Mitchell's Multi-Monthly Meanderings
		4.28.05
	Analyzing the Grand Theft Auto Series For years, one of the most popular and well acclaimed video game franchises has been Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto.  GTA's immersive, open ended gameplay has enthralled gamers and revolutionized the way video games are made.  Today on MMMM, we chronicle GTA, installment by installment. Grand Theft Auto (1998 PS1, PC) The original.  That's about the only compliment you can pay this game.  The control scheme was designed by a labotomized orangutan and the graphics could run on an Atari 2600.  It's revolutionary gameplay found a cult following though, and spawned an empire. Grand Theft Auto II (1999 PS1, PC) Not just more of the same in this sequel.  Rockstar is diligent about improving their games.  This sequel sported subtle improvements to the graphics and controls of the original, as well as the obligitory larger map, new vehicles and gameplay elements.  This series was actually starting to get fun. Grand Theft Auto: London, 1969 (1999 PS1, PC) This is where Rockstar started to think about different location and time settings.  Something that would come into play in later GTA games.  Basically an expansion pack, there are no new or interesting gameplay features beyond what has come before. The Italian Job (1999 PS1) This game is based on a movie (the shitty 1969 original, not the shitty 2003 remake.)  Its not a GTA game, it is only driving based, but due to the criminal elements, it is listed here. Grand Theft Auto: III (2001 PS2, Xbox, PC) Now is where this franchise starts to sizzle.  3D Graphics, A-list voice acting, and a huge explorable world.  This is the video game us 80's children thought we'd have in the year 2000.  Rockstar only missed by one year.  Joey Pants, Micheal Madsen, Micheal Rappaport and crew make it seem like you're watching a real gangter flick.  The biggest change to the GTA world, is the third person, behind the shoulder camera.  Thank God!  This is the game that made GTA famous.  It is often referred to as "The Original" GTA game, due to its radical improvements over the Playstation 1 preincarnates.  This game is so good that, despite the fact that it is four years old, gamers continue to play it regularly. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002 PS2, Xbox, PC) They thought it would be cute to set GTA III's follow up in Miami, circa 1986.  You may remember a popular evening crime drama from that time.  If the neon and pasten don't make you nauseous, the game packs quite a punch.  You can now pilot helecopters, drive motorcycles (pulling some super fun tricks!)  You can also change clothes for a quick disguise and own property which can garnish you quite an impressive income, although driving around collecting can be a chore.  Once again, a top of the line voice cast is included, featuring Ray Liotta, Burt Reynolds, and Lawrence Taylor. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004 PS2, Xbox, PC) Stepping away from the metrosexuality brewing down in Vice City, San Andreas plops players right smack dab in the middle of the heyday of Gangsta: Early 90's South Central!  This change alone makes S.A. and improvement over Vice City, but wait there's more! There are fictional versions of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas to explore.  Each one is as large as the entire GTA III map, and that's not even including the rural areas in between.  The soundtrack alone is worth the $50 pricetag.  Major improvements inclue the abolition of loading screens, something that was often a hinderance during a high speed chase, a revamped targeting system, multi-player and finally a real-time adjustable 3rd person camera.  This game has everything, gangland warfare, bad cops voiced by Nice Guy Eddie and Mace Windu and eve BMX bicycling!  San Andreas is perfection in a plastic case. Clones: Due to its popularity, GTA has been knocked off more times than Kenny McCormick.  Including: True Crime: Streets of LA (2003 PS2, GCN, Xbox PC) Its like bizarro GTA.  You're a cop fighting crime, instead of the other way around.  The coolest part is if you beat the game, you can unlock Snoop Dogg as a playable character.  There is a True Crime movie in production.  Where is the GTA Movie?  That would be awesome! Simpsons: Hit and Run Liberty City has become Springfield and Simpsons fans get to explore the Simpsons' Universe like never before.  A weak plot (Springfield is being invaded by aliens) is overcome by superb acting by the real Simpsons cast and humer on par with the show.  An excellent treat that all Simpsons fans need to experience.  Hearing Jeff Albertson encourage you to reach "Warp Speed" makes me giggle to this day. Mercenaries I call it GTA: North Korea.  The only thing that would have made this Lucas Arts produced clone cooler, would have been if they had set it in the Star Wars Universe.  Don't tell me they didn't think of that? Imagine Han Solo hijacking Corvettes or making the Kessel Run then landing on Tatooine to gank some Rodian swoop gangers!  Anyways, I digress, Mercenaries is fun.  Its set in a fictional near future where all heck has broken loose in North Korea.  You're a private Merc with megatons of firepower at your disposal as you play the U.N. South Koreans, Chinese, and Russian Mafia for as much cash as you can get your greedy little fingers on. Well that's that for now, I imagine I'll be back to update this next year, when the new GTA is released. Until then, keep ganking!
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