However, this wouldn't be the case if it weren't for the game that set the bar for the open world game. Which finds itself here at #3 on my list. Rockstar knows how to make a hell of an open-world game, and it all started here. There is a reason why every game in this genre is labeled a "GTA-Clone". While many games succeed in being great, they owe that success to this franchise. You may have seen this coming. So here we go!
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#3 - The Grand Theft Auto series - First released October 1997 (PC, Playstations, Xboxes, handhelds, a lot of things ok?)
Originally, the game was supposed to be titled "Race n' Chase". Just a fun fact.
The original GTA was developed by DMA Designs (which we now know as Rockstar North) who were famous for the Lemmings series as well as Uniracers for the SNES (if you haven't played Uniracers, you are missing out). The first game took place in Liberty City, Vice City, AND San Andreas. Of course, these weren't nearly as huge as they are now, but it is very interesting to see that all 3 major cities in the series appeared in the very first game. I remember playing the original on the PS1 and liking it a lot. It was a fun, mindless game where I could just screw around and cause crime.
I REALLY starting getting into this series with Grand Theft Auto 2 which I played on the Dreamcast. Being able to do missions for rival gangs and be in the middle of a gang war, plus adding side missions like taxi missions, and bus driving missions. I had not played the London games at that point, but I knew after playing GTA 1 and 2 that this was going to be something I would want more of.
Then, we got word that a new GTA game was coming to these newer consoles of the time (PS2, Xbox) and was going to be 3D. This was 2001 so 16-old-me was flipping out. Grand Theft Auto III was released in October 2001 for PS2 and October 2003 for Xbox. The game was delayed following the 9/11 attacks, halting production and forcing Rockstar to make significant changes in the wake of the tragedy. I played GTA III primarily on PS2 and at the time I knew this was going to be something special. Of course, the controversy followed, being able to just gun down anybody, commit crimes, pick up hookers, staples of the franchise. GTA III also laid a lot of the foundation for what we got with GTA V: the beginnings of a big, open world, many more side missions, full cutscenes, picking up hookers, etc.
GTA III also kicked of the trilogy of games, adding Vice City and San Andreas. I still have a love of Vice City for the atmosphere, the setting, and the music (which I will touch on later). San Andreas had the most stuff going on. Adding the mechanic of staying in shape at the gym, or letting CJ go and make him a fatass. Yes, San Andreas is best known for the legendary "Hot Coffee" cheat, and with all the publicity surrounding it, it only succeeded in selling more copies to see what the hell everyone was so worked up about. The series is well-known for its controversies and that's a reason why it sells so well. It's a "What are they going to do next?" scenario.
After the trilogy of III (and the subsequent Stories games for the PSP) GTA set its sights on the PS3, Xbox 360, and the PC for the next version: Grand Theft Auto IV. New systems, more power, bigger and better Liberty City. The classic tale of the American Dream through the eyes of a refugee looking to make it big. Full of interesting characters (Brucie, Little Jacob, just to name a few), bigger world to explore, more activities, likable characters, and 2 great expansions with The Ballad of Gay Tony, and The Lost and Damned. Another instant classic, though players were looking forward to get out of Liberty City.
Chinatown Wars was released around this time for the Nintendo DS and PSP and stayed in Liberty City, but returned to the top-down perspective of the original games, pretty fun, but again, we were looking forward to the next big thing in the series.
What we got was a masterpiece in Grand Theft Auto V. For the first time, you could play as three different characters in an interweaving storyline though an absolutely gigantic environment. There is just so much to do in V with all the side missions, parachuting, yoga, triathlons, diving for treasure, heists, etc. The characters are likable and memorable, I knew I laughed at several jokes and said "That's awesome" a number of times. Great looking environments (that will look even better on the new consoles and PC)., the list goes on.
Yes, Grand Theft Auto online had its fair share of bumps in the road, but the concept is sound. It can definitely work. The fact remains, though, that GTA V is, in and of itself, one of the best games ever made.
The music has been a huge staple in the series and compliment the action nicely. Vice City with its 80's music really helped set the tone for the game. San Andreas with the California hip-hop, GTA IV and V incorporating DJ's and music of the era and helps fill in the world. It is all so well put together.
I could gush about Grand Theft Auto games all day. They are the best games at "You wanna go there? Go for it! You wanna do that? Go For it!". Just watch and admire the evolution of the open-world masterpiece.
It is so easy to get yourself lost in any of these games. With so much going on and only your mind as the limiting factor, Grand Theft Auto stands as the best when it comes to doing a lot of dumb shit, but doing it your way. Absolute classics and I can't wait for the new consoles to get their version of GTA V.
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