It’s a grisly, gritty topic, but the subject ofgang warfaretends to be a relatively popular one in the world of gaming. From encouraging players to back their brothers to offering up the opportunity to take over vast swathes of turf,games that feature gang warfareare almost always violent, intense affairs.
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However, not every title that features gang warfare has the player assume the role of a gangmember. In some cases, the protagonist will be working in law enforcement, or they’ll take on the appearance of a vigilante stoking the flames and igniting a war between criminal organizations, using the ensuing chaos to deliver justice. It doesn’t matter what the base nature of the game is, there’s something inherently enjoyable about doing battle with an entire gang of enemies.
7Sleeping Dogs (2012)
InSleeping Dogs, players assume the role of Wei Shen, an undercover police officer charged with bringing down a Hong Kong crime syndicate from the inside. This is widely regarded as one of thebest open-world action gamesof all time, boasting hugely satisfying combat, an immersive story, and an all-star cast.
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There are several gangs inSleeping Dogs, but the main force is the Sun On Yee, the organization that Wei Shen must infiltrate. As the game progresses, other gangs will surface, such as the Water Street Gang, the 18K Triad, and the Jade Gang, and at some point, the player will face off against almost all of them.
6The Warriors (2005)
Releasedon the PlayStation 2in 2005,The Warriorsis one of the most iconic gang-based franchises of all time. It’s an adventure based on the 1979 movie of the same name, and it depicts a gang named The Warriors as they journey back through New York after being framed for the murder of a legendary leader.
On the way back to their ‘base’, The Warriors will do battle against dozens of gangs, fighting their way out of every corner imaginable. In the game, the concepts of the film were expanded upon, giving players the option to take part in a free-play arena mode that allowed them to build gangs to fight both for and against.
5Saints Row 2 (2008)
Saints Rowis a game with crime, gang warfare, and violence at its heart, but it has always delivered these themes in a slightly comedic fashion. Regardless, inSaints Row 2, the player will go up against some of the most aggressive, cutthroat gangs in the history of gaming.
From the voodoo-loving Sons of Samedi to the samurai sword-wielding Ronin, there’s a diverse array of gangs to fight inSaints Row 2. If there’s an award being handed out for the most iconic gang in gaming history, it might goto the 3rd Street Saints, the protagonist faction in the game that has existed since day one.
InRed Dead Redemption 2, the player spends the first few hours of the game building up their relationship with their gang -the Van der Linde Gang. It was an explosive time in history, and inRed Dead Redemption 2,several bloodthirsty gangs roam the plains looking for trouble.
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From the O’Driscoll Boys to the Skinner Brothers, almost every enemy faction inRed Deadis an evil, crime-ridden force. While the Van der Linde Gang is by no means an innocent organization, it does have its morals and a sense of family at heart - the enemy gangs in the game are almost entirely reprehensible.
3Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreasis a legendary game and arguably one of the greatest titlesin the history of the franchise. It tells the story of Carl ‘CJ’ Johnson, one of the founders of the Grove Street Families gang, who returned home following the death of his mother and eventually set on a path of revenge and retribution.
As the game unfolds, the player will go toe-to-toe with several gangs, most prominently the Ballas, the lifelong, sworn enemy of the Grove Street Families. Based on Los Angeles in the 1990s,San Andreas is a gang warfare-focused title at its heart, and there are several mechanics written into the game to promote that fact.
2Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)
Cyberpunk 2077lets the player loose on Night City, a notorious, dense environment packed with gang activity and positively bursting at the seams with crime and violence. There’s an intense, immersive story present withinCyberpunk 2077, and for the most part, it boasts a close focus on gang warfare.
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There are several factionsscattered around Night Citythat claim turf, from the female-focused Mox to the disturbing, tech-infused Maelstrom. It’s a diverse world out there, and that fact is proven by the depth and breadth of the gang forces littered around the game. There’s a special nod to the Animals, a faction hopped up on steroids and mostly addicted to the gym, which has given way to the existence of a gang populated entirely by rippling, muscled forces.
1The Getaway (2002)
The Getawayis a PlayStation 2 gamethat was released way ahead of its time. It features an almost true-to-life rendition of London, with streets that were literally scanned into existence, storefronts and all. It boasts licensure of real-world vehicles, and it was made using industry-leading motion capture and facial tracking technology.
At the heart ofThe Getawayis an emotional story driven forward by the presence of several gangs in and around London. From the moment the player steps intoThe Getaway, they’re introduced to these gangs, and as a strange fusion between a fugitive and a vigilante, they’re charged with squaring off against these gangs in a fight for survival.
