Over the last few decades,crime games have been very present in gaming. They cover almost every aspect of the illegal world, giving players an insight into many interesting characters who live outside the confines of the law.
Developers likeRockstar Gameshave played a big part in making such games popular with the gargantuanGTAfranchises, and even tales of the Wild West, such asRed Dead Redemption 1and2. It’s undeniable thatthe crime genreinterests thousands of gamers all over the world, and this likely won’t change any time soon. Here are a fewunique crime games every gamer should try.
Set in Washington two years after the originalPayday, the now-famousPaydaygang is looking to do another long round of heists. Similar to the original game’s mechanics, players can choose to do a heist as one of the 22 crew members and bring up to three other teammates with them.
Unlike its predecessor,Payday 2offers considerably more customizationoptions in terms of playability and aesthetics. Levels also feel more complex and challenging, and the overall graphics are more polished.Payday 2offers an in-depth look into the lives of gang members who perform multi-million dollar heists, showing the good, the bad, and the ugly.
When it comes to making great crime games in any era,Take Twoand its child companies (Rockstar Games,2K, and more) always do an excellent job in terms of creating compelling characters, interesting stories, and an overall amazing gaming experience. When the originalMafiafirst came out way back in 2002, similar games likeGrand Theft Autohad already established themselves in the market, catching the attention of thousands of players worldwide.
However, what setMafiaapart was its 1940s New York setting, which is right in the middle of the rise of the most prominent crime families. The game offers players a somewhat accurate insight into what the life of a mafia thug might have been back in the day, incorporating exciting vintage car chases and shootouts.
For players interested in playing the Mafia saga, the best value for their money isMafia: Definitive Edition, as itincludes all Mafia games.
There are many great things aboutSleeping Dogs.From the open-world concept to the game’s story, players will find it hard to put the controller down and do anything else for the day. Seen from the perspective of Wei Shen, an undercover American-Chinese police officer trying to infiltrate the Sun On Yee Triad,Sleeping Dogswill take players through various side quests, main missions, and other activities in the dark world of organized crime.
Similar toGTAgames,Sleeping Dogswill also let players explore the world using numerous vehicles, including boats, cars, and motorcycles, offering complete freedom andfast modes of transportation. Melee combat is also one of the things that make this game great, as it allows players to chain several attacks and perform devastating combos requiring practice and good eye-hand coordination.
Crime games are always interesting, regardless of the period they’re set in. However, asScarfacehas proven since the year it was released, there’s something special about exploring the nightlife and every aspect of delinquency in the 80s. That’s one of the things that makesYakuza 0so great. Set in 1988 in Japan, 17 years before the events of the first game,Yakuza 0follows Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima amid the conflict between numerous Yakuza factions.
The game has good combat mechanics, an interesting story, and several cutscenes that range between comical and cool. Goro Majima is mostly calm and collected in his actions, choosing brains over brawn as much as possible. Overall,Yakuza 0is a high point in the franchise, and it setsa high standard for its sequels.
After the end of World War II, veteran and Silver Star recipient, Cole Phelps, returns to Los Angeles to try to live a normal life for a change. He takes a job as a patrol officer for the LAPD, where he solves a complex murder case that earns him the rank of detective. Working alongside his partner Finbarr Galloway in the Homicide department, he rises through the ranks by solving nearly impossible murder cases.
As he moves through the LAPD, Cole is reassigned to Vice, andthe events ofL.A. Noirekeep unfolding to tell a story of drama, betrayal, and a ton of detective work. Players will have to interview suspects, write their anecdotes down, and decide whether to believe them or call them out for lying. All in all,L.A. Noireis one of the greatest detective games of the last decade, and there seem to be no contenders to overshadow it just yet.
