Top Five Alternative Games to Grand Theft Auto Online

The gaming industry is replete with action-packed, open-world games that promise hours of thrill and excitement. One such game that has dominated the genre for years is "Grand Theft Auto Online." Yet, it's not the only game in town. There are several other games offering similar experiences but with their unique twists. This article takes you through five alternative games to GTA Online, each providing an immersive gameplay experience.

1. Red Dead Redemption 2

Introduction

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game produced by Rockstar Games - the same developers behind Grand Theft Auto. It's a Western-themed, action-adventure game that offers an online multiplayer component named Red Dead Online.

Gameplay

Just like GTA Online, players can engage in various activities in Red Dead Redemption 2, such as hunting, fishing, bounty hunting, and participating in traditional western-themed mini-games like poker. The world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is vast and immersive, with various landscapes to explore, from snowy mountains to sprawling prairies.

Story and Setting

The game takes place in 1899, at the end of the Wild West era, where lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs. You play as Arthur Morgan, a member of one such gang forced to flee across America following a botched robbery.

2. Watch Dogs 2

Introduction

Watch Dogs 2 is an action-adventure game developed by Ubisoft Montreal where technology and hacking are central themes.

Gameplay

The gameplay revolves around exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat with a heavy emphasis on using technology to manipulate the environment or hack into various systems for strategic advantages. Players can also control vehicles remotely, create distractions, or even put out hits on enemies.

Story and Setting

You play as Marcus Holloway, a skilled hacker working with the hacktivist group DedSec to take down the city's advanced surveillance system known as ctOS. The game is set in a fictionalized version of San Francisco, teeming with life and bustling with activity.

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Introduction

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an action RPG developed by CD Projekt Red based on The Witcher series of fantasy novels.

Gameplay

The game features a massive open world filled with quests and side activities. Combat involves magic and weaponry, with customization options available for both. Players can also engage in non-combat activities like hunting monsters for bounties or playing Gwent, a card-based mini-game.

Story and Setting

You play as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a Witcher who is searching for his adopted daughter on the run from the Wild Hunt - an otherworldly force determined to capture her. The game takes place in a fantasy world filled with diverse ecosystems, cultures, and cities.

4. Saints Row IV

Introduction

Saints Row IV is an over-the-top action-adventure game developed by Volition where you play as the President of the United States imbued with superpowers fighting off an alien invasion.

Gameplay

The gameplay includes elements of shooting and driving along with superpower abilities, allowing players to leap over buildings or sprint faster than vehicles. Missions involve combat scenarios against aliens, while exploration offers various tasks and challenges around the city.

Story and Setting

Aliens have invaded Earth and transported the player and their gang to a simulated version of the city of Steelport. Now, as the President, you must free humanity from alien granddaddy Zinyak using an arsenal of superpowers and strange weapons.

5. Mafia III

Introduction

Mafia III is an action-adventure game developed by Hangar 13 that delves into the world of crime and retribution.

Gameplay

Players can choose to approach missions through brute force, stealth, or a combination of both. The game's open world is filled with activities related to disrupting the Italian mob’s control over various districts in New Bordeaux, a fictional recreation of New Orleans.

Story and Setting

The story follows Lincoln Clay, a Vietnam War veteran, on a quest for revenge against the Italian mob who murdered his surrogate family. The game is set in 1968, capturing an era rife with cultural change and social upheaval.

In conclusion, while Grand Theft Auto Online delivers unmatched freedom and adventure in its gameplay, these five games prove to be worthy alternatives, each offering unique experiences within their expansive worlds. Whether it's hunting outlaws in the wild west or fighting off an alien invasion as the president, there's always another adventure waiting around the corner.