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There was no one-for-one replacement for Grand Theft Auto VI on 2025’s release calendar, but several major games offered pieces of its appeal: a crime-focused story, roaming and exploration, or hours of action and strategy. Which one fits depends on what you want to play while you wait.
The timing changed, too. GTA VI had been expected in fall 2025. Take-Two announced on May 2, 2025 that it was planned for May 26, 2026; a later Take-Two investor presentation lists November 19, 2026. Take-Two’s announcement and its investor presentation establish that timeline.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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IRIPLEZO Grand Theft Auto V | $24.33 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Take 2 Interactive Grand Theft Auto 5 (PS5) | $24.25 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Grand Theft Auto GTA V 5 | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Maneater [PS5] (PS5)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51RfDbY4LRL._SL160_.jpg)
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Maneater [PS5] (PS5) | $23.48 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Maximum Entertainment 34 Sports Games - World Edition (PS5) | $26.97 | Buy on Amazon |
Which 2025 games are closest to GTA 6?
Mafia: The Old Country is the clearest pick if you want a crime story and period setting. It is not established as a GTA-style sandbox, so approach it as a crime-game alternative rather than a substitute for GTA VI’s open-world freedom. For exploration and action in a different tradition, Where Winds Meet is an option; for a major shooter or strategy game, consider Borderlands 4 or Civilization VII.
| Game | What it offers instead | How close is the match? | Release status and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mafia: The Old Country | Crime-story atmosphere and a period setting | Closest on crime-game tone; not established as a GTA-like sandbox | Released August 8, 2025, according to Take-Two’s May 15, 2025 investor presentation |
| Where Winds Meet | Action-adventure RPG exploration in a wuxia tradition | A different kind of roaming and action; open-world freedom varies by game | TechRadar’s November 7, 2025 list describes it as an action-adventure RPG; the cited source does not establish its release date or platforms |
| Borderlands 4 | Action-shooter play | Not a crime-story or GTA-style sandbox match | Launched September 12, 2025, according to Take-Two’s May 15, 2025 investor presentation |
| Civilization VII | Long-form strategy | A broad alternative for a substantial game, not a genre match | Released worldwide February 11, 2025, according to Take-Two’s May 15, 2025 investor presentation |
The release dates for Mafia: The Old Country, Borderlands 4 and Civilization VII come from Take-Two’s investor presentation. The characterization of Where Winds Meet comes from TechRadar’s November 7, 2025 list, which also notes that its picks differ in how open-world they are.
#1 Best Overall
- STUNNING VISUALS — Enhanced levels of fidelity and performance with new graphics modes featuring up to 4K resolution, up to 60 frames per second, HDR options, ray tracing, improved texture quality, and more
- FASTER LOADING — Quicker access to the action as the world of Los Santos and Blaine County load in faster than ever before.
- ADAPTIVE TRIGGERS AND HAPTIC FEEDBACK — Feel every moment through the DualSense controller, from directional damage to weather effects, rough road surfaces to explosions, and more.
- TEMPEST 3D AUDIO — Hear the sounds of the world with pinpoint precision: the throttle of a stolen supercar, the rattle of neighbouring gunfire, the roar of a helicopter overhead, and more.
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the European version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions.
Choose by the part of GTA you miss
If you want a crime story
Start with Mafia: The Old Country. Take-Two records its release as August 8, 2025, making it a concrete crime-game pick from that year. The comparison is about crime-story atmosphere, not a claim that it reproduces GTA’s sandbox design.
If you want exploration and action
Consider Where Winds Meet if you are open to an action-adventure RPG rooted in wuxia rather than a contemporary crime game. TechRadar included it among games to play instead of GTA VI, while cautioning that the games on its list vary in how open-world they are. That makes it a partial match for roaming and action, not a like-for-like replacement.
Rank #2
- Easy to use
- Excellent quality products
- Good product for use
If you want a different kind of long session
Borderlands 4 is the action-shooter option among the major 2025 releases documented here. Civilization VII suits a reader seeking strategy and an extended game rather than driving, crime fiction or open-world exploration. Take-Two lists Borderlands 4 as launched September 12, 2025 and Civilization VII as released worldwide February 11, 2025.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What “remaining 2025 games” means now
This is a retrospective on that year’s slate, not a list of games still to come. GameSpot’s 2025 calendar, updated December 19, 2025, included both games with firm dates and games announced for a 2025 window, so a calendar listing did not always mean a confirmed day-one date. See the GameSpot 2025 release schedule for its calendar context.
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- ATEMBERAUBENDE GRAFIK: Visuelle Verbesserungen und eine hhere Leistung mit neuen Grafikmodi, die eine Auflsung bis zu 4K, bis zu 60 Bilder pro Sekunde, HDR-Optionen, Ray-Tracing, verbesserte Texturqualitt und mehr bieten
- SCHNELLERE LADEZEITEN: Rascherer Zugang zur Action, da die Welt von Los Santos und Blaine County schneller geladen wird als jemals zuvor
- 3D-RAUMKLANG: Geniee die Klangkulisse der Welt mit hchster Przision: den Motor eines gestohlenen Supersportwagens, das knatternde Gewehrfeuer um die Ecke, das Drhnen eines Helikopters ber dir und mehr
- NEUES MEN-DESIGN: Erlebe ein komplett berarbeitetes Men-Design fr verbesserte Navigation und Benutzerfreundlichkeit auf Xbox Series X|S
- ZUGANG ZU ALLEN AKTUELLEN UND FRHEREN UPDATES: Profitiere von allen Gameplay-Verbesserungen, Erweiterungen und Inhalten, die seit Verffentlichung von GTA Online hinzugefgt wurden
For a practical shortlist, compare each game’s core activity, tone and degree of freedom rather than expecting any title to match GTA VI’s scale or cultural role. Check the game’s current platform listings and availability in your region before buying; the sources cited here do not establish a complete, current platform or storefront list for every title.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Enter the stadium and take part of one of the biggest competitions across 34 sports: from swimming, soccer, extreme bike, weightlifting, trampoline and much more!
- Defend your own country and visit the World: United States, Australia, Japan, France…
- Train yourself alone or compete with your friends!
- An enhanced version of “30 Sport Games in 1”, with revamped design, new games and more customisation!
Rank #4
- Fully Evolved For PlayStation5 - The next evolution of Maneater is here with full utilization of the PlayStation5 including ray-tracing, native 4K HDR support at 60 FPS, immersive feedback via the DualSense controller's haptic motors, and more! Full upgrade available to all current-gen owners to ensure that when your console evolves, Maneater will too.
- Unique Story - Play through a full narrative, story-based campaign narrated by Chris Parnell (Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock, Rick and Morty) and set against the backdrop of a reality TV show.
- Diverse, Compelling Combat - Battle fierce wildlife including other apex predators or fight against various types of human hunters ranging from town drunks all the way up to the Coast Guard.
- Evolve Into a Legend - Feed on humans and wildlife to grow your shark, and find shark loot to evolve your shark down multiple possible paths.
- Explore the Gulf - 7 large regions including bayous of the gulf coast, resort beaches, industrial docks, the open ocean and more. Experience a living world with a full day/night cycle.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
