10 Best GTA Games That Aren't GTA Games

4. Red Dead Redemption 2

Sleeping Dogs
Rockstar

Red Dead Redemption 2 pushed the boundaries of everything thought possible not just in its native genre, but the medium as a whole. The temptation to wax lyrical over everything great about Arthur Morgan's heart-wrenching story is oh-so-difficult to resist. Chances are, you already know, directly or otherwise, the level of utmost care and attention afforded to every facet of Rockstar's tribute to the Old West, but it came at a cost.

Reports of crunch culture needed to make Rockstar's dream a reality flew thick and fast following the sequel's release, calling into question if a game of such quality was justified if it meant putting the physical and mental health of employees at risk to do so.

Nonetheless, Red Dead Redemption 2 more than earned its label as one of the greatest games of all time, even if it does indulge a little too much in realism for the sake of immersion. Had its online component followed closer in GTA Online's footsteps and placed greater emphasis on heists and the building of a criminal empire, it'd have GTA V beaten in every respect.

Contributor
Contributor

Joe is a freelance games journalist who, while not spending every waking minute selling himself to websites around the world, spends his free time writing. Most of it makes no sense, but when it does, he treats each article as if it were his Magnum Opus - with varying results.