Key Takeaways
- GTA Online is its own entity, owed to post-launch content and a close-knit player community.
- Players anticipating GTA 6 can explore similar games like Mafia and Yakuza for excitement.
- Various games offer a range of genres similar to GTA Online, providing ample options for fans.
GTA Online is widely considered its own entity within the Grand Theft Auto community. The success of GTA Online is attributed to its added content post-launch and close-knit community of players. The wait for Grand Theft Auto 6 is drawing to a close, and players who were hyped by this widely anticipated game’s trailer will find it worthwhile to check out some other games like GTA in the meantime.
Thankfully, there are more than enough games like GTA Online out there for fans who may be tired after spending hundreds of hours in this addictive multiplayer mode. These games range from single-player experiences to chaotic multiplayer titles and everything in between. Given the wealth of genres that GTA Online messes around with, it’s easy to see why many games fit the bill in this regard.
Updated on September 19, 2024, by Mehrdad Khayyat: GTA Online is one of the most popular MMO titles of the recent and current generation of consoles, and it doesn’t really seem any other game can rival it other the next mainline entry in the franchise, though there are some similar experiences that can keep fans busy until Grand Theft Auto 6 arrives.
Aside from its multiplayer nature, GTA Online expands the amount and variety of activities that players can do in the city of Los Santos. Honestly, few games can provide so much content in a massive open-world universe, but there are still some good options that are worth giving a try.
27 No Man’s Sky
An Endless Universe With Strong Content Support
No Man’s Sky might not be the favorite game for those who love to drive around the streets with highly customized vehicles, but for those who look for a massive universe with tons of activities, this is indeed one of the best games to ever exist.
With full multiplayer support, No Man’s Sky has a lot of planets to explore with numerous missions and quests to complete. Players can buy new spaceships, build their very own base, and team up with friends to hunt deadly creatures or apprehend space criminals.
26 Mafia Trilogy
A GTA-Style Franchise Set In The 20th Century
Mafia is a GTA clone that deserves all its plaudits for leaning heavily into the story side of things and wowing players with the amazing writing over and over again. So, it’s easy to see why fans were elated to find out that this amazing series would receive a much-needed visual upgrade and allow more players to see what made the first and second games in the Mafia series so special.
Gameplay-wise, Mafia Trilogy might not provide so much variety in the amount of weapons and vehicles, but it has all the necessary tools to give players a challenging experience. The story is the beating heart of this trilogy, especially the first entry, with Tommy Angelo’s time being rife with death-defying scenarios, intense shootouts, and powerful interactions that will stay with players long after they’re done playing this masterful game.
25 Saints Row Series
A Modern-Day Open-World Experience With Maximum Insanity
It’s a shame that Volition doesn’t exist anymore. The Saints Row series’ goofy nature and over-the-top gunplay were scrapped in the reboot, which ended up being a poor decision that completely nuked all the hype for the game and turned it into everyone’s favorite punching bag upon release.
It’s a shame since players loved the series when it was at the height of its popularity, with Saints Row 2 being a fan-favorite that combined the best of old and new Saints Row to make for something special. The story of this title was surprisingly engaging and added a lot of emotional weight to the combat scenarios that players would be thrust into time and time again.
Saints Row 3 managed to reach an even higher peak in the franchise by improving the gameplay and adding more than enough insane features to the character creation and vehicle customization gameplay.
24 Fallout 76
After Numerous Updates, This Online Fallout Game Is Finally Worth Checking Out
The runaway success of the Fallout TV series has brought more eyes to the franchise than ever before. This was a boon for Fallout 76, with many people realizing just how much this multiplayer Fallout game has improved since a launch that was lambasted for stripping a lot of what made Fallout special in a bid to cater to the MMO audience.
Now, with numerous updates, a wealth of content, and much-needed improvements, Fallout 76 has become a great multiplayer game that fans of GTA Online will love. Colluding with other players to defeat enemies and completing quests adds a social element that helps gamers feel less alone in a wasteland that is out for their blood whenever one steps into hostile territory.
23 The Saboteur
An Open-World Action-Packed Game Set In Nazi-Invaded France
Just like Sleeping Dogs, The Saboteur was also a hidden gem among the open-world game that never received a sequel after the closure of its developer by Electronic Arts. The game chooses a pretty interesting location for its setting in a turbulent era.
Depicting France while at war with the Nazis gave The Saboteur a unique setting. Driving in the streets of the city and helping resistance groups to liberate the neighborhoods one by one was the main progression path in the game. The Saboteur was a story-heavy game with some interesting gameplay mechanics. The protagonist can sneak up to the rooftops like an assassin and sabotage the Nazi devices or terror them in silence.
22 Yakuza 0
An Excellent Open-World Game That Popularized The Yakuza Series In The West
The Yakuza series wasn’t all that mainstream for the longest time, and the weird structure of the game didn’t help things. So when RGG Studio decided to work on a prequel to the main narrative, they had no idea just how much of a success this title would be.
Both Kiryu and Majima are two excellent characters who have compelling narratives that run in tandem. It’s one of the easiest Yakuza narratives to follow, which is a huge achievement for people who know how convoluted the stories can get, and the combat styles do a great job of making the gameplay feel fresh and engaging.
21 Bully
Taking The Grand Theft Auto Ideas To A High School
Bully is by far one of the most creative open-world games to ever exist. Few games have touched on the student life of people, and Rockstar really nailed it with Bully, a game that was indeed so much ahead of its time, and it is a shame that there has not been a sequel to it so far.
In Bully, players take control of a school student, Jimmy, in an open-world environment. The players need to keep their grades high while running errands in the school for almost everyone. There are so many engaging activities in Bully that the player can barely get bored by playing it.
20 L.A. Noire
A Collaboration Between Team Bondi And Rockstar Games With Revolutionary Facial Animations At The Time
When L.A. Noire came out, it was a product of cutting-edge innovation that wowed players with its amazing mocap technology. While the other pillars of this title’s gameplay were far from refined, the detective gameplay of the series coupled with an interesting story allowed players to experience a masterful title that many fans still can’t stop raving about to this day.
Cole Phelps is an excellent protagonist who is on the verge of uncovering a major conspiracy, only for his career to be derailed after details of an affair come to light. However, the tenacious detective doesn’t give up even after this setback, leading to a pulse-pounding conclusion that will remain in the minds of fans long after they’ve finished playing this incredible game.
19 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
A Massive Open-World With Memorable Characters, Great Action, And A Ton Of Things To Do
CD Projekt Red is a master of their craft when it comes to developing incredible RPGs, and no game personified this more than The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The title is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that fans of incredible fantasy games need to check out. The next-gen update allows players to experience this amazing game with a fresh coat of paint for those who want an excuse to get into this title and see what the hype is all about.
Geralt is easily one of the most beloved video game protagonists of all time, with the side characters also doing a great job of letting players enjoy the many interactions that they’ll have with them throughout this adventure. The writing, quest design, open world, and combat are all pretty sublime in their own right. Fans of GTA Online who want to check out a game that is steeped in a fantasy world can’t go wrong with this legendary title.
18 Red Dead Redemption Series
Rockstar’s Western Open-World Game That Turned Into A Massive Success
The first Red Dead Redemption title is a game that was stuck on past-gen consoles for the longest time before Rockstar finally ported it to modern systems. Players could finally experience John Marston’s story after leaving Dutch’s gang, which was even more emotional and interesting for those who played Red Dead Redemption 2, revealing exactly how his bonds with the gang evaporated throughout their harrowing adventures.
Most of today’s gamers, however, adore Red Dead Redemption 2 not only for its amazing story but also for all the jaw-dropping details in the visuals of the game that turned it into one of the most realistic experiences ever made. The second iteration did come with an online mode that became popular just like GTA Online, though Rockstar stopped supporting it with new content sooner than expected. It’s been a long time now that Red Dead Online has not received a content update, but the universe is still worth it to hang around in sometimes.
17 The Crew 2
An Open-World Racing Game That Replicated The Entire Map Of America
The Crew 2 is easily one of the most ambitious racing games of all time. It offers a massive open-world playground where players can compete in a wide range of races with cars, boats, and planes.
The title’s stunning graphics, dynamic weather, and a variety of vehicles deliver a thrilling and immersive racing experience that will satisfy any speed demon’s cravings. While it lacks the on-foot roaming aspects of GTA Online, The Crew 2 is an easy recommendation for fans of the series who love the driving mechanics of Grand Theft Auto 5.
16 Sleeping Dogs
Born From The Ashes Of The True Crime Series With Great Melee Combat And A Fun Story
Sleeping Dogs is a highly underrated open-world game set in the streets of Hong Kong. As an undercover cop called Wei Shen, players must infiltrate a ruthless triad organization and navigate a web of deceit and danger.
The amazing hand-to-hand combat, thrilling chase sequences, and an authentic Hong Kong setting are easily the biggest strengths of this title. Sleeping Dogs delivers a gripping and cinematic action-adventure experience that will keep players on the edge of their seats.
15 Ghost Of Tsushima: Legends
An Incredible Multiplayer Expansion That Builds Upon Ghost Of Tsushima’s Gameplay
Ghost of Tsushima: Legends is an exciting multiplayer expansion to Sony’s critically acclaimed open-world game set in feudal Japan. Players can team up with their friends or other players online to embark on thrilling cooperative missions and face challenging enemies inspired by Japanese folklore.
With four unique character classes to choose from, each with its own abilities and playstyle, players can strategically plan their attacks and utilize teamwork to overcome formidable foes. The setting may be different in every way, but fans of GTA Online who want more amazing open-world multiplayer games will love what Ghost of Tsushima: Legends brings to the table.
14 Fortnite
A Hugely Popular Multiplayer Third-Person Shooter That Needs No Introduction
Fortnite is one of the most popular free-to-play games around right now. The game might be made fun of for many reasons, but no one can’t deny that Fortnite is absolutely loaded with content and pretty accessible to boot.
Many gamers love this battle royale title and its endless charm, with the different skins in the game also being quite notable in their own right. Fortnite has turned into a pop culture phenomenon that is going to stick around for quite some time indeed, and with the chaos it provides, fans of GTA Online are sure to enjoy what it has to offer.
13 Final Fantasy 14
The Best Modern MMORPG With A Surprisingly Excellent Story
Final Fantasy 14 is considered by many to be one of the best modern MMORPGs around, and for good reason. After a disastrous launch, Square Enix went back to the drawing board and released an updated version of the game that blew everyone’s minds.
Final Fantasy 14 wastes no time in setting its roots before offering hours upon hours of content through timely updates and amazing expansions. The community of this title is truly impressive and helps many fledgling players come to grips with the mechanics of this title. Though it may not be as hectic as GTA Online, the social elements involved are sure to impress fans of the Rockstar title.
12 Cyberpunk 2077
An Amazing Open-World Game That Has Progressed By Leaps & Bounds Since Its Disastrous Launch
Cyberpunk 2077 is a video game that is finally getting the love it deserves after the various fixes CD Projekt Red released after launch. The story of V, as they try to save themself from dying, is a riveting one that will keep players hooked until the very end.
It helps that Night City is a blast to explore, with this urban sprawl being loaded with content. Players who give this title a chance will quickly fall in love with the city, its characters, and the amazing storyline that never fails to impress till the very end.
11 Borderlands 2
A Beloved Co-Op Looter-Shooter With Excellent, Humorous Writing
The Borderlands trilogy is a fun ride with friends, even with the issues some people may have with the final title. Of course, the best title in this trilogy is undoubtedly Borderlands 2, which still holds up to this day as an incredibly fun and engaging FPS title.
Playing this game in co-op is a wildly entertaining experience, with the tight shooting mechanics and engaging art style being a blast in every way. Searching the world and finding amazing equipment along the way never gets boring.
10 Garry’s Mod RP Servers
Lets Players Get Into The Roles Of Their Choice In A Detailed Server
One of the most fun ways to play GTA Online is to join a role-playing server and immerse oneself in that online community. The physics sandbox game Garry’s Mod has pretty similar hijinks and communities to those found in GTA Online – plus, there’s a lot more diversity in terms of role-playing themes.
Whether a player wants to role-play as a new student at Hogwarts, a Stormtrooper on the Death Star, or simply make a life for themselves in a normal city setting, Garry’s Mod has it all.
9 Minecraft RP Servers
Detailed Worlds From Various Settings Where Players Have To Adhere To A Strict Set Of Rules
While Minecraft might seem completely different from GTA Online, the same concepts of role-playing apply to both. Many Minecraft servers offer server-based add-ons that control how players can act and change the gameplay entirely, such as those with role-playing and city systems.
It might take a little while to get used to the wildly different graphical quality of Minecraft. There’s a lot more customization potential and creativity found in the game’s role-playing community, though, for those who enjoy the RP aspect of GTA Online.
8 ARK: Survival Evolved
An Online Survival Game Set In A World Where Dinosaurs Run Rampant
ARK: Survival Evolved is, in a word, wacky. It’s been compared to survival-crafting games of the past, but it puts its own unique (and completely out-there) take on the genre, incorporating multiplayer and group survival as central gameplay concepts.
Those who enjoy surviving and thriving against the odds with friends in GTA Online shouldn’t skip out on ARK: Survival Evolved, especially if they enjoyed the ARK: Survival Ascended sequel released in 2023.
