Image via Complex Original
Rockstar is a publisher that has never let critical or commercial trends dictate the aesthetic of their titles. The make the games they want to make, cocksure their final products will appeal to their fans.
Even when Rockstar releases a niche title that may seem out of character for the company, Table Tennis comes to mind, the game is still damn near perfect. Have you ever played Table Tennis? It's flawless. Obviously, Rockstar is most famous for the Grand Theft Auto series and since most of us have used at least two sick days after yesterday's release of Grand Theft Auto V, we figured now would be a good time to look back at the titles that have made Rockstar the, well, rock stars they are.
Yes, we know that Midnight Club didn't make the cut, but neither did State of Emergency. Here are the Best Rockstar Games Ever Made.
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Manhunt
Year of release: 2003
While the majority of us don't spend our days scouring the Internet for snuff films, Rockstar decided that what the world needed was a snuff film simulator. The game is remembered more the firestorm of controversy it was responsible for, rather than the gameplay itself. We guess that's to be expected when you release a title about a fat pervert voiced by Brian Cox who forces you to use broken bottles and plastic bags to murder street thugs.
L.A. Noire
Year of release: 2011
A Rockstar title that may have suffered more from ambition and overreach than anything else. Developer Team Bondi focused much of their time and effort on the facial motion capture technology for the title, which ended up being a success. The game's shortcomings had more to do with expectations not being met. While most of us were excited to play a 1940's LA Grand Theft Auto title, what we got was a police officer sim with way more paper work than we cared to file. Ken Cosgrove from Madmen did a superb acting job, we just wish there was more shooting and less interrogating.
The Warriors
Year of release: 2005
A near perfect adaptation of the 1979 film of the same name, someone at Rockstar must have been a huge Warriors fan. The film was a cult release before Rockstar decided to create one of the most loyal translations of a film to a video game ever. Gang warfare meets a cosplay convention may not have seemed like the strongest pitch for a film, but the game was hugely gratifying to play. Set against the crumbling, bankrupt backdrop late 70s New York, the game was visually and narratively slick.
Trying so hard not to say, 'Warriors come out to plaaaayyyy' right now. Shit. Happened anyway.
Bully
Year of release: 2006
An anti-bullying title that is unfortunately remembered more for the manufactured controversy that accompanied its release. The option to kiss a boy, as a boy, caused a lot of harrumphing and throat-clearing from the Religious Right, but Rockstar is no stranger to controversy. The opportunity to have a dialogue about real world bullying was missed and Rockstar still has plans to make a sequel...supposedly.
Max Payne 3
Year of release: 2012
Sure, any of the Max Payne titles could have made the list. Except the second one, fuck that game. But, it is 2012's Max Payne 3 that makes the cut. The continuing saga of the embittered, old, drunk, bald, fat, and still not remarried Max Payne saw us head to South America for one more shot at redemption. The current gen graphics and updated shooting mechanics were a welcome refinement from Max Payne 2 and who doesn't enjoy bullet time?
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Year of release: 2002
Good god this game does not get the respect it deserves. A truly world class voice actor in Ray Liota brought Tommy Vercitti to life in this title. Guns, drugs, self-aware references, and one of the most enduring and well curated soundtracks ever used all make Vice City a contemporary classic.
Grand Theft Auto III
Year of release: 2001
The game that made open-world and sand box titles the industry norms they now are, Grand Theft Auto III is who we have to thank. As the silent protagonist, Claude, GTA III was the first time in the Grand Theft Auto universe that you could leave your missions and solicit hookers and all in glorious 3D. Imitators have been biting GTA III's style for the better part of a decade and a half and open-world is basically a requirement for a game these days.
Grand Theft Auto IV
Year of release: 2008
Deep, dark, brooding, serious, mature, and still somehow ridiculously over the top, Grand Theft Auto IV was the standard bearer of the series up until GTAV's release. Some considered Nikko Bellic's long slog up the underworld ladder tedious, but the gradual unlocking of Liberty City allowed for much richer experience. The game is now the modding platform du jour for the PC crowd.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Year of release: 2004
One of the best games ever made. Period. A 'hero' defined by conflict and tragedy, another flawless gem of a soundtrack, and the 90s nostalgia aesthetic all made the story of Carl 'C.J.' Johnson one of the greatest titles Rockstar has ever produced. San Andreas was a massive game for the time and we couldn't have been more content exploring the city with the other members of the Grove Street Family. The game also holds the 2009 Guinness World Record for the largest cast in a video game with 861 credited voice actors. Another controversy surrounded the release of GTA: SA with the hot coffee mod, but you already know what that's all about.
Red Dead Redemption
Year of release: 2010
Our personal favorite Rockstar game ever made (give us some time with GTA V). Epic in scale with a dark, grown up narrative, Red Dead dealt with mature themes. Other Rockstar titles may have only touched upon these themes, but never truly explored. Red Dead Redemption excavates these themes and places them in the truly stunning environment of the untamed old west. John Marston's story of blood and violence is only one part of what makes this game our number one.
Undead Nightmare still holds up as one of the most amazing and worthwhile pieces of DLC ever produced. When fans bemoan the inclusion of DLC, often questioning the quality or quantity of the content, developer and publishers should look to everything that is Undead Nightmare. Extending the shelf life of the title by years, Nightmare only strenghtens the argument that Red Dead is Rockstar's crowning
Our personal favorite Rockstar game ever made (give us some time with GTA V). Epic in scale with a dark, grown up narrative dealing with mature themes that other Rockstar titles may have only touched upon. Red Dead Redemption excavates these themes and places them in the truly stunning environment of the untamed old west. John Marston's story of blood and violence is only one part of what makes this game our number one.
Undead Nightmare still holds up as one of the most amazing and worthwhile pieces of DLC ever produced. When fans bemoan the inclusion of DLC, often questioning the quality or quantity of the content, developer and publishers should look to everything that is Undead Nightmare. Extending the shelf life of the title by years, Nightmare only strengthens the argument that Red Dead is Rockstar's crowning achievment.
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