Featured Image Credit: Betagames Group
Fans are already dubbing this upcoming open-world third-person shooter “GTA Brazil”, but the comparisons go a little deeper than you might initially assume.
Grand Theft Auto VI is, provided it’s not delayed again, still over 10 months away at this point.
If the wait for Rockstar Games’ next GTA game is driving you mad then, thankfully, there’s a new GTA-style adventure you can sink your teeth into right now, ahead of its full Q3 2026 release.
If you consider yourself an open-world aficionado, then I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve already heard of Betagames Group’s upcoming game 171.
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Initial work on 171 began sometime in 2010, when Betagames Group’s small 10-person team became inspired to develop a Grand Theft Auto game of their own, after seeing how popular the Brazilian modding scene for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas had become.
Since then, the team has been relatively open about their progress on 171, and they’ve earned themselves a rather loyal fanbase in the process, who have affectionately dubbed it by its well-earned fan-name “GTA Brazil”.
While the full release is still roughly nine months away, Betagames Group released the game into early access on Steam back in 2022.
Progress on the game has been steady since, and a series of well-received updates has earned it a “Mostly Positive” score on the platform, with over 3,600 reviews.
Here’s what the folks over on Steam have to say about the game in its current state.
“Love the concept of GTA in Brazil, also love how the developers tried to make it every building accessible. More jobs options, improved calibration and graphics would move this from a 6 or 7/10 to an 8 or 9/10 imo. Still enjoyed it regardless,” writes Steam user ovinho66.
“There are obvious comparisons to Grand Theft Auto being drawn, and I would agree with these. I gain a sense of nostalgia as I play this, its reminding me mostly of playing GTA 3 / Vice City on Playstation 2. Simple UI and missions. One car garage. Safehouse to save your game,” commented Steam reviewer Reeven.
“As I've revisited this game at each major update through its EA period, it has only improved further. For its price, I don't think you could find a better way to scratch your crime-sim itch than 171. In a world where new AAA games come out and cost $100+ dollars for a base game, this is one to put your money into and watch grow.”
Honestly, I kind of love that the team behind 171 isn’t aiming to directly compete with Grand Theft Auto VI with shiny graphics and an over-focus on realism, because this feels like a love letter to the earlier Rockstar Games titles.
Plus, considering it’s currently on sale for only £10, it feels like they have realistic expectations for what they’re capable of producing, and I respect that.
Here’s hoping that the full release is as impressive as the early access version has been so far.
