Gameplay focuses on an open world where the player can choose missions at their own leisure to progress an overall story, as well as engaging in side-activities consisting of action-adventure, driving, shooting, occasional role-playing, stealth and racing elements.

The series focuses on many different protagonists who attempt to rise through the ranks of the criminal underworld, although their motives for doing so vary in each game.

[2] Gangstar: Crime City is a top-down, open-world action-adventure video game published by Gameloft and developed by at least one of its subsidiaries.

It is about a gangster who explores the fictional town of Crime City looking for money, power, and occupation of other gangs.

[6][7] The game is about gangster cousins Pedro (nicknamed Chico) and Juan, who have recently escaped from Mexico due to a pursuit from the police.

After being chased by the organization, Masato is saved by a shadowy beauty named Yuri who claims to be a special agent.

[9] Gangstar: West Coast Hustle is an open-world action-adventure video game published by Gameloft and developed by at least one of its subsidiaries.

[12] Gangstar: Miami Vindication is an open-world action-adventure video game published by Gameloft and developed by at least one of its subsidiaries.

The story follows Johnny Gainsville (spelled "Gainesville" in the 3D version), a middle-aged man in search for his younger brother Joey, who was last seen in Miami, who is driven into a life of crime.

The 3D version is the first game in the series to feature voice acting instead of only textual dialogues (albeit lacking any facial animations).

In 2012, a spin-off titled Urban Crime was released; it follows the aftermath of the departure of Johnny Gainesville from Miami.

Gangstar Rio: City of Saints is an open-world action-adventure video game published by Gameloft and developed by at least one of its subsidiaries.

In the 2D version, Raul leaves a party he was enjoying with his girlfriend Ana in order to do an urgent job for his boss.

Under orders of his boss, Raul enters a company car, but it explodes, making him fall into a coma; a month later he wakes in front of a hospital with a different face, and decides to go undercover in his gang to find out who planted the bomb.

It turn the group is also looking for a "Wet Package" - a powerful mass-scale mind-control technology developed by the state of Brazil.

Raul hits the core scientist in the project, accidentally meets Laryssa on a beach, and exchanges a few words with her.

The journalist manipulated the factions into war by sending them misinformation about the nature of "Wet Package", which was a complete hoax, in order to boost her career.

Gangstar City is an open-world action-adventure video game published by Gameloft and developed by at least one of its subsidiaries.

Not long after the beginning of the story, Pedro goes missing; Garcia, along with Luis, his teammates, and friends, must defeat all gangs who have been suspected to be involved in his disappearance.

The story revolves around Jason Malone, a skilled mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who is targeted by mobster Frank Veliano after seemingly knocking out his opponent during a professional match by mistake, in what was supposed to be a fixed round.

Gangstar: New Orleans is an open-world action-adventure video game published by Gameloft and developed by at least one of its subsidiaries for iOS and Android.