GTA is well known for many things. Intense car chases, crazy shootouts, explosive action, and everything in between, the series has been delivering fun and excitement for over two decades, and what makes them so much more enjoyable is the ability to play them cooperatively.
But many games outside the franchise have been able to capture that same feeling of chaos and unpredictability, whilst also delivering rewarding co-op experiences for players of all kinds to enjoy as a group, bringing players together for some lighthearted and insanely satisfying fun.
Watch Dogs: Legion
Exploring London With All Kinds Of Mayhem
Watch Dogs: Legion gives players an entire city to manipulate, with hacking abilities that open endless opportunities for mischief. Its co-op mode allows teams to tackle missions, stealth operations, and cause chaos with very little standing in their way.
While it lacks GTA’s notoriety for gunfights, the hacking mechanic makes cooperation feel distinct. One player can disable drones while another infiltrates, making every mission feel like a true cooperative puzzle.
Saints Row 4
Supercharged Sandbox Destruction
Saints Row IV amplifies the co-op open-world experience by giving players superhero abilities, ranging from super speed to wall-running, to devastating energy blasts, whilst heavily leaning into freedom by letting partners cause unrelenting carnage together.
Unlike GTA’s more grounded tone, its joy lies in absurdity. From stomping tanks to glitch-filled minigames, it thrives on absurdity and comedy, giving players all the tools they need to unleash their inner child.
Far Cry 6
Building A Revolution Together
Far Cry 6 transforms political rebellion into an explosive co-op campaign, as players explore a massive island and experiment with wild homemade weapons, all while tackling missions side by side.
The shared freedom extends to vehicles and chaotic firefights, capturing much of GTA’s energy from a gameplay perspective. Whether storming checkpoints or hunting for distractions, the island feels alive and open for players to truly let loose and explore however they choose.
Just Cause 3
Pushing The Limits Of Creativity
Though not officially multiplayer, Just Cause 3’s community-built co-op mod unlocks the game’s true potential. Grappling hooks, parachutes, and wingsuits become tools to share with another, adding even more adrenaline to an already chaotic environment.
Explosions, vehicle launches, and improvised stunts feel even more outrageous when experienced with others, and it really is a playground that thrives on creativity, handily rivaling GTA’s best moments.
Crackdown 3
Feeding Into A Real Power Fantasy
Crackdown 3 focuses on empowering players with absurd agility and firepower, all while patrolling a neon city. Co-op allows friends to leap across rooftops, dismantle gangs, and unleash destruction in tandem, adding an extra element of fun to an already hilarious shooter.
Though its design is streamlined, the sense of over-the-top heroics makes it a fitting alternative for GTA fans. The joy comes less from realism and more from pushing limits, and by the end of just a single mission, players will be itching for more.
Gotham Knights
Patrolling The Streets As A Team
Gotham Knights takes the gloomy city of Gotham and allows players to explore it as a team, tackling missions and patrolling the dingy alleyways and vibrant streets together.
It lacks GTA’s anarchic spirit but captures the appeal of a shared city, balancing combat-heavy encounters with story-driven exploration. Its focus on teamwork makes it a distinctive spin on urban co-op, delivering something new for players seeking a real, gritty adventure.
LEGO City Undercover
Playful Chases With Plenty Of Excitement
Often described as “kid-friendly GTA,” LEGO City Undercover blends slapstick humor with a surprisingly expansive open world. In its co-op mode, players can explore the city together, solving puzzles and causing lighthearted chaos, which keeps things PG but still explosive at all times.
The destructible LEGO world adds charm, making it a parody of crime dramas rather than a grim satire. For those who want GTA-style freedom without the brutality, it’s a delightful alternative that feels just as fun, despite its childish exterior.
Payday 2
The Pinnacle Of Heisting Gameplay
Focused entirely on cooperative crime, Payday 2 delivers the thrill of orchestrating robberies, managing hostages, and escaping law enforcement under pressure. Every mission depends on teamwork, strategy, and improvisation, requiring every component of the team to flow together effortlessly.
Unlike GTA’s broad open world, its emphasis is narrower but more intense. It’s the closest co-op experience to GTA’s online heists, with the entire game being built around pulling them off without a hitch, and when done right, the level of enjoyment is hard to match.
