9. Mafia II (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Mac OS X, Mobile) – 2010

Mafia II gameplay trailer Gamescom 2009

If you’re a big fan of gangster-centric games, then this one is for you. Mafia II is an amazing open-world game done right, balancing beautiful graphics with finely-tuned gameplay, plus a praiseworthy narrative on top. The game is developed by 2K Czech, and it centers on a low-level gangster as he rises through the ranks of Mafia crime families.

What sets Mafia II apart from its other open world contemporaries is its amazing attention to detail. As the game is set in the 1940s to early 1950s, there are various references to that time period through the landscape, the vehicles, the people and, of course, the weapons that you use. Songs on the radio come with various licensed content appropriate for the game’s setting, really immersing you in its nostalgia factor.

Similar to MGSV in that: you play in an enormous sandbox which lets you discover various events and secrets. There is also a wide arsenal of period-appropriate weapons, such as my personal favorite, the Thompson submachine gun.

Better than MGSV in that: the story will make you feel for the characters on a whole different level. The passage of time as it moves from the early 1940s to the 1950s is also felt in all of its minute details, giving it a level of amazing immersion.

Rise Through the Ranks as a Mafioso: In Mafia II, you play as Vito Scaletta, who starts as a lowly errand boy and ends up as one of the Mafia’s prestigious ‘made men’.

‘Tommy Guns’ Galore: The game features period-faithful guns, ranging from Thompson submachine guns to Colt 1911s. WWII-era weapons also appear, such as the MG-42 and the Beretta Model 38.

Amazing Customization Options: A big part of Mafia II is devoted to the customization of various aspects of the game, such as Vito’s clothing and the cars he owns.