15 Best Gangster Games To Play in 2018

gangster games 2018
Updated:
11 Dec 2023

Feeling a little gangster? Got some steam you need to blow off? 

Sounds like you need a good gangster game to play. Keep reading to find out what the Top 15 Gangster PC games are.   

15. Saints Row IV

Saints Row 4 Gameplay 

With great power comes gonads-crushing badassery.

You are now the commander-in-chief of the USA, and your gang, the Saints, is your cabinet. But your Presidency draws alien invaders to the planet, who immediately enslave mankind and trap them in a Matrix-style simulation.

The Saints’ tech expert, however, finds a way to manipulate the code to your advantage, turning you into a super-friggin’-hero.

Why hijack cars and shoot slugs when you can throw tanks around like they’re paperweight, jump hundreds of feet in the air, zip through the city in a matter of seconds, and soar high above skyscrapers?

Gangster games are a power fantasy, but Saints Row IV elevates that to super-powered levels of insane.

Our rating – 4/5

Saints Row IV 01

Saints Row IV 02

Nothing strange going on here, just move along now!

Saints Row IV 03

Saints Row IV 04

14. Grand Theft Auto IV

GTA IV - Combos and Knockouts 5

You assume the role of Niko Bellic, a war veteran who has escaped his poverty-stricken European country to start anew in a parody of USA’s New York City – Liberty City.

Chasing the American Dream proves more complicated than expected, forcing Niko to accept a variety of shady jobs just to make ends meet. But the more daring the heists and more important the hits, his reputation in the criminal underworld also grows, as does his wealth and influence. Soon, even the biggest crime families in Liberty City will know just who exactly Niko Bellic is.

Hundreds of cars to steal. Four massive areas to explore. Mountains of dough to misappropriate. Combined with memorable characters – from your bowling-obsessed cousin to a narcissistic meathead with a penchant for illegally acquiring cars – and a script dripping with delicious satirical commentary about all things USA, GTA IV sits at #2 on our list of best PC gangster games to play in 2015.

Our rating – 4/5

GTAIV 01

Grand Theft Auto IV is one of the most popular GTA releases to date.

GTAIV 02

For the last time: NO, he doesn't want to play bowling!!

GTAIV 03

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13. Saints Row: The Third

Saints Row 3 Boss Fight (Bare Fists)

Who says the grim underbelly of crime has to be dark and gritty? Saints Row: The Third proves it can be laugh-out-loud hilarious, too.

Submachine guns? Rocket launchers? So yesterday. Why not stun foes with a fart-in-a-jar grenade, break skulls with a DDT, or dislocate some jaws with a swing from a dildo bat? And when you’re not busy blowing up hordes of hoodlums with your tank, you can impress all the dames with your hover jet.

The game revolves around a gang called the Third Street Saints. Like the GTA franchise, you’re free to roam a huge open world called Steelport in your bid to overtake rival crime rings such as the Luchadores, who are – you guessed it – a gang of masked, Mexican wrestlers. If that isn’t wacky enough for you, then try out the missions, many of which will leave you in stitches.

Our rating – 3/5

Saints Row The Third 01

Saints Row The Third 02

Just another ordinary day in Steelport

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12. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

GTA San Andreas | HOW TO DO GANG WARS - LIKE A BOSS!

The oldest title on this list, GTA: San Adreas has players filling the shoes of Carl Johnson, who’s out to avenge his murdered mother. Set in the ‘90s and true to its GTA heritage, San Andreas features some of the most delicious tunes of the era.

San Andreas involves numerous turf wars spread across three enormous locations based on California and Nevada. As Johnson’s gang – the Grove Street Families – grows in territory and power, it finds itself in the crosshairs of rival gangs, and even the corrupt police force.

San Andreas remains one of the best GTA games in existence, and it would be higher on this list were it not already showing its age.

Our rating – 3/5

GTASA 01

Gangsta's paradise

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11. Scarface: The World is Yours

Scarface: The World Is Yours - Introduction

Say hello to my little friend… which is Scarface: The World is Yours at spot #11 on our list of best gangster games for the PC.

Al Pacino’s iconic Tony Montana may have bitten the dust at the end of the film, but in the game, he’s alive and kickin’. With his empire in ruins, Tony must rebuild what his nemesis, Sosa, destroyed.

Like all other gangster games on this list, The World is Yours heavily borrows from the GTA formula. Miami serves as Tony’s playground, and there are scores of ways to bump your enemies, from running them over or gunning them down in style like only Tony can. Though it doesn’t offer much in the innovation department, its biggest draw is the charismatic Tony himself, and the opportunity to beat Sosa’s ugly mug to a pulp after all the hell he put our antihero through.

Our rating – 3/5

Scarface 01

Hello!

Scarface 02

10. Max Payne 3

Max Payne 3 Official Trailer

Years after Max Payne’s wife and daughter are brutally murdered in their home, he takes a job in Brazil as a private security guard to a very wealthy family. In the same dark and gritty fashion of the original Max Payne story, the wife is kidnapped and Payne finds himself in a place he doesn’t know, responsible for clearing his name while searching for the truth and an escape. 

This game was created with a cinematic experience in mind. As a result, the graphics have been boosted and Rockstar has added things like Advanced Bullet Time® and Shootdodge™ and Final Kill-cam mechanics to really sweeten the experience. Weapons were done with much more detail; each bullet is molded the moment it’s fired to the moment it hits its target. Rockstar worked really hard to make sure this game was as realistic as possible, even traveling to Sao Paulo to do field research for the game. 

The third person shooter game has no loading screens, only interactive cutscenes. Painkillers are still present in the game as a way or recovering health. Bullet time makes it possible to see every bullet’s path. There is some hand to hand combat, but the game focuses mostly on the shooter aspect. 

There is also a multiplayer online version in which up to 16 players can compete and work together to beat missions. Players can make and join Crews to gain points and work their way up the leaderboards. 

Our rating – 3/5

Graphics are detailed and colors are vivid and beautiful in the PC optomized version.

The online multiplayer mode allows teams to compete against each other.

Max Payne 3 Gameplay

9. Crime Life Gang Wars

Crime Life Gang Wars Trailer

You’ll play as Tre, a fresh member of the once notorious gang the Outlawz in Grand Central City. Tre wants to move up from rookie to full member, but he has to prove himself to the gang boss by doing a few missions and earning his trust. 

A fictionalized depiction of gang wars, most of the gameplay is street fights involving a mass of gang members. To move up the ranks, you’ll also participate in some stick ups and shoplifting. 

There are weapons, including guns, lead pipes, baseball bats and hammers. There are some free roam features, although nothing as detailed or large as Grand Theft Auto. There are over 25 story mode missions and some free-play missions. This game didn’t stun many when it was released, but it may be a fun play through to look back on.

Our rating – 3.5/5

Help Tre reclaim his city for the Outlawz in street fights.

crime life best gangster pc game

After a successful knockdown, you can finish your opponent with specialty moves. 

Crime Life Gang Wars gameplay

8. 50 Cent: Bulletproof

50 Cent: Bulletproof Trailer 

50 Cent: Bulletproof tells the tale of rapper 50 Cent being attacked during an ambush and shot 9 times. Miraculously, he survives and and vows vengence on those responsible—the most dangerous crime family in the city. 

This leads him to the drug underground of New York, where he discovers an international conspiracy. 50 must find his way out without getting caught in the web of corruption. 

The game includes fellow rappers Tony Yayo, Young Buck and Lloyd Banks, all part of 50’s G-Unit squad. The game is based on real events in 50’s life and was released at a time when 50 was the man with him being top of the charts and even a movie released. It’s a shooter based game with weapons like pistols, rifles, submachine guns and shotguns being in the forefront. There is very little hand to hand combat, so if that’s what you’re looking for you won’t get it here. It does include music and videos from 50 Cent that can be unlocked with in game money earned from missions. 

Our rating – 3/5

bulletproof best gangster game

The game features likenesses of Tony Yayo, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Lloyd Banks and Young Buck

best gangster pc game bulletproof

Let your homies help you out on your path to vengeance. That’s what friends are for

 

7. GTA V

Grand Theft Auto VI Official Trailer

The city of Los Santos is available for exploration by PC gamers. GTA V is most notably known for being split up into almost two separate games—the story mode and the online mode. 

Story mode holds the main characters of Michael, a retired professional bank robber who is returning to the world of crime after a deal with the FIB; Trevor, Michael’s long time best friend and something along the lines of a temperamental lunatic; and Franklin, a young man with very little criminal history until Michael comes along. Play along with them in their various heists, or build your own character and play against your peers in online mode. 

In story mode, play as Michael, Franklin or Trevor as you complete missions. The skills required for each mission vary, so sometimes you’ll need just one character and sometimes you’ll need all three. Switching back and forth between characters is easy, and outside of missions the characters will go about their lives until you switch to them. 

You can also play in online mode, which hosts 30 players and two spectators. This mode allows you to customize your character from their looks to their abilities, and once your character is created you can buy different hairstyles, clothing options, and even get them tatted up at the local tattoo parlors. 

Gameplay across the two is similar. There are a large number of weapons available, from sticky bombs to pistols to rocket launchers. Melee combat has been improved over the last Rockstar games, and include weapons like brass knuckles, pipes and golf clubs that can be used to batter someone. Heists and jobs are the way to go to make money and level up in the game.

Our rating – 5/5

best gangster games for pc

Play against others in online mode to earn RP and cash.

gangster games for pc

All types of weapons are available for your use in GTA V. 

GTA IV Gameplay

6. Saints Row 2

Saints Row 2 Trailer

Saints Row 2 claims to bring complete freedom to open-world gaming and it does just that. Players are free to do just about anything they want with freedom to explore the open-world in any character customization they please. Even the gangs and cribs can be customized to the player’s liking. Earn respect from mini-games and side-missions and complete story missions at your own pace, but the goal is to regain the throne of Stillwater for the Saints as the rightful kings.

You are free to wreak havoc on the city of Stillwater as you please; the sequel has a much larger, extended map including new areas like the prison, nuclear power plant and a new expanded airport. Complete missions and acquire enemy territories to rule the neighborhoods. Steam boasts over 40 story missions and extra bonus missions in the large city. Some of the new additions are an underground fight club and new Diversions like indecent exposure and a mini-game called Zombie Uprising. 

Combat hasn’t changed at the basic level; you can link actions together to form combos. With three consecutive hits, you can deal a finishing move. Some handguns can be dual weld, and although most of the weapons are the same as Saints Row, there are some new additions like laser guided rocket launchers and chainsaws. 

Multiplayer modes are no longer available for Saints Row 2 due to GameSpy’s servers shutting down. There is a workaround for PC; you must use LAN tunneling software like Evolve or Tunngle. 

Our rating – 3/5

saint's row best gangster games

Take control of rival gang’s territory and their product by taking them out. 

gangster games saint's row 2

Watch out for your heat level. When it gets too high, the cops will be on you. 

Saint's Row 2 Gameplay

5. Godfather 2

Godfather 2 Trailer

Congratulations! You’ve just inherited the role of Don of your criminal organization. When a Senate Committee on Organized Crime begins investigating Michael Corleone, the Corleone family is looking at you to resume their control over New York City but also expand them into new areas—in this case, Miami. Do you have what it takes to command one of the toughest crime organizations and build it from the gro

Playing as Dominic, you’ll recruit members into your crime family. Build your crew up just as you’d like them. On each job, you can pick up to three crew members along with specializations such as arsonist, safecracker, demolitions expert, etc. Chose targets or businesses to protect using the 3D world map; or use your new mobster status to extort business owners and get the respect you deserve. 

Features of gunplay include both a lock-on system and a manual aiming system. Aim for the weak spots to disable your target or opt for melee attacks to get up close and personal. Combat can get brutal with options for light, heavy, powered and directional attacks. This means you can basically make your opponent your rag doll and throw them all over the place and drag them around until execution time. 

Be aware of the heat; illegal activities in the open will raise heat levels and the cops will be after you. Run from them or bribe them and don’t forget to take care of witnesses. 

Our rating – 4/5

Godfather 2 gangster games

Control different rackets to take control of the city. 

Godfather 2 gangster games pc

Don’t be afraid to get rough to get ahead.

Godfather 2 Gameplay

4. Mafia 3

Mafia 3 Trailer

The setting is 1968 in New Bordeaux, a loose re-imagination of the present day city of New Orleans. The third game in the series follows Lincoln Clay,  a Vietnam veteran and former child of the foster system on his mission to avenge his adopted family’s death. To take down the city’s ruling mob family, he’ll have to rely on his military training and create his own powerful army. 

The game is built on an open world concept. Feel free to spend some time exploring the make believe city and its ten districts. Gameplay ranges from brutal hand to hand combat to blaze of glory with gunfire. Use his stealth skills to sneak and attack members of the Italian Mafia or to interrogate the non-player characters you capture for vital information. The biggest compliment of the game is the killer soundtrack that keeps players pumped up. 

Our rating – 4/5

mafia 3 top 10 gangster games

If sneaky isn’t your style, you can always go in with guns blazing. 

top 10 gangster games

Completing missions help strengthen your relationships, which you’ll need if you’re going to get your revenge.

Mafia III Gameplay

3. The Darkness 2

The Darkness 2 Trailer

Jackie Estacado has a gift and two years ago, he used it to kill the men to blame for his girlfriend’s murder. This gift is called The Darkness. The memory of her death still haunts him, and the ancient force is tired of being held in. An unsuccessful attack on Estacado’s life unleashes The Darkness. This leads him down the road to figure out the truth behind The Darkness. 

The story is written by Paul Jenkins, comic book author of The Incredible Hulk, Wolverine, and the original The Darkness story. This first person shooter even features film noir style as a tip of the hat to the original comic series. Enemies will use light as a weapon against you and The Darkness, so it’s wise to avoid them or take them out as soon as possible. Use both arms and two tendrils of Darkness called the Demon Arms to wield weapons and grab and throw objects or use them as shields. Consume the hearts of your enemies to earn Essence, which powers The Darkness. 

You can also play in a separate campaign called Vendettas, which allows up to four players to play together online. The basis of this side story is four hitmen join together to stop the Spear of Destiny of falling into the hands of the brotherhood. 

The game is the first of its kind with the special quad-wield ability and the immersive storyline. Reception of the game was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the intensity of the gameplay and the spectacular visuals. 

Our rating – 3.5/5

darkness 2 10 gangster games

Use your tendrils of Darkness to fight with or without other weapons.

gangster games top 10 for pc

Battle monsters and other creatures with your special weapons.

The Darkness 2 - PC Gameplay | Max Settings

2. Street Warriors Online

Street Warriors Online Trailer

Street Warriors Online is an online multiplayer game. It’s strictly melee combat based, there are no guns or magic to fall back on. Tag bases with your team’s graffiti, capture bags from your enemies or beat up everyone in an every man for himself type of match. Leveling up allows you to get new clothes, attacks or power cards that can be used in matches. 

There are hundreds of different customization options, from your character class to clothing to hair color. Play as a Swarmer, the quick but weaker female class. If you prefer to be a tank when fighting, play as a Bruiser. If you fall somewhere in the middle, a Slugger is probably more your style. Make your fighter the best with your own attack sequence preference or Power Cards that will boost your skills. The match locations have various weapons such as garbage bins, bricks, and pipes that can be used in combat to gain advantages. Add up to eight of your friends to free for all battles to see who the real Street Warrior is! 

The game is no longer free to play, running now about $2 a copy. But what’s a couple bucks compared to never ending, mindless fun?

Our rating – 3/5

street warriors online top 10 gangster games

Join together as a team to put down your opponents.

1. Sleeping Dogs

Sleeping Dogs Official Trailer

The streets of Hong Kong can be dangerous. In this open world game, you’ll play as Wei Shen, an undercover cop on a mission to take down the most notorious criminal organization in Hong Kong—the Triads. Work your way to the top to earn recognition by engaging in dangerous criminal activities. Can you climb the ranks while keeping your identity a secret and staying loyal to the badge?

You can work on missions that develop the story or explore the world on your own. Side missions, Triad missions and Police missions all earn different types of XP which are used to unlock different items, such as melee combat skills, clothing, and cars, which all affect NPC’s reactions. There’s very little gun use outside of missions. Combat is kung-fu based and Shen can perform them with or without weapons, and certain objects in the game can be used for “environmental kills”. In pursuit of other vehicles, the “action hijack” button propels Shen insane distances to the hood of the desired car before sliding in the driver’s seat with ease. 

Police missions include hunting serial killers, busting drug dealers, and going (even deeper) undercover for other reasons. String together combinations of attack, grapple, and countermoves to create your winning melee attacks. Beware of the “heat” when doing criminal activities; as long as Shen is within sight, the cops will be looking for him. Getting killed or arrested will send you back to the last checkpoint. 

Sleeping Dogs was cancelled during development but was bought out and developed by United Front. The game went on to sell 1.5 million copies in its first year and three expansion packs were released as downloadable content. In 2014, the remastered Definitive Edition was released.

Our rating – 5/5

sleeping dogs top 10 gangster

Play as Wei Shen, undercover police officer trying to take down the biggest crime organization in Hong Kong.

gangster games top 10 sleeping dog

Combat is everything in this game - string together attacks to do combo attacks. 

Sleeping Dogs - Gameplay by theRadBrad

Hopefully you’ve found a few games that piqued your interest for when you’re feeling a little gangster. Whether you want an open world or something you can play mindlessly for hours, there are plenty of options here! 

You may also be interested in:

Best Open World Games

11 Best MMORPG games

Best Third Person Shooters

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