Open-world games are some of the most popular games out there that span different genres such as shooters, RPG, racing, and more. What makes open-world games special is their ability to immerse you in a virtual world that is much better than the real world.
The open world games feature diverse and beautiful natural landscapes such as mountains, deserts and snow-capped areas, or cosmopolitan cities with skyscrapers, busy streets, and more. If you’re looking to play some immersive open-world games, here’s our list of the best PC open-world games:
1. Bully
Another original from Rockstar Games, Bully is an open-world action-adventure set in a smaller setting than something like GTA V. However, there are plenty of things to do in this high-school-themed game.
You become Jimmy Hopkins, a troubled transfer student who has to find his way through high school social groups while trying to avoid conflict. Each group of school assigns unique missions to complete as the story progresses. The gameplay is surprisingly good including a day-night cycle that allows players to choose how and when they want to complete their tasks.
2. Saints Row IV
Regarded as one of the most ‘over the top’ open-world games, Saints Row IV brings a third-person shooter element where players are free to explore the environment and play story or side missions. The story is mostly a parody of science fiction video games, especially Mass Effect 2, as well as movies like The Matrix and Zero Dark Thirty, and more.
The main story follows the same player-created character from the previous games, who is elected President of the United States after stopping a terrorist threat. Five years into their rule, they are trapped in a Steelport simulation with members of their gang, the Third Street Saints, when an alien kingdom known as the Xin invades Earth and captures them.
3. Mafia 3
Mafia 3 takes you to New Bordeaux, a fictional city inspired by New Orleans. You play as Lincoln Clay, a Vietnam War veteran who returns home to avenge his adopted family and settle things with the Mafia, eventually building his own criminal empire.
Mafia 3 is a third-person shooter where you can move freely around the city of New Bordeaux. There’s shooting, there’s driving (realistic, to boot), there’s stealth, there’s control over different areas, etc.
It looks and feels great, taking you back to the late 1960s. Three DLCs were released, each featuring new missions, weapons, and mechanics, including knife throwing and…bullet time! If you are looking for a period piece in the vein of Grand Theft Auto, then this should be a perfect pick.
4. Death Stranding
Hideo Kojima is a true writer of video games. His brainchild, the Metal Gear series, is one of the most popular video game franchises of all time. When Kojima left Konami in 2015, members of the gaming world were shocked. He then took four years to develop his next IP death stranding. The game was released in 2019 and the player base was split into two halves. Since then, other versions of the game have been released, including a new Director’s Cut version for the PC.
The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the United States of America has been devastated by an incident. This event led to the rise of alien creatures who destroyed everything in their path. Players take control of Sam Porter Bridges (played by Norman Reedus of The Walking Dead fame) and have to reunite individual colonies by distributing supplies and establishing communications networks.
5. Saints Row: The Third
Initially, Saints Row was an obvious rip-off of GTA, desperately trying to imitate Rockstar’s style. In the end, it was a mediocre effort that garnered a cult following for two games, but failed to make a lasting impression. Saints Row: The Third, in contrast, focused on how serious and serious games like GTA were becoming, saying, “ch that,” and making them ridiculous.
You play as a group of friends who are so widely known and loved that you rob a bank by dressing yourself as innovative costumes. Players will face a small-scale zombie apocalypse that matters, and will fight with a three-foot-tall dildo bat as a melee weapon.
Many GTA-like games get bogged down in their own importance, but Saints Row remains as silly as possible. Although it’s an older game, it has backwards compatibility on Xbox One and was ported to the Nintendo Switch in 2019, so it’s a great excuse to revisit Saints.
So, this was our list of 5 best games like GTA 5. We did our best to keep the titles on this list that are closely related to GTA 5 and offer similar gameplay experiences. Although the dynamics of these games will be different than in GTA 5, you will enjoy the gameplay.
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