Steam’s Viral GTA Clone Captures the Essence of Classic PS2 Games

Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to make waves in the gaming world, likely becoming the biggest game launch ever. With its release on November 19, many competitors are steering clear of that date. While excitement builds around the game’s stunning graphics and advanced physics, there’s a nostalgic crowd eager for a taste of the PS2-era antics that defined the series.

Enter Alaturka, a wild open-world game developed on a “$0 budget” that gained traction over the weekend after its trailer went viral on social media. The gameplay is a frenetic mix of chaos and humor, infused with a distinctly Turkish flair, and it looks like a ton of fun.

According to Bufuak, the solo developer behind Alaturka, the game is “essentially a PS2-style GTA set in 70s Istanbul, featuring heavy driving physics and döner kebab deliveries.” Players step into the shoes of a kebab apprentice who arrives in Bosforus, Turkey, to work for their uncle. As they navigate their day job, they encounter shady characters offering higher-paying but perilous tasks that involve shootouts and daring escapes. The trailer’s chaotic action is reminiscent of classic GTA titles like Vice City and San Andreas.

The Steam page highlights robust car physics that reflect the heft of vintage vehicles. There’s a delivery system akin to Crazy Taxi, where players must drop off kebabs while dodging collisions. The gunplay appears to be more modern than the older GTA games, featuring free aiming rather than the lock-on targeting introduced in GTA 3.

Bufuak shared on social media that he has dedicated his free time over the past two years to developing Alaturka, livestreaming the process on his YouTube channel. One of the game’s standout features is its status as “a community project,” where feedback from weekly streams actively shapes the game world. Bufuak also serves as the Unreal Istanbul community lead. While there’s no set release date for Alaturka yet, players can follow its development in real time.