Heist Games to Play Besides GTAV: Top Picks!

Grand Theft Auto Online boasts a plethora of captivating game modes and activities that range from thrilling stunt races to nail-biting robberies. Heists, in particular, showcase the game's most effective gameplay mechanics. Typically, two to four players must unite and complete preliminary objectives before stealing diamonds, artwork, or cash. At present, Grand Theft Online features 10 heists, with only one solo mission, the Cayo Perico Heist.

Although Rockstar Games has gradually added more heists to Grand Theft Auto Online, new content has slowed down with the anticipated release of Grant Theft Auto VI. Replaying the same missions over and over again can become tedious, especially if heists are your favorite part of the game. Moreover, there are titles that specialize in simulating every aspect of a robbery with even more excruciating detail than Rockstar's offering. Whether you're seeking a single-player experience that requires hours of scouting or a quick action-packed multiplayer session, the following games are excellent alternatives to heists in Grant Theft Auto Online.

Watch Dogs: Legion is the ultimate sandbox game that bears similarity to GTAV's Heist Series. This game offers players a vast and open-world playground where they can select and train almost anyone from the streets to play as their characters. With numerous quests and side missions, players will have endless hours of fun.

Watch Dogs Legion, the third installment in the franchise, offers players an exciting opportunity to dive into online chaos after a GTA Online session. Despite no longer receiving updates, the game still provides an enjoyable experience for a small group of players who appreciate immersive missions that typically last under an hour.

Playing Watch Dogs Legion with a group of three is highly recommended, as this is the maximum number of players allowed in a party. Although the game has had a lack of updates, resulting in a decrease in active player count, it is still possible for friends to have a thrilling experience taking on futuristic enemies. You can enjoy playing Watch Dogs Legion on various platforms, including Steam, Xbox One/Series X|S, PS4|5, and mobile. For a detailed review of the improved gameplay mechanics, check out our comprehensive analysis on Watch Dogs Legion.

Sea of Thieves, developed by Rare, is the ultimate pirate game that lets players explore a vast open world, fight against other players to secure their treasure, and unlock new cosmetics and events. Set in a thrilling first-person sailing experience, the game boasts bright and vivid graphics with a convincing day/night cycle. Although the co-op gameplay is excellent, the tutorial doesn't explain some facets of the game, and quests can seem repetitive. Available on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and PC, Sea of Thieves is a must-play for adventure enthusiasts. Grab your copy now for $28 at Amazon, $40 at Xbox Games Store, $40 at Best Buy, $45 at Walmart, or $40 at Steam.

In Sea of Thieves, the player's objective is not to carry out a heist in the city but to navigate the sea with a team of fellow pirates in search of hidden treasures. While the legality of claiming lost treasure may be debatable, there are various other activities in the game that are considered illegal in the modern world, such as attacking other ships passing by, shooting them with cannons, and looting their treasures and supplies. Similar to the heists in Grant Theft Auto Online, players need to collaborate with a crew of up to four members and plan accordingly to accomplish their quests. It is almost impossible for a single player to effectively steer a ship while also monitoring the sea for potential enemies and looking at a map. Consequently, players typically take on different roles, including manning the cannons to defend their ship or attack their enemies without any delay.

In Sea of Thieves, progression is tailored to enhance the multiplayer element of the game. When your ship is sunk due to pirate attacks or rough weather conditions, any treasures or items that haven't been deposited at an outpost are lost, adding a risk factor to the game. However, completing quests does not reward players with new abilities or better weapons. Instead, the ultimate aim is to build your reputation with various trading companies by delivering rare items, which results in cosmetic rewards.

The plethora of quests available and continuous support from Rare allows for a much deeper gameplay experience compared to heists in Grand Theft Auto Online. Additionally, the game fosters a highly social environment as pirate crew members often become friends both in-game and outside of it. However, it's important to remain cautious as fellow pirates can easily betray you for a larger share of the treasure.

Saints Row: The Best Open-World Game for Fans of GTAV's Heist Series

If you're a fan of Grand Theft Auto's heist series, then you'll love the Saints Row franchise. Originally viewed as a direct competitor to GTA, the Saints Row series soon developed its own unique style, with each game becoming more outrageous than the last. However, the latest installment, simply titled Saints Row, takes a more grounded approach, while still retaining the series' trademark chaos.

With a release date of August 23, 2022, and available on a variety of platforms including PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Google Stadia, Saints Row offers players over 13 hours of gameplay filled with shootouts, missions, and customizable characters. While there may be nothing "new" in this game, it's still a wild ride that fans of the series won't want to miss.

Get your copy of Saints Row for $29 at Amazon, $40 at Best Buy, or $20 at Steam.

The latest installment of the Saint's Row franchise revisits the beloved elements that fans have come to appreciate. While Saint's Row 4 remains the optimal choice for those seeking an unrivaled level of pandemonium, the game's decade-old age presents a hurdle that cannot be overlooked.

While the new Saint's Row may not introduce any groundbreaking concepts, not every title needs to be revolutionary. Rather, the game draws inspiration from familiar mechanics featured in popular shooter games such as Uncharted and Grand Theft Auto V. Although players may not be astounded by the game, they will undoubtedly enjoy the recurrent shootouts and anarchic mayhem that makes GTA V Online so captivating.

Deep Silver continues to support Saint's Row with new content, including paid DLC such as The Heist and Hazardous, as well as a free update called Sunshine Springs. Despite mixed reviews, the franchise remains popular among fans.

Crime Boss: Rockay City offers players a first-person shooter experience in an open-world filled with crime and danger. The game follows Travis Baker as he strives to become the kingpin of the underworld. While the game is set to launch exclusively on PC in March 2023, versions for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S are currently in development.

Rewritten: Crime Boss: Rockay City is a new addition to the heist gaming genre, featuring a linear FPS-style gameplay with influences from Payday and Grand Theft Auto Online. While lacking in open-world exploration, the game offers an entertaining Baker's Battle Mode and a star-studded voice cast including Chuck Norris, Kim Basinger, Vanilla Ice, and Michael Madsen as the main protagonist, Travis Baker. However, the dialogue in the game falls short of expectations and the maps are somewhat uninspiring. Crime Boss: Rockay City is available for purchase at $32 on the Epic Games Store.

In the single-player campaign of Crime Boss: Rockay City, Travis Baker endeavors to take control of Rockay City following the death of the former crime boss. Alongside a crew voiced by numerous popular celebrities, Baker meticulously plans and executes jobs to attain wealth and status. Despite frequently having to rely on less-than-capable AI teammates, players will still find the game surprisingly enjoyable. However, for fans of Grant Theft Auto Online, the multiplayer modes will undoubtedly be the main attraction. Time Mode allows for quick matches with other players, offering limited missions with steady payouts. Meanwhile, Urban Legends mode consists of six loosely connected missions with a cinematic narrative, many of which are recycled from the single-player campaign. Teamwork is crucial for success in these modes, though there tends to be more shooting than strategy. Unfortunately, there is a lack of progression, but players can use their earnings to purchase contracts for new heists.

Perfect Heist 2 offers a refreshing take on bank heist games with its simple yet enjoyable gameplay. Unlike Crime Boss: Rockay City, the game focuses more on the heist itself rather than cliched writing. Players can choose to play as a thief and steal as much as they can or as a member of the SWAT team and stop the thieves. With its similarities to GTAV's heist series, Perfect Heist 2 is a great alternative for those looking for a more engaging co-op heist experience.

The 2021 release of Perfect Heist 2 boasts online heists against other players, fun costumes, and quick games that cater to a wide variety of gamers. While it may be limited to PC players on Steam, the game's simplicity with blocky graphics and absence of gore do not detract from its appeal. However, it's worth noting that the graphics may not be up to par for some players. At a modest price point of $10 on Steam, Perfect Heist 2 offers an enjoyable heist experience with friends.

Thief Simulator offers a unique and realistic take on burglary in video games, similar to GTAV's Heist series. The game requires players to carefully scout neighborhoods, identifying the most lucrative and vulnerable target homes. As the player acquires skills and tools, breaking and entering become less likely to attract the attention of neighbors and the police. Selling stolen goods to pawn shops requires careful preparation, such as resetting mobile phones. This game is perfect for those seeking a more immersive and strategic experience than the typical cops and robbers game.

Pros of Thief Simulator include its detailed and nuanced representation of thievery, as well as its rewarding progression system. Players will feel a realistic sense of tension during robberies, making for an immersive experience. However, there are some drawbacks to the game, such as texture pop-in with graphics and the lack of multiplayer or co-op options. The game is available for purchase on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and Switch, with a price point of $20 at various online stores.

In Thief Simulator, the focus is not on violence and bloodshed that often accompanies armed robbery, but rather on the meticulous planning required to successfully execute a heist. As the player progresses through the game, they gain access to more advanced tools and technology for surveillance, allowing for safer entries into homes. The game also emphasizes the importance of making strategic decisions when it comes to stealing valuable items, as players can only carry a certain amount of stolen goods out of a home. Additionally, players must carefully disassemble stolen vehicles and mobile phones before selling them to avoid being tracked down by authorities and the prior owners. Thief Simulator truly captures the mundane details of theft that are often overlooked in other games.

Regrettably, Thief Simulator lacks any multiplayer or co-op modes, as a team of four armed players raiding a simple house would be excessive. Nonetheless, the game's progression system is engaging for around 10 hours as players acquire exciting gadgets to assist them in their criminal endeavors. However, the game becomes more tedious as there are only a limited number of streets and areas to explore. Fortunately, with the impending release of Thief Simulator 2, players can look forward to an even more immersive experience with improved visuals.

Operation Tango is an excellent spy game akin to the heist series of GTAV, available at an affordable price of $10 (originally $20). It is a co-op spy game set in a high-tech, near-future world where two players must collaborate to complete dangerous missions worldwide using information only one player can access.

Rewritten fragment:

Operation Tango is the perfect game for duos seeking truly cooperative gameplay that provides a good challenge. It's a great choice for players who loved It Takes Two and Unraveled but crave more couch co-op action. The game is available on Steam, Xbox, PS4 and PS5, and allows crossplay so friends can play together no matter the platform. However, it's worth noting that the game only allows for two players and doesn't support couch co-op. Operation Tango can be purchased for $10 at the Playstation Store and $20 at both the Xbox Games Store and Steam.

Operation Tango allows players to take on the role of spies, without the tediousness of reading a PDF manual like in Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes. The game heavily relies on cooperation between players, which can quickly become a stressful yet thrilling experience. It's the perfect opportunity for dynamic duos to test their friendship and potentially save the world!

Cyberpunk 2077 is the ultimate futuristic RPG set in a dystopian world. As V, a mercenary in Night City, California, players will navigate through an open-world, engaging in branching dialogues, character classes, and intense combat. If you're a fan of GTAV's Heist series, Cyberpunk 2077 is a must-play game.

Players can expect a vast and immersive open world experience with Cyberpunk 2077, complete with stunning graphics and a plethora of missions. While the game may not be a heist-focused title like GTA V, the tone and atmosphere are similar to the single player campaign. Additionally, players can enjoy the game without any multiplayer aspect. Cyberpunk 2077 is available at various prices on different platforms including $13 at Best Buy, $18 at Amazon, $50 at PSN, and $60 at Xbox Games Store and Steam.

Cyberpunk 2077's single-player campaign offers an enjoyable experience for players who appreciated GTA V's campaign and cooperative heist missions. Though it had some issues during its initial release, the game has since been patched and is now widely enjoyed, often going on sale. While not exclusively a heist game, Cyberpunk 2077's open-world crime elements make it one of the top contenders in the genre, with an abundance of shady missions to undertake. If you remain uncertain about whether or not to buy the game, our comprehensive review may help.

Teardown is a thrilling voxel-based destruction game developed and published by Tuxedo Labs. This first-person game takes players on exciting heist adventures where destruction is key. With an array of tools and weapons, mods, campaign missions and challenges, Teardown offers a unique take on the heist game genre. The game boasts stunning lighting effects and an active modding community. However, the single player campaign may feel sterile to some and there is no multiplayer option. Teardown is priced at $30 on Steam.

Teardown offers a unique take on the heist genre, requiring players to use careful planning and strategy rather than brute force. The game provides a satisfying experience as players deconstruct structures and rearrange objects to reach their targets. While Teardown is a heist game at its core, it also doubles as a puzzle game and deconstruction simulator. Players can even steal cars or blow up safes and vaults to access valuable contents. The single-player campaign features a series of progressively difficult missions, with players starting off with basic tools like sledgehammers and fire extinguishers and gradually progressing to more advanced weapons like shotguns and bombs. However, players must be cautious not to trip alarms as they only have a limited amount of time to escape before the authorities arrive and the mission fails.

Teardown currently lacks a multiplayer mode, but the developers are actively working on incorporating this feature. While the game offers an immersive solo sandbox experience, the absence of human interaction and a basic storyline connecting individual missions may leave some players wanting more. Thankfully, the modding community continuously provides new maps and structures to explore, although those seeking a social experience similar to Grant Theft Auto Online may not find it in Teardown. Nonetheless, the game's impressive use of ray tracing for lighting effects adds a sense of satisfaction when observing the aftermath of a successful heist. Although currently exclusive to PC, Teardown has been announced to launch on consoles in late 2023. For more information on potential future updates to the game, be sure to check out our review.

Payday 2 offers an exhilarating co-op experience similar to the heist series in GTAV. Developed by Overkill Software, players work together as a team of four to carry out challenging heists using a combination of stealth and teamwork. Successfully completing missions allows players to extract from an escape point with their loot and unlock in-game rewards such as cosmetics.

The game is available on multiple platforms including PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, and PC. Its release dates back to 2013-08-13 with Overkill Software as the developer and 505 Games as the publisher. Classified as an FPS game, Payday 2 is rated M for Mature 17+ due to its strong language, suggestive themes, drug reference, intense violence, and blood.

One of the game's strengths is the vast array of heist missions available to players. The gameplay can be quite chaotic but provides plenty of team and solo missions for players to enjoy. Although it may not be as new as some other games, it still offers an exciting co-op experience. The game is available for purchase at various prices including $20 at Amazon, Xbox Games Store, and Playstation Store, $50 at Nintendo eShop, and $10 at Steam.

Payday 2 is a classic heist game that continues to captivate players. Its online gameplay, akin to GTA V, allows players to plan and execute bank heists and robberies in luxurious locales while indulging in all the thrilling activities that come with heists - shooting, explosions, and driving getaway cars. The game also boasts a vast array of fun costumes and a wide selection of weapons. With plenty of missions to choose from and additional DLCs, Payday 2 has remained a fan favorite. While the announcement of Payday 3 has drawn the curtains on new content, players can still look forward to what lies ahead.

Which Heist Game Should Steal Your Time?

If stealing loot is your gaming passion, Grand Theft Auto Online is not your only option. Many other games offer settings for a wide range of crimes, from the dangerous waters of Sea of Thieves to the seemingly peaceful neighborhoods of Thief Simulator. Some games have single-player campaigns that allow players to level up and gain new skills and tools for bigger heists, while others focus on team play and utilizing each member's strengths. The sandbox game Teardown innovates the heist genre by allowing players to demolish buildings and plot routes to valuables. For those who prefer action and violence, Crime Boss: Rockay City is a 1990s-themed FPS shooter heist game where players take no prisoners on their way to becoming a mob boss.

If you're tired of the repetitive heists in Grand Theft Auto Online or struggling to find reliable crew members, the games mentioned above offer an abundance of thrilling criminal activities that will keep you entertained for hours.

FAQ:

Q: How does a player join a heist in Grand Theft Auto Online?

In order to participate in a heist in Grant Theft Auto Online, players must meet certain requirements. Those who have achieved rank 12 or higher can join a heist at any time by accessing the quick job menu on their mobile devices. However, if a player has not yet reached this rank, they will need to be invited by a higher-level player. Once a heist mission has been selected, players must wait for a call from Lester to begin the operation.

Q: What do other heist games offer that Grand Theft Auto Online does not?

Heist games cater to diverse preferences among gamers, with some seeking single-player challenges that require meticulous planning and execution. Other titles, on the other hand, prioritize co-op multiplayer gameplay, emphasizing communication and teamwork as essential components of a successful heist. Furthermore, certain games offer a unique opportunity to explore the criminal underworld in different settings and historical periods, beyond the urban landscape of Grand Theft Auto Online.