Grand Theft Auto has moved over 400 million copies, cementing its place as a gaming legend. It wasn’t an overnight success—years of tweaking led to the game-changer that was GTA III in 2001, kicking off the 3D open-world era. That shift sparked a flood of games trying to capture the same magic. These best GTA clones don’t just mimic GTA; they mix in their own ideas to create awesome open-world crime games. Here are 10 killer picks for 2025 that deliver the freedom, chaos, and fun of a GTA-style sandbox.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 takes the crown for GTA-inspired games, sharing the same open-world DNA but swapping modern cities for 1899 America. You play Arthur Morgan, an outlaw riding through a fading Wild West, juggling loyalty to his gang with a crumbling way of life. The gameplay is all about freedom—you can roam a massive world spanning dusty plains, snowy mountains, and bustling towns. Missions range from high-stakes train heists to quiet moments like fishing or playing poker in a saloon. The combat mixes gunfights with melee, letting you sling revolvers, shotguns, or even a lasso to hogtie enemies.
The world reacts dynamically: NPCs remember your actions, and random events like ambushes or stranded travelers keep things unpredictable. You’ll spend hours hunting wildlife, crafting gear, or upgrading your camp, with choices shaping the story’s outcome. In 2025, next-gen updates for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S make the visuals pop—think stunning sunsets and detailed towns—while fans on X and Reddit praise its deep story and endless replay value, cementing its status as a top open-world adventure games pick.
2. Sleeping Dogs
Sleeping Dogs (2012) started as True Crime: Hong Kong before Square Enix turned it into a standout crime sandbox game set in a vibrant Hong Kong. You’re Wei Shen, an undercover cop infiltrating the Sun On Yee Triad, balancing cop duties with criminal tasks. The gameplay shines with its fast-paced martial arts combat, where you chain punches, kicks, and brutal environmental takedowns—like slamming foes into phone booths or fish tanks. Driving feels arcadey but fun, with cars, bikes, and boats to zip through the Hong Kong open world’s neon-lit streets and markets.
Missions mix stealth, shootouts, and chases, while side activities like karaoke, street races, or busting drug dealers keep you busy. You can hack cameras, pick locks, or use gadgets to outsmart enemies, adding depth to the action. In 2025, the Definitive Edition still looks sharp, and players on X are clamoring for a remaster to bring its gritty GTA-style game vibes to new consoles.
3. The Simpsons: Hit & Run
Who knew Springfield could pull off a GTA-style game? The Simpsons: Hit & Run (2003) swaps crime for family-friendly chaos but nails the open-world sandbox feel. You control characters like Homer, Bart, and Marge across seven levels, each a chunk of Springfield packed with iconic locations like Moe’s Tavern or the Kwik-E-Mart. Gameplay centers on driving and exploration—hop into vehicles like Homer’s pink sedan or Bart’s skateboard to race, chase, or smash objects for coins.
Missions include timed deliveries, collecting items, or dodging cops in hit-and-run tasks, all laced with classic Simpsons humor from the show’s peak. You’ll explore on foot too, jumping platforms or interacting with NPCs who drop witty one-liners. Side activities like street races or collectible hunts add replayability. In 2025, fans on Reddit and X still push for a remaster of this open-world sandbox games gem, loving its nostalgic charm and surprisingly tight mechanics.
4. Mafia: Definitive Edition
2K’s Mafia: Definitive Edition (2020) reworks the 2002 classic into a 1930s crime saga set in Lost Heaven. You’re Tommy Angelo, a cabbie turned mobster, climbing the ranks of a crime family. The gameplay leans on a cinematic story with linear missions—think bank heists, assassinations, or betrayals—but the Free Ride mode opens up the city for GTA-like chaos. You drive vintage cars, handle Tommy guns or revolvers in shootouts, and sneak through alleys for stealth kills.
The world feels alive, with period-accurate details like jazz radio and old-school taxis. Side tasks include collecting hidden items or taking on optional jobs like robbing stores. The combat is weighty, with cover-based shooting and satisfying melee. In 2025, the PC version’s visuals stun, and players love its organized crime games storytelling, though some note missions lack GTA’s open-ended freedom. It’s a polished pick for open-world action games fans.
5. Sunset Overdrive
Sunset Overdrive (2014) might not scream GTA clone, but its chaotic open-world roots trace back to early 3D GTA titles. Set in a colorful, zombie-infested city, you play a customizable survivor fighting mutants after a tainted energy drink outbreak. The gameplay is all about movement—grind rails, wall-run, or bounce on cars to zip around like a punk-rock Spider-Man. Combat is wild, with over-the-top weapons like vinyl-record launchers or exploding teddy bears, letting you mow down hordes in style.
Missions involve defending bases, racing across rooftops, or causing mayhem, with side quests like collecting junk or battling bosses adding variety. The open world encourages exploration, with hidden items and challenges tucked away. In 2025, this Xbox exclusive remains a fan-favorite best action-adventure games title, with X users praising its fluid mechanics and hoping for a sequel on next-gen hardware.
6. The Godfather
The Godfather (2006) tries to blend the iconic film’s world with GTA’s open-world action, set in a 1940s New York brimming with mob drama. You’re a custom character rising through the Corleone family, tackling missions tied to the movie’s plot, like planting guns or taking out rivals. Gameplay focuses on the extortion mechanic—strong-arm businesses by smashing their shops or roughing up owners to control turf, a unique twist on GTA’s sandbox.
Driving feels clunky but lets you cruise in classic cars, while combat includes shooting, brawling, and executions like strangling foes. You can explore neighborhoods, bribe cops, or raid warehouses for cash, with side tasks like contract hits adding depth. It’s not perfect—the aggressive tone clashes with the film’s subtlety—but it’s fun. In 2025, licensing issues make it rare, but retro fans keep this crime adventure games title alive via emulators, digging its open-world crime simulator nostalgia.
7. Crackdown
The first two Crackdown games (2007, 2010) tweak the GTA formula with a superhero twist, putting you as a super-powered Agent in a chaotic city. Gameplay is about cleaning up crime syndicates through sheer chaos—leap across skyscrapers, hurl cars, or blast enemies with futuristic weapons. Your Agent levels up strength, agility, and firepower, letting you scale buildings or kick trucks like soccer balls.
Missions involve taking out gang leaders or clearing hideouts, but the real fun is the open-world freedom: climb towers, collect agility orbs, or race across rooftops. Multiplayer lets you team up for co-op destruction, a feature GTA adopted later. The cell-shaded art style pops, and side activities like street races or stunt challenges keep things fresh. In 2025, Xbox backward compatibility keeps Crackdown alive, with Reddit fans loving its open-world chaos games energy, despite the series’ later fumbles.
8. Watch Dogs 2
Watch Dogs 2 (2016) adds hacking to the GTA formula, set in a sunny San Francisco. You’re Marcus Holloway, a hacker with DedSec, taking on shady tech corps. Gameplay blends driving, shooting, and hacking—you can trigger car crashes, hack drones, or fry enemies with tasers. The open world is packed with life, letting you drive sports cars, ride cable cars, or sail boats. Missions range from infiltrating tech HQs to stealing data, with stealth or guns-blazing options.
Side activities shine, like kart racing, drone races, or tagging billboards with graffiti. You can hack NPCs’ phones to uncover secrets or cause distractions, adding strategy to the chaos. In 2025, mods and Game Pass keep it fresh, with X users praising its open-world hacking games freedom and colorful take on GTA-like games.
9. Yakuza 0
Yakuza 0 (2015) brings GTA-style crime to 1980s Japan, with dense, detailed districts in Tokyo and Osaka. You swap between Kiryu and Majima, two yakuza navigating turf wars and personal dramas. Gameplay mixes beat-’em-up combat—pummeling thugs with combos, heat moves, or improvised weapons like bikes—with deep exploration. The world is small but packed: visit arcades, sing karaoke, manage a hostess club, or race pocket cars. Missions drive the cinematic story, blending brawls, chases, and heartfelt cutscenes. Side quests are wild, from helping quirky NPCs to fighting street gangs. You can invest in businesses to earn cash, unlocking upgrades. In 2025, Steam reviews and X posts call it a gem for story-driven open-world games fans, with its mix of serious and silly making it a unique GTA cousin.
10. Just Cause 4
Just Cause 4 (2018) is pure chaos in a massive South American sandbox, where you play Rico Rodriguez toppling a dictator’s regime. Gameplay is about destruction—use a grappling hook to tether enemies to exploding barrels, skydive with a wingsuit, or drive tanks and jets. Dynamic weather like tornadoes or sandstorms amps up the madness, letting you fling debris or surf storms. Missions involve blowing up bases, liberating towns, or chasing targets, with side tasks like stunt jumps or weapon challenges adding variety. The world is huge, with jungles, deserts, and cities to explore, though the story takes a backseat to action. In 2025, Game Pass and mods keep it alive, with Reddit fans loving its explosive open-world games style for stress-free, over-the-top fun compared to GTA’s grounded approach.
These 10 games nail what makes GTA awesome while carving their own path. From Red Dead Redemption 2’s epic world to Just Cause 4’s wild explosions, there’s something for every best open-world games fan in 2025. Dive in while you wait for GTA 6!
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