Cyberpunk 2077 vs GTA V: Which Open-World Game Should You Buy?
Two massive open-world crime epics. One set in a satirical modern Los Angeles, the other in a neon-soaked cyberpunk dystopia. Both are among the best-selling games of all time, and both are available for under $30 in 2026. But which one should you buy first?
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Cyberpunk 2077 | GTA V |
|---|---|---|
| Metacritic (PC) | 86 (post-patches) | 96 |
| World Design | Night City — vertical, dense, visually stunning | Los Santos — sprawling, varied terrain |
| Story | Deeply personal RPG narrative with branching choices | Three-protagonist heist saga with sharp satire |
| Combat | First-person RPG — guns, hacking, melee, stealth builds | Third-person action — driving + shooting focused |
| RPG Depth | Full skill trees, cyberware, dialogue choices, multiple endings | Minimal — no dialogue choices or builds |
| Humor | Dark, mature | Sharp satirical comedy throughout |
| Multiplayer | None | GTA Online — massive, still active |
| Main Story | ~25 hrs | ~30 hrs |
| Completionist | 80-100 hrs | 80+ hrs |
| DLC | Phantom Liberty (excellent expansion) | GTA Online updates only |
| Price (2026) | ~$20-30 | ~$15-20 |
Buy Cyberpunk 2077 If...
You want an RPG first and an open-world game second. Cyberpunk's strength is not sandbox chaos — it's the deeply personal story of V and Johnny Silverhand, the branching quests that reward genuine decision-making, and the cybernetic build diversity that lets you play as a netrunner hacker, a katana-wielding samurai, or a stealthy ghost. Night City is the most visually stunning city ever built in a game, and the Phantom Liberty DLC is one of the best expansions of the last decade.
If you bounced off Cyberpunk at launch in 2020, the game that exists today after patches 2.0-2.2 is functionally a different product. The police system works, the AI is competent, the perks have been completely redesigned, and the performance is stable. It deserves a second chance.
Buy GTA V If...
You want a playground. GTA V's Los Santos is the gold standard for open-world sandboxes — a city that feels genuinely alive with pedestrians, traffic, radio stations, and random encounters. The three-protagonist story structure (Michael, Trevor, Franklin) keeps the campaign fresh by switching perspectives, and the heist missions remain some of the most well-designed set pieces in gaming history.
GTA Online is also a factor. Love it or hate it, it's a massive multiplayer experience that Cyberpunk simply doesn't have. If you want to cause mayhem with friends, run heists together, or just explore a shared world, GTA V is the only option here.
At $15-20 on sale, it's one of the most content-dense purchases in all of gaming.
Our Verdict
Buy both — they're different games serving different moods. Cyberpunk for story-driven RPG immersion. GTA V for sandbox fun and multiplayer mayhem. Together they cost less than one new release and offer 200+ hours of open-world gaming.
BUY Cyberpunk 2077 — The redemption arc is complete. Post-2.0 Cyberpunk is one of the best single-player RPGs of its generation. Night City is breathtaking. The Phantom Liberty DLC is essential.
BUY GTA V — Still the king of open-world sandboxes 13 years later. Three great protagonists, endless content, and GTA Online extends its life indefinitely. A steal under $20.