29 Sandbox games like Watch Dogs that you should try

The resemblance to Watch Dogs is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, combat and game mode. Both also lean on a cyberpunk setting and single-player focus. The distance is in tone — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere.

The genre is the same as Watch Dogs’s, and with it strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on a third-person camera and single-player focus. The distance is in tone and visuals — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and a first-person view.

What brings it close to Watch Dogs is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and tone. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where they diverge is combat.

If Watch Dogs worked for you because of open world exploration, melee combat and co-op play, the same is here. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. They part company on combat.

What brings it close to Watch Dogs is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, combat and world. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in tone and game mode — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere.

Held in common with Watch Dogs: strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and stealth mechanics. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. The distance is in tone — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere.

It comes from the same genre as Watch Dogs and shares strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in tone and combat — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere.

It shares the essentials of what Watch Dogs does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on setting and tone: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting.

Shelved next to Watch Dogs for good reason: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and stealth mechanics. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. The distance is in game mode and setting — its own ground is a first-person view.

It shares the essentials of what Watch Dogs does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and co-op play. The distance is in visuals — its own ground is a first-person view.

Held in common with Watch Dogs: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals: a first-person view.

It shares the essentials of what Watch Dogs does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and co-op play. Where the two diverge is combat and tone: dark, oppressive atmosphere and ranged combat.

If Watch Dogs worked for you because of open world exploration, melee combat and single-player focus, the same is here. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is combat: ranged combat.

If Watch Dogs worked for you because of strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, the same is here. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. Where the two diverge is visuals and setting: post-apocalyptic world and base building.

If Watch Dogs worked for you because of strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, the same is here. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. They part company on setting and visuals: this one brings historical setting and a first-person view.