Grand Theft Auto 5 became a massive hit almost immediately, and the online version, Grand Theft Auto Online, was so popular that it caused connection problems for many players. Even after more than ten years, it remains Rockstar Games‘ biggest success, though the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to be even more popular. However, the huge scale of these games sometimes overshadows other excellent titles Rockstar has created.
Whether it’s following Arthur Morgan and John Marston in the Wild West or exploring Los Santos, Rockstar Games is known for creating incredibly detailed games with exciting action and compelling stories. Here are a few other popular titles they’ve released.
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5. Red Dead Redemption 2
A Preposterously Popular Prequel
When it comes to Rockstar Games’ best work, Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 currently stand above the rest. These games represent the company at its creative peak. While GTA 6 is expected to be a huge success, it’s too early to say if it will surpass these two titles, which remain unmatched for now.
Currently, Red Dead Redemption 2 is considered one of the greatest games ever made, ranking fourth on OpenCritic with a score of 95. It’s only surpassed by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Baldur’s Gate 3 (both with 96), and Super Mario Odyssey at the very top with 97. This isn’t surprising, as it remains the most impressive open-world game I’ve played. The game is renowned for its incredible detail – players are still discovering small touches, like barrels reacting realistically to gunfire. Beyond the action, the story is deeply moving, exploring themes of loyalty, trust, and finding your place in a rapidly changing world. It’s a powerful narrative that isn’t just a setting for the gameplay, but a core part of the experience.
Despite a few clunky controls and a tendency to prioritize realism over fun at times, this game is a true masterpiece and a landmark achievement in gaming. It undeniably had a huge impact on the industry.
4. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
“Ah… Here We Go Again”
Fans love to discuss which games in a series are the best. While Grand Theft Auto 5 is generally considered the most expansive and impressive game so far, what about the older titles? Both GTA San Andreas (from 2004) and GTA 4 (from 2008) are fantastic games, each offering something special. Let’s start with San Andreas.
Even though it’s over twenty years old, Rockstar’s attention to detail was remarkable in this game. The main character, Carl Johnson, physically changes based on what you do and eat, and each gang has its own unique look and behavior. These subtle touches might not be immediately obvious, but they create a much more immersive and lively game world.
Man, there’s a TON to do in this game! HowLongToBeat says the main story will take around 30 hours, but if you want to 100% it, you’re looking at closer to 71. It’s a huge open world with three different cities, so naturally there are tons of sidequests. But honestly, that’s a good thing! These aren’t just pointless fetch quests either – they actually reward you with cool stuff. Like, if you finish all twelve firefighting missions, you get a big pile of cash and become immune to fire! Plus, getting close to the different girlfriends unlocks special gameplay bonuses, which is a neat touch.
Even with a huge open world and tons of optional things to do, a game needs a strong main story. Thankfully, San Andreas delivers. I was really drawn into CJ Johnson’s efforts to rebuild his life and the Families Street gang after his mother’s death – more so than I anticipated. A lot of that was thanks to Young Maylay’s excellent performance as the character.
3. Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Perhaps Payne’s Finest Hour
The first Max Payne was a groundbreaking shooter, famous for its striking comic book visuals and revolutionary bullet time effect. The sequel, released two years later, built upon these strengths, aiming to enhance everything players loved about the original. Remedy Entertainment, working with Rockstar, recognized this challenge and delivered.
The second game focuses on a mysterious group called the Cleaners, and Max Payne faces another personal loss as he investigates who is hunting him and what Mona was really up to. I found it more captivating than the first game, especially because it continues the story so closely after the original ended. The first game left Max in NYPD custody, and I was relieved to see that storyline develop in an unexpected way. The Fall of Max Payne delivers a complex story with some genuinely surprising turns.
Beyond just continuing the story, the new game needed to improve the popular bullet time action from the first installment. It did this by rewarding players for skillfully using bullet time, gradually making them more powerful during fights. This system felt similar to the Concentration mechanic in Ghost of Yotei, though not as visually dramatic. Like I enjoyed crafting builds around Concentration in Atsu’s adventure, I appreciated the way this game expanded on bullet time. In my opinion, The Fall of Max Payne is the strongest entry in the series and a perfect example of how to create a successful sequel. While Max Payne 3 had some standout moments, like the memorable airport shootout, this game remains the best in the series for me.
2. Red Dead Redemption
John Marston’s Last Ride
Red Dead Redemption 2 represents the peak of over twenty years of development, starting with the original Red Dead Revolver in 2004. It’s difficult to imagine how Rockstar can surpass it, and many players see the two games – Red Dead Redemption and its prequel – as one continuous story. Fans often enjoy playing them back-to-back, as both offer fantastic action-packed experiences.
I usually rush through conversations and miss details in games, but Red Dead Redemption was different. I really paid attention to everything, wanting to experience the story as much as the action. This was mostly because I’d already played the prequel and was eager to see how things unfolded. Getting to know the Van Der Linde gang in the previous game made the idea of working with the government against them in this one surprisingly emotional. Knowing the authorities had Jack Marston’s family as leverage constantly raised the tension, both for Jack and the members of the gang he used to ride with.
Both Red Dead Redemption games offer distinct experiences. The first one is faster-paced and more action-packed, while Red Dead Redemption 2 is slower and more focused on realism, but Rockstar did a fantastic job with both approaches. While not as intensely realistic as its sequel, the original still has a lot of depth. I remember being completely blown away by the vastness of the world – West Elizabeth, New Austin, and Nuevo Paraiso – when it came out in 2010, and it set a very high bar for all open-world games I’ve played since. It was the first time I really felt completely immersed in a game world and its many side activities. It’s a true masterpiece of open-world design.
1. Grand Theft Auto 4
The Great Expanse of Liberty City
The naming of Grand Theft Auto 4 can be a little confusing. While it wasn’t the direct sequel to Grand Theft Auto 3, it was the next major installment in the numbered series after the game that first moved the franchise into 3D. Games like Vice City and San Andreas came out in between, but whether GTA 4 was better than San Andreas is a matter of opinion.
If I had to pick one, I’d go with San Andreas because of Carl Johnson’s compelling story and all the fun, optional things you can do. GTA 4 felt a bit more grounded and realistic, especially with how the cars handled and its darker, more movie-like story. It wasn’t a huge shift – it wasn’t like comparing an arcade racer to a realistic simulator – but Rockstar definitely aimed for a different mood. Playing GTA 4 feels like watching a film; you experience Niko’s struggles as he navigates the criminal underworld, makes enemies, and tries to survive the consequences, and the cycle repeats.
Many players who primarily know GTA through the chaotic online multiplayer might miss the depth a GTA story can provide. This game features one of the series’ most complex narratives, with less emphasis on over-the-top humor. While the characters still face dramatic and unexpected events, this installment is particularly powerful because it forces players to make difficult choices with real consequences. The game highlights the impact of the player’s violent actions, and the advanced Euphoria engine makes the combat feel better than ever before.
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2026-05-31 00:37