Top 20 Video Games Where You Play as a Thief or Robber

20. Boo Men (2022)

You know what’s scarier than robbing a house in the dead of night? Doing it while being chased by literal ghosts. Boo Men tosses you and your friends into creepy, dimly-lit homes where you're not just looting valuables – you’re also avoiding paranormal entities that are way too into home defense. The game’s co-op style makes it both hilarious and terrifying, especially when one of your buddies screams like a banshee over a light flickering. Think Phasmophobia, but with more thievery and fewer Ouija boards. There's strategy, suspense, and just enough jank to keep it entertaining every single run. Trust us: you’ll never look at a grandfather clock the same way again. | © Twisted Corridor

19. Gone Rogue (2023)

Steampunk meets crime in Gone Rogue, a game that lets you strut through an alternate universe as a gentleman thief with a taste for gadgets and guile. It’s a tactical RPG where stealth, timing, and occasionally choking out unsuspecting guards are your bread and butter. The mix of turn-based strategy and sneaky decision-making gives it a unique flavor, like XCOM decided to go criminal. And it’s not just about what you steal – it’s about how you do it. Whether you’re disabling cameras or impersonating aristocrats, the world of Gone Rogue gives you plenty of freedom to be both classy and criminal. Top hat optional, but highly encouraged. | © Red Mountain

18. The Break-In (2023)

Welcome to The Break-In, where you're part of a lovable gang of burglars with way too much ambition and not enough common sense. This physics-based heist simulator is chaotic fun at its core – picture a sandbox where everything is breakable, lootable, and more often than not, completely ridiculous. You can break windows, climb rooftops, and even stack furniture in questionable ways to reach that one priceless vase. The ragdoll physics alone are worth the price of admission. It’s the perfect blend of mischief and mayhem, ideal for multiplayer sessions where planning is optional and panic is inevitable. | © jorgen games

17. The Greatest Penguin Heist of All Time (2021)

Yes, this is a real game. And yes, you’re a penguin. But not just any penguin – you’re part of a waddling, flipper-flailing crew of criminal masterminds on a mission to steal… pretty much anything. The Greatest Penguin Heist of All Time is as absurd as it sounds, and that’s exactly why it works. The game mixes janky controls with open-ended objectives, leading to moments of pure comedy gold. Want to rappel down a building with no thumbs? Done. Drive a getaway boat using only your belly? Absolutely. It’s like Goat Simulator met Payday and waddled off into the sunset. | © ThatFish

16. Thief Simulator (2018)

Forget car chases and shootouts – Thief Simulator is all about the quiet art of casing a joint, learning a neighborhood’s routine, and sneaking in and out without leaving a trace. It’s oddly therapeutic, like a mindfulness exercise for kleptomaniacs. You’ll learn how to pick locks, disable alarms, and navigate your way through increasingly secure homes. The game is surprisingly detailed – you can even pawn stolen goods and upgrade your thief tech, all while avoiding cops and nosy neighbors. Think of it as GTA’s stealthy, less murder-y cousin. Crime may not pay, but it’s definitely immersive here. | © Noble Muffins

15. Crookz – The Big Heist (2015)

Set in a funky, disco-soaked version of the 1970s, Crookz – The Big Heist is the groovy, bell-bottom-wearing sibling of traditional heist games. It’s a real-time tactics game where you assemble a team of stylish thieves – each with their own unique skills – to pull off daring, high-stakes burglaries. Expect laser grids, locked safes, and a lot of well-timed button pushing. The vibe is straight out of a retro spy movie, and somehow it makes even disabling security cameras feel chic. If Ocean’s Eleven was directed by Quentin Tarantino in the ‘70s, this would be the video game adaptation. Feathered hair and funky basslines included. | © Kalypso Media

14. Perfect Heist 2 (2022)

Perfect Heist 2 is what happens when Among Us, Payday, and pure chaos have a baby. It’s a first-person multiplayer game where one team plays the robbers trying to blend in with civilians, while the other team are heavily-armed cops trying to figure out who's acting suspicious. Think of it as a big, goofy game of deception – except you can also blow holes in walls and escape in a truck. With destructible environments, silly disguises, and lots of yelling, this game is perfect for friend groups who love sabotaging each other (emotionally and strategically). Bonus points if you rob the bank dressed like a grandpa. | © YES YES

13. Kamiwaza: Way of the Thief (2006 / Remastered 2022)

This cult classic from Japan got a second wind with its remastered release, and thank the stealth gods for that. Kamiwaza: Way of the Thief follows a former thief named Ebizo who just wants to live a quiet life – until, naturally, things go sideways. The game plays like a stealth-action hybrid with a focus on honor among thieves, and a giant sack of loot you drag around like Santa’s morally dubious cousin. It’s clunky, it’s quirky, and it’s got heart – and somehow, that jank becomes part of the charm. If you're into niche titles with old-school stealth flavor, this one's a hidden gem worth snatching. | © Acquire

12. Dark Hours (2023)

In Dark Hours, you’re not just a thief – you’re the kind of thief who thrives under pressure, in the pitch-black quiet of tense, high-tech break-ins. This game takes a darker, more immersive approach to burglary, mixing stealth gameplay with psychological tension. It leans more on realism and atmosphere than flashy getaways, and that slow-burn approach really works when you’re holding your breath behind a couch, hoping a guard doesn’t see you. It’s a solo experience, so don’t expect buddy banter – but if you’re looking for a cerebral heist where silence is golden, this is your jam. Bring your nerves of steel. | © devDrake

11. Rubber Bandits (2021)

Pure chaos, thy name is Rubber Bandits. This party brawler-meets-heist game throws realism out the window (right after a stolen TV). You play as a squishy, over-the-top criminal who can barely hold a weapon straight, let alone execute a precision robbery. But that’s what makes it beautiful. Up to four players can duke it out in absurd environments, using everything from baguettes to bazookas to steal loot and escape – if you can stop laughing long enough to do so. It’s fast, frantic, and guaranteed to ruin friendships in the best way possible. Basically, it’s the Mario Kart of robbing banks. | © Flashbulb Games

10. Styx: Master of Shadows (2014)

Meet Styx, a grumpy, foul-mouthed goblin who steals everything and your heart (though he might also stab it). Styx: Master of Shadows is a stealth lover’s dream – a slow-paced, methodical infiltration game where shadows are your best friend and frontal assaults are a fast ticket to the “You Died” screen. You’ll sneak through gloomy castles, assassinate guards, and clone yourself to cause mayhem – because why just be a sneaky goblin when you can be two sneaky goblins? It’s a bit of a cult classic, perfect for players who want brainy stealth with a dash of attitude and a lot of lurking. | © Cyanide Studio

9. Late Shift (2016)

What if your life turned into a high-stakes robbery thriller because you parked in the wrong spot? That’s Late Shift – an interactive FMV (full motion video) game where your choices determine whether you end up rich, dead, or somewhere in between. You play as a poor student who gets dragged into a heist gone spectacularly sideways, and from there it’s a whirlwind of tense decisions, moral dilemmas, and cinematic vibes. The writing is sharp, the acting is solid, and the multiple endings give it some real replay value. Basically, it’s like watching a slick heist film – but you’re the one calling the shots. | © CtrlMovie

8. Monaco: What’s Yours Is Mine (2013)

Colorful chaos has never looked so classy. Monaco: What’s Yours Is Mine is a top-down, co-op stealth game that throws subtlety out the window and says, “You know what, just wing it.” You choose from a cast of heist archetypes – like The Locksmith, The Pickpocket, or The Cleaner – and sneak, dash, and occasionally fumble your way through stylish, high-energy capers. With jazzy music and frantic teamwork (or complete lack thereof), every mission feels like a mini heist movie where everyone is probably doing the wrong thing but somehow still escapes. It’s the definition of “planned chaos,” and it’s glorious. | © Pocketwatch Games

7. Sly 2: Band of Thieves (2004)

Ah, the golden era of PlayStation 2 platformers. Sly 2: Band of Thieves is the crown jewel of cartoon heist games, starring a suave raccoon thief and his quirky crew of animal sidekicks. Each mission blends stealth, action, and good ol' fashioned charm as you pull off heists across the globe, taking down a criminal organization one sneaky step at a time. The writing is witty, the levels are beautifully designed, and the characters? Utterly lovable. If you ever wanted Ocean’s Eleven but with a raccoon, a turtle, and a hippo, your wish has already come true. | © Sucker Punch Productions

6. One-armed Robber (2023)

As if robbing a bank wasn’t hard enough – now try doing it with just one arm. One-armed Robber is a hilariously clumsy physics-based heist simulator that takes the phrase “improvised criminal” to a whole new level. You’ll fumble with guns, money, and door handles in your quest for loot, and success often feels like pure luck wrapped in chaos. But that’s exactly what makes it fun. Whether you’re stacking cash or stacking teammates in ways OSHA would definitely not approve, this game embraces absurdity and turns it into multiplayer gold. Pro tip: teamwork helps… sometimes. | © Thomas Kole

5. Payday 2 (2013)

If Ocean’s Eleven had rocket launchers and clown masks, it would look a lot like Payday 2. This co-op FPS lets you and up to three friends plan and execute high-stakes heists – from quiet bank jobs to all-out assaults that feel more John Wick than Heat. It’s all about coordination, gear upgrades, and deciding whether stealth or sheer chaos is the move (spoiler: it's usually chaos). The progression system is addictive, the customization is deep, and the soundtrack absolutely slaps while you’re zip-tying hostages and dodging sniper fire. There’s a reason this game still has a dedicated fanbase years later – it’s just that good at making crime feel... cool. | © Overkill Software

4. SteamWorld Heist (2015)

Picture this: you’re a steam-powered robot pirate, floating through space, looting ships and taking names – with turn-based, ricochet-heavy shootouts. That’s SteamWorld Heist, and yes, it’s as awesome as it sounds. It’s not your average heist game – instead of real-time stealth, you get precise, tactical combat where trick shots and clever angles make every encounter feel like a slow-motion movie moment. Add in a snappy sense of humor, slick visuals, and a killer hat-collecting system (seriously), and this becomes one of the most unique entries in the genre. Stealing stuff in space? We’re in. | © Image & Form

3. Teardown (2020)

Destruction is not just allowed in Teardown – it’s the entire point. This voxel-based sandbox heist sim gives you one job: pull off impossibly elaborate robberies in beautifully destructible environments. The catch? You have to plan everything down to the second, because once the alarm is tripped, you’ve got under a minute to grab the goods and bounce. Want to drive a truck through a wall? Blow up a bridge to escape? Stack 30 microwaves to reach a rooftop window? You can do all of it. It’s like planning a heist and directing your own action movie, only with way more property damage. | © Tuxedo Labs

2. Thief Gold (1999)

Before there was stealth as a mechanic, there was Thief. This cult classic (and ultimate '90s PC gamer badge of honor) practically invented the idea of lurking in the shadows and snuffing out torches with water arrows. You play as Garrett, a snarky master thief with a magic eye and a disdain for authority – and trust us, it never gets old. The levels are sprawling, the atmosphere is thick with medieval dread, and the sound design? Still unmatched. It’s the kind of game that whispers, “Don’t fight. Don’t run. Just vanish.” And somehow, that’s more thrilling than any shootout. | © Looking Glass Studios

1. Grand Theft Auto V (2013)

It was always going to be this one, wasn’t it? Grand Theft Auto V is the ultimate crime sandbox, and its elaborate heist missions are a major reason why. Whether you’re drilling into a bank vault or airlifting a getaway car from a moving train, the game lets you live out your wildest criminal fantasies with cinematic flair. The three-protagonist system keeps things fresh, the writing is razor-sharp, and the world? Still one of the most detailed playgrounds in gaming, years later. Add GTA Online’s never-ending stream of heists, and it’s no wonder this game keeps printing money. | © Rockstar Games