Top 8 Upcoming Games Like GTA to Watch Out for Before GTA 6 Arrives

While millions of fans waited to play GTA 6 in 2025, Rockstar announced a delay that pushed its release date to 2026. That has left many players disappointed as there aren’t many games like GTA that could bring the same chaotic experience. However, there are some upcoming games like GTA that fans could enjoy. These upcoming games, like GTA, have different styles and take place in different eras and locations. What they share in common is an open-world structure with driving and shooting mechanics. The core mechanics of GTA titles make them so much fun. Each game brings a uniqueness to the experience by thinking differently in terms of style and location to separate itself from other open-world games.

1 – Upcoming Games Like GTA: MindsEye

• Release Date: June 10, 2025
• Genre: Action, Adventure
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Developer: Build a Rocket Boy
• Publisher: IO Interactive

MindsEye is one of the most anticipated games coming in June, which is just like GTA. After all, this game is being directed by Leslie Benzies, who produced GTA titles from San Andreas onward. Therefore, we will see many mutual gameplay points between these two games. From cinematic action sequences to over-the-top driving and thrilling encounters with enemies.

MindsEye is set in the metropolis of Redrock City, and players take control of Jacob Diaz, a former soldier. The game has a cyberpunk style to it as the protagonist has a neural implant that helps them during is dangerous adventures. Based on the trailers and footage released, it is safe to say that MindsEye is the closest a game has come to a GTA experience.

2 – Mafia: The Old Country

• Release Date: August 8, 2025
• Genre: Action, Third-person Shooter
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Developer: Hanger 13
• Publisher: 2K Games

The Mafia franchise has always been compared to GTA games. Whether it’s the narrative that dwells around the underground life of criminals with a mafia theme, or its open-world design. The third installment of the series was not such a good game, and therefore, Hanger 13 had to gain the trust of fans. They did that with Mafia: Definitive Edition, and eyes are now upon the new entry of the franchise, Mafia: The Old Country, which is among the upcoming games like GTA.

The game will take players to 1900s Sicily, the origins of organized crime. Players will take control of Enzo Favara and will tell the story of how one of the biggest mafias in the world was born. The game focuses more on narrative in this title, but there will be cinematic shooting sequences and high-octane driving chases throughout Sicily.

3 – Nivalis

• Release Date: 2025
• Genre: Cyberpunk, RPG
• Platforms: PC
• Developer: ION Lands
• Publisher: 505 Games

Cyberpunk theme games are once again getting the attention they deserve thanks to the success of Cyberpunk 2077. Nivalis is another cyberpunk title that focuses more on immersing the player in the neon-lit city of Nivalis. Players are free to roam and go anywhere in the city, but there is a catch that makes it a unique experience.

Nivalis is more of a life simulation than an action game. Gamer’s choices matter the most as they try to build a life in this city. Creating and managing a business are the most important gameplay mechanics that will be tagged along with side activities like fishing. Nivalis is all about having the experience of living in a futuristic city.

4 – Contraband

• Release Date: To be announced
• Genre: Co-op Adventure
• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S and PC
• Developer: Avalanche Studios
• Publisher: Xbox Game Studios

GTA is all about criminal life. From stealing to killing and pulling great heists, all in the name of making the most money. GTA Online took that experience to another level as players had to co-operate with each other in completing missions. Contraband, one of the upcoming games like GTA, wants to replicate that exact experience by putting players in the shoes of smugglers in 1970.

The game takes place in the fictional world of Bayan, and players are tasked with completing smuggling operations. Avalanche has not given many details about the gameplay of Contraband, but this game will feature an open-world design, and players will complete missions across the map in co-op mode.

5 – Dead Static Drive

• Release Date: 2025
• Genre: Action, Survival
• Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S
• Developer: Reuben Games
• Publisher: Reuben Games

Let’s use the title the developers have given this game, Grand Theft Cthulhu. The game is set in a nightmarish version of the 1980s of Americana. Players will take control of a prodigal son called Hearst as he must do his best to scavenge, fight, and sneak past Lovecraftian horrors that fill these lands. Monsters are not the only enemies, as other humans fight to survive as well.

The development team has stated they took inspiration from the works of T.E.D. Klein and Gene Wolfe, and a bit of David Lynch, to make it the weirdest experience possible. All of these, as players, must navigate through a harsh world filled with unknown creatures.

6 – Vigilancer 2099

• Release Date: To be announced
• Genre: Action, Adventure
• Platform: PC
• Developer: Envoidant Studios
• Publisher: Envoidant Studios

Another cyberpunk-themed game that is considered one of the upcoming games like GTA. Unlike Nivlais, this game is all about action and fighting. Players take control of a bounty hunter in a futuristic city as they navigate and hunt bounties. Viglinacer is the name of the protagonist, and players can customize this character however they like.

The game emphasizes a lot of environmental storytelling as the development team has put the majority of their focus on creating fun and engaging gameplay. The game is filled with a variety of bounties, from small to big, that players can hunt as they progress and level up.

7 – Mumbai Gullies

• Release Date: To be announced
• Genre: Open-world Action
• Platform: PC
• Developer: GameEon Studios
• Publisher: GameEon Studios

When it comes to developing open-world games, the majority of studios pick the best and most famous cities in the world. In case of Mumbai Gullies, players will be taken to the underground world of Mumbai and see the criminal lifestyle of this city. The game includes many Indian cultural elements that make it so unique.

Because of its gameplay, Mumbai Gullies is one of the upcoming games like GTA to look out for. High-octane shooting sequences, car chases using some of the unique vehicles like Reksha that give the game a unique edge, and of course, all the criminal activities will be in Mumbai Gullies.

8– Far Cry 7

• Release Date: Expected in 2026
• Genre: First-person shooter, Open-world
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
• Publisher: Ubisoft

Internally known as Project Blackbird, Far Cry 7 has been in development for quite some time now. While the game is officially confirmed to be in development, no official details have been released. However, it has been said that Ubisoft will overhaul the series’ formula to bring a totally new experience with non-linear storytelling.

There are rumors about the story that a cult named Sons of Truth has kidnapped a family, and players only have 24 real-time hours to save them. The game will utilize the Snowdrop engine, unlike previous Far Cry games, which will change the sprinting, sliding, and other movements of the game drastically.

Summing Up

The GTA franchise has changed the video game industry drastically, as many studios want to pursue what they have been doing. This has led to many studios creating games that share elements with GTA games, which makes them some of the best upcoming games like GTA to look forward to as we wait for GTA 6.

Learn about the best upcoming games via Gamerative.

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