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If you want something to play while waiting for GTA 6, start with the part of the GTA experience you miss most. Red Dead Redemption 2 is the pick for a richly detailed open world and freedom; Watch Dogs 2 brings a contemporary city and hacking; Cyberpunk 2077 trades present-day crime for a futuristic city and RPG progression; and Sleeping Dogs is another crime-story option. They share some appeal with GTA, but they are not interchangeable clones.
Which GTA alternative should you choose?
| Game | Best for | What makes it different |
|---|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | World atmosphere and freedom | A western setting rather than a modern urban crime sandbox. Source: GamesRadar. |
| Watch Dogs 2 | A contemporary city and hacking | Its tech-focused hacking angle distinguishes it from GTA. Source: GamesRadar. |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | A futuristic city and RPG progression | City exploration is paired with role-playing systems, not a direct match for GTA’s crime-sandbox premise. Source: GamesRadar; PCGamesN. |
| Sleeping Dogs | A crime-focused story | It is identified as an open-world crime alternative; the cited roundup does not establish a current platform or edition list. Source: PCGamesN. |
Red Dead Redemption 2: for a world to get lost in
Choose Red Dead Redemption 2 if the draw is less about a modern city and more about inhabiting a large, atmospheric world with room to explore. Its western setting makes it a substantial change of pace from GTA’s urban crime, while its expansive world and player freedom make it a strong fit for players who want an open-world experience with many ways to spend time.
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Watch Dogs 2: for a modern city with a hacking twist
Watch Dogs 2 is the closest fit here if you want a contemporary urban environment but would like a different central mechanic. Hacking gives the game its own tech-focused identity, so think of it as a city sandbox with a distinctive system rather than a GTA substitute in every respect.
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Cyberpunk 2077: for futuristic exploration and RPG progression
Cyberpunk 2077 is suited to players who want a dense, futuristic city and character progression built around role-playing systems. That combination makes it a good alternative for urban exploration, but the emphasis differs from a straightforward crime sandbox. Pick it for its setting and RPG structure, not because it recreates GTA’s exact tone or systems.
#1 Best Overall
- 🔥 GANGSTER GAMES OPEN WORLD CITY KEY GAME FEATURES 🔥
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- - Driving the cars, bikes, tanks, and helicopters!
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Sleeping Dogs: for another open-world crime story
Sleeping Dogs is worth considering when a crime-focused story matters more than matching GTA’s contemporary setting or specific sandbox systems. The available recommendation coverage identifies it as an open-world crime alternative, but does not establish current platform compatibility or which editions are available. Check the store listing for your device and region before buying.
How to pick the right game
- Want atmosphere and freedom? Start with Red Dead Redemption 2, accepting the western setting.
- Want a modern city and a novel gameplay hook? Try Watch Dogs 2 for hacking.
- Want a futuristic urban world with character builds? Choose Cyberpunk 2077 for its RPG progression.
- Want crime at the center of the story? Consider Sleeping Dogs, after checking platform and edition availability.
These recommendations are based on the distinctions described by GamesRadar and PCGamesN. Platform support, editions, and regional availability can vary; verify the current listing for the version you intend to play.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- TREASURE HUNT- You are a renowned treasure hunter trying to find a legendary treasure in Latin America. But, when you go to get the map, you find your contact dead! Can you get to the loot before someone else does?
- COMMIT A CRIME- Play as a morally grey character who must make hard decisions by choosing different options from the story cards. Get rewarded for being a criminal!
- SOLVE A MURDER- Figure out who killed your key contact! Sift through evidence and connect the pieces in immersive puzzles
- GET ONLINE- Scour game-specific websites, email characters, and more to beat the game
Rank #4
- Interactive Murder Mystery Game: This party game is driven by an electronic phone that makes calls, remembers your answers & dispatches the killer’s demands for a unique experience with every play
- Social Deduction Game: Players secretly receive their role through the phone; play as a loyal friend trying to save the victim or hidden traitor working with the killer to sabotage the group's efforts
- Work Together, Trust No One: In this cooperative game, players must search rooms of a cabin to find keys & save their friend, but accomplices & bad actors among you will lie & waste precious time
- Interactive Phone: With a retro landline phone that calls the shots, this is an engaging strategy game for 4-10 players, ages 13 and up, who are ready for an intense game night of mystery & betrayal
- Party Games For Adult Games Night: Throw the best party ever with more party games for adults & families: Decodables, Tell Me Without Telling Me, Would You Rather?, Dumb Ways to Die & more
Rank #3
- 🔎 IMMERSIVE MURDER MYSTERY GAME NIGHT – Become a detective in this cold case style crime investigation game, designed to feel like a real police file. Perfect for Christmas!
- 🛳️ SOLVE A CELEBRITY CRUISE SHIP MURDER – Collect evidence, analyse suspects, and crack the case of the famous soprano found dead aboard the Aurelian Empress.
- 📂 REALISTIC HIGH QUALITY COLD CASE FILE & EVIDENCE PACK – Includes over 25 pieces of evidence, including autopsy reports, letters, photos, receipts, and more – plus digital access to hidden files and online clues.
- 🎭 FOR SOLO OR GROUP PLAY – Perfect as a date night game, family activity, or large group murder mystery party.
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Rank #2
- A Serial Killer Case Collab With The Morbid Podcast: Co-created with Ash and Alaina, this immersive horror mystery game drops you into a 1985 cold case with realistic evidence and a hidden truth.
- Solve a Realistic Cold Case: Crack ciphers, examine forensic files, and dig through a mystery box of clues. A true crime detective game for adults who actually want to investigate, not roll dice.
- Includes an Exclusive Podcast Episode: Recorded just for this case. Listen for clues hidden inside the audio. More than a board game, it's a true crime puzzle box that talks back.
- Realistic Evidence at Your Fingertips: Vintage newspaper clippings, suspect profiles, a locked box, a bloody scrunchie, a train figurine. Detective board game energy, no plastic tokens in sight.
- Game Night for People Who Like Their Fun A Little Dark: Play solo or with a group. A murder mystery party game for date night, girls night, dinner parties, or any couples game night that needs a body.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
