Crime is a popular theme in video games and fiction in general, perhaps because of its inherent conflict. Games that feature heavy amounts of criminal activity in their gameplay, such as Grand Theft Auto, have proven to be particularly popular.
Many crime-themed games also put players on the side of law enforcement, which provides players with a different experience altogether. Indie games such as Shadows Of Doubt are great examples of crime-themed indie games that put players in the shoes of the law. However, there are a variety of indie crime games that put players in the role of the criminal. While some of these games are light-hearted and/or casual experiences, many of them do little to hide the brutal violence often associated with crime.
5 Turnip Boy Robs A Bank
A Cute And Colorful Rogue-Lite Heist
Turnip Boy Robs a Bank
This sequel to Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is a tremendously fun and light-hearted game that ports the series into a rogue-lite structure. Because of this new structure, Turnip Boy Robs A Bank has a much stronger focus on action than its predecessor. The gameplay loop of Turnip Boy Robs A Bank is, as its title suggests, centered around breaking into and robbing a large bank. This involves stealing as much money as possible while battling off a variety of enemies in a top-down shooter style.
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Turnip Boy Robs A Bank is far from the gritty, grungy experience that players may expect from a crime-themed game. However, it could be argued that this is what makes it such a refreshing experience. All in all, the combination of a cute and colorful art style with a unique blend of humor and a surprising crime theme makes Snoozy Kazoo's Turnip Boy a fun and easy-going game.
4 Thief Simulator
A Specific Experience That Delivers On Its Premise
- Platform(s): PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
- Released: 2018
- Developer(s): Noble Muffins
- Genre: Simulation
Thief Simulator essentially does exactly what it says on the tin, providing players with a specific experience that does very little else. This isn't a bad thing, however, as Thief Simulator does a great job of delivering on its relatively simple premise. It does this through a variety of simulated mechanics, an array of tools, and sandbox elements that give it a little extra replay value.
However, Thief Simulator is a relatively uneven experience that's unfortunately a little rough around the edges. Regardless of this, though, players looking for an intense crime game that focuses on stealth rather than combat should still get a kick out of Thief Simulator.
3 Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine
Stylish And Chaotic Top-Down Heisting With Friends
Monaco: What's Yours is Mine
This stylish top-down stealth game tasks players with pulling off a variety of heists either alone or with a handful of friends. The game features stylized lighting and shadows that sometimes make the game less readable, but do a great job of limiting the visibility of players in order to increase tension. Although Monaco can be played in single-player, it's arguably more chaotic (and more fun) when played in online co-op with a handful of friends.
Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine features a variety of playable classes that improve the game's replay value and add a layer of strategy to the overall experience. In total, Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine features eight unique classes that spice up the gameplay in different ways, allowing each player to fulfill their own role in each heist.
2 Intravenous
A Gritty Action-Stealth Revenge Story
- Platform(s): PC
- Released: 2021
- Developer(s): Explosive Squat Games
- Genre: Stealth
This top-down action-stealth game plays like a combination of Hotline Miami and old-school Splinter Cell. Intravenous also features intelligent AI opponents and a gritty story and tone, allowing it to stand out from its influences. The game takes place predominantly in the criminal underworld, and puts players in the shoes of a vigilante on a murderous spree, seeking revenge for the killing of his brother.
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While the plot is fairly cliche, and not everyone will get along with it, the gameplay of Intravenous is both well-crafted and consistently engaging. The aforementioned AI opponents are a key factor in the fun of Intravenous, and they often prevent the player from brute-forcing each encounter. However, Intravenous is primarily a slow-burning stealth game, and gameplay is often methodical, so players who prefer a more action-packed experience may want to look elsewhere.
1 Hotline Miami
A Brutal Killing Spree With The Player At The Helm
Hotline Miami
- Released
- October 23, 2012
- Developer(s)
- Dennaton Games
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Android, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
Hotline Miami is an iconic top-down shooter published by Devolver Digital. The game is best known for its vibrant pixel-art visuals, brutally violent gameplay, and thumping vaporwave soundtrack. The player's activities throughout Hotline Miami are consistently dubious, with the game's narrative being fed to the player through small and often vague breadcrumbs. The plot of this hyper-violent title is centered around Jacket, who sets off on a brutal killing spree with the player behind the wheel.
This at-times uncomfortable level of criminal violence blends perfectly with the game's visuals, sound, and narrative, providing a massively synergistic experience. It's this synergy that arguably makes Hotline Miami so timeless, and the game is still worth playing through even today. The game also has a sequel in the form of Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, though it's arguably not quite as memorable as the first game.
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