‘Grand Theft Auto V’ is today considered by many to be the best open-world sandbox-style action title of all time! But there have been many contenders to the throne. If you’ve grown tired of Michael, Trevor and Franklin’s adventures around Los Santos, then check out our recommendations for the Top 5 Best Alternative Games to GTA V.

1. Sleeping Dogs

In ‘Sleeping Dogs’, you play Wei Shen, a Chinese-American cop who goes undercover in an attempt to break into the Sun On Yee Triad organization. Similar to the GTA series, missions are required for story progression while the open-world design allows you to take part in both legal and illegal activities. Upon release in 2012 on the PS3 and Xbox 360, Sleeping Dogs received positive reviews, and is today considered among the best third-person action games to have ever been released.

2. Watch Dogs

Released on both current-gen and previous-gen platforms, Ubisoft’s ‘Watch Dogs’ gives a whole new meaning to the term ‘action games’. As hacker Aiden Pearce, you have been able to hack into the citywide operating system ‘ctOS’ that allows you to find information on anyone in your vicinity. It’s a brilliant addition that sets it apart from other GTA clones. You can control traffic signals, gain access to bank accounts and raise hell. If you own a PS4 or Xbox One, then you owe it to yourself to enjoy Watch Dogs.

3. Saints Row 4

Volition’s ‘Saints Row 4’ is what you need when you are looking for mindless action, science fiction and a whole lotta attitude, all-in-one game. This time, the Third Street Saints rule America. More specifically, the character you create, male or female, is the President – the most powerful person in the world. Unfortunately, your rule is under threat when the world is invaded by aliens and you have to fend off the extraterrestrials in an effort to bring peace and well… save you’re a$$ in the process! Though quite reminiscent of Sony’s ‘inFamous’ series, Saints Row 4 still manages to hold its own in the overcrowded open-world genre.

4. Red Dead Redemption

Rockstar Games have become pioneers when it comes to third-person action games. After many years of GTA titles, they created a whole new universe in ‘Red Dead Redemption’. This time it’s not a modern city inspired by New York or Los Angeles, but rather the Wild Wild West. You play cowboy John Marston who is forced by law officials to do their bidding in exchange for the freedom of his wife and son. It features a brilliant narrative, excellent shooting, horseback riding and a huge open-world that opens up as the game progresses. The ‘red-eye’ shooting slows down time to allow for precision shooting. Although the game released back in May 2010, it’s still worth revisiting from time to time. 

5. Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag

Ubisoft added a medieval spin to the open-world genre since the first Assassins Creed released back in the fall of 2007. The latest in the series, ‘Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag’ takes the series to the high seas where you play Edward Kenway, a pirate who ends up playing mercenary to the Assassins. The best part of the game: building your ship, conquering enemy ships with your crew and sailing the open seas on your hot new ride.

We figure the above-listed titles make for worthy alternatives to ‘GTA V’ simply because while the concept remains mostly the same, they do offer gamers a solid Point of Difference. So, what are you waiting for? Get on your console and check out these titles..!