As the November 19 release of Grand Theft Auto VI approaches, players are revisiting an era when the open-world crime genre exploded with ambition. The National reported that while Rockstar Games’ 2001 classic, GTA III, redefined the genre, it inspired a wave of imitators that ranged from shameless copies to innovative standouts. For those seeking a diversion, here are six landmark games that pushed the boundaries of the urban criminal playground.
Sleeping Dogs: Hong Kong’s Brutal Ballet
Sleeping Dogs, developed by United Front Games and released in 2012, stands as the finest “GTA clone” not through imitation, but through its singular focus on Hong Kong’s kinetic action cinema. Players assume the role of undercover officer Wei Shen, fighting in a brutal gang war with a martial arts combat system defined by spectacular environmental takedowns. The game’s recreation of Hong Kong—from bustling markets to neon-drenched streets—is a character in itself. Originally part of the True Crime series, its exploration of Shen’s fractured loyalties elevates it beyond a simple crime spree into an absorbing undercover thriller.
Saints Row 2: The Anti-GTA’s Absurd Peak
At a time when Grand Theft Auto IV pursued a more grounded tone, Saints Row 2, released by Volition in 2008, enthusiastically embraced the ridiculous. Players rebuild the Third Street Saints gang in Stilwater, engaging in activities that range from spraying buildings with sewage to committing insurance fraud by throwing themselves into traffic. Its extensive customization, co-operative campaign, and unpredictable missions offered a refreshing counterpoint to Rockstar’s increasingly cinematic ambitions, proving that there was a massive appetite for unadulterated, over-the-top criminal chaos.
Scarface: The World Is Yours – Rebuilding an Empire
Radical Entertainment’s 2006 Scarface: The World Is Yours tackles a compelling “what if” scenario: what if Tony Montana survived the film’s bloody conclusion? Players rebuild the drug lord’s empire in Miami, reclaiming territory and eliminating rivals. While its core driving and shooting mechanics borrowed heavily from the GTA template, its business management system introduced an addictive layer of progression. Money earned through illicit activities could be invested in properties and extravagant possessions, providing a tangible sense of growing power and capturing the film’s excess in a way few adaptations have managed.
The Saboteur: Paris in Black and White
One of the more unusual entries in the genre, The Saboteur from Pandemic Studios (2009) replaces contemporary gang warfare with the French Resistance during the Second World War. Players control Irish racing driver Sean Devlin as he wages a personal war against the Nazis in occupied Paris. Its most striking technical and artistic innovation is its visual presentation. Released shortly before Pandemic Studios closed, the game shows imaginative world-building.
Watch Dogs 2: The Hacking Revolution
By 2016, the GTA formula was so established that developers needed new angles to distinguish themselves. Ubisoft’s answer for Watch Dogs 2 was hacking. Set in a vibrant recreation of the San Francisco Bay Area, the game follows Marcus Holloway, a young hacker who joins the activist group DedSec. Its core innovation is the ability to manipulate the environment through connected technology, allowing players to disrupt traffic lights, hijack security cameras, and control electronic devices. This mechanic encourages a playful approach to objectives, blending stealth, technological trickery, and outright chaos in a way few other games have replicated.
Mafia II: A Masterclass in Period Atmosphere
Few open-world crime games have captured the atmosphere of a specific historical period as convincingly as Mafia II. Developed by 2K Czech and set in the fictional city of Empire Bay during the 1940s and 1950s, the game follows Vito Scaletta, a war veteran drawn into organized crime. Its meticulous attention to detail—from period-appropriate cars and architecture to radio stations playing authentic era music—creates a deeply immersive world. The game takes a more restrained approach to the open-world formula, with fewer optional distractions and a greater emphasis on cinematic storytelling. Driving through snow-covered streets in a vintage car with the radio playing can be as memorable as the main narrative.
