- #Grand theft auto 2 retrospective driver#
- #Grand theft auto 2 retrospective series#
- #Grand theft auto 2 retrospective ps2#
One thing that really hasn’t aged well is the limited number of character models wandering the streets. There are fewer random events and no enterable interiors besides several Ammu-Nation stores and – if you want to count it – a few lousy car garages. NPCs seldom deviate from their routine activities and although the subway terminals are packed, nobody’s using the trains apart from Claude. The map is reasonably sized and bigger than that of GTA: Vice City, but infinitely less interesting. Then there’s the long save times, with the option to save or load the game appearing in unattractive, aggressive-looking red text. The mini-map is there as always, but players had better remember the locations of the various pay and sprays and ammunition stores because, unlike in future titles, there are no icons for them. Another technical drawback is the absence of a map screen. And although these problems also plague GTA: Vice City (originally intended as a spin-off of GTA III), that game has so much else going for it. Jerky controls were borderline acceptable at the turn of the century, but 2020s gamers used to smooth, cutting edge gameplay might not be as forgiving. The player feels most in control when utilizing the few military-grade manually aimed weapons accessible only later in the game. The auto-aim is irritating and the ability to switch targets is slow or at times unresponsive. When making short movements from a standing position, Claude either moves too much or too little, which is especially annoying when near water which, incidentally, he can’t swim. What’s not so forgivable are the clunky controls, consisting of awkward, jittery movement in tight situations with a large margin of error. Officer, it’s all a mistake! (Image: Rockstar Games) The lack of character development is forgivable though, given that GTA III’s focus was on innovative gameplay. Contrast that with the final mission and epilogue of GTA: Vice City where most of the major characters are brought together in one big finale. The primary antagonist only makes three or four brief cutscene appearances prior to the final mission. Some have potential, but short cutscenes, little dialogue and quick deaths mean they don’t get enough airtime. Everyone remembers Sonny, the hot-tempered Diaz, and the backstabber Lance Vance from GTA: Vice City, or Big Smoke and the eminently hateable Officer Tenpenny from GTA: San Andreas, but it’s hard to feel as strongly about as many characters here. The character development in general leaves a lot to be desired. Whilst not making him any less relatable, this does make him feel antiquated, not to mention a little weird, for more recent GTA players accustomed to hearing their protagonists cursing and shouting at every turn. As for Claude, he’s not much of a talker in fact, from start to finish, he doesn’t utter a single line of dialogue. There are some neat missions, punishing and memorable in equal measure, but it’s generally a case of been there, done that. It’s the same rags to riches tale, the same errand boy (in this case, ‘Claude’) doing the dirty work of the crime bosses and drug lords.
#Grand theft auto 2 retrospective series#
But newcomers lacking any element of nostalgia will have to judge it by what it is today, and that’s slightly worrying.ĭespite lifting the series into the 3D age, GTA III’s story is reassuringly one-dimensional.
#Grand theft auto 2 retrospective driver#
But GTA IIIwasn’t revolutionary for its open-world ( Driver did that) it’s the level of detail that comes with it, plus the fact it was a driving and shooting title. It’s impossible today to replicate the thoughts of a generation of gamers spending their first few minutes in Liberty City the wonder at seeing the various cars roaming the streets, the changing weather, and hearing the vibrant, amusing radio stations bringing them “all the songs you were tired of 20 years ago”. Interact with it, do what they want with few constraints.
#Grand theft auto 2 retrospective ps2#
The average PS2 owner is playing Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, or possibly Red Faction, and along comes this magical disc that lets them explore a whole city. Sadly, or perhaps inevitably, there might not be many singing happy birthday. It’s autumn and the twentieth anniversary of Grand Theft Auto III (October 22 nd) is upon us.
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