Brief Introduction to Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto series games are a collection of action-adventure games developed by Rockstar Games. Known for their vast open worlds, intricate storylines, and highly free-form gameplay, players take on the roles of various characters in a virtual world filled with crime and opportunity. GTA games are mostly set in fictional locations modeled after various cities in the United States, with the focus primarily on the open-world setting, allowing players to freely decide the time and manner of advancing the story through missions.
GTA Games Release Timeline Since the release of the first Grand Theft Auto in 1997, GTA Games have evolved through multiple generations, from the initial 2D top-down games to 3D open-world games. Each installment in the series builds a unique and rich urban environment where players can drive various vehicles, engage in gunfights, participate in races, fly, and face a variety of challenges. GTA Games also offers a rich character customization option, including clothing, hairstyles, tattoos, etc., allowing players to create a unique personalized character. With the rise of multiplayer online games, in addition to the single-player mode, GTA Games also provide a multiplayer online mode, such as Grand Theft Auto Online. In Grand Theft Auto Online, players can team up with other players to complete missions, participate in racing competitions, engage in gunfights, and even create their gangs to vie for territory in the city.
Release Timeline of GTA Games
Playing GTA Games in Order
To help players better enjoy the GTA Games, a play order list for the 2D, 3D, and HD timelines has been compiled. While waiting for the official release of GTA 6, players can revisit these classic titles.
2D Timeline:
GTA London 1961
Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 is a mission pack for the Grand Theft Auto series, serving as a prequel to Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto: London 1969. The game is set in London in 1961, where the player's character, with the help of a friend, contacts the leader of a local gang, Harold. By completing various tasks assigned by Harold, such as attacking rival gangs or eliminating people he dislikes, the player's character gradually gains Harold's recognition and is eventually drawn into his criminal empire. Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 is set in 1960s London, marking the first time the series has set the game in a real-world city and the mid-20th century, contrasting sharply with the modern or fictional city settings of other series titles. The game captures the cultural atmosphere of 1960s London, including fashion, music, and social mores, providing players with a unique experience different from other games.
Grand Theft Auto London 1969
Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 is the second installment in the Grand Theft Auto series, marking the first time the game is set in the real-world city of London. The player's character must survive and rise in a city filled with crime and violence. The main plot revolves around the player's interactions with various criminal organizations and the completion of various criminal tasks, such as robberies, assassinations, and illegal racing, to increase their criminal status and influence. The goal is to remain calm in a world filled with betrayal and brutality, continue to make money and drive luxury cars, and ultimately become the king of crime in London. Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 is set in 1969, using cultural and historical references such as James Bond-style characters and villains, as well as London East End rhyming slang. The currency is pounds, and vehicles drive on the left side of the road, adding to the authenticity and era atmosphere of the game.
Grand Theft Auto 1
Grand Theft Auto 1 is the first installment in the Grand Theft Auto series. The game is played from a 2D top-down perspective, with the player taking on the role of a gangster who completes various tasks to increase their "prestige." In the game's plot, the player's goal is to expand their criminal empire through various criminal activities such as shootouts and car chases. The game offers a high degree of freedom, allowing players to freely explore the city, complete tasks, or engage in conflicts with the police and other hostile forces. Tasks usually involve attacking rival gangs, carrying out assassinations, and other criminal acts. The game provides eight characters with different characteristics: Travis (high speed and agility), Ulrika (high stamina and health), Troy (proficient in driving various vehicles), 8-Ball (explosives expert), Kivlov (high strength and stamina), Divine (high armor and health), Esperanto (cracking locks and security systems), Packie (proficient in using various weapons). Players can choose a character based on their preferences and play style. Each character has unique advantages, which keep the game fresh during repeat playthroughs. In the game's open world, players can perform various tasks, including car theft, robbery, and police chases.
Grand Theft Auto 2
In Grand Theft Auto 2, the player takes on the role of Claude Speed, a criminal in a fictional city. The game's plot takes place in a metropolis called "Anywhere City," where the player must complete various tasks in an open-world environment, usually involving robbery, assassination, and other criminal acts. One of the game's features is that the player can interact with multiple different criminal gangs, completing their tasks to increase their "favorability" with these gangs. This interaction affects the player's status and available resources in the game world. The player's actions not only affect their relationship with the gangs but also attract the attention of the police and other law enforcement agencies, requiring the player to manage their criminal career while avoiding arrest. The plot and mission design of Grand Theft Auto 2 offers a high degree of freedom, allowing players to choose different criminal paths to advance the game, with each choice leading to different consequences and story developments.
3D Timeline
Grand Theft Auto Vice City Stories
The story of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories takes place in 1984 in Vice City, a fictional city modeled after 80s Miami. The player takes on the role of protagonist Victor Vance, who was originally an army soldier but was kicked out of the military due to a series of unfortunate events. As the game progresses, Victor is forced into the criminal world and eventually builds his criminal empire. In the end, Victor Vance avenges his enemies and obtains a batch of cocaine. Victor is cautious about drug trafficking; he wants to quickly get rid of the drugs to end their criminal career. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories retains the classic elements of the Grand Theft Auto series, such as the third-person perspective, vehicle driving, and gunfight combat, while introducing new game mechanics and improvements. At the same time, it also provides a vast open world where players can freely explore every corner of the city, including streets, beaches, and city landmarks. Compared to previous games, Vice City Stories adds a swimming function, although not diving, it increases the freedom and immersion of the game.
Grand Theft Auto Vice City
The story of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City takes place in 1986 in the fictional city of Vice City, modeled after 80s Miami. The protagonist is Tommy Vercetti, a former mafia member who has just been released from prison. Tommy is sent by his former boss Sonny Forelli to Vice City for a drug deal, but the deal is ambushed, causing Tommy to lose all his money and drugs. So Tommy decides to avenge himself and establish his criminal empire in Vice City. The plot of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is full of 80s style and cultural elements, including popular music, fashion, and movies. The game has a complex storyline, with players needing to complete a series of main and side missions, which not only drive the plot but also provide a rich gaming experience. The city design of GTA: Vice City is meticulous, including weather changes, pedestrian interactions, and dynamic events, which enhance the immersion of the game.
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
The story of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas takes place in 1992 in the fictional state of San Andreas, inspired by California and Nevada. The protagonist is Carl Johnson (CJ), who, upon learning of his mother's death, returns home to Los Santos, a city modeled after Los Angeles. CJ finds his family and friends in disarray, and throughout the game, he works to restore his family and take control of the streets, all while battling corrupt cops and rival gangs. The game is noted for its vast open world, which includes three major cities (Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas) and vast expanses of countryside, desert, and mountains. Players can engage in various activities such as driving, shooting, and completing missions that range from heists to gang warfare.
Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories
The story of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories takes place in 1998 in the fictional city of Liberty City, modeled after New York City. The protagonist is Toni Cipriani, a mobster returning to the city after a few years of lying low. The game follows his rise through the ranks of the Leone crime family as he completes missions for various characters in the city. Liberty City Stories is known for its detailed cityscape, which includes many iconic landmarks and neighborhoods inspired by real-world locations in New York. Players can explore the city on foot or by driving various vehicles, and engage in a variety of missions that include assassinations, drug deals, and heists.
Grand Theft Auto Advance
In Grand Theft Auto: Advance, the protagonist is Mike, who is wrongly accused of being the murderer of his friend Vinnie and becomes a wanted man. To clear his name, Mike begins to investigate the truth behind the incident. Throughout the game, Mike not only faces the pursuit of the police but also deals with various criminal gangs, including the Jamaican gang and the Colombian gang. As the plot unfolds, Mike discovers a larger conspiracy behind Vinnie's death, involving the Mafia and other criminal organizations' interests. In the game, Mike not only completes various criminal tasks but also earns money by doing free missions such as helping the police and transporting injured people to the hospital. Ultimately, after a series of events, Mike uncovers the truth behind Vinnie's death and engages in a fierce confrontation with the mastermind behind the scenes, successfully escaping the police pursuit and starting a new life in Colombia. Grand Theft Auto: Advance introduces new game mechanics, such as motorcycle stunts and more interactive elements, providing players with more gameplay options. Moreover, various events occur randomly in the game world, and players can choose to participate in and complete these events to receive rewards.
Grand Theft Auto 3
The story of Grand Theft Auto 3 unfolds in the fictional city of Liberty City, based on New York City in the United States. The protagonist, Claude, is a taciturn character who is betrayed by his girlfriend, Catalina, and subsequently arrested by the police. While being transported to prison, Claude and another prisoner, "8-Ball," are freed during a jailbreak orchestrated by the Colombian drug cartel. Claude survives in Liberty City's underworld by collaborating with various criminal factions, including the Italian Mafia, the Japanese Yakuza, and other street gangs. Throughout the game, he gradually builds his power base and uncovers the true identity of Catalina, who betrayed him.
The game's ending, after Claude and Maria leave the dam, suddenly goes dark, followed by gunshots, without revealing who fired the shots, leaving players with a vast space for imagination. Grand Theft Auto 3, with its narrative-driven gameplay, allows players to immerse themselves more deeply in the game's story. Moreover, GTA 3 utilized the Render Ware engine, enabling the creation of a highly detailed and vibrant city environment, including dynamic weather and day-night cycles, which enhanced the realism and depth of the game world.
HD Timeline
Grand Theft Auto 4
The story of Grand Theft Auto IV takes place in 2008 in a reimagined version of Liberty City, based in New York City. The protagonist is Niko Bellic, an Eastern European war veteran who comes to America to seek a better life. Niko is lured to Liberty City by his cousin Roman, who has exaggerated his success in the city. Upon arrival, Niko finds that Roman is in debt and struggling to make ends meet. The game follows Niko as he gets pulled into the criminal underworld, completing missions for various characters in the city. Grand Theft Auto IV is known for its gritty realism, complex characters, and mature themes.
Grand Theft Auto The Lost and Damned
Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned is a standalone expansion pack for Grand Theft Auto IV, not Grand Theft Auto V, where players assume the role of Johnny Klebitz, the vice president of The Lost Motorcycle Club. The storyline begins with an internal power struggle within the gang, as Johnny tries to maintain the cohesion of the club and his tenuous alliance with the gang's leader, Billy Grey. Upon Billy's release from prison and the subsequent introduction of a series of issues, Johnny finds himself embroiled in conflicts with rival gangs, drug deals, and confrontations with other powerful factions within the criminal underworld of Liberty City. In the game, Johnny not only grapples with internal gang problems but also personal challenges, including his complicated relationship with his girlfriend, Ashley Butler. The narrative delves deeply into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and personal sacrifice, all while preserving the hallmark open-world gameplay and varied mission design characteristic of the GTA series. The Lost and Damned offers players a distinct Liberty City experience through Johnny's perspective, enriching the depth and complexity of the game world beyond the original story of Grand Theft Auto IV.
Grand Theft Auto The Ballad of Gay Tony
Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony is one of the DLCs for Grand Theft Auto 4. In the game, players take on the role of Luis Fernando Lopez, a Dominican-American and the personal bodyguard of Tony, a well-known nightclub manager in Liberty City. The storyline intertwines with that of Grand Theft Auto 4 and another DLC, Grand Theft Auto 4: The Lost and Damned, providing a richer and more complex world of Liberty City. Luis grapples with loyalty to his family and friends while also facing the myriad challenges and betrayals of Liberty City's criminal underworld. Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony introduces new vehicles to the series, such as the APC armored vehicle and the Buzzard attack helicopter, adding diversity and entertainment value to the gameplay. Moreover, players can utilize a parachute for aerial mobility, a new feature not present in Grand Theft Auto 4, allowing players to jump from great heights without injury, increasing the game's freedom and action elements. It also revisits the exaggerated style of GTA: San Andreas, incorporating more dramatic and entertaining missions, such as stealing pants and hijacking a subway train with a helicopter.
Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars unfolds in the fictional city of Liberty City, where the player assumes the role of Huang Lee, the son of a Triad boss from Hong Kong. Huang Lee's father was murdered in a gangland skirmish, and Huang Lee sets out for Liberty City with the family's ancestral sword, the Yu Jian Sword, to deliver it to his uncle Wu 'Kenny' Lee, the new head of the Triad. However, Huang Lee is attacked along the way, the sword is stolen, and he narrowly escapes with his life. Determined to avenge his father's death and restore his family's honor, Huang Lee embarks on a dark adventure in Liberty City. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars utilizes a top-down perspective, which is uncommon in the Grand Theft Auto series, providing a nostalgic and retro visual experience. Although the graphics are not as detailed as the 3D entries in the series, the game's unique pixel art style, vivid color palette, and dynamic lighting effects combine to create a visually captivating world for players.
Grand Theft Auto Online
Grand Theft Auto Online is the online multiplayer component of Grand Theft Auto 5, where players control their own created characters engaging in various activities within the fictional city of Los Santos. These activities encompass a wide range, including but not limited to racing, skydiving, and heists. Unlike traditional single-player games with a fixed storyline, the narrative in GTA Online unfolds through a series of missions and activities that can be approached either cooperatively or competitively with other players. As the game has been continually updated, Rockstar Games has introduced a plethora of new content to GTA Online, such as additional missions, vehicles, weapons, and game modes, ensuring the game's ongoing vitality and engagement within the player community.
Grand Theft Auto 5
The narrative of Grand Theft Auto 5 revolves around three main protagonists: Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips. Michael is a retired bank robber who ostensibly entered a plea deal with the FBI but, in reality, faked his death after a botched heist. Franklin is a low-level hustler with aspirations for a big score; he crosses paths with Michael by chance and gets drawn into a series of criminal endeavors. Trevor, Michael's former heist partner, is a volatile and unpredictable character, living on the fringes in a remote area near the Mexican border. The game's plot primarily chronicles the criminal lives of these three protagonists in Los Santos, as they engage in various heists and criminal activities to pursue their individual goals and survival. As the story progresses, their relationships become complicated, and they find themselves in conflict with government agencies, criminal organizations, and other adversarial forces. GTA 5 allows players to switch between the three protagonists, each with unique backstories, skills, and abilities. Players can choose the appropriate character based on mission requirements or personal preference, experiencing the different lives and adventures of each character.
Most Popular GTA Games of All Times
GTA Games have captivated audiences worldwide since their release, and among the many titles, five games have notably stood out due to their immense popularity. These five top picks are Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Play GTA Games Online with Funpass
Rejoice, for all five of these top GTA Games are available on the Funpass cloud gaming platform. Heading over to Funpass GTA online Cloud Gaming, you can enjoy the delight of playing multiple games simultaneously, all in one place.
On Funpass, you can bypass numerous issues such as low device specifications, poor video quality, and graphical lag. As long as you have a good internet connection, you won't need to spend a fortune on high-end gaming equipment to enjoy ultra-smooth and ultra-HD GTA gameplay.
And we guess it may be a surprise that Funpass GTA Cloud Gaming offers GTA SA cheats, experiencing the joy of invincibility in a chaotic world by playing Grand Theft Auto San Andreas online! What’s more, Funpass Cloud Gaming provides cloud save functionality, ensuring you never have to worry about losing your game saves or filling up device storage ever again!
