Rockstar Games is understandably best known for its work on theGrand Theft AutoandRed Dead Redemptionseries. Both have brought the developer/publisher critical and commercial success and have become beloved and memorable household names. However, while it makes sense that the wider population would know Rockstar for these monolithic experiences, it is responsible for many others that are well worth playing.
While Rockstar hasn’t developed a lot of these - often taking on publishing or porting duties -it nevertheless played a hand in some of the best games from across the past two decades, including some of themost impressive PS2 gamesever made. From movie tie-in games to one of the best school sim titles ever made, Rockstar’s repertoire is immense and staggeringly good, which is perfect for those who want to try more of its games.
10State Of Emergency (2002)
A Lesser-Known Title From Rockstar’s Past
State of Emergencyis a lesser-known Rockstar-published game that launched in 2002. Developed by the now-defunct VIS Entertainment - it shut down just a year after the release ofState of Emergency- it saw players fight against the shadowy Corporation, a nefarious organization hellbent on stealing people’s freedom. With a range of weapons to use,players went around large areas fighting enemies and engaging in its biting satire.
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Best known for rendering an impressive number of NPCs on screen at once,State of Emergencyfell into obscurity due to its low review scores and lack of a sequel. However, it still remains one of Rockstar’s most engaging projects outside its most recognizable brands. It isn’t hard to draw similarities between it and theunbeatableGrand Theft Auto 5, if only with its approach to the endlessly entertaining chaos of an all-out brawl.
9Smuggler’s Run (2000)
A Pretty Fun Driving Game
Smuggler’s Runwas a somewhat entertaining off-road driving gamein which players must navigate challenging terrain while evading U.S. border patrol and C.I.A agents. It featured intense car chases that would go on to influence futureGTAgames, and pretty satisfying driving mechanics that were later evolved into theMidnight Clubseries, another lesser-known Rockstar franchise.
Interestingly,Smuggler’s Runwas developed by Angel Studios, which was later rebranded into Rockstar San Diego. For those not in the know, Rockstar San Diego is the team behind not only theMidnight Clubgames but alsoRed Dead RevolverandRed Dead Redemption. It would later collaborate onRed Dead Redemption 2andGTA V, making it one of the more influential Rockstar development teams.
8Rockstar Games Presents: Table Tennis (2006)
The Most Bizarre Rockstar Game
If you weren’t aware that Rockstar had developed a sports game, then you’d be forgiven. That’s because not only is Rockstar not known for its sports games - it has literally only made this one - but it also made a game of one of the most niche sports of all time: table tennis.Rockstar Games Presents: Table Tennisis as bizarre as it sounds, and yet, somehow, actually quite a compelling game.
No one will callRockstar Games Presents: Table Tennisthebest sports gameever made, but it is a pretty competent experience thanks to its sharp focus on what makes the sport fun in the first place. Lacking any real bells and whistles,this is a fairly lightweight experience, but it’s a lot of fun for those looking for a niche sports experiencedeveloped by a company best known for violent and mature third-person open-world games.
7Oni (2001)
A Hidden Rockstar Gem
Oniis a complicated Rockstar title. It was developed by Bungie West, a now non-existent branch of Bungie that literally only madeOni, and published by Gathering of Developers for PC. Rockstar Canada (now Rockstar Toronto) made a PS2 port of the game, and Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar, bought out Gathering of Developers when it went defunct in 2004, meaning it now owns the rights toOni.
All of that is to say that, while Rockstar didn’t publish or develop the original version ofOni, it technically has the rights to it now, meaning it is, for all intents and purposes, a Rockstar game. It is also a really good one at that,taking inspiration from a lot of influential cyberpunk anime of the time, likeGhost in the ShellandAkira. It may be less popular than some of Rockstar’s other IP, but it is still one of themost underrated PS2 gamesof all time and well worth playing.
6Manhunt (2003)
A Controversial And Extremely Violent Experience
Manhuntis an extremely controversial game and likely one that would never get greenlit, never mind made today. Infamous for its extreme violence and gore,Manhuntis set in Carcer City, a horrible place in which people delight in gore and upsetting amounts of torture. After Cash is killed, he is brought back to be hunted down and brutally killed once again. It’s up to him to figure out why and survive the night.
Manhuntis a disturbing game, but that doesn’t mean it is a bad one. Sure, there’s no chance Rockstar would touch this franchise with a ten-foot pole anymore, butit earned a reputation for a good reason. The fact the entire game takes place in one night, its somewhat impressive visuals, commitment to the horror of violence, and Brian Cox’s smooth voice pushing the player on the whole time make it worth playing - for a specific kind of person - at least once.
5Midnight Club: Los Angeles – Complete Edition (2009)
Rockstar’s Best Driving Game
Midnight Clubis one of Rockstar’s most popular series, although one those outside of the racing game scene will likely not have heard of.Midnight Club: Los Angeles - Complete Edition, which launched in 2009 and was developed by the aforementioned Rockstar San Diego, was the last game in the series, and it was just a re-release of the originalMidnight Club: Los Angelesfrom the year prior, albeit with new content.
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Featuring exciting arcade-style racing, a huge map to explore, police chases, and a plethora of cars to race in,Midnight Club: Los Angeles - Complete Editionwas by far the best and most expansive game in the series. If Rockstar were to resurrect any of its older series, there’s a good chance it may bring backMidnight Club.
4Max Payne 3 (2012)
An Excellent Third-Person Shooter
TheMax Payneseries was originally developed by Remedy Entertainment, the wonderfully talented folks behindAlan WakeandControl. After selling the rights to theMax PayneIP to Take-Two Interactive, Remedy set about creating the second game in the series, with the intention that it would be the finalMax Paynegame. It hadno plans forMax Payne 3, so, naturally, Rockstar stepped in to make it, despite most of the characters being dead.
What Rockstar developed was a lot different to Remedy’s initial vision, and more akin to Rockstar’s typical output in style and tone. However, it was fortunately a hit with critics and fans, even despite these differences, ensuring that it earned its place in the series. WithMax Payneremakeson the horizon, there’s no better time to revisit one of Rockstar’s best.
3The Warriors (2005)
A Surprisingly Good Movie Tie-In Game
Movie tie-in games are rarely good, even when they’re made by good developers. They focus too much on the plot of the original source material rather than interpreting it and making it fit into an original video game framework. Fortunately,that wasn’t the case with Rockstar’s phenomenal adaptation of the 1979 film,The Warriors.
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It was a somewhat open-world beat ‘em up in which players roamed around with their gang breaking into stores, getting caught by the police, fighting rival gangs, and progressing through the story.There was a multiplayer component in which the entire game could be played in co-op, as well as the ability to fight in small arenas as any of the game’s gangs against another player.The Warriorsstill holds up today and is well worth playing, even for those who haven’t seen the film.
2L.A. Noire (2011)
Still The Best Detective Game
There is really no other game quite likeL.A. Noire. Its impressive technological achievements, immersive gameplay, setting, and writing all coalesce to make it one of the most compelling detective games ever made. Featuring an all-star cast and a stellar recreation of 1950s L.A.,this is absolutely one of Rockstar’s best games, even managing to stack up against the likes ofGTAandRed Dead Redemption 2.
In fact, much like Rockstar’s very best game outside ofGTAandRDR,L.A. Noirereally deserves a sequel, one that should explore another cop’s journey during that period. Considering how much the developer has learned since 2011, it could easily improve upon the foundations established byL.A. Noireand deliver a truly groundbreaking detective experience.
1Bully (2006)
One Of Rockstar’s Finest Masterpieces
Of course, it goes without saying thatRockstar’s best game outside ofGTAandRed Dead Redemption- in many fans’ eyes potentially even better than those two series - is the school simBully. Featuring a vast school full of hilarious characters and the potential for a plethora of antics, as well as classes, activities, and a city to explore,Bullyis a truly immersive and impressive experience from start to finish.
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Withrumors of aBullyremaster, it is possible that Rockstar will eventually return to this franchise. It could even get a sequel afterGTA 6, especially considering how that game will likely give Rockstar enough money to take a risk onBully 2. While many may preferRed Dead Redemption 2orGTA 5toBully, it absolutely deserves a spot at the top of Rockstar’s best games of all time, let alone the best non-GTA ones.
