Grand Theft Autois one of the most popular video games of all time. The sheer amount of freedom afforded to a player in each and every entry is definitely quite impressive in its own right, and it’s easy to see why this franchise has skyrocketed in popularity to becomeone of the most beloved video game IPs of all time.
Related:Games Like Grand Theft Auto 5 You Need To Play
So, it’s easy to see why so many studios have tried to develop titles that elicit the same vibe as theGTAseries, ranging from a vast urban open world to a wanted system that forces the player to pay for any crimes they might heartlessly commit in said world.Some of the manyGTAclones that are available right now actually do a great job of parodying the seriesin some way or the other, with the most notable examples in this regard being mentioned below.
5Retro City Rampage
There was something magical about the top-downGTAgames that fans still adore to this day. The shift to 3D might’ve been the move that officially put Rockstar on the map, but there’s no denying thatthe gameplay present inGTA 1and2is what truly drove the series to where it’s at right now. Fans of the retroGrand Theft Autotitles who want to check out a great homage to the same should look no further thanRetro City Rampage.
The entire game is a love letter to the nostalgic elements of pop culture that have defined an entire generation, with the open world ofRetro City Rampageand its approach to violence parodyingGrand Theft Autoin many ways. Players who want to check out a unique and creative indie title that doesn’t shy away from wearing its inspirations on its sleeve should giveRetro City Rampagea shot.
4Saints Row: The Third
In its own way,the entireSaints Rowseriesis just a huge parody of everything in the video game industry and pop culture in general. Given its roots as aGrand Theft Autoclone, there’s no denying that the third title does satirize this legendary series in many aspects, even if the subtle nuances of said parodies might get lost in the grand scheme of things.
Related:The Things That Saints Row Does Better Than Grand Theft Auto (& Other Things It Does Worse)
Saints Row: The Thirdis the game many people credit for taking the franchise’s ridiculousness to the very max. Violence is simply the way of life, with The Boss ramping up their criminal activities along with a crew of memorable characters who are all pretty likable in their own right.Saints Rowmight feature a bunch of unhinged characters along with gameplay that can get a bit too ridiculous for its own good, but there’s no denying that it’s still one of the finestGTAclones out there.
3The Simpsons: Hit & Run
The Simpsonsis one of the most popular animated series of all time. The adventures of Homer Simpson and his family are a treat to witness, with each episode bringing a unique tale that will leave viewers in splits, especially if they check out episodes from the Golden Age of this show. Suffice it to say, the popularity of this show led tothe IP branching out to various other mediums, including the realm of video games.
This led to the creation ofThe Simpsons: Hit & Run, a cult classic title that many fans remember fondly to this day. The game did not hide itsGTAinspirations in any way, parodying various elements of these games in a way that onlyThe Simpsonswould be capable of. It might not be the deepest title around, but fans of simple and hilarious open-world titles will find something to enjoy inThe Simpsons: Hit & Run.
2Lego City Undercover
TheLegogames have been joyous romps through imaginative worlds that are full to the brim with secrets.Lego City Undercoveris no exception to this golden rule, letting players take on the role of Chase McCain as he takes on various disguises to accomplish various acts inan open world clearly inspired byGTA.
Related:Features Rockstar Abandoned After Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
Given the mature nature of theGrand Theft Autogames,Lego City Undercoveris a great family-friendly way to enjoy this formula. The gameplay is familiar and engaging for fans ofLegotitles, with the open world being integrated quite cleverly and seamlessly into the core gameplay loop of the title.
1Mafia
Grand Theft Autois a series that glorifies crime quite a bit, with the various deaths and police chases in the game being quite entertaining in their own right. However, for what it’s worth, the games deal with small-time criminals who eventually make it big while causing chaos and destruction in the game world. Meanwhile,there’s another title just likeGrand Theft Autothat deals with organized crime in a more mature way and doesn’t glorify violence as much.
Mafiais aGrand Theft Autoclone in name only, with players being encouraged to follow the law and attract as little police attention as possible. In many ways, it’s an anti-GTAgame that shows how criminals would actually function in a world where they need to lay low… even if players can still go crazy and kill everything in sight without a care in the world.
Grand Theft Auto 5is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
More:Game Sequels Rockstar Should Consider Making After Grand Theft Auto 6
