Rockstar's best non-open world games, ranked

Key things

• Red Dead Revolver paved the way for the Red Dead Redemption series, focusing on revenge in a Wild West setting.
• Manhunt enthralls players with survival in the midst of murder, showcasing what could have been a great open world game.
• Beaterator offers players music production options and showcases Rockstar's versatility beyond open-world titles.

Rockstar Games could probably be called the king of open world titles. The studio is well known for creating complex stories that include likable characters, adrenaline-pumping missions, and a large number of different vehicles, weapons, and NPCs for players to interact with. But what about games from a developer that don't allow as much freedom?

While perhaps 80% of Rockstar Games' portfolio is open-world games, some of the developer's titles offer players an amazing story and fun experience, despite their obvious limitations in terms of freedom. Here they are best rockstar games that aren't open world

5 Red Dead Revolver

A Wild West tale of revenge

• Red Dead Revolver laid the foundation for Red Dead Redemption franchise
• Red Harlow tries to avenge the murder of his family at any cost

Few games can be considered the foundations of some of the most successful franchises in modern gaming history. Red Dead Revolver he proudly holds this title. It serves as a precursor to massive hits like Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2This title follows the story of Red Harlow in his quest to avenge the murder of his family at the hands of his father's henchmen.

Featuring amazing combat mechanics with firearms and gunfights that players would expect in a Wild West story, this game is fun and challenging. While it doesn't feature any open world mechanics, you'll hardly miss them. Red Dead Revolver deserves a top spot in the Rockstar Games Hall of Fame as well as without it Red Dead Redemption the franchise may never have existed.

4 Hunt for people

Death Row fights for survival as it plays the Twisted Game

• James Earl Cash must escape the criminals sent to kill him on camera
• While the game could have been a great open world, it still shines for what it is

While Hunt for people the franchise isn't as popular as it used to be, it's still loved by a bunch of gamers and remembered as part of a great era in Rockstar Games' trajectory. Hunt for people takes place in the fictional settlement of Carcer City and follows the main character James Earl Cash, who must participate in a series of films involving murders and other crimes. When gang members and other criminals try to assassinate James, he must survive and fend off every threat he encounters throughout the game.

Many players claim that due to its concept Hunt for people it could have been an amazing open world game. And while that's true, the fact that it has limited mechanics in this regard doesn't detract from the amazing experience it provides – especially for new players.

3 Beater

A music production game with stellar collaboration

• Developed in collaboration with producer Timbaland
• Players can create their own beats and loops

2009 was an amazing year. EDM music took over the world and became a mainstream genre listened to by most teenagers and adults and helped propel various DJs and producers to fame. Rockstar Games and producer Timbaland saw this as an opportunity to create Beatera music mixer that allowed players to create their own loops and easily create incredible beats.

While the game doesn't have a complex storyline or over-the-top gameplay mechanics, it does its own thing very well and provides an overall fun experience suitable for musicians and non-musicians alike. Naturally, Beater it doesn't have any open world mechanics because it doesn't even have exploration. However, the possibilities are endless when it comes to what players can create and how catchy their jams can be.

2 Table tennis

Fun table tennis simulator

• A table tennis simulator with fun challenges
• Players can choose between Exhibition and Tournament modes

Like Beater, Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis it's not really story rich or driven by characters with a deep story. Instead, the title focuses on simulating table tennis and all the surrounding intricacies. With different methods of serving and returning the ball, players can come up with different strategies and hone their skills to defeat their opponents and be crowned the champion. While the AI ​​available in the game wasn't very advanced compared to what players can see in modern titles, it still presented a significant challenge and forced players to spend hours in-game to improve.

Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis features two main modes: Exhibition and Tournament, in which players face off against different opponents on different circuits. Whether players are looking for tough competition or simply want a friendly game of table tennis, this title can provide them with both. It goes without saying, but since the concept of this game does not allow for open world mechanics, there are none present.

1 Max Payne 3

An exciting conclusion to an amazing trilogy

• The game takes place nine years after the events of the year Max Payne 2
• A large arsenal of weapons for various types of combat

Max Payne 3 it is loved by and with millions of players around the world GTA and Red Dead Redemption franchise, has arguably been one of the main drivers behind Rockstar Games' meteoric rise. Max Payne 3 follows protagonist Max Payne nine years after the events of its prequel. When he works as a bodyguard for a rich man, he finds himself in various situations of extreme danger and lots of action. This title is proof that when a game is made with care and attention to detail, the lack of open world mechanics and the limited freedom that comes with it are irrelevant.

With a wide variety of weapons to choose from and exciting missions to complete, Max Payne 3 is still able to provide newcomers with an unforgettable experience, even more than 12 years after its first release.