Grand Theft Auto is 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 become one of the most beloved video game IPs of all time.
So, it's easy to see why so many studios have tried to develop titles that elicit the same vibe as the GTA series, 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 many GTA clones that are available right now actually do a great job of parodying the series in some way or the other, with the most notable examples in this regard being mentioned below.
5 Retro City Rampage
There was something magical about the top-down GTA games 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 that the gameplay present in GTA 1 and 2 is what truly drove the series to where it's at right now. Fans of the retro Grand Theft Auto titles who want to check out a great homage to the same should look no further than Retro 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 of Retro City Rampage and its approach to violence parodying Grand Theft Auto in 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 give Retro City Rampage a shot.
4 Saints Row: The Third
In its own way, the entire Saints Row series is just a huge parody of everything in the video game industry and pop culture in general. Given its roots as a Grand Theft Auto clone, 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.
Saints Row: The Third is 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 Row might 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 finest GTA clones out there.
3 The Simpsons: Hit & Run
The Simpsons is 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 to the IP branching out to various other mediums, including the realm of video games.
This led to the creation of The Simpsons: Hit & Run, a cult classic title that many fans remember fondly to this day. The game did not hide its GTA inspirations in any way, parodying various elements of these games in a way that only The Simpsons would 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 in The Simpsons: Hit & Run.
2 Lego City Undercover
The Lego games have been joyous romps through imaginative worlds that are full to the brim with secrets. Lego City Undercover is 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 in an open world clearly inspired by GTA.
Given the mature nature of the Grand Theft Auto games, Lego City Undercover is a great family-friendly way to enjoy this formula. The gameplay is familiar and engaging for fans of Lego titles, with the open world being integrated quite cleverly and seamlessly into the core gameplay loop of the title.
1 Mafia
Grand Theft Auto is 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 like Grand Theft Auto that deals with organized crime in a more mature way and doesn't glorify violence as much.
Mafia is a Grand Theft Auto clone 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-GTA game 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 5 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.