Welcome to the United States in iconic cities like Vice City, Liberty City, and San Andreas. These cities are brimming with opportunities, and money is just waiting to be grabbed. You play as an unnamed gangster, waging war against the police in these three cities and other major criminals.
The Gameplay
Grand Theft Auto does not offer a traditional storyline. Instead, it presents a series of missions that you complete by visiting different phone booths across the cities. However, the game features several key characters.
Key Characters
- Robert Michael Peter aka Bubby:
- Born on June 26, 1960.
- Known to the police for crimes such as armed robbery, involuntary manslaughter, pimping, extortion, and corruption.
- Associates include Pablo Vercotti, Tommy Romero, and ‘Crazy’ Jimmy Waterson.
- Alleged head of the Vercotti crime family.
- Obsessed with avenging his father’s death at the hands of British secret services.
- Uncle Fu:
- Rumored to be over 130 years old.
- Involved in crimes like piracy, illegal opium trade, sorcery, torture, and extortion.
- Samuel Deever:
- Born on September 27, 1969, and known as the game’s psychopath.
- Criminal record includes alleged cannibalism in 1989, urinating on his boss’s desk in 1992, stealing seized drugs in 1989 and 1997, multiple counts of assault from 1990 to 1995, incestuous practices in 1995, sexual harassment in 1996, working under the influence in 1994, kidnapping in 1995, and alleged sodomy of a superior officer in 1997.
- Watched by law enforcement for drug trafficking and running a tattoo parlor without proper licensing.
- Brother Marcus:
- Born on May 30, 1967.
- Member of the Provisional Brotherhood of Jah Army of Love, leading a terror campaign for over seven years.
- Controls nearly all drug trade in Vice City.
- Known for crimes including bombings, executions, inflicting injuries, ninja antics, fraud, and pilfering.
The Cities and Vehicles
Grand Theft Auto offers players the chance to drive a variety of vehicles across three of America’s toughest cities. Only the best can master the fastest cars. Only the smartest will know all the shortcuts and alleyways in the hot streets. Only the toughest can rise above and finish the job like a pro.
Reception and Impact
Initially, Grand Theft Auto was poorly received by the press. The official PlayStation magazine rated it 2/10, criticizing it as an “unplayable psychedelic Lego mishmash” and a “true disgrace.” Who would have thought that fifteen years later, the fifth installment would become the most anticipated game of all time?
For many players, the game embodied freedom—a world where killing earned points. However, Rockstar, originally DMA Design, succeeded in creating controversy, sparking discussions, and this became the catalyst for its eventual success.
