Rockstar’sGrand Theft Auto 5seems like it will never go away, or at least not until its successor launches. The game debuted in 2013 to universal praise thanks to its gorgeous and vast open-world, engaging single-player story that goes to some grim places, multi-protagonist system, and, eventually, the introduction ofGTA Online. The latter has hogged Rockstar’s attention for the past decade, and while it is not to everyone’s fancy, the online mode can be an absolute blast with the right crew. It is also overflowing with enough heists, missions, challenges, and distractions to keep somebody busy for potentially years.
At the beginning of July 2023,GTA 5and its online companion were added back to Xbox Game Pass, making them available for the first time since August 2021. However, the game was removed just a few months later, meaning it is no longer part of the Game Pass library. Consequently, if someone wants something similar but different, they should check out thebestGame Pass games likeGTA 5.
Updated Jun 20, 2025 by Mark Sammut:GTA is not present on Game Pass, so fans will need to try some other games to scratch their Rockstar itch. March and April 2024 have added quite a few exciting titles to Game Pass, most of which do not have all that much in common with Grand Theft Auto. That said, Dead Island 2’s Hollywood setting is not far removed from Los Santos, so that could be a valid option for people who also love a touch of horror and a lot of blood.
In case someone prefers physical copies, links to the games' Amazon listing pages have been included if they are available.
Madness and mayhem in an open-world environment are par for the course forJust Cause 4, and it is this quality that will appeal to any hardcoreGTAfan. Players are placed in the shoes of Rico Rodriguez as he once again grapple-hooks his way past a host of enemies, destroying the environment with explosions and shoot-outs galore.
Though less realistic than a typicalGrand Theft Autogame (and that is saying something),Just Cause 4ticks a lot of the same boxes. While they are funneled through a story, players are also encouraged to explore the map as they see fit, destroying as many things as they can along the way. A pure sandbox experience, this game (and the entire franchise) provides players with the tools required for them to create (explosive) magic. It is not necessarily deep or ground-breaking, but it is fun. While the fourth entry is fairly divisive among long-timeJust Causefans, the game is a fine option for newcomers, especially since none of its predecessors are on Xbox Game Pass.
Sega’sYakuzaseries is overall a great recommendation for fans ofGTA 5. While the Japanese games take place in much smaller open-worlds, both series offer stellar writing, memorable side content, and engaging main storylines that touch upon mature themes. Xbox Game Pass has the entirety of Sega’s main series, allowing players to experience Kiryu’s story in full (for the moment), starting from the brilliantYakuza 0and ending withLike a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.
Yakuza: Like a Dragonmarks a new chapter in the franchise’s history, introducing a fresh protagonist called Ichiban, a new central location, and an entirely different combat system. Narratively,Like a Dragonis just as strong as anything that came before it, and this feat is accomplished without the game retreading familiar ground. Rather than beat ‘em up combat, this entry uses a turn-based battle system akin toFinal FantasyandDragon Quest. Gameplay-wise,Yakuzawas never that similar toGTA, but this change created an even bigger divide between the franchises. That said, Sega’s license is all about its stories.
Ubisoft’sAssassin’s Creedgames are nothing like Rockstar’sGrand Theft Auto. The franchises have widely different tones, gameplay loops, themes, and settings; however, the one area they overlap is in their commitment to immersion. Both series are known for crafting detailed open-worlds driven by fantastical realism.
Assassin’s Creed Originsdrops players into a beautifully realized rendition of Ancient Egypt, and the game’s main appeal is exploring this stunning world.GTAmight prioritize fictional and modern settings over historical ones, but Rockstar takes plenty of inspiration from real-world locations.Assassin’s Creedis like the History Channel version ofGTA.
Assassin’s Creed OdysseyandValhallaare also on Xbox Game Pass, in case someone prefers Ancient Greece or Vikings culture with a heavier focus on RPG elements.
A co-op first-person shooter,Payday 2revolves entirely around planning and executing heists, be it alone or as part of a team. These missions follow a narrative thread that, while not quite as complicated or fascinating asGTA 5, provides enough intrigue to keep new players hooked during their first few hours.
That said,Payday 2is ultimately about its multiplayer content, and players will be spending most of their time conducting an array of jobs ranging from traditional bank heists to prison escapes. The gameplay loop is addictive and has kept the first-person shooter alive for close to a decade.
A Way Out’s gameplay is nothing likeGrand Theft Auto 5. Hazelight’s title focuses on two convicts trying to escape prison, and most segments play out like puzzles. Consequently, the game is designed for co-op too, with each player assuming the role of one of the convicts as the story plays out on split-screen.
Even with all these differences,A Way Out’s narrative and characters are very reminiscent ofGTA, although without the satire that defines Rockstar’s franchise. They both tell mature stories that feature, to an extent, realistic characters.
In terms of visuals, gameplay, and story content,Sea of ThievesandGTA 5have almost nothing in common. However, there is one area where the two games overlap: they both let players make their own fun. While traversing Los Santos orSea of Thieves’ expansive world filled with islands waiting to be explored, the simple act of mucking around is not only encouraged but can produce moments of pure merriment.
Sea of Thievesis atits best when played with others, as forming a pirate crew and sailing the high seas in search of treasure provides endless rewards. Despite having a rather rough launch, Rare’s dedication has permittedSea of Thievesto flourish, and the game is now as good as it has ever been.
Those looking to immerse themselves in an open world where they are free to do as they please can check outFallout: New Vegas. This entry in the Fallout series has players traveling across the wastelands in a bid for revenge but soon has them making choices and taking on missions that will help reshape the Mojave. Players are free to make their way through the expansive open world ofNew Vegasas they see fit, using an array of weapons and skills to complete the dangerous tasks at hand.
With a robust story and some seedier elements that feel right at home in theGrand Theft Autoseries,Fallout: New Vegasis a great FPS alternative for those who want to explore an open world with the freedom to play their way.
Microsoft Flight Simulatoris just as marvelous on console as it is on PC. Flying a plane might not be a huge part ofGTA 5, but its inclusion highlights Rockstar’s tendency to go for broke.
As awe-inspiring as it can be to take to Los Santos' skies,GTA 5’s trips through the clouds do not compare to the unlimited splendor offered byMicrosoft Flight Simulator. Jump into one of the flight sim’s many planes, pick a destination on Earth, and depart on a journey like no other offered on any console.
Rockstar is not the only studio that specializes in open-world projects, and Ubisoft has made a couple of its releases available on Microsoft’s subscription service.Assassin’s Creed Originsis a bit too far removed fromGTA 5for a straight-up recommendation, butWatch Dogs 2should be able to scratch that itch.
Set in a gorgeouslyrecreated version of San Francisco, Ubisoft’s game revolves around a group of hackers who are trying to take down the city’s surveillance system. Third-person gunplay is a fixture ofWatch Dogs 2; however, the gameplay primarily revolves around the player’s hacking abilities. These skills provide quite a bit of freedom in how situations can be approached.
Skyrimmight seem like an odd fit at first, but dragons aside, it’s got a lot more in common with Rockstar’s flagship crime simulator than one might imagine — an expansive open world with a nearly absurd depth of content, impressive levels of player agency, and of course, the ability to go on unprecedented crime sprees at the drop of a hat. Or helmet, as it were.
Players can even choose to walk the path of a career criminal if they join up withSkyrim’sThieves Guild, though they’ll be breaking into Imperial strongholds and hurling fireballs as opposed to robbing banks guns blazing.
