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Grand Theft Auto V has reigned supreme for over a decade, but as we look toward the launch of GTA VI in late 2026, the “Open World Crime” genre has never been more competitive. Whether you want the gritty realism of a 1930s mobster, the futuristic chaos of a cyborg mercenary, or the indie “Brazilian GTA” experience, there are now dozens of ways to scratch that itch for urban freedom. From tactical heists to mindless sandbox destruction, here are the 20 best games like GTA V and GTA Online to play in 2026.
The Heavy Hitters: 2026’s Top 5 GTA Alternatives
1. Cyberpunk 2077 (Update 3.0 / Orion Hype)
In 2026, Cyberpunk 2077 is the closest thing we have to a “Next-Gen GTA.” Following the massive success of its final updates, the game now features a functional police system, vehicle combat, and a world (Night City) that feels more dense and alive than Los Santos. If you love GTA for the high-speed driving and the “mercenary for hire” lifestyle, Cyberpunk offers a gritty, neon-soaked version of that dream with deeper RPG mechanics.
2. 171: The “Brazilian GTA”
171 has become the indie darling of 2026. Set in a fictional Brazilian city, it captures the raw “street-level” crime vibe that made GTA: San Andreas a legend. You can customize your cars, engage in gang warfare, and explore a map that feels culturally unique compared to the usual American settings. It’s a must-play for fans who want a smaller, more focused sandbox where every alleyway feels dangerous.
3. Red Dead Redemption 2
Also made by Rockstar, RDR2 is essentially “Grand Theft Auto on a horse.” It uses the same engine and mission structure but trades supercars for stallions and Uzis for revolvers. If you play GTA for the high-quality storytelling and the “living” world where NPCs react to everything you do, RDR2 is the only game on the market that actually surpasses GTA V in terms of detail.
4. MindsEye (2026 Release)
Developed by Leslie Benzies (the former producer of GTA), MindsEye is a 2026 blockbuster that focuses on “high-octane cinematic action.” It’s an open-world game that feels like a blend of GTA V and a Jason Bourne movie. With a heavy focus on driving and advanced physics, it’s designed specifically for the audience that feels GTA has become too “arcade-like” and wants a return to gritty, high-stakes crime.
5. The Precinct
If you ever played GTA and wondered what it was like to be the police, The Precinct is your 2026 answer. It’s a “Police Sim” set in a 1980s neon-noir city. You handle everything from parking tickets to massive high-speed car chases and bank robberies. It uses a top-down perspective reminiscent of the original GTA games but with modern graphics and complex AI systems.
Crime, Chaos, and Heists
6. Watch Dogs 2
Many fans agree that Watch Dogs 2 is the best “Hacker GTA.” Set in a vibrant San Francisco, it allows you to use the city itself as a weapon. You can hack traffic lights to cause pile-ups, remote-control cars to distract guards, and create total chaos without ever firing a bullet.
7. Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition
This is “GTA in Hong Kong” with a focus on Martial Arts. You play as an undercover cop infiltrating the Triads. The hand-to-hand combat is leagues ahead of GTA V, and the neon-lit streets of Hong Kong provide a refreshing change of pace from the West Coast vibe of Los Santos.
8. Mafia: The Old Country
Launching in 2025/2026, this new entry in the Mafia series takes players back to the origins of the mob in Sicily. It’s more linear and story-focused than GTA, but the atmosphere and “period-accurate” crime feel are unmatched. If you loved the “classic crime” missions in GTA, this is the gold standard.
9. Saints Row 2
While the 2022 reboot was polarizing, Saints Row 2 remains the king of “over-the-top” GTA clones. In 2026, many fans have returned to this classic (via community patches) for its incredible gang-customization and the pure, unhinged fun that modern games sometimes take too seriously.
10. Just Cause 4
If your favorite part of GTA is flying planes and causing massive explosions, Just Cause 4 is your playground. You have a wingsuit, a parachute, and a grappling hook that lets you tether tanks to helicopters. It’s less about “crime” and more about “physics-based destruction.”
11. Yakuza 0
Yakuza 0 isn’t exactly a “GTA clone,” but it’s the best “Urban Life Simulator” on the market. The map is small, but it is packed with more mini-games (karaoke, arcade, business management) than any Rockstar game. It’s the perfect game for players who love the “distractions” in GTA.
12. Payday 3 (2026 State)
For those who only play GTA Online for the Heists, Payday 3 is the dedicated experience. By 2026, the game has been polished into a stellar tactical-stealth or loud-action heist simulator. It’s all about the “Job”—planning, executing, and getting away with the loot.
13. L.A. Noire
Another Rockstar masterpiece. It’s a slower, more methodical “Detective GTA” set in 1947 Los Angeles. Instead of planning robberies, you’re solving them by analyzing facial expressions and finding clues. It’s the “thinking man’s” GTA.
14. Mad Max
If you like the desert-dwelling chaos of Trevor Philips, Mad Max is the ultimate wasteland game. The car combat is visceral and satisfying, and the “Interceptor” you build throughout the game is the coolest vehicle in open-world gaming.
15. Far Cry 6
While it’s a First-Person Shooter, Far Cry 6 shares GTA’s love for “Chaotic Sandbox” gameplay. You can steal tanks, ride horses, and use a “Supremo” backpack to launch rockets. It captures that “One Man Army” feeling perfectly.
The New Wave
16. Schedule 1: A 2025/2026 “Drug Dealer Simulator” that has evolved into a massive open-world empire builder.
17. Rustler: Also known as “Grand Theft Horse.” It’s a medieval, top-down game that parodies the original GTA style with knights and bards.
18. Ananta: A 2026 anime-styled open-world game that focuses on high-flying parkour and urban exploration.
19. ENDS: A gritty, realistic London-based crime drama coming in 2026 that aims to be the “British GTA.”
20. LEGO City Undercover: Don’t let the bricks fool you; this is a massive open-world city game with car thefts, disguises, and hilarious writing that parodies every cop movie ever made.
FAQ: Preparing for GTA VI in 2026
Q: Which game has the best multiplayer like GTA Online? A: Watch Dogs: Legion offers a solid co-op world, but for true “chaos with friends,” many players have moved to The Finals or FiveM (GTA RP) servers which are still peaking in 2026.
Q: Is there a “Real Life” simulator like GTA? A: inZOI (the life sim we discussed earlier) actually has driving and city-walking mechanics that feel very “GTA-lite” but without the guns.
Q: What is the best game for “Car Customization”? A: 171 and NFS Unbound are currently the leaders for deep, street-culture car mods in 2026.
Final Thoughts
As we count down the months until we return to Vice City in GTA VI, these 20 titles prove that the spirit of the open-world crime genre is bigger than just one franchise. Whether you want to hack a city, build a cartel, or just drive into the sunset, the sandbox is yours.
What was your craziest moment in Los Santos? Tell us in the comments which game you’re using to pass the time until GTA VI!
