Grand Theft Auto 3 

Rockstar made a big splash in the gaming industry with Grand Theft Auto 3. Thanks to the addition of a new dimension, Grand Theft Auto 3 let players loose into a virtual world that was unlike anything they had seen before. Between a great open-world and fun gameplay mechanics, Grand Theft Auto 3 tells a gangster story complete with all the betrayals and plot twists that one would expect from a story of this ilk. It has definitely aged a bit by modern standards, but there’s still a distinct charm to its world and gameplay that makes it enjoyable to this date.

Mafia Definitive Edition 

2020’s Mafia Definitive Edition soups the 2002 original with a complete reimagining of its visuals from the ground up. It tells the same story through a new lens and features the same complex characters and emotional development arcs that made us fall in love with it all in the first place. Mafia: Definitive Edition is an emotional tale of Tommy Angelo’s journey of rising through the ranks of criminal families, and the action sequences are extremely captivating which will keep you engaged for hours upon hours. 

The Warriors

Based on the 1979 film, The Warriors stands apart from the crowd of other Rockstar-developed open-worlds. And the biggest reason for that is its impressive hand-to-hand combat system that enables player expression, which is quite different from the ranged combat system that we see in games like Grand Theft Auto or Red Dead Redemption. The story also does a great job of showcasing the rivalry between gangs, and the characters are also quite memorable. It might not hold up visually, but The Warriors is definitely worth playing even after all these years.

The Getaway

It’s possible that many wouldn’t know about The Getaway, which is a shame considering it was one of the pioneers of cinematic action experiences of its time. Set against the backdrop of London, The Getaway tells a story of two characters trying to pull off dangerous heists and make it out alive against all odds. With cutting-edge animations and visuals, The Getaway is definitely one of the most impressive games on the PS2 – and it remains a must-play for anyone wanting to experience a good gangster story. 

50 Cent: Bulletproof

50 Cent: Bullet Proof is a third-person action game where the players are put in the shoes of popular rapper 50 Cent as he gets caught up in a criminal drama, and players are left to their devices to solve the mystery surrounding it all. The gameplay can be pretty clunky with aiming that’s not quite as accurate as one would like, but a soundtrack composed of 50 Cent tracks along with some remixes and instrumentals brings a fun vibe to this straightforward shooter game. It’s definitely not a perfect game by any means, but it has a distinct charm to it which makes it worth trying out.

Yakuza 0 

Ryu Ga Gotuko’s Yakuza series is most known for its densely packed open worlds, but equal attention also needs to be shed on its ability to tell surprisingly emotional stories within that format. Yakuza 0 is the first canonical game in the Kiryu saga, which makes it the perfect starting point for fans not used to the franchise. What makes Yakuza 0 so special is its ability to effortlessly switch between emotionally charged scenes and extremely eccentric moments unnoticed, and such instances can be found in abundance throughout its 20 to 30 hour run. 

True Crime: Streets of LA

Released in 2003, True Crime: Streets of LA tried to replicate the elements of Grand Theft Auto – but failed to capture the essence of what made it all so special in the first place. That being said, True Crime does manage to impress in certain aspects including but not limited to a story that changes based on your decisions and a different approach to humor in its writing. Add to that plenty of side activities, and True Crime: Streets of LA becomes a fairly fun time.

Sleeping Dogs 

United Front Games’ Sleeping Dogs might feel like a GTA clone at first glance, but when you look past that initial facade – you will notice that it’s so much more than that. As an undercover cop Wei Shen, you take up the task of bringing down the Sun On Yee gang by infiltrating them from the inside. The story juggles between the two factions, and there are plenty of interesting missions peppered throughout its world that will keep you playing right through to the end.

Mafia 2

Mafia 2 is an excellent sequel that builds upon what came before in new and interesting ways. The story related to Vito Scaletta is chock full of surprises, and the ever-shifting loyalty of important characters will keep you hooked to the edge of your seat at all times. The gameplay variety has also been improved, and while there isn’t much to do outside of sightseeing in the open world, it remains an extremely engaging experience nevertheless. 

Grand Theft Auto 5

It’s safe to say that Grand Theft Auto 5 has transcended from just a regular open-world game to a cultural behemoth, and that’s all thanks to the well-realized open-world of Los Santos. It’s well and truly a playground of possibilities, and while a lot of fun comes from just exploring its sunny beaches and lush forests – you also get a really great story about an unlikely alliance of criminals. In addition to the intriguing story of Michael, Franklin and Trevor, something that one would expect from the series, Grand Theft Auto 5 features a vast assortment of memorable heist missions with set pieces galore.

Watch_Dogs 1

While Watch Dogs was subject to plenty of controversy when it was released in 2013, it’s undeniable that it manages to do more things right than wrong. The hacking mechanics are a perfect fit for the pseudo-stealth gameplay on offer, which adds an extra layer of flexibility to the combat mechanics. Its story about exacting revenge might not be directly related to gangsters, but you will find plenty of fellow hackers that run organized crimes throughout the city to give the same shades of action as other games on this list.

Saints Row The Third 

Saints Row the Third takes place in the neon-lit city of SteelPort as they embark on an over-the-top comical adventure that stays true to its roots. The story takes you on an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride that’s full of violence, bloodshed, and obscenity. The gameplay revolves around taking part in different kinds of missions and navigating the city’s underworld which is composed of different gangs and their rivalries. But what makes Saints Row the Third so special is that it doesn’t take itself seriously, which helps it stand out against the rest of its contemporaries. 

Scarface

Games that are inspired from movies tend to have a bad reputation for not standing up to player expectations, but Scarface has proven the naysayers wrong. Directly taking inspiration from the Grand Theft Auto series, Scarface presents a similar open world experience as its contemporaries, and while it doesn’t quite match the level of its aspirations, it definitely has its own charm regardless. The missions do an excellent job of recreating iconic scenes from the movie, but it also introduces a new ending to mix the pot up. It’s not without its quirks, but Scarface does provide a movie-like gangster experience and remains a must-play for people who crave action.

Driver: Parallel Lines

Driver: Parallel Lines thrusts you in the shoes of TK, a driving virtuoso who works for crime lords all while trying to make it big in a city that’s home to all sorts of shady organizations and shoddy activities. Driver: Parallel Lines meshes elements of GTA with Need for Speed, letting you blaze through an open world map filled with different kinds of side activities and points of interest. With its impressive camerawork and realistic car handling, Driver: Parallel Lines is a unique game for open-world fans who are craving to view the world of gangsters from a different angle. While the game might not be a big improvement over prior entries in the franchise, it is still a fun game for people who want to enjoy mafia games.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 tells a very unconventional gangster story. Instead of telling a tale of conquering the world, it shows the gradual descent of the Van Der Linde gang as they try to find their place in a rapidly changing America. Between an excellent cast of well-written characters that will stay with you long after the credits roll to plenty of exciting missions throughout its dozens of hours long story, Red Dead Redemption 2 is one game that’s just unmissable for anyone interested in such experiences.

Grand Theft Auto 5

The latest entry in Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto has become the most profitable entertainment product of all time, and that achievement can be credited to the sheer amount of fun that anyone can have within the confines of Los Santos. Take up high-stake heists, blow stuff up, meet strangers, participate in sports or racing, or do all that and a whole lot more with other people in the ever-evolving GTA Online. It’s a game that’s brimming with possibilities, and it’s no surprise that it has remained one of the hottest games around despite being almost a decade old.

Please note that these prices are US region prices sourced from Steam, and other geographical locations would obviously have different prices.

With that out of the way, let’s begin:

Just Cause 3

Avalanche Software’s Just Cause series is a literal playground of carnage and destruction, and Just Cause 3 is no different. Set against the island of Solis, players assume the role of series protagonist Rico Rodrigues as he takes on a bunch of high-stakes missions all across the map. With notable additions like weather calamities, Just Cause 3 is a worthy sequel deserving of any fan’s attention. It’s available for $20 on Steam – complete with all DLC and bonus content.

GRAND THEFT AUTO 5

Let’s start off with the biggest, most popular sandbox game there is, shall we? Sure, GTA 5 has a massive campaign to go through, and finely crafted missions to experience, but the real star of the show is the open world sandbox. We’ve spent countless dozens of hours wreaking havoc all around the map, messing with the NPCs, and trying out new things just for the heck of it. You can spend hours upon hours just enjoying the open world of GTA 5 without ever even touching the main story- that’s the mark of a truly great sandbox game.

]]> https://gamingbolt.com/15-best-sandbox-games-you-need-to-play/feed 0 445351 https://gamingbolt.com/15-best-heist-missions-in-video-games https://gamingbolt.com/15-best-heist-missions-in-video-games#respond Wed, 17 Jun 2020 19:36:45 +0000 https://gamingbolt.com/?p=444509 Almost everyone loves a good heist. The planning, the absurd montages, the team dynamics, the execution, a crazy twist or two – there’s something inherently enjoyable about the whole deal. Heists in video games are no different and whether it’s alone or with a crew, there are plenty of thrilling crimes to commit. Here are15 of the best heist missions in video games.

The Bank Job – Dishonored: Death of the Outsider

One of the best missions in the game by a country mile, The Bank Job sees Billie Lurk sneaking into the Dolores Michaels Deposit & Loan Bank to retrieve the Twin-bladed Knife. Entry points include via the roof (and some laudanum), through the sewers or by trash disposal. There are multiple ways to access the vault, like releasing the brakes and causing it to crash all the way down the sewers which also conveniently acts as an escape route. It’s ingenuous and a pinnacle of immersive sim gameplay.

While the Grand Theft Auto series decided to go in a more serious, cinematic style and strip away a lot of its goofiness and camp, the Saints Row series went the opposite direction, going full on into pure nonsensical fun. The franchise has been absent this gen, but it seems we’ll get to revisit it soon with a remastered version of the third game.

A listing for Saints Row The Third Remastered popped up via the ESRB ratings website for the PS4, Xbox One and PC. The rating is pretty identical to what you would expect from a re-release of the title. No details on what kind of enhancements we could see or what the package will include here, but you probably have a good idea of what to expect.

While there hasn’t been a new Saints Row in quite some time, the third and fourth games were re-released on the Switch recently, and it’s been said a new entry will be showcased in 2020, though we have yet to see that. Well, we’ll keep you updated on when the Saints will get a chance to ride again.

The Saints Row franchise is coming to a Nintendo console for the first time when Saints Row The Third: The Full Package launches on the Switch later this month. The game’s publisher, Deep Silver, has been releasing trailers to highlight the game with “Memorable Moments.” Last week, we got a look at a great plane escape with aerial combat, and this week, we get a look at Professor Genki’s Super Ethical Reality Climax.

As you can see from the trailer below, your player character is in a death game where he must shoot his way through a host of novelty mascots to a big prize (just be careful not to shoot the panda). The trailer highlights the game’s shooting mechanics and some of the melee action. It also shows you what kind of humor the game has, as you listen to the announcer’s strange narration on the action.

Saints Row The Third: The Full Package comes to the Switch May 10th, and includes the original title and all the DLC released for it.

The Saints Row franchise is finally coming to a Nintendo system this month with Saints Row The Third: The Full Package. The franchise takes the old school, tongue in cheek satire of older Grand Theft Auto games and turns it up to 11, and will hit the Switch later this month. We got a trailer earlier for the title, giving us an idea of what the game will look like on the Nintendo platform. A second one, titled “Memorable Moments – Free Falling,” released recently as well.

As the name implies, the trailer highlights a section of the game where your character is kidnapped on a plane, breaks free, and then makes a wild escape that includes free falling down to Earth. It shows off some of the combat, particularly shootouts you can have while plummeting to your potential death, and gives you an idea of the hammy tone and dialogue the games have become known for.

Saints Row The Third: The Full Package comes to the Switch May 10^th and includes the original title and all the DLC released.

Saints Row: The Third, arguably the best game in Volition’s extremely over the top open world crime action series, is coming to the Nintendo Switch next month, and now we know what the Switch version of the game will look like. The first trailer for the game is available now, which you can see for yourself below, and it shows all the kind of action and mayhem that made this game, and this series in general, so beloved to begin with.

Saints Row: The Third: The Full Package will launch on the Switch with the base game and all the DLC. A Deluxe Pack for the title will also be available, which includes thumbstick grips, a poster, stickers for your console, and more. You can look at this edition for yourself below.

With Grand Theft Auto still not existing on the Switch for now (maybe ever), Saints Row will fill a void of crime capering on the hybrid console when it launches on May 10.

We already knew that Deep Silver would be bringing Saints Row: The Third, the most beloved game in Volition’s wacky and over the top open world action series, to the Nintendo Switch this year (though it still feels no less random now than it did back when the announcement was originally made). Now, we have an actual date on hand, which is different from the March date that was originally announced.

Deep Silver confirmed today on their Twitter account that Saints Row: The Third – The Full Package, which will include all the DLC and post-launch content included in it from the get go, will launch on the Nintendo Switch on May 10.

If you remember, the Nintendo 3DS was originally announced with a Saints Row title slated as coming to it. That never materialized, so the promise of portable Saints Row has remain unfulfilled for all these years. It’s fitting that its successor gets to fulfil it at last.

Saints Row: The Third is out now on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Are you ready to head back to the City of Steelport? Saints Row: The Third – The Full Package will launch on #NintendoSwitch 10 May 2019.#SaintsRow pic.twitter.com/MI0zgEpVoM

— Deep Silver UK (@DeepSilverUK) February 25, 2019