Discover the Ultimate Ranking of Every Gangstar Open-World Game!

Summary

The Gangstar games are a mix of driving, shooting, and stealth, drawing inspiration from Grand Theft Auto.
Many Gangstar games give players the chance to take control of a city’s criminal underworld, one district at a time.
Some entries in the series feature settings outside North America, like Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro.

The Gangstar series, primarily composed of mobile games, has been providing entertainment for two decades without any signs of slowing down. This popular series by Gameloft is frequently likened to the colossal Grand Theft Auto games due to the significant influence drawn from Rockstar’s successful franchise.

In these Gangstar series of games, you’ll find gameplay mechanics that line up with what you’d anticipate from the primary influences – action-packed with driving, racing, shooting, and stealth sequences, as you navigate your character’s rise through the criminal underworld hierarchy. The backdrops, set in a vast open world, are surprisingly rich in detail for mobile games, many of which are U.S.-based. These games have been ranked according to their popularity and overall quality.

10. Gangstar: Samurai

Samurai Gangsters In Japan

Platform: Mobile
Released: 2009-12-16
Developer: Gameloft Tokyo
Genre: Action-adventure

In the vibrant cityscape of Tokyo, I find myself immersed in the unique installment titled “Gangstar: Samurai“. This game is an intriguing deviation for the series, as it’s a Japan-exclusive gem that saw life only on the DoJa and BREW mobile platforms. As a resourceful young thief named Masato, I find myself in hot water after unknowingly swiping some illicit substances from a clandestine organization. To bring this shadowy group to justice, I must seek assistance from an enigmatic figure known as Yuri.

Of course, the main weapon is often a samurai sword, allowing players to decapitate foes, but occasionally firearms become crucial. However, this game entry ranks relatively low due to limited details provided, and while whispers of an unauthorized translation have circulated, no concrete evidence has surfaced as yet.

9. Urban Crime

iOS Exclusive Spin-Off

Platform: Mobile
Released: 2011-12-7
Developer: Gameloft
Genre: Action-adventure

Originally available exclusively for iOS devices and subsequently withdrawn from the app store, Urban Crime serves as a spin-off of Gangstar: Miami Vindication. The main character remains unnamed in this game, with the objective being to assert control over Miami neighborhood by neighborhood. Missions within each district share a common structure, involving activities such as racing, stealth operations, robbery, and protecting allies.

Players found microtransactions problematic, as expensive weapons and vehicles within the game required many to work tirelessly without spending real money. An additional contentious aspect was the energy system, which ran out after finishing five missions consecutively, forcing players to wait a day before resuming, unless they bought an energy refill.

8. Gangstar 2: Kings of L.A.

Flawed 2D Adventure

Platforms: Mobile, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo 3DS
Released: 2008-11
Developer: Gameloft
Genre: Action-adventure

In the sequel titled “Gangstar 2: Kings of L.A.“, the action unfolds in the bustling cityscape of Los Angeles. The story revolves around Pedro and Juan, two ex-convicts from a Mexican prison, aiming to strike it rich in their new urban jungle. However, the game’s 2D open world occasionally struggles with performance issues, causing noticeable stuttering and lengthy load times during transitions between various locations. These technical hiccups were deemed intolerable by some players at the time.

For Nintendo’s handheld DSi console, a specific update offers unique missions that make use of the built-in camera, allowing players to snap selfies. These photographs can be incorporated into counterfeit ID cards within the game, and interestingly, they might also show up on in-game billboards.

7. Gangstar City

Greater Focus On Strategy

Platform: Mobile
Released: 2013-05
Developer: Gameloft
Genre: Action-adventure, strategy

In the collection, one of the 2D games, titled “Gangstar City“, is positioned in Los Angeles and features an isometric viewpoint. As Garcia, the sibling of Pedro from “Kings of L.A.“, you aim to assert and maintain dominance over the city’s four districts.

Districts can be taken over by successfully finishing enough missions within them, which increases recognition and prestige in those regions. Unlike other Gangstar games, control over Garcia is limited, with the focus shifting towards management and strategic decision-making, enhancing his gang’s crew from available members. Throwing parties at Garcia’s place plays a crucial role in attracting stronger gang recruits.

6. Gangstar: Crime City

The First Of Many Gangstar Games

Platform: Mobile
Released: 2006-10
Developer: Gameloft
Genre: Action-adventure

Initially designed for button-controlled mobile phones, Gangstar: Crime City marked the beginning of a lengthy series. Named after its setting, Crime City, the open world is vast and teeming with activities – quite remarkable given the limitations of the technology at that time.

As I found myself in a tight spot with debts piling high, I had to juggle tasks like driving, firing off rounds, and pulling off heists – all in a day’s work. On the side, there were intriguing ventures to explore such as racing, managing a restaurant, and dabbling in drug trade. Critics at the time might have been hasty in their judgement, labeling it a mere imitation of Grand Theft Auto, but they did raise valid concerns about the portrayal of hip-hop culture that seemed to lean on stereotypes.

5. Gangstar: West Coast Hustle

A 3D Makeover Set In L.A.

Platform: Mobile
Released: 2009-08-20
Developer: Gameloft Montreal
Genre: Action-adventure

In a fresh, three-dimensional take on the classic Gangstar 2: Kings of L.A., we have Gangstar: West Coast Hustle. This new installment largely retains the original story with Pedro as the main character. As the inaugural 3D game in the series, it was met with great enthusiasm back then, offering players a significantly improved gaming experience and immersion in the open-world of Los Angeles, compared to its two-dimensional predecessor.

As a gamer, diving into this new adventure, I’m pumped about the whopping 50+ missions that await me! While they share some similarities with “Kings of L.A.”, they’ve got their own unique twists, particularly in dialogue and other key aspects.

What really grabbed my attention back then was its groundbreaking 3D graphics on mobile platforms. It was one of the first games to offer a fully realized, intricate open city, and it didn’t skimp on the details. To top it off, they even included vehicle crash damage – talk about immersion!

4. Gangstar: New Orleans

Gangstar On PC

Platform: Mobile, PC
Released: 2017-02-08
Developer: Gameloft Montreal
Genre: Action-adventure

In contrast to its previous versions, the initial installment in the series, titled Gangstar: New Orleans, adopts a more playful, cartoonish aesthetic. Instead of the non-linear missions found in open-world settings, this game’s tasks are structured linearly. They commence as part of the open-world environment and culminate as separate objectives. The majority of the narrative unfolds through cutscenes during these missions.

Beyond completing storylines, players can explore twelve distinct territories, or “turfs,” to conquer as a character they’ve fully customized. To claim dominance over these territories, a small-time mobster must first be eliminated. However, the city of New Orleans might have garnered more praise if it weren’t for the prevalent in-game transactions, which were generally disliked by both fans and critics.

3. Gangstar Vegas

Dealing With The Mafia In Sin City

Platform: Mobile
Released: 2013-06-07
Developer: Gameloft Montreal, Gameloft Kharkiv
Genre: Action-adventure

In the notorious metropolis known as Vegas, the game Gangstar Vegas introduces us to a MMA fighter named Jason “the Kid” Malone. Initially intended to lose in a fight, Jason unexpectedly emerged victorious, which has now made him a target for the mafia. The gameplay focuses on driving and armed conflicts, as well as underground fighting tournaments and various side activities that keep our protagonist, Jason, occupied.

Consistent with its Las Vegas backdrop, gambling is another significant element in this game, offering various casino mini-games such as blackjack and slot machines where players can strive for the jackpot. Regrettably, microtransactions remain a contentious issue for some, but the overall enjoyment of the game has led to its success in the marketplace.

2. Gangstar: Miami Vindication

A Huge Step Forward For The Series

Gangstar: Miami Vindication, seen as a significant advancement over West Coast Hustle, was initially launched in two versions – 2D and 3D – catering to the devices on which it was played. In this game, you play as Johnny Gainesville, a corrupt prison guard. Your primary goal is to save your brother Joey, who has been kidnapped, while completing tasks for your criminal allies who provide their assistance along the way.

In this game, there are more than 70 tasks to accomplish, similar to other games in the series. As in these other games, Johnny can gradually gain control of various areas within the city, eventually proclaiming himself as the “King of Miami” if he conquers all opposition. However, surprisingly, the game titled “Miami Vindication” has been mysteriously removed from app stores despite its popularity among fans.

1. Gangstar Rio: City of Saints

Gangstar In Brazil

Platform: Mobile
Released: 2011-11-10
Developer: Gameloft
Genre: Action-adventure, shooter

Similar to Miami Vindication, the game titled Gangstar Rio: City of Saints was launched in both 2D and 3D formats with slight variations in the plot. In this story, you play as Raul, a member of the Assassinos gang in Rio de Janeiro who endures a car explosion attempt to leave the criminal organization. Post-surgery, Raul’s appearance is drastically altered, leading him to infiltrate the gang undercover by pretending to be a newcomer and assuming the alias ‘Angel.’

In the vibrant Brazilian city setting, there’s an abundance of missions and side quests to engage in, a fact appreciated by numerous players and critics alike who find this version of Gangstar particularly enjoyable. Key elements that players tend to appreciate include the kung fu-style combat, the added zombie mode, and the option to hire henchmen for Angel to delegate his shady tasks.

2025-03-11 17:40