Now combine this with Suicide Linux and you have a perma death mode.

Thought this reply was a trick to make me click on a link that actually contained Rick Astley. Surprised it was not!

I also would describe Lego City Undercover as GTA, but Lego, so compatible with a younger audience. It also has a very good co-op mode, you can play the whole game with two players with dynamic drop/join. Really had fun playing it with my girlfriend.