Summary
Amid the crime genre, mobster stories have always been among the most popular in media, from movies and TV shows to novels and games. Tales of desperate people trying to break free from their problems in pursuit of a better life, or driven by ambitions for power, often involve morally tormented characters, shady organizations promising an easy way out, themes of loyalty and dedication, as well as thrilling narratives full of intensity, grit, and a lawless spirit.
In thecase of open-world games, such underworld stories are elevated even further by placing players in the shoes of characters struggling with moral dilemmas and descending into a downward spiral toward inevitable payback. Another notable hallmark of these titles is often grounded settings and realistic environments that allow players to immerse themselves in past eras.
Below are some of the best open-world games where players can unleash their darker side and join the ranks of an organized criminal group while tackling missions and assignments that often break the law, involvingarmed assaults or pulling off heists. For clarity, not every game on the list revolves around being part of the mafia in the traditional sense, but rather playing as a bandit or outlaw with ties to an organized crime group of sorts.
By modern standards,Scarface: The World Is Yourslikely won’t impress, but this legacy open-world game has some aces up its sleeve for fans of authentic gangster games and shouldn’t be entirely written off today. Inspired by the iconic crime drama by Brian De Palma starring Al Pacino,Scarface: The World Is Yoursserves as a loose sequel in which Tony Montana survives andre-establishes his drug empire in Miami. The game not only preserves the overall tone of the beloved film, with accurate depictions of familiar characters voiced by the same actors (aside from Pacino), but also delivers an engaging and intense gameplay loop with equal doses of action and drama.
Back in its time, unlike its later competitor,The Godfather 2,Scarface: The World Is Yourswas met with generally favorable reviews, even when directly compared to acclaimed open-world titles likeGTA: Vice CityandSan Andreas. That said, players who aren’t deterred by its outdated technical aspects should keepScarfacein mind if given the chance to play it.
Before the series went entirely off the rails in its fourth entry,Saints Row: The Thirdemerged as a pinnacle of an over-the-top take on the street gang vibe and gameplay. The game continues the story of the 3rd Street Saints. However, this time, it’s less about street gang rivalry per se and more about their next step as something of a brand, with a large consumer empire and members becoming borderline celebrities.
Saints Row: The Thirdonce againputs players in the role of the gang’s leader, with more freedom and mission variety than ever — and a much zanier and sillier overall approach. The familiar component of overtaking rival gangs in a city turf war is still in place, featuring the gangs of Morningstar, Luchadores, and Deckers, together known as the Syndicate. Balancing its new direction with improved gameplay systems and open-world mechanics,Saints Row: The Third, alongside its Remastered edition, remains a solid destination for a mobster-like experience.
WhileAssassin’s Creedhas never directly rivaled games likeGTAorMafiathematically,Syndicate, set in the most modern historical period of the mainline series, comes closer than any other entry. Set in 1868 London, players are immersed in an ongoing rivalry between the Assassin-affiliated Rooks and the Templar-affiliated Blighters. To stop the Templars from controlling the city during the Industrial Revolution, the Fryes take over organized crime to build their own street army, methodically clearing city territories of rival gangs in battles thatculminate in full-on gang wars.
While the Fryes are hardly considered notorious underworld lords, restricted mostly to less extreme crimes and motivated by the idea of “freeing” the city, there are enough side missions and map activities for players to feel like real mobsters. From bounty hunting, pickpocketing, and fight clubs to stagecoach street races and train robberies,Assassin’s Creed Syndicateuses its rich setting to its advantage, delivering an engrossing and distinct chapter in the long-running franchise.
TheMafiaseries is the epitome of open-world mobster stories and gameplay, with its authentic worlds often serving as beautiful backdrops to narrative-driven, action-packed missions like robberies, car chases, and street shootouts. Players looking for classic gangster tales with strong characterswon’t be disappointed with any entry, yetMafia 2’s cinematic narrative, along with the emotional core of Vito Scaletta and Joe Barbaro’s friendship, makes the journey especially moving and memorable.
As with the firstMafiagame, the sequel followed largely familiar tropes, never shying away from its recognizable sources of inspiration, such asThe GodfatherorOnce Upon a Time in America. However, with its gripping stories of ordinary people sinking deeper into the outlaw life, unable to turn back, and always wanting more, theMafiaseries rightfully secured its place as a cornerstone of the crime genre in gaming. WithMafia: The Old Countrylaunching in August, fans will soon receive another offer that’s impossible to refuse, complete with abrand-new setting, story, and characters.
The entireYakuzaseries centers on Japan’s criminal underworld, consistently involving organized crime groups of various scales and notoriety. For players looking to experience atruly mobster-driven tale,Yakuza 0might be the best fit due to its setting and minimal connections to previous entries. Set in 1988 Japan, the game focuses on the iconic characters Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, both tied to yakuza families and operating within smaller, loyal mobster crews.
Like any otherYakuzagame,Zerofeatures a vast array of criminal activities, including running clubs, shaking down businesses through intimidation, fighting rival gangs on the streets, and several minigames that allow players to build their crew’s influence, akin to gang management. In addition, despite the series' trademark zaniness and occasional absurd storylines,Yakuza 0is also surprisingly gritty, with an impeccable atmosphere in its neon-lit districts. It feels notably more serious than later installments, which may appeal to fans seeking deeper immersion.
Just like theMafia,Saints Row, orYakuzaseries, almost every installment in the iconicGTAseries is a great destination for lawless gameplay, butSan Andreasis arguably the definitive game for players seeking that special street gang vibe. Unlike later entries likeGTA 4andGTA 5, where players largely operate as individuals,San Andreasisall about ties with the brothersfrom the Grove Street Families and their conflicts with rival gangs like the Ballas and Vagos, which play vital roles in both the story and gameplay.
GTA: San Andreaseven includes dynamic gang wars for territory control and the ability to recruit new members into the player’s gang. Thanks to the prominent role of gangs in the game’s open world, it feels more alive, as players may not be welcomed in certain areas of the map. Coupled withSan Andreas’unmatched atmosphere and style, the original remains one of the most beloved entries in the series to this day, warranting its place here, even though the Remastered version didn’t manage to live up to expectations. Luckily, many patches later, it’s in a much more pleasant state.
Only Rockstar can surpass its own rich legacy of open-world titles centered around criminals of all sorts. WithRed Dead Redemption 2, the developers not only created one of the most immersive open worlds ever, but also told an emotional, mature, and gripping tale of a group of outlaws who refuse to live by society’s rules. Enormous in scope, length, and ambition,RDR2is a swan song for gaming Westerns, placing players in the shoes of Arthur Morgan and exploring the gradual fall of Dutch’s gang over the years.
Playing asessentially the gang leader’s right hand, players follow Van der Linde through his journey of escaping lawmen and rivaling other gangs in the West. Exceptional in both freedom and narrative focus,Red Dead Redemption 2offers a wealth of criminal activities such as bank and train robberies, prison breaks, stagecoach thefts, and open firearm assaults against lawmen. The game’s greatest achievement is the gang itself, surrounding players with believable characters and complex relationships amid overarching themes of loyalty and freedom.
