When it comes to the open world game genre, everyone immediately thinks of the classic GTA (Grand Theft Auto) game series by Rockstar. From GTA: Vice City, GTA: San Andreas to GTA V, it is not only the origin of the open world game genre but also brings countless profound experiences to all gamers around the world. Currently, GTA V is still one of the most highly rated games when it has dominated most of the game rankings worldwide.

Freedom is among GTA's most alluring features. The open world game genre allows players to do everything they want, from actions such as fighting, driving, climbing to everyday actions such as dating, eating, playing games, sleeping... The large map system in the game allows you to go to every corner of the city as well as remote lands waiting for you to explore.

If you're bored with the GTA V storyline, but still interested in the open world genre, then check out these titles below. This article will summarize the 10 best open world games like GTA that you should try.

You can guess why Red Dead Redemption 2 is here - after all, both GTA and Red Dead series are produced by the same studio. Despite the early 20th century setting, Red Dead Redemption 2 (and its predecessor) still embodyGTA's values of player freedom in a vast open world that feels alive.

If you enjoyed GTA 5's ragdoll physics, wait until you see what you can achieve in The Republic of Medici. To be clear, Just Cause 4 doesn’t have any of the storytelling or spectacle that Rockstar is known for, but instead excels in its approach to staging large-scale combat.

The tone and feel of this Watch Dogs sequel are far more like those of modern Grand Theft Auto games. Remember the “Life Invader” mission from Grand Theft Auto 5? Watch Dogs 2 is essentially that, but scaled up to a full-game scale. You can use pool balls attached to bungee cords as weapons – that’s pretty cool.

Grand Theft Auto has always been celebrated for the way it brings cities to life, filling its virtual world with dozens of side activities to enjoy outside the main campaign. Yakuza 0 carries on this design philosophy. While Grand Theft Auto 5 had tennis, yoga, and stockbroking, Yakuza 0 offers karaoke, billiards, video games, wrestling, bowling, dancing, and more. It'smind-blowing how many and what kinds of activities there are. Although the size isn't nearly as large as Grand Theft Auto, Yakuza more than makes up for its lack of abundance with quality.

Sleeping Dogs brings the martial arts and action genres of movies to an open-world game. As a result, the game has a Grand Theft Auto vibe with a nod to a vintage Bruce Lee movie. The sequel includes a co-op campaign, making Sleeping Dogs a rare gem that deserves to be appreciated for the fresh ideas it brings. The game was even re-released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2014, so there's really no reason to skip Sleeping Dogs.

There hasn't been a Grand Theft Auto game that hasn't involved a Mafia encounter in some way, which naturally makes 2K's Mafia series a good starting point for open-world enthusiasts who enjoy fighting organized crime. Mafia 3, the most recent release in the series from Hangar 13 studios, is more Rockstar-like in its focus on side activities and its story revolving around a war veteran trying to escape the demons of his past. That said, the slow-burn, fluid narrative, which draws inspiration from the likes of The Godfather and Goodfellas as well as Grand Theft Auto, is written so effectively that at times you'll forget you're playing a video game and not watching Scorsese.

There's a good reason why most Grand Theft Auto games are labeled as being for mature audiences only, but what about those who want to watch cops fight robbers without the sex, drugs, or rock and roll? Luckily, TT Games delivered in 2013. 'Lego Grand Theft Auto' is an effective pitch for one of the best Lego games ever: Lego City Undercover, but there's so much more to this adorable open-world platformer. The visuals are fun, and the side missions and collectibles are great. Lego City Undercover can now also be enjoyed as a co-op experience, or even as a travel-friendly experience with the Nintendo Switch.

If you were particularly fond of Grand Theft Auto 4's infamous'Three Leaf Clover' mission or the heists in Grand Theft Auto 5, then Payday 2 is for you. Overkill Software's multiplayer co-op game allows players to freely carry out a series of high-value break-ins and robberies. Similar to Michael, Trevor and Franklin's games, Payday 2 encourages players to strategize and think through their game plan down to the smallest detail, even allowing them to explore locations before committing their actions later that day. The focus on online co-op is also reminiscent of the multiplayer heists introduced in Grand Theft Auto Online in 2013, but Payday 2 thankfully doesn't have those difficult loading times.

The Simpsons: Hit & Run is a game for Simpsons fans and Grand Theft Auto veterans alike, as it cleverly makes references to its serialized namesake throughout the campaign. In fact, The Simpsons: Hit & Run is generally agreed to be one of the best Simpsons games of all time.

Volition released their Saints Row reboot in 2022. The new Saints Row isn’t the GTA 5 rival that many hoped it would be, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing interesting here. And besides, after nine years of exploring Los Santos, it probably needed a new location to stage some open-world carnage.

This article introduces the top 10 open world games like GTA that offer players freedom to explore, engage in thrilling missions, and immerse themselves in expansive virtual environments. Each game on the list captures the essence of what makes Grand Theft Auto so iconic, from engaging narratives to action-packed gameplay and dynamic open worlds. Whether you're a fan of large-scale combat in Just Cause 4, the immersive storytelling of Red Dead Redemption 2, or the criminal underworld in Mafia 3, these games are must-tries for open world enthusiasts.

Note: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not represent official endorsements or statements from the companies, products, or services mentioned. The information provided is based on publicly available sources and personal opinions, and while efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all details are up-to-date or error-free. For official and detailed information, please refer to the respective product or service's official website or contact their support team