5 MMOs You Should Try If You Like GTA 5

Look, we all know we're all just sitting around waiting on Grand Theft Auto 6, but we also know that wait is still going to be a bit. In the meantime, I'm sure you GTA V nuts have been getting your fill for years on multiple platforms. You've probably even been playing GTA Online quite a bit, too.

If you're looking for just a slightly different view for a while, here's 5 MMO or multiplayer games that you may want to check out if you're just itching to run from the cops in a new city or just try to survive. While there's obviously no "replacement" for the king of the hill itself, these titles may just give you something new to mess around with for a while while your GTA 6 wait continues.

As a disclaimer, I will not be putting GTA Online on the list. It's tempting, but I think that would be cheating a little. Seriously though, if you haven't played GTA Online and you want kind of a "GTA MMO", check that out first. We'll obviously be sticking to games where multiplayer is a priority here, so don't expect games like Saints Row or Red Dead Redemption to appear below.

In no particular order:

APB Reloaded

Come on, if you know anything about MMOs and games like GTA then you already knew this title was going to be on the list somewhere. Hell, it literally IS the definition of a MMO that's like GTA. While the game's history is VERY sordid and we're kind of lucky it is even still a thing at all, almost everything you probably enjoy about GTA is here.

Customize your character and hit the streets of San Paro in a bevy of vehicles and carrying your favorite weapons. Run missions, have PvP shootouts, get behind the wheel for crazy car chases, you'll find all of that here. One interesting difference, though, is your ability to be either a law breaker or a law enforcer. That's right, you can be a cop and rank up by arresting criminals.

One thing to know about APB is the cash shop, though. While I wouldn't call it directly P2W, there is certainly a grind associated with higher-level gameplay. Don't get me wrong, you'll have PLENTY to do before you get there, but once you do, farming in-game currency that you need is a very real grind without the Premium Edition of the game.

Since most "First Looks" for APB Reloaded are years old at this point, I've included some 2024 gameplay from YouTuber Nasle below.

PAYDAY 2

Yes, I know, PAYDAY 3 is out, but honestly, for $40 and some questionable design decisions, I just can't in good conscious recommend that one. I've had some fun in it, but PAYDAY 2 still reigns supreme in my book. You'll always be on the wrong side of the law in this co-op game, but you'll have a ton of flexibility in how you and your squad go about achieving that perfect heist. While not open world, the individual maps that certain missions take place on can be rather large and filled with NPCs that you'll be hiding from, interacting with, stealing from, or even holding hostage.

Can you crack that bank's vault and escape with your gains through sheer stealth or are you just going to go in all guns blazing and let the bodies fall where they may? You and your team have multiple avenues through any situation, but in the end it's all about bringing that cash back to your syndicate.

Plus the game is less than $10 most days.

Roblox and Garry's Mod

I'm including both of these here as a single entry since they aren't games just FULLY dedicated to being "GTA-like", but instead are tools and communities that have built their own roleplay servers, mission servers, and more in the style of GTA gameplay.

You'll likely have to browse through many options in each to find a version or creation that really nails down the particular aspect of GTA play that you're after, but you won't be wanting for options. In the case of Roblox, you'll certainly have to sacrifice on the graphical front, while on the Garry's Mod side there's actually quite a few mods that use close to (if not exactly) GTA models.

If you're in Roblox, maybe start your search for "Southwest Florida" or "Englewood." On the Garry's Mod side check out GMOD Dark RP or GTA RP.

Obviously tread with caution, these versions include role playing and sometimes may not be fully moderated for content or player behavior.

Fallout 76

While the aesthetic is wildly different from GTA, there's a lot of similarities in Bethesda's survival game. Sure, the world is post-apocalyptic and there won't be police officers chasing you down at high speeds, but when it comes to getting better weapons, conspiring with other players, or simply taking them out, there's a lot of fun to be had with the massive amount of improvements made over the years.

Open world? Check. Gunplay? Check. Deciding to befriend another player only to betray them? Also check.

Since Fallout 76 is a bit different, even if you don't feel like interacting with others there are plenty of adventures and missions for you to take on alone...just make sure you keep out of sight if you're open to PvP.

The Crew 2

Since I gave you a game above in Fallout 76 that really doesn't hit the vehicle side of things the way GTA does, here's a multiplayer pick that skews a more to the high-speed end of GTA gameplay. Let's set aside the controversy with the original The Crew for a moment and look at what The Crew 2 offers.

First off, how about a map that's the entire USA? Yeah, that's where you'll be doing all of your fast driving. Even then, you aren't limited to driving. Hitting up planes, helicopters, boats, and a ton of other vehicles is fun in GTA and The Crew 2 gives you access to all of those vehicles, too.

Team up with friends to form your own "Crew" (up to 7 friends) and dominate in multiple game modes including Street Racing, Freestyle, Offroad, and Pro Racing. There's even a bit of a story if you want it. It's delivered in a non-linear fashion and is just kind of "there", but hey, you're just here to go fast anyway.

Ubisoft offers a 4-hour long demo if you want to try it before you buy it.

That's the list! Obviously no single game can give you all the things GTA offers, but I hope this list gives you games to try that focus on certain piece of GTA gameplay. Let me know if I missed a game I should check out in the comments!