-heavy game like Red Dead Redemption 2.
Playing on a budget
You don’t need to spend much before GTA 6 takes a big bite out of your wallet:
- Wait for sales. Older games on this list, such as Sleeping Dogs and Watch Dogs 2, are regularly discounted on every platform.
- Check your subscriptions. Game Pass and PlayStation Plus catalogues change often, so a game here may already be included. Our guides to Xbox Game Pass tiers and PlayStation Plus tiers explain what each level includes.
- Play what you own. If GTA 5 is already in your library, a fresh story playthrough costs nothing.
Black Friday also falls around launch time. Our Black Friday gaming deals tips help you spot fake bargains.
Get ready for launch day
While you play, prepare your console in the background. Our GTA 6 launch checklist covers storage, pre-loads and TV settings, so you can switch straight to Leonida on day one.
Need the latest launch details? Read our GTA 6 release date and price guide.
Read next: 10 best games like Red Dead Redemption 2 · Best Assassin’s Creed games ranked · Every GTA game ranked
Quick answers
What is the best game like GTA? GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 are the closest, because they come from the same studio.
Should I play GTA 5 before GTA 6? It isn’t required, because each GTA story stands alone. However, it is a great reminder of Rockstar’s humour and open-world design.
Is Red Dead Redemption 2 worth playing before GTA 6? Yes, if you have the time. It shows the level of detail Rockstar reached in its most recent big game.
What can I play on PS5 while waiting for GTA 6? Most of this list. GTA 5, Cyberpunk 2077, Mafia: The Old Country, Forza Horizon 5 and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth all have PS5 versions. Most PS4 games can also be played on PS5 through backward compatibility.
Is there a short game like GTA? Mafia: Definitive Edition and Mafia: The Old Country both tell focused crime stories you can finish quickly.
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