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Wondering what to play while waiting for GTA 6? The best pick depends on what you want from an open world: Red Dead Redemption 2 for a cinematic western, Cyberpunk 2077 for a dense futuristic city, Elden Ring for fantasy exploration and demanding combat, or Grand Theft Auto V for another visit to the GTA formula. None is a preview of GTA 6’s unreleased systems; each offers a different reason to explore.
Choose by the kind of open world you want
| Game | Best fit | Setting and tone | How close it feels to GTA | Story and combat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | A deliberate, cinematic adventure | Grounded western landscapes, wildlife, and frontier towns | Low: it shares Rockstar’s open-world approach, but it is not a modern urban crime sandbox | Story-led, with action built around a western setting |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | A city-focused alternative | Dense, futuristic city life with a tone distinct from GTA’s contemporary crime setting | Moderate in its urban-world appeal, but not a direct substitute for GTA’s setting or systems | Story-focused, with combat that is part of the experience |
| Elden Ring | Fantasy exploration and challenging action RPG combat | Dark fantasy | Low: a major tonal and mechanical departure from GTA | Exploration and demanding action RPG combat are central |
| Grand Theft Auto V | Readers who want to return to GTA | Modern crime sandbox | Highest: it is the closest match because it is another entry in the series | Story and open-world action; a 2026 games list says it still has content to offer |
These are editorial recommendations, not results of a controlled comparison or a ranking that makes one game best for everyone. Check the publisher or retailer for current platform and edition availability before buying.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Open World: Video Games and Contemporary Art | $53.58 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Ghost of Tsushima - PlayStation 4 | $22.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Mad Max - PlayStation Hits (PS4) | $18.64 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Just Cause 4 - PlayStation 4 | $11.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Elden Ring - PlayStation 4 | $33.15 | Buy on Amazon |
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Pick your game
Red Dead Redemption 2: for a slower, cinematic world
Choose Red Dead Redemption 2 if you want room to explore varied landscapes and encounter wildlife in a carefully realized western setting. It suits players who enjoy a deliberate pace and a strong cinematic story. The key trade-off is clear: this is not a modern city or a contemporary crime game. Learn about Red Dead Redemption 2 at Rockstar Games.
Cyberpunk 2077: for a dense futuristic city
Cyberpunk 2077 is a good choice if the appeal of GTA for you is having a large, busy city to move through, but you are open to a futuristic setting and a different tone. Treat it as a city-world alternative, not a GTA clone. Visit the official Cyberpunk 2077 site.
#1 Best Overall
Elden Ring: for exploration that asks more of you
Pick Elden Ring when you want a fantasy world to discover and are ready for demanding action RPG combat. It is the most pronounced departure from GTA on this list: the setting, combat, and overall feel are different. Bandai Namco Europe lists its release date as 25 February 2022. See Elden Ring at Bandai Namco Europe.
Grand Theft Auto V: for the closest return to GTA
If what you want is more time in a GTA world, start with Grand Theft Auto V. A 2026 games list describes it as still having content to offer, making it the most direct choice for revisiting Rockstar’s existing series while you wait. That recommendation does not establish current player numbers or the state of online updates. See Grand Theft Auto V at Rockstar Games.
Rank #2
- Available Now - Ghost of Tsushima: Legends, a new cooperative multiplayer experience inspired by Japanese folk tales and mythology.
- Beyond war, ancient beauty endures: Uncover the hidden wonders of Tsushima in this open-world action adventure.
- The rise of the Ghost: Forge a new path and wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima.
When is GTA 6 coming out, and where can you pre-order it?
Rockstar Games says: “Grand Theft Auto VI will now release on Thursday, November 19, 2026.” Rockstar Support currently lists pre-orders for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. It also says the physical version contains a download code for the digital download, so a physical pre-order should not be taken to mean a disc is included. Read Rockstar Games’ GTA 6 announcement and check Rockstar Support’s GTA 6 pre-order information. These release and purchase details can change; consult Rockstar’s official pages for the latest information. This source information does not establish a PC release date.
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Check platform and edition before buying
Once you have chosen a game, confirm that the listing matches your platform and region and that you are selecting the edition you intend to buy. Availability, bundles, and edition details can differ by retailer. Search by the exact title—such as “Red Dead Redemption 2,” “Cyberpunk 2077,” “Elden Ring,” or “Grand Theft Auto V”—rather than assuming a general open-world label will identify the right version.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ELDEN RING is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki—creator of the influential DARK SOULS video game series; and George R.R. Martin—author of The New York Times best-selling fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire
- Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to-date
- HIDETAKA MIYAZAKI: President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls
- GEORGE R. R. MARTIN: the #1 The New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire—A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons
Rank #4
- Day One Edition includes Neon Racer Pack with these DLC items Neon Racer Supercar, Neon Racer Wingsuit, Neon Racer Parachute; see description for full details
- Bring The Thunder Soar through the skies with your wingsuit Skydive, Base Jump and Free Dive, as you fight your enemies harnessing extreme weather to your advantage
- Rico’s Ultimate Mission Spearhead the rebellion and defeat a hi tech private military organization; Face off against the most capable adversary yet; Uncover the mystery behind Rico’s Father’s past
- Huge South American World 100 square kilometers to explore from rainforest to desert, and across snowy mountain peaks as you explore the world of Solis from bustling cities to rural grasslands
- Creative destruction at its best Customize your new grapple hook with evolved and new capabilities; Experiment with military jets, helicopters, turbo fueled sports cars, and construction vehicles
Rank #3
- Be Mad Max - Become the iconic post-apocalyptic warrior, crafting and upgrading Max's equipment and weapons to survive by combining melee combat, gunplay and tactical techniques. Gamers must form alliances as they work towards the goal of building their "Magnum opus."
- Immersive savage Wasteland - Explore the gritty, dynamic world while braving the treacherous landscapes, hostile weather patterns and deadly marauders.
- survive the open-world landscape - Staying alive isn't easy. Players clash with deadly factions and gangs through scores of dangerous side-missions and quests in the dynamic open-world full of exploration.
- intense vehicular combat - Engage in dynamic inter-vehicular combat, taking down enemy vehicles with a range of powerful weapons. Car combat is entirely physics-based, so no two battles are ever the Same.
- build the ultimate survival machine - Players design, customize and upgrade their ultimate vehicle-the Magnum Opus-choosing from different car chassis and a slew of upgrades including mounted weapons, armour and engines to survive another day
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.
