Summary
Primarily a series of mobile games, theGangstarseries has been entertaining audiences for two decades and there is no end in sight. One of Gameloft’s most well-known series,Gangstar, is often compared to the juggernautGrand Theft Autogames, owing to the heavy inspiration drawn fromRockstar’s best-selling franchise.
Gameplay mechanics are exactly as expected when considering the main influence, featuring driving, racing, shooting and some stealth levels, controlling a character as they rise through the ranks of the criminal underworld. The large open world settings are deceptively detailed for mobile games, most of which are based in the United States. Here are theGangstargames, ranked based on a combination of their popularity and overall quality.
10Gangstar: Samurai
Samurai Gangsters In Japan
Taking place in Tokyo,Gangstar: Samuraiis a strange entry in the series, as it is a Japan-exclusive that was only released on the DoJa and BREW mobile platforms. The story stars a young thief called Masato who accidentally steals some drugs from a smuggling organization and must rely on help from a mysterious woman named Yuri to take this sinister group down.
Naturally, the primary weapon is a samurai sword, and players can completely behead enemies, but there are times when firearms are necessary. This entry only places so high on the list since there is little information about it, and while an unofficial translation was rumored to be in the works, it so far seemingly hasn’t materialized.
9Urban Crime
iOS Exclusive Spin-Off
Only released for iOS, and since removed from the app store,Urban Crimeis a spin-off ofGangstar: Miami Vindication. Starring an unnamed protagonist, the goal is to take over Miami district by district. Missions follow a similar pattern in each area, carrying out the usual tasks like racing,stealth attacks, robbery, and escorting allies.
The inclusion of microtransactions did not sit well with consumers, and the high costs of weapons and vehicles in-game meant many players had to grind if they didn’t want to part with real cash. Another controversial feature was the energy system, which depleted after completing five missions in one sitting, meaning players had to wait a day to continue, unless they purchased an energy bar.
8Gangstar 2: Kings of L.A.
Flawed 2D Adventure
The second outing of the series,Gangstar 2: Kings of L.A., is set in Los Angeles, following Pedro and Juan, two escapees from a Mexican prison hoping to make it big in the big city. The 2D open world poses some performance issues with frequent stuttering and long loading screens when transitioning between different areas, which some found to be unbearable at the time.
A release for Nintendo’s handheld DSi console gives some exclusive missions utilizing the hardware’s built-in camera, as well as giving players the ability to take a photo of themselves. This could then be used as part of a fake identification card, and those pictures could even appear on in-game billboards.
7Gangstar City
Greater Focus On Strategy
Another of the two-dimensional entries in the series,Gangstar City, isset in Los Angelesand played from an isometric perspective. Playing as Garcia, the brother of Pedro fromKings of L.A., the goal is to gain and maintain control over the four districts of the city.
Districts can be conquered by completing enough missions within them, earning respect and notoriety in those areas. Players don’t have the same level of control over Garcia as they would in otherGangstargames, focusing instead on management and strategy, optimizing the crew from the members of his gang. Hosting parties at Garcia’s crib is vital for recruiting better gang members.
6Gangstar: Crime City
The First Of Many Gangstar Games
Exclusively released for button-operated mobile phones,Gangstar: Crime Cityis the first game in the long-running series. Set in the eponymous Crime City, the open world is expansive andpacked to the brim with activities, which is impressive considering the limitations of the hardware at the time.
The unnamed protagonist must drive, shoot, and steal to pay off his debt, but there are side projects to work on, like racing, owning a restaurant, and dealing drugs. Some reviewers at the time were perhaps slightly unfair, claiming that it was just aGrand Theft Autoclone, but some legitimate criticism was aimed at stereotypical portrayals of hip-hop culture.
5Gangstar: West Coast Hustle
A 3D Makeover Set In L.A.
An upgraded three-dimensional version ofGangstar 2: Kings of L.A.,Gangstar: West Coast Hustlemostly follows the same story starring Pedro. Being the first game in the series to be 3D, players were thrilled at the time, enjoying the gameplay and open-world of Los Angeles much more than in its two-dimensional counterpart.
There are over 50 missions for players to tackle, mostly the same asKings of L.A., but with some changes to dialogue and other components. The 3D graphics were revolutionary on mobile at the time, being one of the first games to fully render a detailed open city and all its details, and it even includes crash damage on vehicles.
4Gangstar: New Orleans
Gangstar On PC
The first entry in the series to be released on PC,Gangstar: New Orleansfeatures a more cartoonish style than its predecessors. The missions are more linear too, claimedin the open-worldand then completed as a standalone objective, with most of the story told through cutscenes during these missions.
Apart from story missions, there are twelve areas, or “turfs” for the fully customizable player-character to try and take control of from a small-time mobster, who must be killed in order to rule their turf.New Orleanswould probably be more highly regarded if not for the pervasive microtransactions, which were rather unpopular with fans and reviewers.
3Gangstar Vegas
Dealing With The Mafia In Sin City
Set in the infamous city of Sin,Gangstar Vegasstars an MMA fighter called Jason “the Kid” Malone, who was supposed to take a dive in a match, but won and is now targeted by the mafia. The usual gameplay is here, with an emphasis on driving and armed combat, but there are also underground fighting tournaments and other side activities to keep Jason busy.
As expected, given the Las Vegas setting, gambling is another major part of the game, withseveral casino minigameslike blackjack and slot machines giving players a chance to win the jackpot. Once again, microtransactions are a sour note for many, but the majority find this game enjoyable, and it’s been a commercial success.
Viewed as a vast improvement onWest Coast Hustle,Gangstar: Miami Vindicationwas originally released in both a 2D and 3D variant, depending on the devices used to play it. As Johnny Gainesville, a crooked prison guard, the main objective is to rescue his brother Joey from kidnappers, completing jobs for criminal associates who offer their assistance.
There are over 70 missions to complete, and as in many other games in the series, Johnny can gradually take control of different parts of the city, declaring himself “King of Miami” if he conquers all before him. DespiteMiami Vindication’s popularity with fans, it’s been inexplicably removed from app stores.
1Gangstar Rio: City of Saints
Gangstar In Brazil
As withMiami Vindication,Gangstar Rio: City of Saintsreceived releases in both 2D and 3D with some differences in the story. Playing as Raul, a member of the Assassinos gang in Rio de Janeiro, who is badly injured when his car explodes due to trying to leave the gang. Surgery leaves him unrecognizable, so he infiltrates the gang pretending to be new in town and calls himself Angel.
There are tons of missions and side missions to completein the Brazilian city, with many players and reviewers finding this to be the most enjoyableGangstargame. The kung fu combat, additional zombie mode, and the ability to hire goons to do Angel’s dirty work are particular features that most players enjoy.
