Best Open-World Games For Feeling Like A Mobster

Summary

Mobster stories in the crime genre captivate players with morally complex characters, intense narratives, and themes of loyalty and ambition.
Saints Row: The Third and Yakuza 0 represent a less serious take on the genre, often trading grit for sheer joy and over-the-top mobster gameplay.
GTA: San Andreas and Red Dead Redemption 2 stand as genre-defining open-world games centered around criminals and outlaws.

In various forms of media such as films, TV series, books, and video games, narratives centered around mobsters have consistently captured the public’s imagination within the crime genre. These stories typically revolve around individuals striving to escape their troubles while chasing a more prosperous life or being seduced by the lure of power. Such tales often feature characters grappling with moral dilemmas, secretive organizations offering supposedly effortless solutions, complex themes of loyalty and devotion, as well as gripping plots packed with tension, resilience, and an underlying sense of lawlessness.

In open-world games, stories set in underworlds become even more impactful when players take on roles grappling with complex moral choices and sliding towards a fated retribution. A significant feature of these games is frequently the authentic backdrop and lifelike settings that enable players to experience different time periods as if they were there themselves.

Among the top open-world games, you’ll find titles where players get to explore their more sinister impulses by becoming members of criminal organizations. Instead of strictly mafia roles, these games often let you play as a bandit or outlaw connected to some sort of organized crime network. The tasks you undertake may involve illegal activities such as armed robberies or heists that frequently challenge the law.

7. Scarface: The World Is Yours

Legacy Mobster Game Inspired by the Iconic Al Pacino Movie

In today’s gaming landscape, Scarface: The World Is Yours might not seem as impressive, but for fans of gritty gangster games, this classic open-world title still has some hidden gems worth exploring. Drawing inspiration from Brian De Palma’s legendary crime drama starring Al Pacino, Scarface: The World Is Yours offers a loose continuation where Tony Montana manages to live and rebuild his drug empire in Miami. This game not only retains the overall mood of the cherished film, with spot-on portrayals of familiar characters voiced by the original actors (excluding Pacino), but also provides an immersive and thrilling gaming experience that combines action and drama in perfect measure.

In its day, Scarface: The World Is Yours stood apart from its subsequent rival, The Godfather 2, as it received mostly positive reviews, often being compared directly to highly-acclaimed open-world games such as Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and San Andreas. Despite some technical aspects that may seem outdated now, gamers who are not put off by these elements might want to consider playing Scarface if the opportunity arises.

6. Saints Row: The Third Remastered

Over-the-Top Mobster Gameplay for Sheer Fun

Prior to its fourth installment veering wildly off course, the game Saints Row: The Third ascended to greatness by offering an exaggerated portrayal of street gang culture and gameplay.

In Saints Row: The Third, players once again assume the role of a gang leader, this time with greater freedom and a wider array of mission types than ever before. The game adopts a more outrageous and humorous tone, while maintaining the core concept of battling rival gangs in a city-wide turf war. These rival gangs include the Morningstar, Luchadores, and Deckers, collectively known as the Syndicate. By blending its fresh direction with enhanced gameplay mechanics and open-world elements, Saints Row: The Third continues to offer an engaging and mobster-like experience, making it a worthwhile choice for players seeking such a journey.

5. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

Industrial Revolution Setting Brings Its Special Flavor

In contrast to games such as Grand Theft Auto or Mafia, Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, being the most contemporary title in the main series, has come closest to competing thematically. This game is set in 1868 London and places players right in the heart of an ongoing feud between the Rooks, who are associated with the Assassins, and the Blighters, who are linked to the Templars. The objective is to prevent the Templars from seizing control of the city during the Industrial Revolution. To achieve this, the Frye twins build a formidable street army by taking over organized crime, systematically liberating territories from rival gangs in intense battles that escalate into full-blown gang wars.

In the game ‘Assassin’s Creed Syndicate’, though the Fryes aren’t known as infamous crime lords of the underworld, they are more focused on less severe offenses with a goal to liberate the city. However, there is an abundance of side missions and map activities that make the player feel like a true mobster. From tracking bounties, pocket-picking, fighting clubs, to racing stagecoaches in the streets and robbing trains, this game effectively utilizes its immersive setting, offering a captivating and unique instalment within the ongoing franchise series.

4. Mafia 2: Definitive Edition

Live A Life As A Member Of A Gangster Family

The Mafia series stands out as the pinnacle of open-world gangster narratives and gameplay, offering players stunningly authentic settings that serve as breathtaking backdrops for thrilling, storyline-driven missions such as heists, car chases, and street battles. If you’re searching for timeless gangland tales brimming with compelling characters, you won’t be let down by any installment, but Mafia 2’s cinematic narrative, coupled with the emotional heart of Vito Scaletta and Joe Barbaro’s friendship, makes the experience particularly poignant and unforgettable.

Just like the initial Mafia game, its sequel stuck to well-known themes, unabashedly referencing classics like The Godfather and Once Upon a Time in America. However, what set the Mafia series apart was its compelling narratives of ordinary individuals getting sucked deeper into criminal life, unable to escape and constantly seeking more power. This is why Mafia earned its spot as a crime genre staple in gaming. With Mafia: The Old Country slated for release in August, fans can expect another irresistible proposition, featuring a fresh setting, narrative, and characters.

3. Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut

Balancing The Series’ Joyful Appeal With True Grit

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but rave about the captivating Yakuza series, which delves deep into the heart of Japan’s criminal underworld. From petty street gangs to notorious organized crime groups, the series offers an immersive exploration of this hidden world. If you’re yearning for a mobster-driven narrative that’s second to none, I strongly recommend diving into Yakuza 0. This game, set in the vibrant cityscape of 1988 Japan, offers a unique starting point for newcomers, with minimal connections to previous installments. The game primarily focuses on two iconic characters, Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, both deeply entrenched in yakuza families but working within smaller, loyal mobster crews.

In the style of any typical Yakuza game, Zero offers a wide variety of illicit activities such as operating clubs, bullying businesses through threats, street battles against rival gangs, and various minigames that help expand your gang’s power base, much like managing a gang. Furthermore, while the Yakuza series is known for its quirky humor and outlandish storylines at times, Yakuza 0 stands out for its raw grittiness, showcasing an exceptional ambiance in its vibrant neon-lit areas. It has a more serious tone compared to later releases, which could attract fans who prefer a more immersive experience.

2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition

Street Gang Wars At Its Best

Similar to the Mafia, Saints Row, or Yakuza series, nearly every installment in the legendary Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series offers a fantastic setting for lawless gameplay. However, San Andreas stands out as the quintessential game for players seeking that distinct street gang atmosphere. Unlike later games such as GTA 4 and GTA 5 where players largely act independently, San Andreas centers around relationships with the Grove Street Families and their battles against rival gangs like the Ballas and Vagos, which significantly impact both the narrative and gameplay.

In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, there are realistic gang wars for territory control and an option to recruit new members into your own gang. This adds a sense of realism to the open-world setting, as players might find themselves unwelcome in certain regions of the map. Additionally, the unique atmosphere and style of San Andreas has made it one of the most cherished games in the series since its release.

1. Red Dead Redemption 2

Immersive & Mature Tale Of Outlaws

In their own exceptional realm of open-world games focusing on diverse criminal characters, only Rockstar can outshine its established legacy. With Red Dead Redemption 2, they have crafted an incredibly immersive world and woven a profound, mature, and captivating narrative about a band of outlaws who defy societal norms. Grand in scale, duration, and vision, RDR2 serves as a poignant farewell to gaming Westerns, allowing players to step into the boots of Arthur Morgan and trace the decline of Dutch’s gang over time.

In Red Dead Redemption 2, players take on the role of Van der Linde’s trusted deputy, embarking on a thrilling journey that involves outwitting lawmen and competing against rival gangs in the American West. The game stands out for its balance between freedom and storyline depth, providing an array of criminal activities ranging from bank and train robberies to prison breaks, stagecoach thefts, and open confrontations with law enforcement officers. The game’s most impressive aspect is undoubtedly its portrayal of the gang, immersing players in a realistic world filled with relatable characters and intricate relationships that explore themes like loyalty and personal freedom.

2025-07-26 12:34