2026 surely is packed with great surprises, whether it’s entertainment, Fifa world cup, or gaming. Speaking of the gaming industry, players around the globe are going crazy as the long-anticipated GTA 6 is coming closer to our screens in November 2026. Although I belong to Generation Z, Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto series has always been engraved in my heart. From completing Liberty City, getting betrayed by Big Smoke, to listening to GTA IV’s iconic BGM on repeat, we have come a long way. 

 

With GTA 6 officially set to launch on November 19, 2026, I know exactly how hard it is to just sit and wait while the game of the decade inches closer to our hearts. 

 

So, to cure this boredom and bring back the godly gaming consistency, here are some phenomenal games you need to play before GTA 6's launch in 2026!

Best Games to Play Before GTA 6

Although there are a plethora of games out there to play before Rockstar launches their beast, these titles will surely urge you to complete them before touching some grass!

Ghost of Yotei

I personally recommend that you must try this Edo-period banger made by Sucker Punch Productions. As for the studio name, this game really gives you a sucker punch, packed with stealth, combat, and open-world adventure. 

 

If you have already experienced the chills and thrills of Jin Sakai’s aura in Ghost of Tsushima, then its sequel is a must for you to experience! The narrative is set in the 1603 Edo period and revolves around Atsu, who seeks vengeance against “Yotei Six” for wiping out her family (Itachi will be so proud)!

Elden Ring: Nightreign

Bet you are still stuck on Consort Radahn or Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and still eager to play the sequel, Elden Ring: Nightreign. A main reason why I really love the RPG community. For my party members out there who still haven’t heard this game, let me get you straight to the point. 

 

This game is simply a rougelike Elden Ring, but on steroids! Developed by FromSoftware, Elden Ring: Nightreign might be the best game you can play before GTA 6, as the devs gifted players the ability to form a party with other players besides single player mode, to prepare an arsenal, and beat the final boss in three in-game days!

Arc Raiders

Love to annihilate NPCs through different weapons, or want to get an adrenaline rush from third-person games, then Arc Raiders is your go-to. Developed by Embark Studios, this “Best Multiplayer Game of the Year” is an extraction shooter, third-person game. 

 

Players leave an underground base and search for items on the planet’s surface for 30 minutes. Players encounter NPCs, also known as Arcs and other human beings. An absolute banger for community lovers!

Red Dead Redemption 2

Playing GTA 5 for a decade and want to come across the cowboy era in an open-world scenario? RDR 2 might be the game you are praying for! Developed by Rockstar and loved by millions of fans, RDR2 is an amazing game that one can experience. 

 

I still remember the time playing RDR 2 for more than 10 hours. The narrative, in-game mechanics, and even side quests of NPCs that are seen only once are the best thing a player can wish for. It might be the first game that made me cry while witnessing the great storyline of Arthur Morgan.

 

One of the best creations from Kojima san, Death Stranding 2, is a game that every player needs. The very game that allows a player to sulk away from reality and roam in post-apocalyptic Australia, while playing their favourite music.

 

After the events of the first game, Sam Porter Bridges, a freelance porter, and his companions set out on an expedition across a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by otherworldly creatures, to connect isolated survivors on an island.  

Final Verdict

Although there are many games out there in the gaming industry, these games are still engraved deep down in our hearts due to their captivating storyline, dynamic game mechanics, and stunning environment that feels like we are in the World of Oz.