Highlights
- Rockstar Games has a rich history of creating groundbreaking and violent games that still hold up today.
- Games like The Warriors , Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas , Max Payne 3 , Bully , and Red Dead Redemption have stood the test of time due to their immersive storytelling and engaging gameplay.
- Grand Theft Auto 5 , released in 2013, continues to be a gold standard in open-world gaming with its addictive narrative and all-action gameplay, maintaining its relevance even after 10 years.
Since first hitting the scene all the way back in 1999 with an expansion pack for the original Grand Theft Auto, Rockstar Games have frequently proven themselves to be groundbreaking provocateurs in the world of gaming. With ultra-violent franchises such as GTA and Red Dead Redemption, they have established themselves as one of the premier video game publishers operating today.
With such a rich back catalog of epic games to sift through, it can be fascinating to examine how far along both Rockstar and gaming as a whole have come over the years. While recent efforts such as Red Dead Redemption 2 have showcased the high art potential of modern gaming, Rockstar has plenty of great games from yesteryear that still hold up under present-day scrutiny. From thrilling open-world thrillers to shoot-'em-up action and brutal brawlers, Rockstar has provided a litany of classics across several generations of gaming that remain just as engrossing and replayable today as they were at the time of their release.
6 The Warriors Captures Its Film Inspiration's Spirit Flawlessly
Dropping players directly into the gang warfare mayhem of Walter Hill's 1979 cult classic film, The Warriors takes players on a beat 'em up thrill ride through late '70s New York. The ailing brawling subgenre received a huge shot in the arm when this stylish adaptation first dropped back in October 2005.
Sporting much of the music from the original, The Warriors is one of the most complete and faithful film-to-game adaptations in gaming history. Much of the film's cast came back to do the voice acting honors, further enhancing the game's overall authenticity. The harsh, no-nonsense fighting is enhanced by sensible, straightforward mechanics that keep the combat moving at a fast, dangerous pace. Coupled with an effective job in bringing the film's gripping narrative to gaming life, The Warriors is still a pitch-perfect brawler game that is as enjoyable now as it was back in '05 for fans and non-fans of the film alike.
5 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Took The Open-World Format To New Heights
This 2005 tour de force saw Rockstar bring their own fictionalized version of '90s California to startling, often brutal life. Taking control of Carl "CJ" Johnson, players must traverse a colorful, crime-laden world of betrayal, gang warfare, and fearsome corruption.
The iconic soundtrack boasts a little something for everyone, from hip-hop icons like Tupac Shakur to rock renegades like Rage Against The Machine and country legends like Willie Nelson. The music forms a neat backdrop to the always busy open world players get to explore. Along the way, a litany of compelling, often menacing characters make their way into the game, with superb voice acting and writing bringing them to life in a way rarely seen on the sixth generation of consoles. Frank Tenpenny, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, remains arguably the best villain in GTA series history. Topped off with action-packed missions sporting slick mechanics, and it's hardly surprising players are still loving San Andreas almost 20 years after its release.
4 Max Payne 3 Is A Near-Flawless, Technically Seminal Shooter Game
The 2012 installment in the gritty Max Payne series drew a polarized response from longtime fans due to its new setting and noticeably different aesthetic. Sending the grumpy, former New York City detective to São Paulo, Brazil, the third chapter in the classic series is an action gaming masterclass.
On a narrative level, Payne's journey through a disturbing web of both city corruption and his own deeply personal demons is an engrossing, often brutal experience for players. On a technical level, the groundbreaking (for the time) shooting mechanics provide players with a John Wick-level set of chaotic action set pieces and fights to overcome in an impressively fluid cinematic style. The seamless transitions between gameplay and cutscenes are still remarkably on point as well in this 2012 thriller. Overall, the technical precision of the game, as well as its suitably dramatic farewell to the Max Payne character, make this a still-relevant showcase of Rockstar's commitment to providing unforgettable gaming thrills.
3 Bully's Unique Take On High School Maintains Its Originality More Than 15 Years Later
Taking players back to the highs and lows of their high school days, this 2006 cult classic remains the benchmark for adolescence-focused gaming. As Jimmy Hopkins, players must navigate the dangers and social hierarchy of the Bullworth Academy boarding school.
Much of Bully's timeless appeal lies in its impressive knack for capturing the essence of school life whilst still providing an entertaining, open-world gaming experience. Boasting memorable characters, a diverse array of missions, and a colorful setting, the game's nostalgic, rebellious youth storytelling remains an effective treat almost 20 years after it first dropped. In Hopkins, Rockstar crafted one of their most likable protagonists. Gutsy and tough, but in a human, grounded way compared to the likes of Max Payne and CJ, Hopkins is a relatable, fun player character. While the long-awaited sequel is unlikely to ever see the light of day at this point, the original still holds up as one of Rockstar's most nuanced and unconventional efforts.
2 Red Dead Redemption's Wild West Intensity Remains Enthralling Two Console Generations Later
The sad, bloody journey of John Marston in 2010's Old West epic remains a captivating piece of effective storytelling 13 years later that has been enhanced by 2018's Red Dead Redemption 2 prequel. Tasked with wiping out his old gang to save his family, Marston makes his way through a detailed, realistic rendition of the American Frontier.
The deep character development and challenging moral choices presented to players over the course of the game's main storyline ensure a dramatic, unforgettable gaming experience. Dutch van der Linde's grim final showdown with Marston particularly stands out as one of the most dramatic, nuanced confrontations in Rockstar's long history of game development. The effective visuals and design, while not quite on the level of its sequel, still hold up as engrossing and detailed, allowing players to fully step into an immersive rendition of a different era. From thrilling shootouts to heartfelt character moments, RDR remains a masterpiece to this day.
1 Grand Theft Auto 5 Remains An Addictive Gold Standard In Open-World Gaming 10 Years On
Rockstar's mind-blowingly epic 2013 installment in the iconic franchise is about as perfect a crime game as gamers can find. A decade later, whether it's the remaster or not, the timeless power of GTA 5's engrossing narrative and all-action gameplay remains nothing short of remarkable.
The sprawling open world of Los Santos provides near-endless hours of gameplay that is further bolstered by the intrigue of all three of the game's anti-heroic protagonists. Coupled with the commendable attention to detail, world-building, heists, and the general freedom to cause chaos, GTA 5 hasn't aged a day when it comes to entertainment value. In 2023, the game is still receiving updates and online multiplayer hijinks for fans to enjoy, maintaining its relevance across two generations of console gaming. Considering its overall quality and immersive storytelling, it's likely GTA 5 will continue to enjoy a stellar reputation and committed audience 20 years from its initial release as well.