Tons of video games let you step into the shoes of a criminal, starting with small-time gigs and working your way up to running a full-on empire with a loyal crew. You usually begin at the bottom and claw your way to the top, which makes for a wild ride no matter the setting.
The Godfather
Set during the 1972 movie but with a new angle, The Godfather game is all about going from nobody to kingpin. You play Aldo Trapani, a fresh face seeking revenge for his dad’s murder. Some of the movie’s actors voice their characters, which is pretty cool. The gameplay’s a lot like Grand Theft Auto, with Aldo causing chaos in Little Italy. You start as a low-level recruit and can climb up to become New York City’s Don, taking over rackets and crushing rivals.
Cyberpunk 2077
In Cyberpunk 2077, you’re navigating the rough streets of Night City, a place run by shady corporations. As V, a mercenary, you team up with factions to pull off jobs that’d make the cops twitch. You might not feel like a crook, but the law sees it differently, and you’ll have heat on you from police or corporate muscle. Building your rep and crew helps you tackle bigger scores and uncover the city’s real villains.
Scarface: The World Is Yours
This game rewrites the end of the 1980s Scarface film, letting Tony Montana survive to seek revenge in an open-world Miami. Al Pacino’s likeness drives the vibe as Tony dives back into the underworld, aiming to reclaim his spot as a drug lord. You take down rival gangs, seize the drug trade bit by bit, and manage businesses as fronts while commanding a team of drivers, hitmen, and more.
Mafia 2
Mafia 2 might not be everyone’s favorite in the series, but it puts you in Vito Scaletta’s shoes as he rises in Empire Bay’s crime scene during the 1940s and 50s. You snag businesses and rackets from rival mobs, handing them to your lieutenants. Keep them happy, and you get perks; cross them, and you’re in for some nasty fights.
Saints Row 2
Saints Row 2 kicks off five years after the first game, with your character, “the Boss,” waking from a prison coma. The Third Street Saints are history, and Stilwater’s overrun by new gangs. Your job’s to rebuild the crew, take back the city, and stay off the cops’ radar. You can customize your gang’s cars, outfits, and even the graffiti you slap around town, all to become Stilwater’s top dog.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Over a decade after its release, Skyrim is still a juggernaut. You’re the Dragonborn, sure, but most players end up as hardcore criminals, racking up thefts and kills. The Thieves Guild has you pulling heists, tampering with ledgers, and framing folks, while the Dark Brotherhood dishes out assassination gigs. You can lead these guilds, but you don’t get to shake up their operations much.
Omerta: City of Gangsters
Set in the Prohibition era, Omerta: City of Gangsters has you building a crime empire in Atlantic City as a new immigrant. It’s a mix of strategy and management, running illegal joints like speakeasies and distilleries while fending off rival gangs. Keep your crew loyal, bribe the cops, and expand your territory to rule the city.
Yakuza 0
Yakuza 0 drops you in Japan’s 1980s bubble era as Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima. Unlike games that glorify crime, this one dives into why these guys get caught up in the underworld. You run Kiryu’s real estate gig in Kamurocho and Majima’s cabaret club in Sotenbori, all while throwing hands in street brawls. Success in fights and business builds your street cred and power.
Grand Theft Auto Online
GTA Online has been dominating for over ten years, making Grand Theft Auto 5 a cash machine. You carve out your criminal path in Los Santos and San Andreas, dealing drugs, smuggling weapons, and using legit businesses as cover. Play smart, and you’ll be rolling in money, scooping up fancy properties, yachts, and crazy vehicles like supercars or even subs.
Sleeping Dogs
In Sleeping Dogs, you play Wei Shen, an undercover cop infiltrating Hong Kong’s Triad gangs. You’ll balance your cover by running jobs for the Triads, from shaking down businesses to pulling off hits, all while dodging suspicion from both the cops and the criminals. The open-world city lets you climb the ranks, build your rep, and control the streets through brutal fights and high-stakes missions.