Unique Crime Games That You Should Try

Over the last few decades, crime games have been very present in gaming. They cover almost every aspect of the illegal world, giving players an insight into many interesting characters who live outside the confines of the law.

Developers like Rockstar Games have played a big part in making such games popular with the gargantuan GTA franchises, and even tales of the Wild West, such as Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2. It's undeniable that the crime genre interests thousands of gamers all over the world, and this likely won't change any time soon. Here are a few unique crime games every gamer should try.

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By  Michael Llewellyn

5 Payday 2

A Solid Sequel To The Original Payday

• More customization options compared to the original Payday.
• 22 different crew members.

Set in Washington two years after the original Payday, the now-famous Payday gang is looking to do another long round of heists. Similar to the original game's mechanics, players can choose to do a heist as one of the 22 crew members and bring up to three other teammates with them.

Unlike its predecessor, Payday 2 offers considerably more customization options in terms of playability and aesthetics. Levels also feel more complex and challenging, and the overall graphics are more polished. Payday 2 offers an in-depth look into the lives of gang members who perform multi-million dollar heists, showing the good, the bad, and the ugly.

4 Mafia: Definitive Edition

The Ultimate Organized Crime Experience

• Includes all games in the Mafia franchise.
• Car chases and shootouts in the middle of 1940s New York City.

When it comes to making great crime games in any era, Take Two and its child companies (Rockstar Games, 2K, and more) always do an excellent job in terms of creating compelling characters, interesting stories, and an overall amazing gaming experience. When the original Mafia first came out way back in 2002, similar games like Grand Theft Auto had already established themselves in the market, catching the attention of thousands of players worldwide.

However, what set Mafia apart was its 1940s New York setting, which is right in the middle of the rise of the most prominent crime families. The game offers players a somewhat accurate insight into what the life of a mafia thug might have been back in the day, incorporating exciting vintage car chases and shootouts.

For players interested in playing the Mafia saga, the best value for their money is Mafia: Definitive Edition, as it includes all Mafia games.

3 Sleeping Dogs

An Exciting Undercover Cop Story

• Different vehicles for transportation.
• Exciting undercover cop story infiltrating a dangerous Chinese triad.

There are many great things about Sleeping Dogs. From the open-world concept to the game's story, players will find it hard to put the controller down and do anything else for the day. Seen from the perspective of Wei Shen, an undercover American-Chinese police officer trying to infiltrate the Sun On Yee Triad, Sleeping Dogs will take players through various side quests, main missions, and other activities in the dark world of organized crime.

Similar to GTA games, Sleeping Dogs will also let players explore the world using numerous vehicles, including boats, cars, and motorcycles, offering complete freedom and fast modes of transportation. Melee combat is also one of the things that make this game great, as it allows players to chain several attacks and perform devastating combos requiring practice and good eye-hand coordination.

2 Yakuza 0

An In-Depth Look Into The Japanese Mafia

• Goro Majima shines as a character.
• Tension between Yakuza factions adds a nice layer of depth to the game's story.

Crime games are always interesting, regardless of the period they're set in. However, as Scarface has proven since the year it was released, there's something special about exploring the nightlife and every aspect of delinquency in the 80s. That's one of the things that makes Yakuza 0 so great. Set in 1988 in Japan, 17 years before the events of the first game, Yakuza 0 follows Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima amid the conflict between numerous Yakuza factions.

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The game has good combat mechanics, an interesting story, and several cutscenes that range between comical and cool. Goro Majima is mostly calm and collected in his actions, choosing brains over brawn as much as possible. Overall, Yakuza 0 is a high point in the franchise, and it sets a high standard for its sequels.

1 L.A. Noire

A Great Detective Story Set In 1940s Los Angeles

• Amazing detective story that will have players questioning every word witnesses say.
• Enticing 1940s post-war setting.

After the end of World War II, veteran and Silver Star recipient, Cole Phelps, returns to Los Angeles to try to live a normal life for a change. He takes a job as a patrol officer for the LAPD, where he solves a complex murder case that earns him the rank of detective. Working alongside his partner Finbarr Galloway in the Homicide department, he rises through the ranks by solving nearly impossible murder cases.

As he moves through the LAPD, Cole is reassigned to Vice, and the events of L.A. Noire keep unfolding to tell a story of drama, betrayal, and a ton of detective work. Players will have to interview suspects, write their anecdotes down, and decide whether to believe them or call them out for lying. All in all, L.A. Noire is one of the greatest detective games of the last decade, and there seem to be no contenders to overshadow it just yet.