19 Games To Play If You Love The Mafia Franchise - The first knowledge sharing application in Vietnam

Now that the entire Mafia Trilogy is available in its definitive form, it’s the perfect time to get into the series. Even though the games are set in an open-world environment, their main focus is telling a strong story with shocking twists and a powerful narrative.

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In addition to being crime sims, The Mafia series is also period dramas 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 the Mafia remake let’s take a look at other games that fans they may love in the meantime.

Updated on September 8, 2020, by Michael Llewellyn:It’s great to be able to play as the hero in video games. It gives gamers a sense of power and immersion that can’t be matched in other forms of entertainment media. However, as great as it is to play as the hero it’s equally as satisfying to play as the bad guy or an anti-hero. There’s no better way to do this than to jump into a game about mobsters, corrupt cops, and misunderstood protagonists. That’s exactly what players get with the Mafia series. Thankfully, that isn’t the only mafia video game crime series that players can dive into and lose themselves in the drama.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Released: 2002
Platform: PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PC, Android, iOS, and Mac OS
Developer: Rockstar

First released in 2002 for the PlayStation 2, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is still one of the series most popular titles, and one of the best mafia video games. The 1980s setting, the fully voiced characters, and music made for one of the most iconic open-world games of all time.

In terms of story and atmosphere Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is about as mobster as it gets for fans of the Mafia series. It stars Goodfellas lead actor Ray Liotta as the game’s protagonist Tommy Vercetti and took inspiration from films and TV shows like The Godfather, Scarface, and Miami Vice.

The Warriors

Released: 2005
Platform: PS2, PSP, and Xbox
Developer: Rockstar Games

First released in 2005, The Warriors video game is an action beat-em-up that has more in common with coin-op fighters like Streets of Rage than it does the Mafia series. However, for a different take on gang warfare, The Warriors is an excellent alternative with a great story.

The story works as an expansion to the movie and follows the same script. However, it allows the characters of the 1979 movie more time to develop as the film is renowned for its relentless pace as a chase movie. The voice cast is excellent with most of the original cast reprising their roles from the movie to make it feel as authentic as possible.

The Getaway

Released: 2002
Platform: PS2
Developer: Team Soho

Released on the PlayStation 2 in 2002, The Getaway was a Grand Theft Auto clone that took inspiration from British gangster movies like Get Carter, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, and Snatch.

Unlike the Grand Theft Auto series it’s modeled after, however, The Getaway takes place in modern-day London. As a result, the setting feels more authentic than the usual modern-day New York and Los Angeles setting. Furthermore, players will also have to deal with rivals gangs like the Yardies, the Bethan Green Mob, the 14K Triads, and others.

Max Payne 3

Released: 2012
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, and PC
Developer: Rockstar

Released in 2012 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC systems, Max Payne 3 is a third-person action shooter that once again puts players in the shoes of the iconic and titular Max Payne. Unlike the Mafia series, Max Payne is a completely linear shooter that focuses on character development and keeping the momentum of the story going.

However, it is very story-driven and many fans have argued that the Mafia games should lose the open-world setting and employ a more direct and focused approach to the story. Visually, the game still holds up and it’s surprising that it hasn’t had a remake or even backward compatibility boost on the Xbox Series X/S.

Blood & Truth

Released: 2019
Platform: PSVR
Developer: London Studio

Released in 2019, Blood & Truth is a first-person shooter created exclusively for the PlayStation VR. It’s an on-rails cinematic shooter so its gameplay mechanics couldn’t be any more different than the Mafia series.

However, the story is about London mobsters in the vein of a Guy Ritchie movie or the TV series Gangs of London which would appeal to fans of the story-driven games with narratives that have similar twists and betrayals that are seen in the Mafia series. The “Cockney Geezer” stereotypes and dialogue get a bit tiring but Blood & Truth’s action is the closest players will get to starring in their own action/gangster movie.

Sleeping Dogs

Released: 2012
Platform: Xbox One, PS3, PS4, PC, and macOS
Developer: United Front Games

First released in 2012, Sleeping Dogs was eventually released as Sleeping Dogs: The Definitive Edition on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2014 with improvements to its graphics, framerates, and lighting. The game still stands as one of the best mafia video games out there.

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The game puts players in the shoes of an undercover Chinese-American cop Wei Shen. He has infiltrated the Triads in Hong Kong. Unfortunately for Shen, many of his childhood friends are in the Triads and he has a hard time separating his job from his emotions.

Omerta: City Of Gangsters

Released: 2013
Platform: PC and Xbox 360
Developer: Haemimont Games

Released in 2013 for the PC and the Xbox 360 Omerta: City of Gangsters is a tactical strategy game set in Atlantic City during the 1920s Prohibition era. Players have to step into the shoes of a mobster with the goal of becoming the most powerful crime boss in the city while controlling speakeasies and fighting off rival mobsters.

The gameplay in Omerta is split between its XCOM-like turn-based combat and running businesses throughout the city. It may not have the same kind of narrative as a Mafia title but Omerta will allow players to become a “made man” in control of their own empire.

The Hitman Series

Released: 2000
Platform: PC, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X
Developer: IO Interactive

The Hitman series first launched in 2000 and put players in the shoes of the titular Hitman who is also known as Agent 47. While the series is more of a sadistic James Bond/Mission Impossible stealth game than it is a mob game, Agent 47 will still find himself up against the Sicilian mob, the Yakuza, Triads, and Eastern European gangsters more than once throughout the series.

Additionally, fans of the Mafia series that enjoyed the open-world nature of the series will find some of the best self-contained sandbox missions with their own stories to tell ever designed in a video game.

Grand Theft Auto V

Released: 2013
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, and PC
Developer: Rockstar Games

When it comes to setting benchmarks for open-world action games the Grand Theft Auto series has always been at the top of the heap. Grand Theft Auto V was groundbreaking at the time of its release and still has one of the best single-player campaigns in the series.

While it’s not a period piece like the Mafia series the character stories from the point of view of three very different protagonists Michael, Trevor, and Franklin. The game’s world of Los Santos is vaster than anything in the Mafia series and is complemented by tons of side missions to participate in.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Released: 2018
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia
Developer: Rockstar Games

Released in 2018 and created by Rockstar the same studio behind the Grand Theft Auto series, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an open-world action-adventure game set in the American Wild West. Despite its very different setting to the Mafia series, players of Red Dead Redemption 2 will still find themselves operating on the wrong side of the law.

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In addition, gamers that love diving into a gaming world set in a different time period won’t go wrong with RDR2. It was one of the most beautifully crafted and dynamic gaming worlds ever created and is loaded with content.

Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate

Released: 2015
Platform: Xbox One, PS4, and Stadia
Developer: Ubisoft

Released in 2015, Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate is an action-adventure game set in London during the Victorian era and at the tail end of the Industrial Revolution.

While the game maintains all the staples of what makes the Assassin’s Creed series popular with its fans, there is a large emphasis on gang warfare and taking over territories from Templar-controlled gangs. In addition, to fighting rival gangs in the streets, players will also work toward sabotaging their businesses and weakening their grip on London.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Released: 2020
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotaku Studio

Released in 2020, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the eighth mainline entry in the long-running Japanese crime saga. Like a Dragon is the beginning of a new story arc with a brand new protagonist so new players can comfortably jump right into the series.

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The game also employs a turn-based combat system that is reminiscent of old JRPG classics from the 80s and 90s. The latest entry of the seriesis capable of delivering an emotionally charged storyline with humorous side quests in a way that feels perfectly balanced.

Empire Of Sin

Released: 2020
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and macOS
Developer: Romero Games

Released in 2020, Empire of Sin is a turn-based strategy that plays like the XCOM series and Omerta mentioned above. While it plays very similarly to Omerta it’s a far more polished experience that looks and plays more like a AAA game. Players will be responsible for running casinos, speakeasies, and brothels.

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Empire of Sin was developed by the husband and wife team of John and Brenda Romero who is best known for their work on Doom and Wizardry respectively. The game is set during the Prohibition era in Chicago and players will be interacting with mobsters that are inspired by the infamous gangsters that ruled the streets during this time period.

L.A. Noire

Released: 2011
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PSVR
Developer: Team Bondi

First released in 2011 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and the PC L.A. Noire was remastered and released again in 2017 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch. This time, however, gamers are on the right side of the law as they play as a detective in Los Angeles.

Just like Mafia 2, L.A. Noire takes place just after the war and the time period will definitely appeal to fans of 2K’s mob series. The game’s world has been beautifully recreated and the developers have put a ton of work into making the 1940s L.A. as authentic-looking as possible.

Judgment

Released: 2018
Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Stadia
Developer: Ryu Go Gotaku Studio

As a spin-off to the Yakuza series, Judgment is a standalone open-world action game set in the same universe but featuring a brand new cast of characters. As a result, players won’t need to have any prior knowledge of the mainline series and in many ways, Judgment is to Yakuza what Persona is to the Shin Megami Tensei series.

In addition to featuring many of the same mechanics as Yakuza, Judgment is also a detective game where players take on the role of a former lawyer and private detective Takayuki Yagami. Players will still encounter Yakuza clans and low-level gangs and the developing crime story is one of the best in gaming.

Scarface: The World Is Yourself

Released: 2006
Platform: PS2, Xbox, PC, and Wii
Developer: Radical Entertainment

Released in 2006, Scarface: The World is Yours and like The Godfather video game is a sequel to the 1983 film starring Al Pacino. This time the game puts players in the shoes of Tony Montana by changing the ending of the movie by having Montana survive and overpower the assassins at his mansion.

Even though Pacino himself didn’t reprise his role as Montana he handpicked the voice actor himself. The story does expect players to suspend their disbelief and the original ending of the movie but as a game like the Mafia franchise fans will find a lot to keep them entertained. Just like the movie, the game is set in 1980s Miami, and Montano must work to take control of all the regions and build his empire.

Cyberpunk 2077

Released: 2020
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, and PC
Developer: CD Projekt Red

Released in late 2020 for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and the PC, Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world science-fiction RPG with a setting that lives up to its namesake. While it’s true that the game has been criticized for its controversial launch there’s still a solid game that’s worth persevering with.

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Players are placed in the shoes of a custom-made character called V, as they have to deal with several dangerous gangs, corrupt police, and government officials. In many ways, Cyberpunk feels like a futuristic mobster game as its best moments are in dealing with Night City’s criminal underworld.

The Godfather

Released: 2006
Platform: PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360, and PC
Developer: EA Redwood Shores

Released in 2006 as a controversial follow-up to the films, The Godfather video game is a surprisingly good open-world mafia video game that is perfect for fans of the Mafia trilogy. It features an all-star with many of the original cast returning to reprise their roles but focuses on a new protagonist.

The combat system is well executed and the melee system is like a simplified version of EA’s Fight Night boxing series. The story is a good match for fans of the first and second Mafia games. There is also depth added by extorting businesses and dealing with rival mobsters.

The Yakuza Series (The Kiryu Saga)

The Yakuza series began on the PlayStation 2 in 2005 with a seventh title due to be released in the west sometime in 2020. The entire series has been remastered or remade and is available on the PlayStation 4. However, the best place to start is the prequel Yakuza 0 for what is arguably the biggest scale crime saga series in gaming.

The Yakuza games are action RPGs that take place in stunningly recreated versions of Tokyo’s Kabukicho district. Each title is a self-contained story that focuses on its lead protagonist Kiryu a former member of a Japanese crime syndicate that keeps getting pulled back into Tokyo’s seedy underbelly no matter how hard he tries to leave it behind.

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