GTA VI Anticipation: Dive into These 6 Open-World Crime Epics

Few video game franchises boast the profound influence of Grand Theft Auto. Rockstar Games' 2001 release of GTA III was a watershed moment, fundamentally reshaping the open-world genre. It offered players expansive cityscapes to explore, vehicles to commandeer, criminal missions to undertake, and ample opportunities for mayhem. This success sparked a wave of imitators as developers rushed to replicate Rockstar's blockbuster formula. The term "GTA clone" evolved into its own subgenre, encompassing gangster sagas and increasingly outlandish urban playgrounds. While some titles were direct copies, others distinguished themselves with novel settings, innovative mechanics, and memorable characters, proving they could stand independently. In fact, several even surpassed aspects of Rockstar's own creations.

With Grand Theft Auto VI slated for release on November 19 for PlayStation and Xbox, now is the perfect time to revisit the era when major publishers vied for a piece of the open-world crime pie. Here are six of the finest games to keep you occupied until GTA VI arrives.

Sleeping Dogs (2012)

If any game merits the title of the ultimate "GTA clone," it is Sleeping Dogs. Developed by United Front Games, this 2012 gem transports players to Hong Kong as undercover police officer Wei Shen, tasked with infiltrating the city's formidable Triad organizations. The game masterfully captures the adrenaline and intensity of Hong Kong's kung-fu and action cinema, immersing players in a brutal gang war. Its martial arts combat system features spectacularly violent environmental takedowns, while vehicle chases and gunfights echo the elaborate action sequences of the genre's most celebrated films. The city of Hong Kong itself is a stunning achievement, boasting bustling markets, neon-drenched streets, and densely populated districts. Originally conceived as part of the True Crime series, Sleeping Dogs also delves into Shen's increasingly complex allegiances, offering an absorbing undercover police thriller that richly deserved a sequel.

Saints Row 2 (2008)

The Saints Row series often felt like a direct parody of Grand Theft Auto, adopting its criminal underworld and open-world chaos but amplifying everything to absurd levels. This exaggerated approach was precisely what allowed it to stand out. Released by Volition in 2008, Saints Row 2 is widely considered the creative zenith of the series. Players return to the fictional city of Stilwater to re-establish the Third Street Saints gang and reclaim territory from rival factions. Gameplay includes activities like spraying buildings with sewage, committing insurance fraud by intentionally causing accidents, and engaging in spectacularly destructive rampages. At a time when GTA IV was leaning towards a more realistic narrative, Saints Row 2 wholeheartedly embraced the ridiculous. Its extensive customization options, cooperative campaign, and unpredictable missions provided a welcome alternative to Rockstar's increasingly cinematic direction.

Scarface: The World Is Yours (2006)

What if Tony Montana had survived the violent climax of Scarface? This intriguing question serves as the foundation for Radical Entertainment's surprisingly ambitious 2006 video game, which offers an alternate ending to Brian De Palma's iconic 1983 crime film. Players assume the role of Montana as he endeavors to rebuild his drug empire in Miami, recapturing territory, acquiring businesses, and eliminating rival gangs. While its driving and shooting mechanics draw heavily from Grand Theft Auto, the business management systems introduce a compelling layer of progression. Profits from drug operations can be reinvested into properties and luxurious assets, providing players with a satisfying sense of escalating power. The game also successfully captures the film's opulent excess, featuring colorful characters, lavish environments, and a memorable soundtrack. Few film adaptations have translated their source material into an open-world experience with such success.

The Saboteur (2009)

One of the more unconventional GTA clones swaps contemporary gang warfare for the French Resistance during World War II. Developed by Pandemic Studios, The Saboteur follows Irish race car driver Sean Devlin as he embarks on a personal vendetta against the Nazis in occupied Paris. Its most distinctive feature is its visual design. Areas under German occupation are rendered primarily in black and white, with color gradually returning as players liberate neighborhoods. The game offers a diverse range of activities, including planting explosives at military installations, scaling buildings, stealing vehicles, and participating in street races. Released shortly before Pandemic Studios ceased operations, the game uniquely blended espionage, driving, and open-world exploration. More than a decade later, witnessing Paris slowly regain its color remains one of the genre's most enduring visual spectacles.

Watch Dogs 2 (2016)

By 2016, the GTA formula had become so established that developers needed increasingly innovative approaches to differentiate their open worlds. Ubisoft found a solution in hacking. Watch Dogs 2 is set in a vibrant rendition of the San Francisco Bay Area, following Marcus Holloway, a young hacker who joins the activist group DedSec to challenge powerful tech corporations and their surveillance networks. Its most significant innovation lies in the ability to manipulate the environment through interconnected technology. Players can disrupt traffic lights, hijack security cameras, and remotely control electronic devices, creating opportunities for elaborate mischief. The game's lighthearted tone and lively depiction of San Francisco make exploration particularly engaging. Objectives can be approached through stealth, technological manipulation, or direct confrontation, with the hacking mechanics encouraging experimentation that few other games in the genre have managed to replicate.

Mafia II (2010)

Few open-world crime games have evoked the atmosphere of a specific era as effectively as Mafia II. Set in the fictional American city of Empire Bay during the 1940s and 1950s, the game chronicles the journey of Vito Scaletta, a war veteran who becomes increasingly entangled in organized crime. Developed by 2K Czech, the game meticulously recreates the details that lend authenticity to its world. Period-accurate vehicles, radio stations broadcasting music from the era, and authentic clothing and architecture immerse players in mid-century America. The changing seasons further enhance the atmosphere. The game adopts a more measured approach to the GTA formula, featuring fewer optional distractions and a greater emphasis on narrative and cinematic missions. Cruising through snow-covered streets in a vintage car with era-appropriate music playing can be as captivating as the game's carefully crafted gangster drama.