Excitement is building up for GTA 6. Seven months ago, the first trailer took that hype to the next level, confirming that the sixth mainline installment in Rockstar Games’ flagship series would launch worldwide in 2025. No more footage has been disclosed since then, prompting a string of fan-made trailers. Rumors have also been brewing in online circles, with speculations mounting over a potential dynamic body mechanic. While gamers are closer than ever to exploring the sun-soaked city of Leonida, the wait feels long-drawn-out for many. So, let’s dive into some games that perfectly encapsulate the GTA vibe.
Sleeping Dogs
If you have a thing for anti-hero odysseys, Sleeping Dogs is just that – only with a pinch of classic B-movie stunt action and Bruce Lee kung fu flicks. This action-adventure game follows Chinese-American cop Wei Shen on an undercover mission to infiltrate a Triad organization controlling the streets of Hong Kong. Plunging into the dark underworld of Hong Kong is brutal. But you might as well sink hours into cruising the city, which looks and feels incredibly authentic with its billboards blazing overhead and its pedestrians chattering in Cantonese. The Definitive Edition includes many visual improvements alongside all 24 DLCs, making HK feel yet more alive.
While this gritty drama is essentially a narrative-driven game, you are free to roam around its open world as you please, engaging in either lawful or illegal activities. Like in GTA, high-stakes side missions break up the main storyline, featuring everything from drug busts to motorcycle races. Wei Shen’s deadly martial arts skills shine during combat, while intense gunfights may bring up the heat as police get involved. Overall, this sleeper hit deserves more flowers than it got upon its release.
Red Dead Redemption II
The acclaimed sequel to Red Dead Redemption seems like a spiritual successor to Grand Theft Auto, albeit with a unique Old West twist. The gameplay similarities are plain to see as players interact with a dynamic Western world in ways both lawful and less so. The parallels are so strong that some fans are adamant the two games share a common timeline within the same universe. While Rockstar Games has never explicitly confirmed or denied this connection, developers love planting references to keep gamers speculating.
In GTA 5, observant players can spot a book titled “Red Dead” written by Jack Marston – the titular character in Red Dead Redemption. In GTA Online, a quest sends players in search of a lost treasure that turns out to be a gun appearing in Red Dead Redemption II. Looking for such clever Easter Eggs is reason enough to play both franchises. Yet, RDR2 is hailed as a masterpiece in its own right, bringing out the best of open-ended exploration and narrative depth.
Yakuza 0
The recent triumph of Infinite Wealth has put Like a Dragon on the map for many gamers. However, Yakuza 0 might be a better entry point to the franchise. Set during Japan’s bubble era, this vintage Yakuza story explores the early gangster years of reformed mobster Kazuma Kiryu. With its carefree atmosphere, typical of the optimism that permeated Japan back then, this action-adventure has a nostalgic vibe enhanced by a vibrant 80s-influenced soundtrack. While this prequel veers away from GTA gameplay-wise, its retro mood evokes that of Vice City. The seedy red-light districts of Sotenbori and Kamurochō boast a wealth of side quests and wacky minigames, from karaoke to bowling.
There, players can also find the Japanese equivalent to The Diamond Casino and Be Lucky: Los Santos. To access these gambling minigames, they must first reach Chapter 10. For players too eager to play their hands at poker or baccarat, online platforms offer a thrilling alternative. Even novice players can shoot their shots by claiming no deposit bonuses. These rewards often consist of free spins awarded on registration. Specialized websites break down their pros and cons to help users redeem the most profitable promotions. Additionally, advanced filters and tools make it easy to compare all offers in one go.
Taking you from the American Frontier to the Old West, the games above draw parallels with GTA for their abundance of fun side quests and crime-ridden missions. We could have mentioned other comparable games, such as Watch Dogs, Saints Row, and Mafia 3. Retro-gamers might also enjoy older Rockstar Games entries like Manhunt and Bully as they patiently wait for GTA 6 to rock the gaming world.
