Grand Theft Auto: A Recap of the Series
By: Daniel Duque
The "Grand Theft Auto" series is popular within the gaming industry. It is rare to find someone who has not seen or heard about this game as it is popular amongst gamers and has been featured in the media.
Its first game was published by Rockstar Games in 1997. GTA has carried on for generations with a total of 14 editions published so far divided into three eras: 2D Universe, 3D Universe and HD Universe.
2D Universe (1997-1999)
The 2D universe is how the franchise started. This universe, as the name indicates, is displayed in 2D graphics with a birds-eye view and instead of models, the games used character sprites displayed in 2D. The games from this universe include "Grand Theft Auto", "GTA London" and "GTA 2".
Grand Theft Auto (1997)
Published on Oct. 21, 1997, "Grand Theft Auto" is the first game of the series. The game does not revolve around a specific story and consists of levels in which the player works for different gang leaders across the map. Each level requires a specific amount of points to be completed to move on to the next.
Grand Theft Auto: London (1999)
Published on April, 29, 1999, "GTA London" works as an expansion pack for "GTA" which requires the latter to play this edition.
Taking place in 1969 in the capital of England, London; the player's goal is to work for different people across the map in order to rank up within the criminal world inside the city. The gameplay is similar to the first "GTA" except the setting is changed to the British city.
Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)
Released on Oct. 22, 1999, "GTA 2" is the last game of the 2D universe. It is the only game from this universe to feature visual effects such as car headlights, street lamps and emergency vehicle lightning.
Unlike the rest of the games from the series, this edition takes place in an unspecified year, although it is suggested it might take place in 2013 or 1999. The setting for this game is called Anywhere City which is represented as a retro futuristic metropolis.
"GTA 2" is the first game to feature a single protagonist, Claude Speed, who is an uprising criminal from Anywhere City. Claude is assigned to work with and against different gangs and organizations from across the map.
3D Universe (2001-2006)
The 3D universe was a big step from the 2D universe. The games from this universe take place in cities inspired from real world places and the events from these are connected. The games introduced new features like a third person view, new weapons, detailed car physics, animated cutscenes with dialogue and more detailed maps. Many fans consider the 3D era as the "golden age" of GTA.
This universe features six games making it the GTA universe with the most games to date.
Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
"GTA III" is the first game of the series to be fully playable in 3D graphics as well as in third-person view. It was released on Oct. 22, 2001; it is the first game from the 3D universe. This game introduced the ability to control boats and planes, the new weapon mechanics from the 3D universe and detailed environments.
As the first game of the 3D universe, "GTA III" was a success being the top grossing game of 2001 selling 14 million copies and being critically acclaimed by critics and gamers. It was considered revolutionary.
The game takes place in Liberty City (a fictional representation of New York City) during the year 2001.
It follows the story of Claude (not the same character from the 2D universe), who after robbing a bank with his girlfriend Catalina, is betrayed by her, causing a wish for revenge. The player's goal is to get revenge on Catalina.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
"GTA: Vice City" was released on Oct. 27, 2002. It is the first game from the series that added the ability to control helicopters and like "GTA III" it presents a detailed cityscape with skyscrapers and hotels and it added the ability to ride motorcycles.
This game was the most sold during 2002 with 17.5 million copies and similar to "GTA III" it was critically acclaimed by critics and gamers.
The game takes place in Vice City, Florida (Based off Miami) during 1986. It follows the story of Tommy Vercetti, who is sent to Vice City to gain money off the uprising drug dealing business taking place.
After arriving, Tommy takes place in a drug deal with the Vance brothers. However, this deal gets ambushed and the cocaine is stolen.
Tommy's goal is to become the most powerful criminal in Vice City.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
"GTA: San Andreas" is considered by many fans the best game of the 3D universe and one of the best in the series as a whole. Released on Oct. 26, 2004, this game sold 27.5 million copies being the most successful game from the 3D universe
This game is the most complex from the 3D universe; it includes a wide variety of features like getting tattoos, going to the gym, the ability to swim, and many others. It is also the 3D universe game with the biggest map which features three fully realized cities.
The game takes place in the state of San Andreas (based off the states of California and Nevada) and its three main cities: Los Santos (based off Los Angeles), San Fierro (based off San Francisco) and Las Venturas (based off Las Vegas) in the year of 1992.
The game tells the story of Carl Johnson (CJ) who returns to his home in Los Santos after the murder of his mother by members of the rival gang, the Ballas.
Grand Theft Auto Advance (2004)
"GTA Advance" was released the same day as San Andreas; it is the first game of the series to be exclusive to a Nintendo console, in this case being the Game Boy Advance.
Despite forming part of the 3D universe, this game features a 2D bird's-eye perspective. It was originally intended to be a port of "GTA III" but ended up being a whole new game. Like the 2D universe games, "GTA Advance" does not feature any cutscenes or dialogues but slideshows instead.
Unlike the rest of the 3D universe games, "GTA Advance" is not very popular among the community. The fact that it was released the same day as "GTA: San Andreas" which was very popular and the graphical downgrade it features, make this game the least popular of the series. It is unknown how many copies of this game were sold.
The game takes place in Liberty City during the year 2000, one year before the events of "GTA III". It follows the story of Mike, a low rank criminal working along his best friend Vinnie, who is more experienced.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005)
"GTA: Liberty City Stories" was released on Oct. 24, 2005. It is the first game of the series released for a handheld console (PSP) to feature 3D graphics in a third-person view.
This game wasn't very popular in the community; however, it was critically acclaimed and it was the most sold game from the console it was released for with 11 million copies. The reason it isn't very popular is the fact that the game was released for only 2 devices (PSP and PS2) and it never got a re-release for newer devices.
The game removed many of the features from "GTA: San Andreas" which made this game more similar to "GTA III".
The game takes place in Liberty City during the year 1998. It follows the story of Toni Cipriani, who was an important member inside the Leone Crime Family being a high-ranking criminal.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006)
"GTA: Vice City Stories" was released on Oct. 31, 2006. It was made available for the PSP like Liberty City Stories. This game concludes the 3D universe.
The ability to swim was re-introduced as well as the ability to control helicopters and planes missing in the previous GTA game.
Similar to "GTA: Liberty City Stories" this game wasn't very popular as it only got released for the same devices (PSP and PS2) and it never got a re-release. However, it is the second most sold game from the console it was released for with 6 million copies sold.
The game takes place in Vice City during the year 1984. It follows the story of Victor Vance, a U.S military soldier who gets involved in the drug dealing business due to the influence of his sergeant, Jerry Martinez.
Two years later, during the events of "GTA: Vice City", Victor Vance is killed during a failed drug deal with Tommy Vercetti.
HD Universe (2008-Present)
The HD universe features 3D graphics with revamped graphics and realistic maps that assimilate to real life regions as well as improved mechanics.
So far, there are five games released for the HD universe and like the 3D universe, the games are connected. However, the 3D and HD universes are not connected.
Grand Theft Auto IV (2008)
"GTA IV" is the first game from the HD universe. It was released on April 29, 2008. This game improved the mechanics from the 3D universe and added more realism to the series. It is the first edition to feature a complete foreign protagonist and decisions by the player that determine how the storyline progresses.
This game was critically acclaimed by the media and gamers. It was the most successful video game release of 2008 selling 25 million copies.
This game takes place in a bigger and modified version of Liberty City that is almost Identical to real life New York City and its surroundings; it takes place in 2008. The story revolves around Niko Bellic, a Serbian war veteran who moves to Liberty City.
This game is considered by many fans to be the darkest one from the whole series as none of the two endings are positive for the protagonist.
Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned (2009)
"GTA: The Lost and Damned" is the first story downloadable content (DLC) available for "GTA IV"; It was released on Feb. 17, 2009.
As a DLC, this game is shorter than the rest in the series, but it adds new characters, missions and an independent story as well as a new protagonist. It is set in the same Liberty City in 2008, but in the poor areas of the region.
It follows the story of Johnny Klebitz and his motorcycle club, The Lost, that have a rivalry with The Angels of Death, another motorcycle club operating in Liberty City.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009)
"GTA: Chinatown Wars" was released on March 17, 2009. It was made available for portable consoles and mobile only.
Although it forms part of the HD universe, this game is played in a bird's-eye view similar to the 2D universe and "GTA Advance". However, it features 3D graphics and a camera that moves according to the player's movements. "GTA: Chinatown Wars" does not feature animated cutscenes or dialogue but slideshows instead.
This game received positive reviews from critics and the GTA community; however, it is the least popular game from the HD universe selling 1.2 million copies.
Taking place in 2009, the game tells the story of Huang Lee, the son of a triad boss who was murdered. Huang travels to Liberty City to deliver Yu-Jian, a sword his father won in a Poker game and became an important heirloom.
Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009)
"GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony" is the second story DLC for "GTA IV". It was released on Oct. 29, 2009. Similar to "GTA: The Lost and Damned", it is a short game that introduced new missions, new characters and a new protagonist.
The game takes place in Liberty City from "GTA IV" during 2008. It follows the story of Luis Lopez, a full-time assistant for the famous night-club entrepreneur Tony Prince (Gay Tony).
Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
"GTA V" is the most recent GTA game published. It was released on Sept. 17, 2013. This game improved almost every mechanic included in previous GTA games and made drastic changes to traditional features like the driving and weapon mechanics. It is also the only game that features three different endings to choose from.
The most notable change was the ability to play as three protagonists and while playing as one, the other two are living their independent lives.
"GTA V" is the most sold game from the series and was critically acclaimed for it's new and original mechanics. It is also the game with the most console releases being availabe for seven different devices. As of today, "GTA V" has sold 140 million copies.
The enhanced versions of the game for Xbox One/PS4/PC introduced the first-person mode which allows to play the game through the eyes of the protagonists.
"GTA V" features the biggest map of the HD universe and the series as a whole including a wide variety of landscapes and wildlife; as well as the ability to play sports like tennis and golf, yoga and scuba diving.
The Future
Eight years have passed since the release of "Grand Theft Auto V" and with Rockstar Games mainly focusing on the multiplayer edition of the series "GTA Online". It is unknown if a new game in the series is in development.
Questions about a new game increased when Rockstar Games announced another release of "GTA V" for the next gen consoles (Xbox Series X and PS5) will take place in the second half of this year.
Fans will need to be patient for the next GTA to be announced, the date is yet unknown.