5 Best Open-World GTA clones to play while you wait for GTA 6

 Since GTA 6 is not coming out any time soon, you might as well check out some open-world Grand Theft Auto clones. A "GTA Clone" is jargon for a game highly similar to the Grand Theft Auto series' 3D and HD games. They're usually open-world titles with crime-based features, multiple vehicles, and a mission-based system. Although the phrase was originally derogatory, such games are beloved by the community nowadays.

No actual Grand Theft Auto game will be placed on this list since anybody waiting for GTA 6 is likely already aware of Grand Theft Auto 5, San Andreas, etc. The following entries all have an emphasis on open-world crime sandboxes, where the player has several weapons, vehicles, and missions at their disposal.

Waiting for GTA 6?

Try these five awesome GTA clones

1) Mafia: Definitive Edition

Anybody looking for a GTA clone set in the 1930s will love Mafia: Definitive Edition. As the name might imply, the mafia plays an integral role in this game. This title is a remake of the 2002 game, which was simply named Mafia.

The graphics are good, while the gameplay is definitely reminiscent of some Grand Theft Auto titles. You have several vehicles and weapons, and you can have clashes with the police. There is also a Free Ride mode that's basically free roam, so players who want to explore Lost Heaven can do so at their own leisure.

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

2) Saints Row: The Third

It's rare to find a GTA clone as widely available as Saints Row: The Third. This title is available on every modern console and comes from a series best known as Grand Theft Auto's biggest competitor. While there is a fourth game in the franchise, it's even less realistic than this title, which might not be what GTA 6 fans want.

Saints Row: The Third is still a goofy experience full of fun moments to be had. The character customization is excellent for an old game, also making this one of the few GTA clones where you can play as a woman.

There is a Saints Row reboot, but its divisive reception makes it better off not being mentioned over the far more positively received third game. That said, any of the Saints Row titles may scratch the itch for GTA 6 fans.

Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Luna

3) Cyberpunk 2077

Author William Gibson is often seen as a pioneer in the cyberpunk genre. He once called Cyberpunk 2077 a "GTA skinned-over with a generic 80s retro-future," and the game does honestly have plenty of similarities worth mentioning here.

However, it is vital to mention that there are some significant differences between this game and other GTA clones. The gameplay here focuses on RPG elements with much more customization than other open-world games. This title got off to a rocky start but has become much better since then, and it is expected to get some more updates in the future. Cyberpunk 2077 also looks gorgeous at times, something one could expect from GTA 6.

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

4) Watch Dogs 2

The Watch Dog series is another well-known GTA clone franchise. It's pretty innovative for an open-world sandbox game emphasizing hacking and stealth. Players can still go guns-a-blazing and use a cover system to protect themselves. There is even a multiplayer game mode, although it works differently than Grand Theft Auto Online.

Watch Dogs 2 is like Saints Row: The Third in that they're much better received than the modern games within their franchises.

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Amazon Luna

5) Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is the latest Action/Adventure game set in the Wild West, developed by Rockstar. The game’s Map is said to be the largest ever created by Rockstar, bigger than that of GTA V – and will feature an environment that’s denser, more dynamic, interactive and closer to reality.

The open-world portion of this massive Wild-West themed game also contains a variety of side-quests and interactions with Non-Playable characters, and subtle in-game mechanics to discover.

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S,

There are other good titles similar to the Grand Theft Auto series, but the above list should suffice for players looking to sink hundreds of hours into a game while waiting for GTA 6.