Quick overview of ratings and maps for each of these Rockstar Grand Theft Auto games:
1. GTA London (1969 & 1961)
- Rating: 6/10 – 7/10 (received mixed reviews as expansions to the original GTA).
- Map: A 1960s-style London map, featuring distinct UK landmarks, narrow streets, and a unique British atmosphere, different from later open-world 3D maps.
2. GTA II
- Rating: 7/10 – 8/10 (praised for gameplay and humor but criticized for repetitive missions).
- Map: Set in a futuristic city divided into three areas, the map introduced gang territories and multi-level roads, offering a layered environment but still top-down and less detailed than later games.
3. GTA III
- Rating: 9/10 (widely acclaimed for introducing a 3D open-world experience).
- Map: Liberty City, inspired by New York City, is divided into three main islands (Portland, Staunton Island, and Shoreside Vale), creating a gritty, urban playground that was revolutionary for its time.
4. GTA Vice City
- Rating: 9.5/10 (loved for its style, setting, and soundtrack).
- Map: A bright, 1980s-inspired version of Miami, Vice City features beaches, neon lights, and iconic landmarks. The map feels alive with its coastal layout, waterfront properties, and diverse districts.
5. GTA San Andreas
- Rating: 9.5/10 – 10/10 (praised for depth, story, and sheer size).
- Map: San Andreas is an enormous state with three cities (Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas) and varied countryside. It’s packed with rural areas, deserts, mountains, and cities, creating a highly diverse world.
6. GTA IV
- Rating: 9/10 (hailed for realism, physics, and narrative depth).
- Map: A detailed, gritty Liberty City inspired by New York City, with neighborhoods like Broker, Algonquin, Dukes, and Alderney. It’s dense and realistic, with a darker, more mature atmosphere than earlier games.
7. GTA V
- Rating: 9.5/10 – 10/10 (acclaimed for its expansive world, innovative character-switching, and detailed graphics).
- Map: Los Santos and Blaine County together make up the largest and most detailed map in the series, inspired by Los Angeles and Southern California. The map includes a bustling urban center, sprawling suburbs, scenic coastlines, and vast rural areas with mountains, deserts, and forests. It’s known for its incredible variety and realism, offering a vibrant, diverse open world that feels alive and ever-changing.
8. GTA 6
- Expected Rating: TBD (high expectations due to Rockstar’s reputation and previous success).
- Map: Rumored to feature a modern take on Vice City, inspired by Miami, with potential for additional regions across a vast and detailed map. Speculation suggests a return to the 1980s flair but with a modern twist, possibly including surrounding areas like the Everglades or small towns beyond the city. Reports indicate Rockstar aims to create the most expansive and immersive open world yet, with advanced AI, a dynamic environment, and detailed city life.
The game is expected to push boundaries in open-world design, with significant improvements in realism, interactivity, and scale, possibly setting new standards for the genre.
In conclusion, the Grand Theft Auto series has consistently pushed the boundaries of open-world gaming, evolving from the top-down view of GTA 1 to the expansive, immersive environments seen in GTA V. Each installment introduced new features and settings, from the gritty urban sprawl of Liberty City to the vibrant streets of Vice City and the vast landscapes of San Andreas. With GTA IV focusing on realism and narrative depth, and GTA V offering an unprecedented level of detail and interactivity, the series has set the bar for open-world design. Anticipation for GTA 6 is high, with rumors promising an even more expansive and dynamic world, continuing the legacy of one of gaming’s most influential franchises
Image source: Rockstar games
