10 Video Games That Let You Be Incredible Criminals

6. The Godfather

yakuza 7
EA Redwood

Mafioso - this is what most people think of when they hear the word 'mobster'. Sure the term 'gangster' might give a coin flip to whether they imagine the last entry or this one - but mobster? That's going to make them think of an Italian guy in a three-piece suit and a fedora.

If you want to be a boots-on-the-ground Mafia enforcer then, as one might guess, the Mafia series is probably your strongest bet. But the Crème de la Crème of the mafioso game is the first in the Godfather series.

Between the reimagining of the classic movie scenes, the great voice acting, and the wonderful gameplay - you just can't go wrong. Fight turf wars with rival mafia families and take over New York, one racket at a time. It's got a surprisingly robust character creator, too - as long as your character is a white man.

Even if you don't care about the story beats from the classic movie (or the couple of annoying driving missions) the number of shops you can just waltz into and take over is amazing. The Blackhand system lets you harass and threaten shopkeepers into paying protection money in brutal fashion.

Contributor
Contributor

Author of Escort (Eternal Press, 2015), co-founder of Nic3Ntertainment, and developer behind The Sickle Upon Sekigahara (2020). Currently freelancing as a game developer and history consultant. Also tends to travel the eastern U.S. doing courses on History, Writing, and Japanese Poetry. You can find his portfolio at www.richardcshaffer.com.