Summary
With theMafia Trilogyavailable in its definitive form, it is the perfect time to get into the series and experience the saga at its best. Even though the games are set in an open-world environment, their main focus is telling a character-driven story with shocking twists and a powerful narrative.
In addition to being crime sims, theMafia Trilogyis also a period drama set during the 1930s, the 1940s-50s, and the late 1960s. For veterans of the series looking to dive into another series with a similar setting or characters while they wait for theMafiaremake, this list includes games that fans may love in the meantime.
Updated June 16, 2025, by Michael Llewellyn:The Mafia Trilogy puts players in the shoes of gangsters, but even though they’re villains, the protagonists are complex characters with a sense of honor. They are crime dramas with great stories, and whether one is on the right or wrong side of the law, the Mafia Trilogy offers a unique experience compared to similar action games. Thankfully, several games offer compelling crime stories. This list is updated to include another game with an excellent crime story to immerse oneself in.
A Way Outis a prison escape drama and action-adventure game with excellent split co-op gameplay. The drama is set during the 1970s and captures the cinematography and tone of crime thrillers made during the time, like the prison escape dramaPapillonstarring Steve McQueenand police thrillers likeThe French Connectionstarring Gene Hackman.A Way Outfeatures a lot of exploration and side content with varied mini-games that keep its gameplay from getting stale.
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Daysis a sequel that intensifies the experience with its gritty violence and utilizes third-person cover-and-shoot action. The over-the-shoulder camcorder footage viewpoint enhances the immersion with an artistic flair that has aged well since its launch in 2010. The game was developed by the same team responsible for theHitmanseries and is deemed to be within the same universe, as evidenced by Kane and Lynch’s newspaper report inHitman: Blood Moneyand their cameos inHitman: Absolution.
TheKane & Lynchgames are a lot more linear thanHitman,but they take players on a crime-ridden spree of action and violence from start to finish. After Lynch accidentally kills the daughter of a crime boss, both characters spend their time fleeing Triads and corrupt cops along the streets of Shanghai.Kane & Lynch 2is playable on the Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X.
TheSaints Rowseriesis a tongue-in-cheek take on the open-world crime genre and offers fans ofMafiaandGrand Theft Autoa valid alternative with its slapstick humor and silliness. A game featuring the late Burt Reynolds as the mayor of Steelport, playing himself, is certainly one to try. The gunplay, violence, and hand-to-hand combat are excellent for the genre and there are choice-based decisions that affect the narrative.
Saints Row The Thirdfirst launched in 2011 on the PS3 and Xbox 360, but thanks to the remaster, players get to experience a wonderfully polished experience on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. It features improved textures, lighting, and improvements to the frame rates. The third entry in theSaints Rowseries is one of the best and worth experiencing on modern systems if players want a reprieve from the serious tone of theMafiagames.
Flipping the script and putting the player in the role of one of the good guys isBattlefield: Hardline.This entry takes the war to the streets, and it’s one of the strongest entries in terms of its single-player story in the line of theBattlefieldgames. It was developed by Visceral who is behind terrific single-player experiences withDead Spaceand theGodfathervideo games. The team brought in quality writers like Tom Bissell and Rob Auten to tell a compelling story that shines withHardline.
Battlefield: Hardlineputs the players in the shoes of a Miami cop, Nick Mendoza. Mendoza must deal with various factions of drug dealers, gangsters, mafia, and corruption.Hardline’s episodic nature gives it the feel of an action-packed detective mini-series. Despite launching in 2015,Battlefield: Hardlineis a great-looking title with stunning visuals, animations, and more importantly, an excellent script woven into the action.
Watch Dogs 2drops the somber tone of its predecessor, adding a bigger world, more fun, shenanigans, and a more engaging protagonist in Marcus Holloway. Marcus joins a hacktivist group called DedSec and is determined to bring down a corrupt computing network corporation called Blume and their ctOS, which is used to manipulate and harm its citizens.
As well as a corrupt corporation, DedSec is dealing with San Fran Frisco’s criminal element and gangs, putting an end to drug running, prostitution, and more. There are a lot of activities that help the worldWatch Dogs 2come to life. More importantly, the hacking-based gameplay, stealth, and action are accessible and fun.
If fans ofMafiawant a gangster tale with a supernatural twist, thenThe Darknesshas them covered. It is based on a comic book series of the same name and places players in the shoes of a young mobster named Jackie Estacado who is marked for assassination by his mafia boss Uncle Paulie. During the assassination attempt, a demonic entity called The Darkness manifests from within Jackie’s blood and destroys the mobsters.
It’s a revenge story where Jackie uses his new powers to take down Paulie’s criminal empire, piece by piece. The Darkness is a first-person shooter with a super-powered twist and a grippingly dark story with outstanding performances from the A-Team’s Dwight Schultz hamming it up as Paulie, Faith No More’s Mike Patton voicing The Darkness, and The Fringe’s Kirk Acevedo as Jackie.
Hotlines Miamiis a retro-styled top-down shooter with a cleverly told and surreal story where the players are tasked with destroying the Russian Mafia. The story is unique, strange, and one of the most original and visceral in gaming. Equally visceral is the combat and expertly crafted levels that keep the action moving without getting stale.
Fans of theMafiaseries will love the mature narrative and its throwback visuals reminiscent of the classicGTAgames on the PlayStation.Hotline Miamichallenges players to question their motives and offers depth beyond the dialogue. It’s a rich experience that crime fans will love.
TheYakuzaseries features several times on this list. However, fans ofMafiashould start with theYakuza 0.Its story is set in the 1980s and stars series lead Kiryu in his early days as a junior member of the Tojo Clan.Yakuza 0also features Kiryu’s rival,Goro Majima, as a secondary protagonist as he tries to come to terms with being ousted from the Tojo and plans to find his way back in.
There is a complex narrative with betrayals, friendships, and scheming between the various families embroiled within the Tojo. However, the serious tone and drama are offset by some of the most humourous and worthwhile side content seen in an open-world crime sim. Of course, the quests are optional, but the streets of Kamurocho and Sotenbori come to life with their fantastic cast of characters.
24Narcos: Rise Of The Cartel
XCOM-Style Strategy Game Based On The Narcos TV Show
Narcos: Rise of the Cartelis a tactical strategy game similar to theXCOMseries. It is based on the true-life Netflix crime dramaNarcos,which focuses on the drug baron Pablo Escobar. It isn’t as complex or challenging as theXCOMseries, but the gameplay is fun and stays faithful to the source material.
Players can take on the role of a Cartel or try taking them down as the DEA. It is an enjoyably low-budget strategy game, but it’s better played on the PC, as the controls for consoles feel like an afterthought.
23The Godfather 2
Crime Drama Set Alongside The Events Of Iconic Film
Like the first title,The Godfather 2video game features a story that intertwines with the films. Although it does take some liberties here and there with the plot,The Godfather 2is a solid mobster game where the main character is responsible for taking down rival families and running an extortion business.
The game features tactical missions called Crime Rings, which focuses on taking over criminal enterprises to strengthen the protagonist’s gang members. The tactical mechanics are arguably better thanThe Godfather 2’scentral story mode. Moreover, the setting and themes are similar to theMafia Trilogy,making it a worthwhile entry for fans.
