What to buy instead of GTA VI - a selection of games for $80-100 instead of the anticipated hit

We recently learned how much Grand Theft Auto VI will cost: the standard edition is $79.99, and the ultimate version will be $99.99. Pre-orders for the project are already available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, but we thought about it and decided to offer you some alternative options - excellent games that you can buy right here and now for the same amount or less.

Resident Evil Requiem and Resident Evil Raccoon City Edition

GTA 6 will have two protagonists: a girl named Lucia and a guy named Jason. But this year, another brilliant game was released where we got to play as two main characters. We're talking about Resident Evil Requiem, where you control veteran Leon Kennedy and new heroine Grace Ashcroft.

Gameplay as Grace is a slow and tense horror with an emphasis on stealth, limited resources, and item crafting. Playing as her, you'll slowly creep through ominous locations, flinching at every rustle. This is a true survival horror capable of scaring even the most resilient.

Gameplay as Leon is an action-packed experience with dynamic gunfights, parries, and melee attacks. Here you can take a breath and get proper revenge on the undead you recently had to hide from.

Requiem takes place many years after the events in Raccoon City, which occurred in the second and third parts, the remakes of which are currently on sale. A bundle of them can be purchased for $11.99, allowing you to personally delve into what happened there.

The Resident Evil 2 remake also offers playing as two characters — Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. This duo will have to explore the zombie-infested Raccoon City police station and its surroundings, escaping from the Tyrant. It will be very scary, but you will remember these emotions for a long time!

And the Resident Evil 3 remake will allow you to look at the same events from the perspective of elite S.T.A.R.S. members Jill Valentine and her partner Carlos Oliveira. The remake is much shorter than the original, but it has significantly more dynamism. The battles with Nemesis are worth trying!

Mafia Trilogy and Mafia: The Old Country

Once, the Mafia series was called a "GTA clone," but that's not the case at all. This is not a crazy open-world action game with satire on modern society, but a harsh series about the brutality of the criminal world that doesn't forgive mistakes.

The first three games tell the stories of different heroes in different eras: about Tommy Angelo's struggles during the Great Depression of the 1930s, about Vito Scaletta's difficulties of self-determination in the post-war 1940s-1950s, and about Lincoln Clay's brutal revenge in the late 1960s. Each of their lives is full of pain and hardship, making it clear: it's better to stay away from this world.

The fourth part — The Old Country — became a prequel to the entire series and sent us to Sicily at the beginning of the 20th century. It tells the story of a guy named Enzo Favara, for whom life left no choice. And when he seemingly found a way out and to be happy, everything went awry.

All four projects immerse the player in their era completely and leave no one indifferent. Perhaps they will make you look at your life from a different perspective and think about many things. 

The trilogy can be purchased on sale for $11.99, and Mafia: The Old Country will cost $34.99 today.

007 First Light

GTA VI will be one of the most cinematic games in history, but the new adventure action game from Hitman creators, IO Interactive, is also quite good. It reinterprets James Bond's origin story. You can buy the game now for $69.99.

The plot of 007 First Light is completely original and unrelated to either films or books. Here, the legendary spy is just beginning his journey in a special MI6 program. James must track down Agent 009, who has defected to the enemy, and prevent a coup d'état.

The gameplay combines Hitman's social stealth and Uncharted's dynamic action. The player is free to choose how to complete missions. You can quietly infiltrate guarded buildings, eavesdrop on conversations, distract guards, and use gadgets. And if you are discovered, Bond will unleash his charisma and talk his way out of trouble — the bluffing mechanic is one of the main ones.

Or you can rush into battle. James uses the environment and, for example, can throw an empty weapon at an enemy to immediately engage in hand-to-hand combat. But you will also have to shoot often. Although, without a "license to kill," you won't be able to simply eliminate opponents — only after they open fire on you.

Red Dead Redemption Duology

In anticipation of Grand Theft Auto VI, you can also pay attention to other Rockstar masterpieces. Especially the Red Dead Redemption duology. It tells the story of Dutch van der Linde's gang at the beginning of the 20th century — during the twilight of the Wild West era.

The first game tells about John Marston, who left the gang and lived a peaceful life on a farm until lawmen came to him. They demanded that he find and eliminate John's former comrades. He had to obey and search all of the Southwestern USA and even Mexico. But even successfully completing the task does not guarantee a happy ending.

The second part became a prequel. It tells the story of the gang's downfall — how the changing era left them no chance for their former existence. You play as Arthur Morgan — Dutch's associate. He will see with his own eyes how the gang disintegrates from within, and his former friend goes mad. Which means he will have to make a cruel choice.

A bundle of two RDRs can be purchased for $39.99 on sale.

Grand Theft Auto V: Enhanced Edition

Don't forget about the fifth GTA, because it's still relevant. The game features three main characters — Franklin, Michael, and Trevor — who have unique chemistry. The project's plot is full of irony: it perfectly ridicules many modern realities and trends. And the well-developed open world will give you many hours of exciting gameplay.

The single-player part comes with multiplayer, which is alive and developing even today — 13 years after the game's release. GTA Online is a generator of fun, where the madness of GTA gameplay is taken to the absolute: many story quests, heists, or simply destroying everything in the open world!

GTA V: Enhanced Edition costs $19.79 on sale.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

In case you're waiting for GTA VI because you value freedom and scale in games the most, Bethesda's projects won't leave you indifferent. The fourth and fifth parts of the legendary "Elder Scrolls" are excellent games with a large-scale storyline and free gameplay: you can go wherever you want, do whatever you please, and fight however you can.

In Oblivion, you will become the Champion of Cyrodiil and help stop the invasion of demons from the Oblivion gates that have opened throughout the province, after which you will witness a majestic battle between two god-like entities right in the center of the Imperial City. And given the remastered graphics, the spectacle is worth it. The re-release will cost $39.99.

In Skyrim, the player, as the Dragonborn, will have to stop the dragon Alduin, the World-Eater, who has returned from oblivion. You were written about in prophecy, but it is you who must make it a reality and become a legend. Skyrim Special Edition costs only $9.99 on sale today.

To all this is added a large number of deep and interesting quests, both simple and factional: guilds of mages, assassins and thieves, mercenaries, Stormcloaks, and so on. You won't be bored!

Gothic 1 Remake

If you're waiting for Grand Theft Auto VI because you're hungry for cool new releases, then you can turn your attention to the remake of the classic "Gothic," because everything new is well-forgotten old.

The re-imagining of the cult RPG from Alkimia Interactive will send you to the mines of Khorinis to extract ore for the kingdom of Myrtana. One day, the prisoners trapped under the magical barrier rebel, and the Colony becomes a place where the most brutal bandits rule.

You will have to explore the world and, overcoming yourself, become stronger. And then — join one of the three warring factions and determine the fate of the colony, which is made alive and realistic by characters living their own lives.

Combat in the remake has become smoother and more dynamic, but has retained the tactical depth of the original. Despite the fact that the game has just been released, it is in no way inferior to the original in terms of hardcoreness, because it is still the same "Gothic" as before, only a little bigger. 

The remake will cost $59.99.

Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, Final Fantasy XV and Dragon Quest XI

For the price of GTA VI, you can get a whole set of excellent JRPGs from Square Enix. A great opportunity to get acquainted with the genre.

The first two parts of the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy — Remake and Rebirth — stand out with an interesting world, an engaging story, excellent characters, great direction, and a magnificent combat system. It combines action-packed battles with turn-based skills: you'll have to react to enemy attacks in time and carefully plan your actions.

The final part — Revelation — will be released next year, and now is the perfect time to play the first two games — especially since they are on record discounts. Remake can be purchased for $15.19, and Rebirth costs $19.99.

Final Fantasy XV is a unique story about how four friends, led by Prince Noctis, must save their homeland from invaders. To do this, they will have to cross the entire continent by car, fighting monsters and enemy soldiers along the way, and also unravel the secrets of Noctis's family, which are directly related to what is happening.

The game is made in the style of Western RPGs and is perfect for a first introduction to the genre and franchise. The project is fully translated into Russian: there are both subtitles and voice acting. 

The game can be purchased for $13.99 on sale.

Dragon Quest XI is the epitome of JRPGs. The game has gathered all the best that Japanese role-playing games can offer. Here you can find a classic but excellent plot, wonderful main characters, and a well-balanced turn-based combat system.

This series became one of the progenitors of the genre, and Dragon Quest XI perfectly reflects it. Moreover, the eleventh part became the last game in the series to which all three authors of the series contributed: game designer Yuji Horii, composer Koichi Sugiyama, and character and monster designer Akira Toriyama. After all, Sugiyama and Toriyama passed away in 2021 and 2024, respectively.

On sale, the game costs $19.99.

God of War III, God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok

A worthy alternative could be the "God of War" games — one of Sony's best franchises. Especially since a new game, God of War Laufey, is coming soon.

The third part concludes Kratos's Greek saga. The plot here is very simple, but the action and testosterone are off the charts! After all, for ten hours, the Spartan is engaged in the brutal destruction of the inhabitants of Olympus!

God of War III is a fast-paced hack-and-slash game where Kratos storms through locations, destroying everything in his path, leaving no one alive: monsters, gods, titans — he doesn't care! The game costs $9.99.

God of War 2018 and God of War Ragnarok transport the action to cold Scandinavia. An aging Kratos, along with his son Atreus, travel through the nine realms, where they encounter local deities: Baldur, Thor, Odin, and others.

The new games lack the unrestrained brutality of the old parts. But these projects have become more philosophical: Kratos shares life experience, tries to understand himself as a father, and curb his inner rage.

The gameplay of the duology also reflects the changed character of the protagonist. Unlike the Greek games, the 2018 project and "Ragnarok" are more tactical and weighty projects. Here you need to learn enemy movements and react to them in time — it will appeal to both casual players and those who like a challenge!

God of War Digital Deluxe Edition 2018 can be purchased for $14.99, and God of War Ragnarok costs $69.99 and even cheaper on sale, if you're lucky.

Arc Raiders and Battlefield 6

If you prefer multiplayer projects and are waiting for GTA VI's online mode, then for a hundred dollars you can get a set of two "hot" projects from last year.

Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter from Embark Studios. The game sends your squad to Earth, which has been devastated by robots. Here you act as a raider from an underground city who has risen to the surface in search of resources.

An army of machines, whose goal is to destroy all living things, will hinder you in this. Other players who want to take all your loot are also present. Therefore, caution and coordinated work are needed. And once you deal with everyone, you can evacuate.

Currently, Arc Raiders costs $29.99.

Battlefield 6 invites you to immerse yourself in the theater of modern warfare. The game offers classic franchise mechanics: battles for points, territory capture, class division, vehicle control, and team interaction. Plus, excellent graphics, a cool destruction system, and great optimization!

Last year, the project caused a sensation, knocking its main competitor Call of Duty off the sales charts and, for the first time in history, surpassing its opponent in sales. Today, the game continues to actively develop and, despite some problems, delight players.

Battlefield 6 Phantom Edition can be purchased for $64.99, and the standard version is even cheaper. Free weekends lasting a whole week should also start in July!

Death Stranding Duology

Hideo Kojima's two games will be an excellent way to wait for the Rockstar project. They will help you look at the world from a different angle. One could say that Death Stranding is the antithesis of GTA.

Instead of constant action and explosions, Death Stranding forces you to slow down, move carefully, plan your route, and think about cargo balance. A kind of "detox" that will relieve you before the big action that awaits in Grand Theft Auto VI.

The duology takes place in a world where the Death Stranding occurred — this catastrophe blurred the line between life and death, giving rise to several strange phenomena, such as ghosts or timefall, which ages everything it touches in a matter of seconds.

The main character, Sam Bridges, must restore communications, connecting disparate people: first in the USA, and then in Australia. And we, the players, will help him in this. After all, this game has a special social system that connects the game worlds of different players.

For example, you can build a road in the middle of a plain, which will randomly appear for other players from different parts of the world. They will be able to use it, simplifying their passage, and thank you with a like.

The "genius's" signature style is still there. Death Stranding is full of reflection, symbolism, and various subtexts that make you think. These games give a lot of emotions that are definitely worth experiencing.

The first part can be purchased for $19.99, and the Digital Deluxe edition of the second game for $39.99 on sale until July 2nd.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance Duology

If the elaborate world and gameplay mechanics are important to you, then you might want to check out games from Warhorse Studios.

They offer you an immersion into a historically accurate Middle Ages: no magic, no dragons, no fairy tales — only harsh reality and game conventions. Here you will have to eat, sleep, treat wounds and diseases, and properly selected armor will negate the attacks of lightly armed opponents.

In the first part, young Henry faces a harsh reality and is forced to grow up quickly. He loses his parents and native village, and therefore embarks on a journey through Bohemia, finding himself in the epicenter of its political intrigues. Moreover, a large free update was recently released for the game, which improved the graphics on consoles.

The second game concludes Henry's story and takes a significant step forward in narrative, gameplay, and the game world. The project has become much more convenient and enjoyable, and battles no longer annoy — though you still need to get used to them.

This duology allows you to go from a helpless youth to a person capable of influencing the fate of the kingdom, without forgetting where he came from. This is an honest, challenging, and incredibly exciting adventure for those who appreciate atmosphere and immersion.

Along with this, you will find magnificently written quests that can be completed in different ways, perfectly balanced leveling, deeply developed crafting and blacksmithing, and much more. All this will make you believe that you are indeed there — in 15th-century Bohemia.

The first game can be purchased for $29.99, and the second for $69.99.

Star Wars Zero Company or Star Wars Galactic Racer

Besides GTA 6, there are other interesting projects available for pre-order. For example, two new Star Wars games stand out.

Star Wars Zero Company is a tactical turn-based game from Bit Reactor, a studio founded by Firaxis veterans — the creators of XCOM. The action unfolds during the final period of the Clone Wars: between the second and third episodes of the saga.

You will play as a former Republic officer who leads a mercenary squad called Zero Company. You will have to fight a mysterious cult of the Infinite Spiral. It is connected with the separatists and threatens the entire galaxy. This is a story about a "war within a war" — a shadow conflict that determines the fate of the galaxy behind the scenes of the main battles.

The gameplay combines classic turn-based tactics with deep RPG elements. Here, your fighters can die permanently in battle, so every move requires careful planning. Each character has a relationship scale with other squad members, which needs to be leveled up, unlocking combat techniques and deepening progression. And each hero will be able to choose several specializations.

The project can be pre-ordered for $59.99.

Star Wars: Galactic Racer is a new racing game from the creators of Burnout. This is a complete re-imagining of the genre, with a story set during the New Republic era.

Immediately after the fall of the Empire, an underground racing league emerges in the Galaxy, in which a mysterious newcomer appears. He hates the reigning league champion and is ready to go through all trials to dethrone him.

The campaign is designed as a "roguelite": you will have to undertake races, each of which becomes a series of random events on different planets. The risk of losing is high here, but some rewards are retained, which makes subsequent attempts easier.

The game features different classes of vehicles: each with its own physics and control style. There is an arcade mode for quick races and multiplayer for competitions with other players.

The project can be pre-ordered for $59.99.

Astro Bot and Clair Obscur: Expédition 33

Grand Theft Auto VI is almost certainly going to be a top contender for Game of the Year at The Game Awards. But you might want to check out two previous winners of that ceremony.

In 2024, the project Astro Bot from Team Asobi became the triumph. The game is called one of the best 3D platformers. Here you embark on a cosmic journey through the galaxy on a PlayStation 5-shaped ship to find the villain Nebulax, who attacked you at the beginning. And once you find the villain, you can give him a good beating.

In the game, you can find a huge number of characters from projects such as: God of War, Horizon, Ratchet & Clank, Uncharted, Persona, Yakuza, Bloodborne, and many others. There are tons of references here that will delight Sony fans, especially if you've been using their devices for several generations. Pleasant nostalgia is guaranteed!

The project works magnificently with the DualSense gamepad, revealing all its capabilities: adaptive triggers, vibration, sounds, and more. This can give you a new gaming experience that no other game can provide.

The best game of 2024 can be purchased for $59.99.

2025 ended with an absolute record for the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — in one evening, the project collected nine TGA statuettes, and in total received more than five hundred awards.

Sandfall Interactive's game sends us to a terrible world where there are no old people left. Every year, the life expectancy of its inhabitants sharply decreases. To understand what is happening, we must go to the source of the disaster — a huge monolith with a number reflecting the maximum possible age, decreasing every year.

Clair Obscur: Expédition 33 can give you an amazingly tragic story, deeply touching music, magnificent art design, and a profound atmosphere. And the combat system will be a real challenge for those who love — or hate — turn-based games and parries!

The best game of 2025 will cost you $44.99.

Disclaimer: all prices in the selection are current at the time of publication for the US PlayStation Store region! Prices for other regions and platforms should be checked independently.

If you have other interesting suggestions and additions to the selection, feel free to write them in the comments to help others make a choice!