However, not every title that features gang warfare has the player assume the role of a gang member. 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.
7 Sleeping Dogs (2012)
In Sleeping 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 the best open-world action games of all time, boasting hugely satisfying combat, an immersive story, and an all-star cast.
There are several gangs in Sleeping 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.
6 The Warriors (2005)
Released on the PlayStation 2 in 2005, The Warriors is 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.
5 Saints Row 2 (2008)
Saints Row is a game with crime, gang warfare, and violence at its heart, but it has always delivered these themes in a slightly comedic fashion. Regardless, in Saints 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 in Saints Row 2. If there’s an award being handed out for the most iconic gang in gaming history, it might go to the 3rd Street Saints, the protagonist faction in the game that has existed since day one.
4 Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
In Red 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 in Red Dead Redemption 2, several bloodthirsty gangs roam the plains looking for trouble.
From the O’Driscoll Boys to the Skinner Brothers, almost every enemy faction in Red Dead is 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.
3 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a legendary game and arguably one of the greatest titles in 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.
2 Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)
Cyberpunk 2077 lets 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 within Cyberpunk 2077, and for the most part, it boasts a close focus on gang warfare.
There are several factions scattered around Night City that 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.
1 The Getaway (2002)
The Getaway is a PlayStation 2 game that 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 of The Getaway is an emotional story driven forward by the presence of several gangs in and around London. From the moment the player steps into The 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.
More: The Best Open-World Games Of All Time, Ranked
