Grand Theft Auto 5 was a huge game when it launched in 2013 in terms of its area size. Players could mostly explore city locations, while also being able to venture around the Los Santos area. As big as it is, open-world games have become a lot bigger since 2013, and Grand Theft Auto 6’s take on Vice City looks absolutely massive.
8 Open-World Games With More Freedom Than GTA 5
GTA 5 is an important open-world game, but it has been surpassed in several areas, particularly in how much freedom the player has.
Even the games that are technically smaller than Grand Theft Auto 5 are bigger in scope because they are packed with more content per square inch. The following open-world games have condensed cities or areas that offer plenty of freedom in exchange for a more focused experience.
Assassin's Creed Syndicate
Two Assassins In London
Assassin's Creed Syndicate
- Released
- October 23, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Assassin's Creed Syndicate takes place in London, and it is one of the first Assassin’s Creed games that allowed players to switch between two characters while playing: brother and sister Jacob and Evie Frye. London is on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution, so players can expect plenty of steampunk aesthetics as they traverse the city, which is fun to explore on its own because of the historical value.
Beyond that, players can tackle main missions and side content as every inch of London is used well. The coolest part of exploring is using the grappling hook device to scale buildings quickly as players look for collectibles or try to escape guards.
Cyberpunk 2077
Living The Night Life
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 takes place in Night City, a futuristic setting that is supposed to make all dreams come true. Like GTA 5, there is also an outside desert to explore that is filled with bandits and random spots of interest. Exploring Night City is the best part between main operations and side hustles, as players can approach them in numerous ways, from hacking through doors to blasting past them and guards with guns.
The open-ended structure to the missions, along with the customization mods players can apply to their body, makes Cyberpunk 2077 more freeing than GTA 5, and there are more life and spots of interest that will have players stop their car to get out constantly.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
A Swing And A Hit
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is one of the best Spider-Man games ever made, let alone one of the greatest superhero adventures. As either Peter Parker or Miles Morales, players can swing or glide around New York City, looking for random crime waves to pop up or collectibles to interact with.
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The developer, Insomniac, used every inch of New York City to tell a story. The game takes place entirely in the city, with indoor locations used for missions only. It’s one of the most densely packed games of all time, which may compel players to 100% it, since Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s design is so inviting.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Don’t Get Blue In Honolulu
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Released
- January 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Simulated Gambling, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, as the eighth Yakuza game, mostly takes place in Honolulu, but there are different districts to make it seem bigger. Players can also explore the beaches and even go for a swim, along with taking a boat to an island location to build their own little base camp.
Honolulu overall is another city location that doesn’t let up on activities or collectibles, as players will stumble into shops or weird NPCs looking for a fight in turn-based combat. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is also a game wherein the city will change over time, unlocking new districts or placing new activities where there were none before, so it will keep players on their toes.
Sleeping Dogs
Don’t Let Them Lie
Sleeping Dogs
- Released
- August 14, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
Sleeping Dogs is something different in terms of city locations, as it takes place in Hong Kong. Players are given more freedom with their actions and play styles because, as an undercover cop, they can decide to be good or bad, which will affect the outcome of some quests.
The martial arts action will feel more visceral, and being able to hijack cars while flying down the road is a breathtaking experience. Like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, there is seemingly no end to crime, as side activities will pop up constantly, which players can pursue or ignore.
Elden Ring
Danger In The Darkness
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Elden Ring doesn’t take place within a city, but its open-world fantasy setting is comparable to something like GTA 5 in terms of size. Players can create their character, choose a class, and then venture off in any direction they wish, and there is always something waiting.
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The freedom to explore nature in these open-world games is astounding, and Red Dead Redemption fans may enjoy them.
Whether it’s a man in a seaside cave looking to bargain or a big dragon waiting in the middle of a field, players will rarely go two steps before they find something. As a Soulslike, Elden Ring is also very challenging, so players must be prepared before every random encounter.
Watch Dogs 2
Hack The Planet!
Watch Dogs 2
- Released
- November 15, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action, Adventure
Watch Dogs 2 has GTA 5 vibes because it takes place on the West Coast, specifically in San Francisco. This version of the city is more high-tech, meaning players can interact with everything from unlocking cars to do their bidding through hacks or going into surveillance cameras to watch NPCs, giving the city a more interactive feel.
Between main missions and side activities, players will learn that this city does not sleep. As an open-world city game, Watch Dogs 2’s San Francisco is also just historically fascinating, as players can check out the sites akin to taking a guided tour in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.
Sunset Overdrive
Too Many Energy Drinks
Sunset Overdrive
- Released
- October 28, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Open-World
Sunset Overdrive takes place in the fictional Sunset City, which has been closed off due to a zombie-like pandemic involving people mutating because of an energy drink. These mutants are fast and will be constantly trying to kill players, so they will need to learn how to parkour around Sunset City, including using cars to bounce on or rails to grind on.
The momentum in Sunset Overdrive never ceases, and the traversal isn’t the only inventive thing about the game. Players can craft bizarre weapons to take mutants down, like launching vinyl records or exploding teddy bears. Due to the pandemic, Sunset City isn’t filled with many NPCs, but players can get a variety of missions at safe locations, usually boiling down to killing mutants.
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