The Best Open-World Games That Focus On The Law Vs Outlaws

Law vs. Outlaws, Cops vs. Robbers, Police vs. Crime; however it is presented, this conflict is prevalent in media and is both timeless and infinitely engaging. Be it in films, books, songs, or video games, this dynamic continues to stand the test of time and is the backdrop for many engaging narratives and experiences.

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Open-world games are some of the most popular types of games, and the crime genre is one that often takes place in an open-world. These games allow players to live the outlaw fantasy in an open world, either running from, or taking on the law, both in open-world gameplay and as a part of the narrative. Gamers who love the Outlaw vs Law dynamic and open-worlds should know the great games that combine those two ideas.

7

Saints Row 2

The Law Won’t Give Up Stillwater

Open-World

Third-Person Shooter

Released

October 14, 2008

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

Saints Row 2 is the second game in the famous and beloved Saints Row series, notably acting as the last game before the heavy and overt tonal shift of Saints Row: The Third. The player takes on the role of the same custom character from the first game, waking from a coma with the goal of rebuilding their criminal organization, The Saints, and reclaiming Stillwater.

While the central conflict of Saints Row 2 sees The Saints taking on rival gangs, the Stillwater Police Department remains a consistent threat. The game sees the player character and The Saints reclaim territories occupied by rival gangs, but the Stillwater Police are an ever-present and unfaltering entity that aims to cease the actions of The Saints at every turn.

6

Mafia: Definitive Edition

Play As An Organized Type Of Outlaw

Released

September 25, 2020

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Sexual Themes, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Intense Violence

Mafia: Definitive Edition is a ground-up remake of the first Mafia game, the first in a series of games centered around organized crime groups in America. The game is set in the 1930s in the fictional city of Lost Haven, wherein players take on the role of Tommy Angelo as he joins the Salieri crime family.

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There is plenty of conflict between the Salieri family and other organized crime groups, but it is no surprise that much of Mafia: Definitive Edition often sees the player escaping from law enforcement. Be it after robbing a bank as part of the main story, or after wreaking havoc in the open world, players can be sure that there will be plenty of run-ins with the law.

5

Watch Dogs

The Law Is Never Far Behind

Open-World

Action

Adventure

Released

May 26, 2014

ESRB

M For Mature // Blood, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Watch Dogs is the first game in the Watch Dogs series, introducing players to the hacker-centric gameplay loop that sets it apart from other open-world crime series. Players take control of Aiden Pearce, a vigilante who uses his skills as a hacker to access and manipulate the city-wide technological infrastructure. Pearce is pursuing the killers of his niece in a revenge story that allows players to explore an open-world portrayal of Chicago.

Despite being a vigilante mostly aimed at fighting for good, Pearce finds himself in plenty of run-ins with the law given his illegal hacking of many city elements. This is on top of the sandbox nature of the open world, which allows players to wreak havoc and subsequently draw the ire of law enforcement. In most story missions, Pearce finds himself narrowly escaping the law as his revenge mission becomes larger and deadlier.

4

Sleeping Dogs

Both The Law And Outlaw Rolled Into One Protagonist

Released

August 14, 2012

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

Sleeping Dogs is a popular and cult-classic action-adventure crime game set in Hong Kong, inspired by Hong Kong martial arts action films. It allows players to explore an immersive open-world, taking control of the character Wei Shen. Shen is a police officer tasked with infiltrating the Triad, going undercover to destroy the gang from within.

Sleeping Dogs is a unique example of the Law vs Outlaw formula, as the player character is both a law enforcement officer and an undercover member of a Triad. The game balances this with its narrative and gameplay, with Wei Shen grappling with loyalty to his newfound Triad allies, whilst keeping his duty to the police force. Sleeping Dogs has a morality system wherein the player can do things according to Triad standards or Police standards, gaining a rating for each action that determines which category said action falls into.

3

Yakuza 0

The Yakuza Aren’t The Only Threat

Action

Adventure

Beat ‘Em Up

Released

January 24, 2017

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol

Yakuza 0 is the prequel to the bombastic and acclaimed Yakuza series, released in 2015 as a way to provide context to how both Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima got their start in the Tojo Clan. Set in 1988 Kamurocho, the game sees various Yakuza families jostling for control over the Empty Lot, a crucial piece of real estate that eventually becomes part of the site on which the Millennium Tower is constructed.

Real estate drama aside, Yakuza 0 also features Kiryu desperately trying to avoid the law after he is framed for a murder in the Empty Lot. As such, much of the story sees Kiryu not just fighting with rival Yakuza groups, but also sees him under the constant looming threat of the law. The Yakuza often cannot be touched, but the isolated position of both Kiryu and Majima sees them under the watchful eye of the law for the actions that transpire in the game. Not to mention that law enforcement that has been bribed by rival Yakuza families.

2

Grand Theft Auto 5

The Definitive Modern-Day Outlaw Game

Released

September 17, 2013

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Grand Theft Auto is a series that needs no introduction, and Grand Theft Auto 5 is by far the biggest and most popular entry in the historic and acclaimed franchise. Taking place in the sprawling open-world sandbox of Los Santos, Grand Theft Auto 5 sees players partake in the definitive modern-day outlaw gaming experience.

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Whether taking the role of the three major protagonists in the main story or building up the cash reserves of a custom online character, Grand Theft Auto 5 sees players pitted against law enforcement at every turn. Be it robbing banks or breaking into government buildings, the law is never far behind when it comes to the players’ escapades.

1

Red Dead Redemption 2

A True Outlaw Story

Released

October 26, 2018

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Red Dead Redemption 2 is the long-awaited and incredibly well-received sequel to Red Dead Redemption, itself a spiritual sequel to Red Dead Revolver. Set in 1899, Red Dead Redemption 2 revolves around the Van Der Linde gang, a large gang of outlaws who are forced to come to terms with the fact that the world is now far removed from the glory days of the gunslingers.

Few games allow players to experience the true outlaw lifestyle, and there is no better timeframe to embody the feeling of an outlaw on the run from lawmen than the Wild West. Red Dead Redemption 2 features many bombastic and cinematic missions that see the player partake in bank robberies, train hijackings, and shootouts with rival gangs, all whilst being relentlessly pursued by lawmen in the form of Pinkertons. Red Dead Redemption 2 is truly the definitive outlaw vs law experience.

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