---
title: "Five Atmospheric Co-op Games in the Spirit of GTA: From Hacking Operations in San Francisco to a Criminal Escape"
description: "Styler editor Yulia Lyushneva has curated five atmospheric co-op games in the spirit of GTA: Watch Dogs 2, Ghost Recon Wildlands, Saints Row, Crime Boss: Rockay City, and A Way Out — ranging from hacking operations to a two-player criminal escape."
date: 2026-11-12T08:15:10.171Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/five-atmospheric-co-op-games-gta
tags: [cooperative-games, gta-style, watch-dogs-2, ghost-recon-wildlands, saints-row, crime-boss-rockay-city, a-way-out, open-world, gaming]
author: "Inna Kinsheva"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Five Atmospheric Co-op Games in the Spirit of GTA: From Hacking Operations in San Francisco to a Criminal Escape

![A group of armed people in a shootout on city streets in the style of a GTA video game](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/12/pyat-kooperativnyh-igr-v-duhe-gta-ot-hakerskih-operatsiy-do-kriminalnogo-pobega/pyat-kooperativnyh-igr-v-duhe-gta-ot-hakerskih-operatsiy-do-kriminalnogo-pobega-1.webp)

## Key Points

- The selection includes five co-op games in the style of GTA: Watch Dogs 2, Ghost Recon Wildlands, Saints Row, Crime Boss: Rockay City, and A Way Out
- Watch Dogs 2 and Ghost Recon Wildlands support up to four players in co-op, while A Way Out is strictly for two
- Each game offers a unique approach to co-op: hacking operations, tactical missions, criminal empire building, heists, or scripted escapes
- The selection was compiled by Styler editor Yulia Lyushneva

Not all crime games need to be played alone. In some, you can dive into a unique atmosphere with friends, explore large cities, run from the police, plan heists, and complete shared objectives. Styler editor Yulia Lyushneva has gathered five atmospheric games for those who enjoy GTA-style adventures but want to share them with someone else. The selection covers a wide spectrum of genres — from hacking operations in sunny San Francisco to a strict two-player co-op where every move depends on your partner.

### Watch Dogs 2: Hacking San Francisco and Freedom of Exploration

The events of Watch Dogs 2 take place in sunny San Francisco, where skyscrapers sit alongside colorful neighborhoods, palm trees, and picturesque coasts. The protagonist, Marcus Holloway, joins the hacker group DedSec. Instead of typical robberies, the player can hack surveillance cameras, control city devices, and use technology against enemies. In co-op mode, two friends perform joint missions, and the party mode allows up to four players to explore the city and participate in separate activities. According to the author, San Francisco here is not just a backdrop for criminal adventures: you want to explore the city even without a specific goal, and the ability to use hacking tricks with a friend makes the game an interesting alternative to standard shootouts.

### Ghost Recon Wildlands: Open World Bolivia and Tactical Variety

Ghost Recon Wildlands is set in Bolivia, where snow-capped mountains, tropical forests, and desert roads form a huge open world. Players take on the roles of special forces operatives fighting the Santa Blanca drug cartel. Up to four friends can play through the story campaign, plan operations, travel by car or helicopter, or stealthily infiltrate enemy bases. The contrast between beautiful landscapes and dangerous tasks, according to the editor, makes the game especially attractive: the same operation can turn into a silent infiltration or a chaotic pursuit if the team decides to change their approach.

### Saints Row: Neon Freedom and Criminal Empire

The fictional city of Santo Ileso combines modern neighborhoods, desert views, vibrant cars, and neon signs. The player leads a young criminal group, the Saints, aiming to exert influence over the city. You will have to face competitors, participate in shootouts, car chases, and develop your own criminal empire. The main campaign can be played in pairs, and between missions, you can freely explore the open world. The editor recommends Saints Row to those who love GTA not so much for its serious crime stories, but for the freedom of action: you can take a break from the main plot for car adventures and then return to building your group — all with a friend.

### Crime Boss: Rockay City — Nostalgia for 1990s Crime Movies

Crime Boss: Rockay City recreates the atmosphere of 1990s action crime films. Palm trees, night streets, bright signs, and shootouts create the image of a city where criminal groups fight for influence. The main focus is on heists: the team can infiltrate buildings, steal valuables, and try to avoid police confrontation. Up to four friends perform joint operations, distribute tasks, and choose between stealthy actions and open shootouts. According to the author, it is particularly noticeable how a carefully planned heist can spiral out of control: instead of simply competing in the number of enemies defeated, you have to account for your partners' actions, as one careless move can ruin the entire operation.

### A Way Out: An Escape That Is Impossible Alone

A Way Out feels like a crime movie where two players independently drive the course of events. Leo and Vincent meet in prison and decide to organize an escape. They have to work together, distract guards, overcome obstacles, and make decisions. The game is designed exclusively for two, and the split-screen allows you to follow both characters simultaneously. It can be played locally or online. Out of the entire selection, A Way Out, according to the editor, seems the most interesting for joint story progression: here, a friend is not just a partner helping to fight enemies, but your success in the next obstacle depends on their actions. The story itself is built around the need to trust one another.

This selection demonstrates that the co-op format in crime games has long moved beyond being just "another partner with a gun." From hacking operations in Watch Dogs 2 to the strict scripted interaction in A Way Out, each of the five games offers its own approach to co-op play, where the atmosphere of the city, tactics, and trust between players become just as important as the shootouts themselves.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Watch Dogs 2, Saints Row и A Way Out: кооперативные игры в стиле GTA](https://styler.rbc.ua/ukr/trends/watch-dogs-2-saints-row-ta-a-way-out-kooperativni-1794432733.html) - Source: Styler editorial selection (RBC-Ukraine), author — Yulia Lyushneva. All five games, descriptions of mechanics, and author quotes are taken directly from the source text.

## FAQ

### How many players do these games support?

Watch Dogs 2 supports up to four players in party mode and two in co-op missions. Ghost Recon Wildlands and Crime Boss: Rockay City are for up to four friends. Saints Row allows two players to complete the campaign. A Way Out is strictly for two.

### Which game is only for two players?

A Way Out is designed exclusively for two players. Split-screen allows you to follow both heroes, Leo and Vincent, at the same time. You can play locally or online.

### What city is Watch Dogs 2 set in?

Watch Dogs 2 takes place in San Francisco, where skyscrapers share the skyline with colorful districts, palm trees, and coasts. The protagonist, Marcus Holloway, joins the hacker group DedSec.

### What sets Crime Boss: Rockay City apart from the other games?

Crime Boss: Rockay City recreates the atmosphere of 1990s crime movies. The main focus is on heists: infiltrating buildings, stealing valuables, assigning tasks among up to four players, and choosing between stealth and open combat.