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Since their inception, Best Crime video games have never failed to deliver on their promise of providing players with life-changing adventures that would otherwise be physically or mentally impossible. It should come as no surprise that criminal simulation games have an oddly captivating allure. Even though we don’t like to admit it, we are often captivated by the underworld, just like we are by the criminals portrayed in popular media such as movies, books, and television shows.
However, there are limitations to the content that may be provided by other types of media. We are able to watch characters like Tony Soprano and Henry Hill live out the life that we find intriguing, but we are required to control our more sinister impulses to fully engage in that life. The answer to this problem can be found in violent video games.
They provide us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the exciting world of crime without having to deal with the potentially damaging repercussions or uncomfortable moral conundrums that come along with it. The thrills and excitement of a life of crime can be ours to experience thanks to these games, but we won’t have to face the consequences in real life. Despite the fact that many of the most engaging criminal games force us to confront the results of our decisions in their own individual ways.
Best Crime Video Games Comparison Table
Video games tell so many great stories, and many of the best ones put us in the shoes of people we could never be. We have games for both young children and older people. Whether you want a game with a main character who lives a life of crime or one whose goal is to solve a case, we have you covered.With these great games, you’ll get to know the criminal underworld.
| Product | Genre | Open World | Detective Gameplay | Multiplayer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver: San Francisco | Racing/Action | Yes | No | Yes |
| Condemned: Criminal Origins | Psychological Horror | No | No | No |
| L.A. Noire | Action/Adventure | Yes | Yes | No |
| The Warriors | Action/Beat ’em up | Yes | No | No |
| Grand Theft Auto 5 | Action/Adventure | Yes | No | Yes |
Condemned: Criminal Origins
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Unique “Shift” Mechanic | Ability to instantly switch between different cars and drivers. |
| Open-World Exploration | Explore a detailed recreation of San Francisco. |
| Story-Driven Campaign | Engage in a thrilling narrative as an undercover detective. |
| Wide Variety of Vehicles | Drive a diverse selection of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. |
| Multiplayer Modes | Compete with friends or team up in various multiplayer modes. |
A lot of games with cops and thieves are open-world games where players can stop crimes (or commit them) anywhere they want. Condemned is one of the best “crime” games out there, even though you probably don’t think of survival horror games when you think of video game cops and crooks.
In Condemned: Criminal Origins, the player takes control of Ethan Thomas, a police officer who is looking for Serial Killer X. When Serial Killer X frames Ethan for murder, this standard set-up takes a sharp turn to the left. Players go on a tour of a city that is being eaten alive by a small army of crooks as the chase goes on.
The Good
- Innovative “Shift” mechanic adds a unique gameplay element.
- Expansive open-world environment to explore.
- Gripping story-driven campaign.
- Wide range of vehicles to experience.
The Bad
- Limited customization options for vehicles.
- Online multiplayer community may be less active.
Driver: San Francisco
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Psychological Thriller | Immerse yourself in a dark and intense crime thriller. |
| First-Person Perspective | Experience the game through the eyes of the protagonist. |
| Crime Scene Investigations | Analyze evidence and solve mysteries using forensic tools. |
| Intense Combat | Engage in visceral and brutal hand-to-hand combat. |
| Atmospheric Setting | Explore atmospheric and eerie environments. |
The first Driver game was a great cops and robbers game for the PS1. However, as the crime genre changed after GTA 3, the Driver series had trouble keeping up. So, some of you might not know that Driver: San Francisco, which came out in 2011, is one of the most fun crime games ever made.
This really weird game is based on the interesting idea that the main character, an undercover cop, has fallen into a coma and can now take over other drivers’ bodies. Not only does this gimmick make it easy for you to move around the city and switch cars, but it also lets you peek into the lives of some very strange side characters.
The Good
- Gripping psychological thriller storyline.
- Immersive first-person perspective enhances the intensity.
- Unique focus on crime scene investigations.
- Intense and satisfying hand-to-hand combat mechanics.
The Bad
- Relatively short gameplay duration.
- Limited variety in gameplay mechanics.
L.A. Noire
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Noir Detective Story | Solve crimes and unravel a captivating noir narrative. |
| Investigative Gameplay | Search for clues, interview suspects, and make tough decisions. |
| Facial Animation Technology | Realistic facial expressions for enhanced character interaction. |
| Open-World Los Angeles | Explore a detailed and immersive 1940s Los Angeles setting. |
| Branching Storylines | Choices and actions impact the outcome of the game. |
Rockstar Games has written an enormous love letter to the film noir genre with their game L.A. Noire. It’s a massive game that immerses the player in a universe that feels like it was created in the 1980s. You’ll fall in love with L.A. Noire for a variety of reasons, including its story, its missions, and the sheer number of possibilities it gives you when it comes to choosing choices.
Despite the fact that the game actually has something to say, it is delivered in a flawless packaging that serves as a potent conclusion of Rockstar’s earlier work. In spite of the enormous size of the game, it was recently adapted for use on the Nintendo Switch, making it possible for an entirely new audience to appreciate the game’s gloomy narrative and engaging gameplay.
The Good
- Engaging and immersive noir detective story.
- Unique and intriguing investigative gameplay mechanics.
- Impressive facial animation technology adds realism to character interactions.
- Richly detailed open-world recreation of 1940s Los Angeles.
The Bad
- Some players may find the pacing slow at times.
- Driving mechanics may feel clunky for some players.
The Warriors
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Action-Packed Brawler | Engage in intense and brutal hand-to-hand combat. |
| Based on the Movie | Experience the story and characters from the cult film. |
| Gang Warfare | Conquer rival gangs and claim territories in New York City. |
| Co-op Multiplayer | Team up with a friend in cooperative gameplay. |
| Film Noir Style | Stylish visuals and atmosphere inspired by film noir aesthetics. |
The production of video games that are based on movies is almost always a high-risk endeavor, but the circumstances surrounding The Warriors are not at all usual. The video game developed by Rockstar Games transports players back in time to the evocative film from the 1970s and makes extensive use of the property.
The passion that the creators have for the movie is what inspired them to create this game more than anything else. Although, at its core, it’s just a hectic beat-em-up game, the way in which it expands on the film’s universe and throws such oddball characters at the audience, making it a surprisingly engaging title that’s easy to overlook.
The Good
- Exciting and fast-paced brawler gameplay.
- Faithful adaptation of the cult movie.
- Gang warfare mechanics add depth and strategic elements.
- Co-op multiplayer for shared experiences with a friend.
- Unique film noir-inspired visuals and style.
The Bad
- Relatively short campaign duration.
- Limited variety in combat moves and techniques.
Grand Theft Auto 5
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Massive Open World | Explore the vast and dynamic world of Los Santos and Blaine County. |
| Multi-Character Gameplay | Switch between three protagonists with unique abilities. |
| Engaging Storyline | Experience a compelling narrative filled with memorable characters. |
| Wide Range of Activities | Engage in heists, races, missions, and various side activities. |
| Online Multiplayer | Join a persistent online world with multiplayer modes and events |
GTA 5 is one of the best open-world games of all time, a character-driven drama, a black comedy, a send-up of the world we lived in back in 2013, and one of the most popular games-as-a-service titles out there today.
Its single-player mode lets you play as wide-eyed Franklin, washed-up criminal Michael, and truly unstable manipulative Trevor as they fight the police in the huge Los Santos county. When the story is done, there is a huge open world to explore and GTA V cheats to use to do as much damage as possible.
The Good
- Enormous and highly detailed open-world environment.
- Innovative multi-character gameplay adds depth and variety.
- Gripping and well-crafted storyline with memorable characters.
- Diverse range of activities and missions for hours of gameplay.
The Bad
- Initial loading times can be lengthy, especially in the online mode.
- Occasional technical issues and performance hiccups.
Questions and Answers
Even though crime games are usually violent because they are about crime, not all crime games are violent. Some games focus on stealth, tactics, or being a detective, which lets players solve problems without killing or hurting anyone.
Yes, a lot of crime-themed video games have multiplayer settings where players can play together or against each other. Some games even have special online modes that are all about crimes or police work.
Yes, crime video games often have a lot to do with stories. Games like the Grand Theft Auto series, the Mafia series, and L.A. Noire have interesting stories with well-developed characters, twists in the plot, and other parts of cinematic storytelling.