There's no doubt that Grand Theft Auto is one of the most iconic series in gaming. Since the very first GTA title back in 1997, the franchise has produced numerous hits. It's also inspired more than a few imitators and can be credited with spearheading the urban open-world genre.
With GTA 6 a long way off yet, and GTA 5 focused almost entirely on its online aspect, fans may be looking for a new single-player experience. Fortunately, there are many great games out there that fill a similar niche to GTA. Here's a breakdown of some of the best on offer.
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The Mafia series began in 2002 with Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven. Set in the 1930s, the game follows the rise of aspiring mobster Tommy Angelo. GTA fans can expect all of the organized crime, car chases, and shoot-outs that they're craving, as well as a classic mafia narrative.
The original Mafia was remade in 2020 as Mafia: Definitive Edition, which is now the most current title in the series. However, 2010's Mafia 2 also received a remake earlier in 2020, updating graphics and gameplay for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
It's unlikely that any GTA fan won't have heard of Red Dead Redemption, but it still deserves a spot here. Rockstar's other landmark series is set in the Wild West at the turn of the 19th century. While it may not feature as many police helicopters and car chases, Red Dead Redemption 2 often feels like GTA: Wild West.
Players take on the role of outlaw Arthur Morgan as he and the Van der Linde gang rob their way across the country. Just like the later GTA titles, RDR2 tells a surprisingly nuanced story for a game on the wrong side of the law. It may trade in cars for horses, but it's clear to see Rockstar's GTA legacy while playing Red Dead Redemption.
The GTA series is definitely not lacking in surreal moments, but for irreverent humor, the king of the castle is Saints Row. Kicking off with the original Saints Row in 2006, Volition's series combines GTA-style open-world urban crime with a unique sense of humor. The early Saints Row titles were often labeled as GTA knock-offs, which caused Volition to double down on their combination of pop-culture references, parody, and self-referential humor.
The most recent Saints Row game is Saints Row: The Third Remastered, a graphical update of the third game in the series. However, many players may be more interested in 2013's Saints Row 4, which mixes up the formula with the addition of superpowers.
Another title that has too often been dismissed as a mere GTA clone, Sleeping Dogs is an open-world action-adventure title with its own unique style. Set in contemporary Hong Kong, the United Front Games title is inspired by classic Hong Kong crime movies.
Players take on the role of Wei Shen, an undercover cop infiltrating one of the biggest Triads in the city. While living a double life as a gangster, Wei Shen is forced to use his martial arts, shooting, driving, and parkour abilities to survive. Ultimately, he is faced with the risks of forming friendships among the criminals he is meant to be investigating.
Grand Theft Auto 5 is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions are currently in development.
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