GTA Klonları: Grand Theft Auto Benzeri Oyunlar

In the vast gaming industry, there are clear leaders, the so-called market giants, who set trends and create examples to follow. Aspiring developers or even experienced game creators often draw inspiration from leading games. Labeling such inspired games as clones is a complete disservice to them, as these games also possess their unique qualities. So, consider the word "Clones" in the title as a cheeky trick on my part.

Today, let’s talk about the exemplary Grand Theft Auto series, its influence on the industry, and the games inspired by it – games that clearly resemble GTA but are loved for their own merits!

Why is GTA so popular?

If you ask me personally why GTA is so popular, my answer would be that it's all about the hidden desire to steal someone else's car.

While everyone is eagerly awaiting GTA 6, it seems like only the lazy haven't written about the history of the series. We’ll also need to delve into the facts to identify its key moments and characteristics. It’s mainstream, a pop game for casuals, but no matter how you slice it, it’s a cornerstone! For years, GTA set trends, especially during the early 2000s, when the series experienced a massive rise. But first, let’s go back to 1997.

The original Grand Theft Auto consists of six levels, where players must earn a target amount of money by completing tasks for local crime bosses, stealing vehicles, and causing chaos in the city – all while limited to five lives. Players can spend their earnings, such as repainting cars, but doing so delays progression to the next level. Once the required amount is reached, players must visit a specific location on the map to advance.

The game’s standout feature is its freedom of choice, allowing players to explore the city, destroy vehicles, commit crimes, and pursue their own chaos-driven goals. Unlike later entries in the series, progression doesn't rely on completing a strict set of missions, emphasizing open-world gameplay and player agency. Freedom of action in a criminal world was something entirely new at the time – a hallmark that set the game apart from other successful titles of the late 20th century. Of course, it didn’t feel as deep as later 3D games, but in the context of 1997, the ability to freely roam an open world, drive vehicles, and beat up pedestrians was already blowing players’ minds.

Inspired ones: GTA-Like games

During the 2000s, the mechanic of stealing or occupying a car in an open-world urban setting became widespread among games. Grand Theft Auto III (2001) is an action-adventure game combining elements of third-person shooting and vehicle simulation. Building on the gameplay of its predecessors, GTA III was the first to merge action, shooting, and driving mechanics in a 3D open-world environment, it set a new standard for freedom in gaming. Players can walk, run, jump, engage in combat, and use weapons.

I won’t list the subsequent, even more impressive titles in the GTA series; it’s enough to acknowledge that Rockstar created a new level of freedom that continues to inspire other developers to this day. Open-world exploration, vehicles, and shooting have become the gold standard. Criminal adventures attracted casual gamers, who were more numerous than fans of magic or space.

Sleeping Dogs

Sleeping Dogs is an action-adventure game developed by United Front Games in collaboration with Square Enix London Studios and published by Square Enix. Released on August 14, 2012, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, the game immerses players in the bustling, modern-day streets of Hong Kong. The story follows Wei Shen, an undercover cop from San Francisco who returns to his hometown to infiltrate the Sun On Yee Triad, a powerful and dangerous criminal organization. Balancing his role as a law enforcer with the expectations of the Triad, Wei navigates a gripping narrative filled with moral dilemmas and intense missions.

The game features a richly detailed open world, allowing players to freely explore Hong Kong. Players can engage in a variety of activities, such as street racing, gambling, karaoke, and underground fights, or simply traverse the city on foot, by swimming or using various vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and boats. The seamless blend of story-driven missions and optional side activities offers a dynamic gameplay experience, rewarding players with money, upgrades, and unlockable content for completing challenges.

A standout feature of Sleeping Dogs is its fluid and engaging combat system. Heavily inspired by Batman: Arkham Asylum, the hand-to-hand combat emphasizes martial arts, counterattacks, and environmental takedowns, creating a visceral and cinematic fighting experience. Gunplay is equally robust, allowing for blind firing and precise targeting. Vehicular mechanics, influenced by the developers’ work on Need for Speed, include high-speed chases and the ability to hijack vehicles mid-pursuit, adding adrenaline-pumping moments to the gameplay.

While the game lacks a multiplayer mode, it incorporates online leaderboards, enabling players to compare stats and achievements. This feature complements the single-player focus, encouraging competition and replayability

Saints Row

Initially criticized as a Grand Theft Auto clone, the series shifted with Saints Row: The Third, emphasizing over-the-top gameplay, pop culture references, and humor. The games are set in fictional cities like Stilwater and Steelport, inspired by real American cities. Players control a custom character, "The Boss," who rises from gang member to leader, celebrity, and even President of the United States, battling increasingly bizarre foes, including aliens.

Saints Row: The Third is the third installment in the Saints Row series, developed by Volition and released in November 2011 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows. Announced in March 2011, the game marked a significant shift for the series, emphasizing humor, pop culture references, parodies, and an over-the-top tone. These changes received mixed reactions but contributed to the game’s critical and commercial success.

The story introduces Steelport, a new setting controlled by the Syndicate, a criminal organization comprising three gangs: Morningstar, Luchadores, and Deckers. The 3rd Street Saints, now celebrities following their commercialization, clash with the Syndicate and aim to dominate Steelport. Midway through the game, the city enters martial law as S.T.A.G., a paramilitary group, intervenes to restore order, complicating the Saints' plans.

Gameplay shifts from the open-ended structure of previous titles to a more linear mission progression, with narrative choices influencing the story and leading to multiple possible endings. The game’s comedic and exaggerated style set it apart as a defining entry in the series.

The franchise began with Saints Row (2006), followed by Saints Row 2 (2008), Saints Row: The Third (2011), and Saints Row IV (2013). A standalone expansion, Gat out of Hell, was released in 2015. By 2013, the series had sold over 13 million copies. A reboot titled Saints Row was released in 2022, set in the fictional Santo Ileso, introducing a new gang and story.

Watch Dogs

Watch Dogs is a series of action-adventure and stealth video games developed by Ubisoft. The series focuses on hacker protagonists using their abilities to manipulate electronic systems in open-world settings, tackling issues of surveillance and control by authoritarian systems. The core gameplay involves hacking, surveillance, and combat.

• Watch Dogs (2014): Set in a fictionalized Chicago, the story follows Aiden Pearce, a skilled hacker seeking justice after a personal tragedy. Players utilize the city’s central operating system (CtOS) to hack devices, control infrastructure, and gather information. The game introduced hacking as a central mechanic, allowing actions like manipulating traffic lights and disabling communications to complete objectives.

• Watch Dogs 2 (2016): This sequel is set in San Francisco and follows Marcus Holloway, a young hacker fighting against the misuse of CtOS. Marcus joins the DedSec hacker group to expose corruption. The game features an expanded open world, improved parkour mechanics, and new tools like a 3D-printed pistol and a makeshift weapon called the "meteor."

• Watch Dogs: Legion (2020): Set in a dystopian London, players recruit and control multiple characters to build a resistance against an authoritarian regime. Each NPC in the game world can be recruited and played, introducing diverse gameplay styles and strategic possibilities.

The Watch Dogs series combines a focus on technology-driven storytelling with open-world exploration and tactical gameplay.

Cyber Punk

Cyberpunk 2077 is an action role-playing game (RPG) set in a cyberpunk-themed universe, developed by Polish studio CD Projekt RED. The game takes place in the futuristic city of Night City, located in the Free State of California, where technology intertwines with lawlessness, and corporations dominate every aspect of life.

The story unfolds in the year 2077, in the sprawling metropolis of Night City. Players assume the role of a mercenary known as V, whose gender, appearance, and background are customizable. During a mission, V witnesses the murder of a corporate CEO and becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving a chip designed to transfer consciousness. After being shot and left for dead, V survives thanks to the chip but suffers unexpected side effects, leading them on a journey to uncover the truth and find a cure.

The game primarily uses a first-person perspective and offers a variety of playstyles:

• Customization: Players can modify V’s appearance, abilities, and cybernetic implants. Key attributes include Strength, Reflexes, Technical Ability, Intelligence, and Cool, which affect combat, hacking, and social interactions.
• Combat and Stealth: Missions can be completed using brute force, stealth, or hacking. Weapons are divided into three categories: Standard, Tech (penetrating walls), and Smart (self-guided projectiles). Cybernetic implants allow players to enhance their abilities, from hacking enemies to improved aiming.
• Open World: Night City consists of six regions, including the Corporate City Center, immigrant-heavy Watson, luxurious Westbrook, suburban Heywood, the slums of Pacifica, and industrial Santo Domingo. Players can explore these areas on foot or by vehicle, with dynamic weather and a day-night cycle adding to the immersive experience.
• Choice and Consequences: V’s background and decisions shape relationships with characters and determine dialogue options, impacting the story’s progression.

Cyberpunk 2077 was praised for its narrative, setting, and graphics but faced criticism for gameplay elements and technical issues, particularly on older consoles. Despite initial controversy, the game has sold over 20 million copies as of September 2022. Its expansion, Phantom Liberty, was released in September 2023, along with Ukrainian localization, and a sequel has been announced.

Driver

Driver is a video game series blending action-adventure and driving elements within open-world environments. It was originally developed by Reflections Interactive (now Ubisoft Reflections) and has been published by various companies over its history, including GT Interactive, Infogrames/Atari, and Ubisoft.

The franchise debuted with Driver in 1999 and has since released five main installments. The series often revolves around a fictional police officer, John Tanner, who operates as an undercover agent tackling organized crime.

The latest entry, Driver: San Francisco, was released in 2011 and introduced a unique gameplay mechanic allowing players to "shift" between vehicles seamlessly, creating dynamic and engaging gameplay scenarios. Inspired by Google Earth, this feature replaces the on-foot exploration from previous titles, emphasizing seamless car-based gameplay. Players can use Shift to start or continue missions, while cars are equipped with a "boost" function and a "ram" attack for high-intensity action.

The game features 140 fully licensed, damageable vehicles, including iconic brands like Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and Chevrolet, with protagonist John Tanner driving a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T. Running at 60 frames per second, Driver: San Francisco marks a return to the series' roots, reintroducing the fan-favorite film director mode for creating and sharing cinematic gameplay moments.

Mafia

The Mafia series is a collection of action-adventure games created by 2K Czech (formerly Illusion Softworks) and later developed by Hangar 13, with 2K Games as the publisher. The franchise includes four main installments, a remake of the first game, a remastered version of the second, and two mobile spin-offs. Set in fictional locations inspired by real American and Italian cities, the games typically feature historical settings, such as the Great Depression-era Lost Heaven in the first game and 1960s New Bordeaux in Mafia III. The gameplay revolves around open-world exploration, completing missions, and engaging in side activities, with a more linear approach compared to other open-world games like Grand Theft Auto. The series follows protagonists involved with the Mafia, either trying to rise through its ranks or seek revenge against those who wronged them. The franchise is praised for its intricate narratives, open-world design, and realistic settings, although Mafia III received criticism for its repetitive gameplay. Despite this, the series has been commercially successful, selling over 34 million copies worldwide.

The Mafia series began with the release of the first game, Mafia (originally known as Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven), developed by Illusion Softworks and published by Gathering of Developers for Microsoft Windows in August 2002. The game was later ported to PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2004. Set in the fictional city of Lost Heaven, inspired by Chicago, the game takes place between 1930 and 1938 and follows Tommy Angelo, a taxi driver who becomes involved with the Salieri crime family, navigating his rise and fall within the Mafia.

The series continued with Mafia II in 2010, a standalone sequel developed by 2K Czech and published by 2K Games. Set in the fictional city of Empire Bay, inspired by New York, the game takes place from 1945 to 1951 and tells the story of Vito Scaletta, a Sicilian-American World War II veteran who becomes entangled in a Mafia power struggle while attempting to pay off his father's debts and secure a better life.

Both parts received re-releases, meaning enhanced editions, and look modern compared to today's games, although the second Mafia can still be played in its classic edition.

Mafia III was developed by Hangar 13 and published by 2K Games, released in October 2016 for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with later releases for macOS in May 2017 and Google Stadia in October 2021. Set in the fictional city of New Bordeaux, inspired by New Orleans, in 1968, the game follows Lincoln Clay, a former criminal and Vietnam War veteran. After his adoptive family is betrayed and murdered by the local Mafia, Lincoln seeks revenge while gradually building his own criminal empire by taking power from other criminal organizations in the city.

Conclusion

People play games to experience things impossible in real life, and paradoxically, we aren't as fascinated by dragons and aliens as we are by the opportunity to steal someone's car.

If you're a die-hard GTA fan, it's hard to impress you, but there are games you can get hooked on, depending on your specific preferences. Fashionable - Mafia, Hackers - Watch Dogs, Martial Arts - Sleeping Dogs, Outright humor and customization - Saints Row, Car switching in a ghostly style - Driver. I highly recommend Cyberpunk, as it's truly an amazing game, no exaggeration, but if you don't have a powerful enough machine, take a look at the other games!