Rockstar Games has kept GTA enthusiasts on tenterhooks by engaging with the December 27 theories that have been circulating recently. Following a full year without any announcements concerning the highly anticipated GTA 6, the GTA community is still reeling from the lack of Grand Theft Auto releases in 2024.
For those eagerly anticipating events on December 27th, revisiting earlier Grand Theft Auto games might help quench your thirst a little. Completing these games from the beginning could reignite the excitement for GTA that you’ve been missing.
If you’re feeling uncertain about where to begin, don’t worry! We have compiled a list for you. Here it is, a ranking of the Grand Theft Auto series games, arranged from least preferred to most favored.
Grand Theft Auto
Indeed, you’re referring to the pioneering game, Grand Theft Auto from 1997 – the one that set the stage for what was to come. Featuring a bird’s eye view, this Grand Theft Auto ventured into the vast open-world gaming landscape. However, its fundamental mechanics, though rudimentary, pale in comparison to those found in its subsequent versions.
Back in 1997, Grand Theft Auto paved the way for other games within the same series to thrive. It functioned more as a demonstration of what was possible rather than a fully-fledged game, but it undeniably set the stage for the multi-billion dollar franchise we know today. For those who are interested in tracing the roots of this iconic series, playing this original version of Grand Theft Auto is highly recommended.
Grand Theft Auto 2
Grand Theft Auto 2 built on the foundation of its predecessor, yet retained its distinctive top-down perspective. Despite the technology limitations in its time, it enriched the gameplay with additional features like gang conflicts and enhanced mission design when compared to the initial Grand Theft Auto.
It was innovative in introducing the “gang mechanic”, a feature that significantly altered how Non-Player Characters (NPCs) responded to the player, thereby laying a crucial basis for numerous Grand Theft Auto (GTA) games.
Just like its successors, Grand Theft Auto 2 faced issues with weaker narrative development, an aspect that has been strengthened in later installments of the series.
Grand Theft Auto 3
In a significant leap, Grand Theft Auto 3 took the franchise to unprecedented heights where it had never been before. Compared to the first two games, it introduced stunning 3D graphics that were previously missing, paving the way for numerous contemporary open-world games.
Compared to the previous two games, Grand Theft Auto 3 represents a significant advancement, and it stands admirably on its own merits. Yet, when stacked against more recent versions, Grand Theft Auto 3 seems somewhat outdated and less feature-rich.
It might be a few more games before Rockstar perfects the ideal GTA recipe for their newer releases.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Despite having a smaller map than GTA III, GTA: Vice City stood out with captivating characters and an excellent soundtrack. Over time, GTA: Vice City grew to be a pop culture sensation, and its main character, Tommy Vercetti, has become one of the most beloved Grand Theft Auto protagonists in history.
In Vice City, you could oversee multiple real estate holdings and enjoy an array of distinctive automobiles. The Miami-inspired ambiance effectively conveyed the experience of being immersed in a city controlled by underworld kingpins and street thugs.
Being smack dab in the middle of the rankings can feel uniquely significant yet commonplace at times. For instance, GTA Vice City was adored by fans, but the subsequent titles brought a wealth of additional features.
Grand Theft Auto IV
In contrast to GTA: Vice City, which is vibrant and wildly amusing, Rockstar Games opted for a different style with Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV). Instead of the lively setting of Vice City, GTA IV is set in Liberty City, where it adopted a significantly darker atmosphere. Unlike the character Niko Bellic in GTA IV, who was more complex, the protagonist in GTA: Vice City wasn’t as deeply developed. GTA IV marked a significant leap in the franchise’s narrative capabilities, building on the strides made in storytelling during Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
The noticeable advancement in storytelling didn’t happen without a cost, however. Many enthusiasts felt that the unstructured excitement characteristic of the initial releases was diminished as a trade-off for a much more engaging narrative.
GTA IV boasted improved physics that were widely appreciated. Truthfully, what makes GTA unique is the possibility of flipping a car with a glitch.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas gained widespread popularity and cultural significance, with its character CJ being frequently modified into various other games due to the efforts of dedicated modding enthusiasts. This versatile character, CJ, has become a common presence across numerous games, yet it’s GTA: San Andreas that truly captivated fans with its rich and extensive content, contributing significantly to the game franchise’s growing popularity.
In a more casual tone, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas boasted an exceptional map design and incorporated RPG elements that were well-received by gamers. This game enabled you to enhance Carl Johnson (CJ) in various ways while offering a gripping storyline centered around concepts like betrayal, family ties, and the will to survive.
The game took the franchise’s traditionally wild entertainment to new heights, inviting players to delve deeper into diverse factions or groups, and immerse themselves fully within the game world.
Grand Theft Auto V
Over a period of over a decade and spanning three distinct console generations, Grand Theft Auto V has significantly outgrown the typical evolution seen in a Pokémon series. Unlike its predecessors, it pioneered the widely popular GTA Online, offering an experience that was previously lacking. Its visual quality also marked a significant improvement from earlier games in the series.
In GTA V, there were several main characters, and their individual stories contributed significantly to the narrative as a whole. The influence of this game on the franchise is so profound that people who first played it as children have since grown up to become tax-paying adults, eagerly anticipating the release of GTA 6.
Grand Theft Auto V represents the ultimate version of the entire series, and even though Rockstar Games opted to roll out this edition across multiple generations, it’s become a running joke among fans. However, GTA V demonstrates how the franchise can progress over time, and it has established a benchmark for future releases.
Here it is – a ranking, starting with the least impressive and moving up to the best, of all the primary Grand Theft Auto games. While diving back into these titles might increase your gaming to-do list, it’s a valuable investment if you want to deepen your understanding of this beloved franchise.
Should you sense that Grand Theft Auto 6 is yet to arrive, don’t hesitate to explore each title on this list to kindle your anticipation. Remember to keep yourself informed about the latest in gaming by following Gfinity Esports for updates and engaging stories.
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2025-01-08 16:15