The collective sigh from gamers around the world was palpable. After years of speculation and a decade since the last instalment, Rockstar Games confirmed our fears: Grand Theft Auto VI is delayed, with the new release date pushed back to May 26, 2026. The sun-soaked, chaotic streets of Leonida, and the stories of protagonists Lucia and Jason, feel further away than ever.
While many are revisiting the sprawling world of GTA V, which continues to sell in staggering numbers, the wait for the next chapter can feel endless. But when one stolen car door closes, another one opens. The open-world crime genre is richer than ever, and there are plenty of incredible experiences that can scratch that specific itch for mayhem, exploration, and gripping narratives. If you’re looking for the best games like GTA to fill the void, we’ve got you covered.
The Best Games Like GTA to Play While You Wait
The delay is disappointing, but it’s also an opportunity to explore other digital worlds. These titles capture the spirit of Grand Theft Auto, each offering a unique spin on the open-world formula. Here are the top games to play while waiting for GTA 6.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2: A Rockstar Masterpiece
Let’s start with the most obvious choice, another gem from Rockstar Games themselves. If you haven’t played Red Dead Redemption 2, this is your sign. While it swaps supercars for stallions, its soul is pure Rockstar. The game is a prequel to the original, following the story of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang in the waning days of the American frontier. The world is breathtakingly detailed, the characters are profoundly written, and the narrative is one of the best in modern gaming. It features bank heists, shootouts, and a vast, living world that reacts to your every decision. It’s a slower, more deliberate experience than GTA, but its depth and quality are unmatched. You can learn more about its world on the official Rockstar Games website.
2. Cyberpunk 2077: A Dystopian Future
After a rocky launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has transformed into the game it was always meant to be, especially with the Phantom Liberty expansion. Set in the sprawling, neon-drenched metropolis of Night City, this game offers an unparalleled sense of place. You play as V, a mercenary whose life gets tangled with a rockstar-turned-terrorist played by Keanu Reeves. The game features high-speed vehicle combat, a deep and engaging story, and an incredible level of customization. If you love the futuristic cityscapes and the freedom to cause chaos that GTA offers, Night City is your perfect, gritty playground. It’s a fantastic first-person alternative that delivers on the promise of a dense, crime-ridden open world.
3. Watch Dogs: Legion: Hack the Planet
What if instead of just stealing cars, you could hack the entire city? That’s the premise of Watch Dogs: Legion. Set in a near-future, dystopian London, the game’s standout feature is its “play as anyone” mechanic. You can recruit any NPC you see on the street into your DedSec hacking collective, from a construction worker with a nail gun to an elderly spy with a silenced pistol. This unique system provides endless ways to approach missions. It has all the driving, shooting, and open-world exploration a GTA fan craves, but with a unique strategic layer of hacking that makes it feel fresh and innovative. For an expert take on the genre, check out reviews from top sites like IGN.
4. Saints Row (2022): Over-the-Top Mayhem
If you find GTA’s recent instalments a bit too serious, the Saints Row reboot is the perfect antidote. This series has always been GTA’s wackier, more outrageous cousin. The 2022 reboot takes you to the fictional city of Santo Ileso, where you and your friends build a new criminal empire from scratch. The game doubles down on absurdity, with wingsuit gliding, outrageous weaponry, and missions that are as hilarious as they are explosive. While it doesn’t have the narrative depth of a Rockstar title, it delivers pure, unadulterated fun and is one of the most enjoyable sandbox games like GTA available.
5. Sleeping Dogs: A Hong Kong Crime Thriller
An underrated classic, Sleeping Dogs deserves a spot on any list of games like GTA. You play as Wei Shen, an undercover cop infiltrating the Sun On Yee Triad in a vibrant, atmospheric Hong Kong. What sets this game apart is its incredible hand-to-hand combat system, inspired by martial arts films. The story is a gripping tale of loyalty and betrayal, and the city is a joy to explore. It blends brutal combat, thrilling car chases, and a compelling narrative into a package that many fans consider to be on par with the best of the GTA series.
Answering Your Burning GTA 6 Questions
While you explore these alternatives, the hype for GTA 6 isn’t going anywhere. Here are the quick answers to the most common questions about the upcoming title.
When Does GTA 6 Officially Come Out?
The confirmed release date for Grand Theft Auto VI is May 26, 2026. It will be released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. A PC release will likely follow later, as is tradition for Rockstar.
Who Are the Characters in GTA 6?
The story is set in the state of Leonida (home to Vice City) and follows a criminal duo: Lucia Caminos, fresh out of prison, and her partner-in-crime, Jason Duval. The trailers also hint at a wider cast, including a conspiracy theorist named Cal Hampton and a Vice City legend, Boobie Ike.
What Songs Are in the GTA 6 Trailers?
Music is always key in GTA. The trailers have featured an eclectic mix, including “Love Is a Long Road” by Tom Petty and “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” by Wang Chung, promising another iconic soundtrack.
The Wait Continues
The road to GTA 6 is a long one, but it doesn’t have to be an empty one. The world of gaming is filled with sprawling cities, compelling criminal stories, and explosive sandboxes that can easily fill the void. Whether you choose to tame the wild west in Red Dead Redemption 2 or hack a futuristic London in Watch Dogs: Legion, your next great adventure is waiting.
What are your go-to games to play when you’re waiting for a big release? Share your favorite games like GTA in the comments below!
