(gaming music)
- [Narrator] As far back as I can remember, I always
wanted to be a gangster. Well, at least in video game forms. Today, we're taking a look
back at 10 of the best gangster or gangster adjacent games
in the last five years. There have been plenty of
gangster games across time, but we're narrowing it
down to more recent. Like I said, within the last five years. But we got 10 to talk about, so let's get started off with number 10 and talk about "Like a Dragon:
Infinite Wealth," from 2024. Here's the thing. Is "Infinite Wealth"
actually a gangster game? It's complicated. No, I mean, your main man
Kasuga is a former Yakuza, sure, but there's very little actual
gangster stuff in this game. It's really more of a weird
modern day RPG adventure. That's not to say that
there aren't some good gangster elements in there though. I mean, the opening, for
example, this whole flashback to a gangland killing is the
most La Cosa Nostra thing in the entire Yakuza slash
"Like A Dragon" series. And one of the many enemy
factions you face off against in this Hawaiian adventure is
a gang called the Barracudas, who are by far the most
gangster-ish organization to appear in Antioch as a game. Their boss, Dwight, is played by the always great Danny Trejo and he's an amazing adversary. And one of the rare times this
series employed a celebrity voice actor, well, an
American one at least. They do this all the time
with Japanese actors, but here they nailed it. The Barracuda's entire
secret underground compound that's also a mall for some
reason is completely absurd. But these guys are some
of the most violent and dangerous enemies seen in the series, which is novel if nothing else. So yeah, good gangster stuff in here, but not really a gangster game. (energetic music) - [Character] Let's go, let's go. Got ya now! (character groaning in pain) - [Character] Here we go. - [Narrator] Expect to see
that a lot on this list because unfortunately the actual selection for real gangster games has
been slim in the last few years. Still there are some noteworthy
things we still think "Like a Dragon" is worth highlighting. So, let's move on to number nine. We're gonna talk about
"Red Dead Redemption 2". The the five year cutoff is close, but screw it, the game came
out October 26th, 2018, so the game isn't quite six
years old, so it counts. You know what can you
tell that we're a little desperate for this list? Yes, the western epic is
another real borderline choice, but it's got a place on
this list just for the fact that there is an entire chapter
of the game where you deal with honest to God mobsters. After fleeing the Bayou,
you're forced to deal with the mob boss, Angelo Bronte, who's got John's son under his protection. The entire (speaking foreign language) section of the game is
a real culture shock and one of our personal
favorite sections just because of how completely different it is from the rest of the game. Instead of like pastoral wilderness and outlaw shenanigans, this part of the game has you embroiled
in real criminal conspiracies. You're constantly in over your head, you're not sure what's
going on or who to trust, and it's clear from the
moment you come into the city that you and the gang are
kind of out of your element. It turns this western into
something else entirely for a few hours and it's great. I mean, hell, for most people, just being in a city in a
game like this feels wrong and Rockstar does a good job
really leaning into the fish out of water aspect of the
story up to this point. And technically I can argue that this is just a
gangster game completely because you are a member
of a gang, "Dutchess Gang", but I know nobody really thinks of like train robbery when
they think of gangsters, usually you know, aside from that one San Andreas submission. Either way, normally we wouldn't
say that the game counts for something like this, but
at least it's got a pretty major character who is by all definitions, a capital G gangster. Next, over at number eight, we
have the Hong Kong massacre, A game from 2019. This list is gonna go in some
odd directions, so just try and follow us here. In this "Hotline Miami"
inspired action game, you play as a former cop
going on a revenge rampage against the ruling gang. (upbeat music)
(guns fire) It's literally the game that inspired the overhead
action scene in "John Wick 4". And this game is almost
as awesome as that. It's a John Woo movie scene from above, or a simplified version of "Max Pain". You could slow down time, shoot dodge, all the stuff you'd expect,
and it's absolutely chaotic and crazy when things really go all out. This is a short game that
doesn't have the depth or challenge of something
like "Hotline Miami". But as a fun little diversion, it's a pretty great gangster blaster. Next, over at number seven, we
have the 2021 game, "Adios". Now this is another oddball pick, but this is a good
narrative adventure game. In it, you play as a pig
farmer who assists the mafia by quote unquote "removing bodies" and you end up wanting out. The only problem is that you're dealing with the real hardcore, like you know, no one leaves the organization
alive type of mobsters. So they send a hitman over to your house. The entire game takes place
over your last day on earth and is more of a rumination
on death than, you know, some kind of exciting crime adventure. But it's such an interesting
twist on the usual mafia tropes that it deserves a spot on this list. There is no action or really
any game mechanics at all. You just play through these scenes and talk to your hitman
until the game ends. And while you do get
a few choices to make, the actual outcome is never in question. You're gonna get killed,
you're gonna get whacked. It's only about 90 minutes
long, but the writing is solid and the ideas are interesting. It's a game that like was stuck in our head ever since we played it. And while we do think it
could have explored some of the ideas better or longer, it's still a unique experience that you might not regret playing. - [Character] Most people
have, I don't know, chickens and cows. You got goats. - Hmm. - [Character] Is that judgment I hear? - No judgment, no. Just wondering, why goats? Goat milk, eh, can't
be much profit in that. - [Character] There's enough. Besides, I had you.
- Have, you still have. - Character] As I've said,
I'm no longer interested in that particular revenue stream. - [Narrator] Now next over at number six, we have "Empire of Sin". This 2020 tactical strategy
game is about as gangster as a game as it gets. In it, you pick from a variety of real and fictional prohibition era gangsters, and from there you
build up your territory, you fight rival gangs, you
buy up businesses to use as fronts for all your illegal activities, you smuggle booze across the border, it's got all that stuff. If you're like into "Boardwalk
Empire", this is kind of like a mini "Boardwalk
Empire" simulator. You battle it out for control
of territory in these kind of Excom like missions. And while this game is
overall not nearly as good as the recent Excom games, it's still a pretty
entertaining strategy game, even if it doesn't have too much depth. You know, it's unfortunately kind of buggy and it doesn't really have
too much support these days from the developers. But even with all that said,
it's not the worst game and it does have some cool ideas. I was looking forward to this one way before it was officially released and it didn't quite
live up to expectations, but you know it's somewhere in between 'cause if you can get this one cheap then it's a pretty fun little game. You know, we're always there
for a game with a mafia theme. Even the middling ones. "Empire of Sin" has a lot of problems, but overall can't help
but be positive about it. It's just such a good idea for a game. (smooth music)
(guns fire) Next, over at number five, we have 2018's "Guns, Gore and Cannoli 2". This is another borderline
entry on this list, but come on. I mean with a title like that, it's gotta get a look in here, this side scrolling, shoot 'em up. It is like a gangster themed metal slug, and it's just as crazy as that sounds. This sequel takes the over the
top action of the first game and actually transplants
it into World War II. Now, your gangster's fighting Nazis and it's even more ridiculous than before. This game is just a joy to
play, especially with a friend. And while it's not the best looking game, the visuals do work well with all the mayhem happening on screen. This is a fun and somewhat overlooked game that deserves some extra attention. It's not the best 2D
shooter of the generation or anything like that,
but it's still a fun time. - I hope you have dental insurance. (guns fire)
(bombs explode) (characters groan in pain) - [Narrator] Now, over at number four, we have the "Grand Theft Auto
Trilogy Definitive Edition". Alright, this 2022 definitive
edition remaster thing of the GTA 3 trilogy
is obviously not great. We've gone into great lengths
many times in the past about how this release just
did not get the love from Rockstar it needed. It was really undercooked and messy. Now, in 2024, at least many of the most infamous
issues have been fixed. You know, the games are perfectly playable for the most part. Sure, they're missing a
lot of music, features and effects of the original games, but in a pinch, they're
still the same classic games. Technically, I would tell you to just go play the original versions, but considering we're talking
about games from the last five years, we're cheating a little bit. The important thing to take
away here is that GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas are some of the most groundbreaking
open world games ever and still hold up well. Sure, the new definitive
edition graphics are pretty cartoonish and sometimes
ugly with the choices, but they basically hold
up, okay, if you're willing to look past them or if you've never even seen the original games. Now, if there's one game in the
trilogy that really holds up as a gangster game, it's "Vice City". You know, Tommy Verceti is
an agent of the Italian mob, and your main goal through
most of the game is to literally become the
new kingpin of Vice City by buying up properties and
eliminating enemy gangs. It's the closest thing to a gangster simulation you're
going to get in these games outside of, you know, the
gang wars from San Andreas or the PSP games, I digress. The first section of San Andreas, you play as a very different kind of gangster, but it's all good stuff and is the most grounded
part of the game by far. The further you get from Los Santos, the wackier San Andreas gets, but the game always has
that gangster edge to it that keeps things interesting. However, you experience these
games, from gangster antics to actually dealing with the
mob specifically a lot in 3 and Vice City, these games are just worth experiencing one way or the other. That's long story short. Now, next at number three,
we have "City of Gangsters" from 2021. You know, most gangster games
are all about getting into shootouts and violence, but this one takes a
more strategic approach to the whole material. This turn-based strategy game is set during Prohibition-era Chicago and is more about managing
supply chains than getting into violent gun battles. I'm serious about that. Your main goal here is establishing and creating efficient supply chains. It's closer to something like
a railroad tycoon than other high level strategic simulators,
which might sound kind of boring, but for the right
person, there's actually a lot to like here. For a game with kind of basic visuals too, just the theming is
still really strong here, and while the far away angle
might make things seem pretty dry, there are some
crusaders kings like NPCs who will hold grudges or become your best friend,
depending on what you do and how you treat them. So sure there's some tedium
to all the deliveries you have to micromanage at first. But things do get more interesting and the many, many DLCs this
game has gotten over the years really flesh out the gameplay
systems significantly. We never said that being a
gangster was all fun and murder. Sometimes there's paperwork
and supply management, too. (smooth jazz music) Now, in number two, we have
"Like a Dragon Guide In, the Man who Erased his Name". Yes, another Yakuza game. You can tell that we're a
little desperate to fill this, like I said, but this 2023
action game brings back Kiru as the main character to
help flesh out the story of like Yakuza 7 and everything. I mean, flesh out is a stretch. Basically, there's
another new Yakuza bad guy that he needs to beat up, only this time he's got spy gadgets. He's a super spy with the
world's worst cover though, so everyone immediately knows it's him. The glasses aren't fooling anyone, dude. It all plays out in a pretty,
by the numbers Yakuza plot. There's an over the top secret casino and lots of random schemers
plotting to take it over. It's your usual stuff, but it's actually the like the
most gangster focused game in the series that's come out, at least in the last couple of years. The judgment games all
have Yakuza in them, but they're secondary to the plot at best. And Yakuza seven is another game. Pretty light on the drama of
like the clans and everything. While this game dives
right into the deep end of the whole thing. It doesn't really reveal anything we didn't already know from Yakuza 7, but just as a fun little side game to give Kiru a spotlight again and beat up some bad
guys and some gangsters. This is another solid entry in the series. (energetic music)
(characters exclaim) (bombs explode)
(characters groan in pain) - [Narrator] Now, down to number one, we have "Mafia", definitive
edition from 2020. Of course this is number one.
I mean, what else could it be? You knew we would get here. The original "Mafia" was a
cult classic for a reason on PC and in our opinion, at least, this definitive edition
really improves on it. I mean, it's like a remake. It's a beautiful game,
full of amazing period appropriate detail and
some solid storytelling. The game may look like it's
open world, but it's really not. The map is really just for
driving to and from missions. But after playing multiple a
hundred plus hour games in a row this year, we are
happy to go back to a game that just trims the fat a little bit. It's quality over quantity. This game is just all about the story. It's "Grand Theft Auto" if all you did were missions, and in this case it really works, the actual shooting
mechanics aren't amazing, but they're functional and
suit the nature of the game, especially if you're playing
it on classic difficulty, which makes the game just as
deadly as the original one. Now the story is kind
of your standard rags to riches to rags again, mafia story, but how it's told is what elevates it above your usual genre fare. All the performances in the
definitive edition are excellent and the new script adds a
lot of nuance to the story where there originally
wasn't too much there. This game is one of the
best examples of a remake, really taking what works about a game and improving things by making some intelligent
changes and choices. It may be the definitive gangster game and one that we just appreciate more as time goes on. It's still not perfect. Like we said, the shooting
isn't the most satisfying, but it is a great game overall and easily one of our favorite gangster games
from the past five years. But those are 10 games. Like I said, there is some wiggle room for how gangstery they are. So we want to hear what you
guys think in the comments, and if you have some other
examples, we'd love to hear it. Maybe next time we'll go
further back, you know, five years, there's only so much. So let's try 10 years next time and see what else we come up with. There's a lot of games to talk about, so hit us in the comments
if you got anything at all. But if you like talking games with us every day, click
on the like button's. All you gotta do, it really helps us. And if you're new, consider
subscribing, maybe hitting that notification bell because we put out videos every single day. But as always, thanks for watching and we'll see you guys next time.
