Grand Theft Auto game series

The first title in the series, simply named "Grand Theft Auto," was released in 1997 as a top-down action game for the PC and PlayStation One. The game had a degree of "linearity," but mostly allowed the gamer to go anywhere and explore the area. Points were given out for various destructive actions, but the overall focus was to complete the various missions needed to advance to the next level.

This first title became the basis of what was yet to come, as it introduced the three cities: "Liberty City," "Vice City" and "San Andreas," each of which would later become subsequent titles. It also featured a radio station that was available once the player has entered a vehicle.

This sequel to the original continued on with the same top-down gameplay style, but within a fictional city broken down into three distinct areas: downtown, residential and industrial. With improved graphics and a wider assortment of weaponry, this game also had a morning and night transition. It included a gang structure, where your character could join a gang, which would result in certain benefits - at the risk of being at war with a rival gang.

The sequel also included a "radio station" feature, as well as the same get-points-to-advance style gameplay.

Boasting an entirely new level of gameplay, GTA3 featured a full 3D gaming experience, and a breakthrough level of open-ended city areas to explore. Originally released in 2001 for the PS2, your character is a nameless individual residing in Liberty City, as a revenge-ridden criminal working his way up the criminal ladder through various missions. Virtually all of the elements from the previous GTA titles were brought over: including gang structures, weapons and signature car thefts; but also included side missions and new abilities (sprinting, hand-to-hand).

Set in the mid 1980s, your character is Tommy Vercetti, a mobster who seeks to earn his way up the criminal chain in the Miami inspired city named "Vice City." With re-vamped graphics featuring better shading, light and reflection effects, this title featured the same traditional gameplay as its previous counterpart, with the new ability of crouching down. Through many missions, Tommy explores and unlocks various sections of this large city, meeting new NPCs (non-player characters) that are vital to the game's plot. Another notable aspect to the game - beyond the 80's themed radio stations, includes the vast number of cars that are seen driving the streets.

Vice City's successor, "San Andreas," featured yet another entirely different character and plot line. In this series, former gangster CJ returns home to his old neighborhood to reacquaint himself with his old community, only to see it falling apart. Working on his diplomacy and physical appearance, CJ joins with his brother to regroup the old Grove Street gang. This game featured huge improvements, including a much greater and more detailed city area, a variety of planes that could be piloted (and parachuted from), tons of wilderness to explore, and as usual - much more cars added to the stray. Many great new missions were introduced, and were not limited only to storyline missions: car smuggling and modification was added, as well.