Which GTA Game Should You Play First?
For newcomers to the Grand Theft Auto universe, a fantastic starting point is Grand Theft Auto V. It’s a highly acclaimed, readily available game with a compelling single-player campaign and a vibrant online component, GTA Online. This makes it an ideal entry point into the series’ massive world.
Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V, set in the fictional city of Los Santos, is a gripping story about three criminals (Franklin, Michael, and Trevor) navigating the dangerous world of crime and personal struggles. Players experience the game’s impressive open-world environment, engaging in numerous missions, heists, and side activities. The extensive online component, GTA Online, provides further depth and longevity to the experience.
Where Is GTA 6 on the Grand Theft Auto Timeline?
While the precise date and specifics are unknown, GTA 6 is tentatively set for a 2025 release. It’s speculated to be a modern-day Vice City installment, implying a contemporary setting, similar to GTA 5.
The Grand Theft Auto 2D Timeline
The 2D era marked the early days of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, characterized by a top-down perspective. These games are more straightforward in their gameplay style compared to the 3D and HD installments but still offer compelling narratives and a taste of the criminal underworld.
1. Grand Theft Auto: London 1961
A PC-exclusive prequel to 1969, this game follows a nameless criminal navigating the London underworld of the 1960s. The criminal, rising through the ranks, completes various missions for a key mobster, Harold Cartwright.
2. Grand Theft Auto: London 1969
This first expansion for the original Grand Theft Auto takes players to 1960s London. The narrative centers on a nameless protagonist dealing with diverse crime syndicates, including Harold Cartwright’s gang and the infamous Crisp Twins.
3. Grand Theft Auto
This original game, released in 1997, introduced a new perspective on crime. It follows a nameless protagonist navigating the criminal underworlds of three different locations: Liberty City, San Andreas, and Vice City. The story highlights various missions, heists, and encounters with different criminal figures. The game’s structure provides a blueprint for the series’ subsequent installments.
4. Grand Theft Auto 2
Grand Theft Auto 2, a pivotal game in the series, diverges from its predecessor’s settings, placing players in a futuristic city called Anywhere City. The protagonist, Claude Speed, engages in crime with several criminal syndicates, demonstrating the series’ growing complexity in its portrayal of the criminal underworld.
The Grand Theft Auto 3D Timeline
The transition to 3D graphics marked a significant leap for the Grand Theft Auto franchise, providing a more immersive and detailed view of the criminal worlds.
1. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
A prequel to Vice City, this installment takes players back to 1984, following Victor Vance, a soldier who finds himself in the Vice City criminal underworld. The game showcases how Vance navigates his way through the criminal’s underbelly, establishing ties with various other characters.
2. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Set in 1986, this game follows Tommy Vercetti, a notorious gangster from Liberty City. Sent to Vice City to expand his boss’s drug trade, Tommy faces challenges and takes on different criminal syndicates to expand his empire. This installment explores a rich and vibrant historical environment, highlighting the criminal enterprise in the 80s.
3. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
San Andreas features the story of Carl ‘CJ’ Johnson, who returns to Los Santos after his mother’s murder. CJ navigates the criminal world while attempting to rebuild his gang and seek revenge on the perpetrators. This installment demonstrates a detailed depiction of the criminal subculture in Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas.
4. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
A prequel to GTA 3, Liberty City Stories takes place in 1998 and follows Toni Cipriani. He returns to Liberty City after fleeing Italy, becoming embroiled in the affairs of the Salvatore Leone crime family.
5. Grand Theft Auto Advance
Released in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance, Grand Theft Auto Advance offers a unique experience in the GTA franchise. It focuses on Mike’s quest for revenge after his partner’s death. He is embroiled in Liberty City’s criminal underworld, associating with different criminal organizations.
6. Grand Theft Auto 3
Grand Theft Auto 3, marking the series’ initial foray into 3D gameplay, introduces Claude, a bank robber facing life imprisonment. Claude’s escape leads him into the criminal world of Liberty City, where he interacts with various crime syndicates, developing a criminal empire. His quest becomes one of vengeance.
The Grand Theft Auto HD Timeline
The HD era saw a significant graphical upgrade, enhancing the immersive experience of playing within the criminal underworld.
1. Grand Theft Auto 4
Grand Theft Auto 4, set in 2008, follows Niko Bellic, an Eastern European ex-soldier. He comes to Liberty City seeking fortune and reunites with his cousin, Roman, who’s struggling financially. Niko navigates the crime world and becomes entangled in the city’s political and criminal circles, establishing his own position.
2. Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and The Damned
Taking place during the events of GTA 4, this game follows Johnny Klebitz, the Vice President of The Lost MC motorcycle gang. The story unfolds with Johnny’s journey within the gang while facing internal conflict and a deadly rivalry with another motorcycle gang.
3. Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony
Another GTA 4 expansion, this installment focuses on Luis Lopez, a bodyguard of nightclub owner Tony Prince. Luis’s struggles include navigating the criminal underworld and Tony’s business dealings, helping him navigate debt and criminal entanglements.
4. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Set in 2009, this game follows Huang Lee, the son of a murdered Triad leader. His journey begins with his mission to deliver a significant sword to his uncle in Liberty City. Huang Lee is caught up in the city’s complex criminal network and political conflicts.
5. Grand Theft Auto Online
Grand Theft Auto Online, a persistent online mode, takes place before GTA 5 and years afterward. The player assumes the role of a criminal with diverse options for constructing their criminal enterprise in Los Santos, ranging from acquiring property to creating factions.
6. Grand Theft Auto 5
Set in 2013, GTA 5 tells the story of three criminals: Franklin, Michael, and Trevor. The protagonists’ paths intertwine through various criminal activities, heists, and interpersonal conflicts, leading to a dramatic climax. The game’s storyline features complex characters with different motivations and personal struggles.
Every GTA Game in Release Order
- Grand Theft Auto (1997)
- Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 (1999)
- Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 (1999)
- Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)
- Grand Theft Auto 3 (2000)
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
- Grand Theft Auto Advance (2004)
- Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005)
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006)
- Grand Theft Auto 4 (2008)
- Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and The Damned (2009)
- Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009)
- Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009)
- Grand Theft Auto 5 (2013)
- Grand Theft Auto Online (2013)
- Grand Theft Auto 6 (2025)
What’s Next for Grand Theft Auto?
Rockstar has confirmed a fall 2025 release window for GTA 6. The game will be set in Vice City and promises two protagonists. Though specifics about the gameplay are limited, the upcoming installment is expected to be a large-scale release, likely impacting the gaming world significantly.
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