Most people live cushy lives far removed from any dangers, like what’s depicted in our favorite television series and films, like Breaking Bad or Goodfellas. But that doesn’t mean you’re not curious, right? You have that itch to fly on the wild side. Thankfully, video games are a safe form of escapism that allow you to live multiple lives (Insert that one t-shirt about not having a life). So, without further ado, here are a few of the best crime games that allow us to live the life of Walter White in relative safety and comfort at home!
Hey, advertisers, this is purely for entertainment purposes. It’s all video games, mmk?
The Best Crime Games We Can’t Recommend Enough
When you go actively searching for crime-related games on Steam, you’ll wind up with Grand Theft Auto V and a handful of indie titles with pixel art. But there are more than a few gems out there, some of them not so hidden anymore.
Schedule I
Oh, come on! By now, everyone’s heard about or is actively playing Schedule I. This is, like, a freebie slot, honestly. But it’s one of the better crime simulator games out there, too.
As always, you start small. A quick prologue introduces you to key characters, along with the game’s mechanics of growing, packaging, and distributing illicit substances throughout town. But soon enough, life takes a turn and you’re forced to build an empire by your lonesome…or with a friend if you play co-op.
From growing and selling marijuana to packaging bricks of cocaine, Schedule I asks you to set aside your morals and rake in that cash. Developer TVGS provides regular updates on social media as to its progress on upcoming content updates, with cartels, weapons, and other features coming before long!
Drug Dealer Simulator 2
If you prefer something a little more complex, less vibrant, then Drug Dealer Simulator 2 offers a gritty world, albeit with some clunk, that allows you to forge your path through the criminal underworld. From humble beginnings on a small island dealing packets, to cartel-sized expansion, controlling multiple islands.
In DDS2, you’ll hire workers, purchase and expand hideouts and labs, deal with crooked cops, flee using the game’s parkour system, and work the economy in your favor.
Now, I won’t lie, there are plenty of negative reviews for this one, with many pointing toward a poor beginner’s experience, missing quality of life features, and an overall lack of polish. Overall, we found it to be an entertaining experience worth the price tag.
Drug Lord Tycoon
In a similar style to Schedule I, albeit with a more affordable price tag, Drug Lord Tycoon is a simplistic simulation in which you start in a garage and build an entire empire by building, researching, growing, and selling with a team of dealers at your disposal.
It’s still in Early Access, with development updates coming rather infrequently currently, but what’s there is an excellent foundation. It’s not as fleshed out as others on this list, but the overall experience is fun and a fantastic way to kill a weekend. I thought I’d bounce off of it quickly, but it turned into a “one more turn” type of game, as I wanted to keep stacking those bricks of cash after every successful deal.
Cartel Tycoon
If you’re a fan of the strategy genre and want a less hands-on method to your criminal empire, then Cartel Tycoon, from developer Moon Moose and publisher tinyBuild, should entice you.
Cartel Tycoon tasks you with building an empire through drug production and smuggling. You can package your shipments in various objects, like consumer goods, and send them overseas to the US. All the while, build your network at home with lieutenants, facilities, and public opinion.
There’s plenty of replayability here, as you can enjoy the story mode or sandbox mode to grow your empire, ruling it how you see fit.
Are there any crime games you’d like to recommend? Let us know in the comments below! The Guide Hall is always looking for new games to enjoy!