GTA should do Texas. Lots of stories to be told in that setting. 3-4 characters. A Mexican immigrant struggling to get away from cartel. A Clint Eastwood Texas ranger struggling with corruption in policing. An ex football player struggling with a stacked against him American life.
Texas is perfect if you think about it. Mix up Dallas, Austin, San Antonio. Side characters like crooked politicians, country singers, and billionaires trying to fly to space. Serious issues like racism, police accountability and immigration. Gun culture, gangs, drugs, cops, army, big cities, historic and diverse.