Summary
TheGrand Theft Autofranchise took the world by storm in 1997 with its first-ever title by DMA Design. From the second installment onward, the series was acquired by Rockstar Games, developer ofRed Dead Redemption.There have been five main games in theGrand Theft Autotimeline, as well as several spin-offs, with a sixth game slated for 2025. Although many AAA titles likeCall of Duty,Minecraft, andFalloutmade the jump to iOS and Android,Grand Theft Autohas yet to gravitate toward that demographic.
But fret not,Grand Theft Autofans. There are a handful of alternatives that bring vandalism and thievery to mobile devices through copycat games that share inGrand Theft Auto’s likeness — both visually and thematically. For those who prefer a handheld gaming experience or whose busy schedules only permit on-the-go indulgence, here are a selection of mobile games that follow inGrand Theft Auto’s footsteps and do the franchise justice as worthy substitutes.
5Payback 2
A Well-Made Clone That Works On Low-End Devices
The sequel to Apex Design’sPaybackwas originally released in 2012, but didn’t become free-to-play until the following year. It follows a linear narrative that tasks the player with completing missions in exchange for an in-game currency, which they can then use to unlock further chapters. Mission objectives include assassinating targets, robbing certain establishments or high-profile individuals, or entering races. LikeGrand Theft Auto,the police will pursue the playerif they commit a crime, until they either lose them or the player submits to an arrest.
Payback 2is one of the more competentGrand Theft Autoclones —a subgenre in itself. It works well on low-end devices without the capacity or bandwidth to run the game to its greatest potential. It’s surprisingly well-made and the quality exceeds expectations, plus the character customization and fluidity of gameplay ensures the game never gets old.
4MadOut 2
Controller Support And A Wide Array of Vehicles
TheGrand Theft Auto-style free-roam gameMadOut 2lets players control a criminalin a Vice City-esque environment to complete various tasks for NPCs. The controls can be a little finicky, butMadOut 2supports the use of a controller, which makes things a little easier when a character is traveling on foot or by vehicle. Using a controller will make it simpler to configure the button layout, plus the graphics can be optimized using the in-game menu.
MadOut 2features dozens of weapons andover 30 different types of vehicles, as players work to gather rewards and exchange these for better loadouts. The game was released on Steam in 2017, but the servers were shut down as of 2020 to focus production entirely on the iOS and Android versions ofMadOut 2.
3Vegas Crime Simulator
Perfect For A Jam-Packed Single-Player Experience
Vegas Crime Simulatoris openly inspired byGrand Theft Auto: Vice City, where players control a criminaloperating out of Las Vegas. There are very few limits, so players can essentially do anything they want. They can steal vehicles, kill police officers, incite shootouts, and go around destroying the whole city, if they feel so inclined. In addition to various cars,Vegas Crime Simulatoralso features many types of motorcycles, tanks, and helicopters, as well as weapons ranging from axes to shotguns. Since the game isn’t multiplayer, it is not possible to interact with other players around the world, and all the content is single-player only.
The graphics are not only beyond expectations, but they help to giveVegas Crime Simulatora hit of nostalgia that’s reminiscent of the olderGrand Theft Autogames. Developer Naxeex found such resounding success withVegas Crime Simulatorthat it released a sequel, exclusive to Androids.
2Go To Street
Includes Ads But Features Stunning 3D Graphics
Although it takes a few pages out ofGrand Theft Auto’s book,Go To Streetis primarily a racing game as opposed to strictly a crime simulator. It captures the essence ofGrand Theft Auto 5, as it emulates the many types ofraces available to undertake inGrand Theft Auto Online. It’s not an ad-free experience like some other mobile games, so if ads are a deal-breaker,Go To Streetprobably isn’t the go-to choice. However, the game’s overall execution makes up for the occasional disruption. The engaging concept and appealing 3D graphics make players want to invest their time in driving around and completing missions, ads or not.
The main objective ofGo To Streetis to drive around and finish challenges to collect coins, which can then be exchanged for better vehicles, weapons, and more options for character customization. LikeVegas Crime Simulator, the game also performed well enough to warrant a sequel, which is constantly receiving updates.
1Gangstar Vegas: World of Crime
Gameloft’s Largest Open-World Game
Gangstar: Vegasis the seventh installment in theGangstarseries, but one of the only titles to be brought to iOS and Android. As the name suggests, the game takes place in Las Vegas andfollows a martial artist named Jason Malone, who is being hunted down by a mafia boss. Players can not only complete main missions, but also accept side quests like gang wars, bank robberies, and races. Players can also earn money through business management, owning and operating various establishments that return revenue.
LikeGrand Theft Auto, the game features casinos, nightclubs, and various bars, the former of which also includes minigames like blackjack and slot machines.Gangstar Vegaswas one of the last entries in the franchise to not include microtransactions, which pivoted attention away from providing an enjoyable game and more toward monetizing in-game perks.New OrleansandRioare good options as well, butVegashas the closest resemblance to theGrand Theft Autoseries.
