Criminal Underworld: Quench Your GTA 6 Appetite with these Alternative Games Instead
In the exciting world of open-world, narrative-driven action games, the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series remains a standout. However, for those eagerly awaiting the release of GTA 6, scheduled for May 26, 2026, there are several other games that offer a similar experience, available on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
One such game is Mafia III, a title that often gets compared to GTA due to its open-world crime narrative and strong story focus. Set in a fictional New Orleans-inspired city, Mafia III offers third-person action and exploration, providing a GTA-like feel with a unique setting[2]. Its recent sequel, Mafia: The Old Country, was recently released and offers a similar open-world experience, albeit with less chaos[2].
Another game worth mentioning is The Precinct. This unique take on the urban sandbox genre puts you in the role of law enforcement trying to contain unrest. It mixes sandbox gameplay with strategic police pursuits and emergent mechanics in a top-down urban setting, providing a fresh but GTA-like feel of city interaction and dynamic chaos[4].
For those seeking a more adventure-oriented open-world experience, Grounded 2, an upcoming release on Xbox Series X, might be of interest. Although it differs in theme, it still offers an open-world experience[1].
Remasters such as Mafia: The Old Country also keep offering open-world experiences, although they may not be as chaotic as GTA[1][2].
Sleeping Dogs, set in Hong Kong, offers a different twist on the GTA formula. Players can infiltrate a triad gang as an undercover cop, engaging in driving, shooting, and hand-to-hand combat reminiscent of Arkham combat and parkour movement[3].
Lastly, The Outer Worlds 2, while more of a Fallout-like game, promises deeper and intentional level design and quests, injecting more roleplaying into a GTA-like experience[5]. It's not an adequate replacement for a GTA game but offers a fresh take on the open-world, narrative-driven action genre.
In summary, while there is no direct GTA 6 substitute yet, games like Mafia III, Mafia: The Old Country, The Precinct, Grounded 2, and The Outer Worlds 2 offer similar elements of open-world freedom, crime narratives, and sandbox chaos suitable as alternatives or fillers until GTA 6 launches[2]. Keep an eye on upcoming announcements from Gamescom 2025 and new Xbox titles for future GTA-style experiences[1].
| Game Title | Platform(s) | Description | Similarity to GTA | |-----------------------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | Mafia III | PS5, Xbox Series X| Open-world crime story, New Orleans-style city | Close narrative and third-person action| | Mafia: The Old Country| PS5, Xbox Series X| Recent open world with strong narrative, less chaos | Narrative-driven crime, less sandbox chaos| | The Precinct | PS5, Xbox Series X| Top-down urban sandbox with police strategy and chaos | Sandbox city chaos from policing angle| | Grounded 2 (upcoming) | Xbox Series X | Adventure open-world | Open-world but differs in theme | | The Outer Worlds 2 | PS5, Xbox Series X| Fallout-like game with deeper level design and quests | Roleplaying elements, not typical GTA |
- With its open-world crime narrative and strong story focus, Mafia III, similar to the Grand Theft Auto series, offers a unique setting and third-person action, making it a viable alternative in the absence of GTA 6.
- The Precinct stands out as a game that offers a fresh but GTA-like feel of city interaction and dynamic chaos, allowing players to assume the role of law enforcement containing unrest in an urban sandbox setting.
