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These days the childrens, who shouldn't even be playing these games, tend to consider Grand Theft Auto 3 to be the beginning of the franchise.  Well, kiddies, ever considered why there is a 3 after the name?  That's right, there were two other titles before that.  In my opinion, the series peaked with GTA2.  For some reason, most of the awesome mechanics in that game were abandoned.

GTA2 will not be impressing todays kids.  It, like the original, is a top down viewed game with 3D polygonal graphics only used for the buildings.  The game play is pretty similar to modern incarnations.  Steal cars, kill people, transport drugs, make money, become a big deal.  The difference is in how this is done. 

In GTA III, Vice City, and Sand Andreas, you have a bunch of gangs.  You start with one, complete their mission, move to the next.  It's a very linear progression.  GTA2 delivered much more on the promise of an open world.  GTA2 had seven gangs, three of which existed in a given level.  Levels existed but were quite massive.  You had your choice of who to work for.  By working for a gang, you gained their favor.  More favor meant better paying and more interesting missions.  The caveat is that gaining favor with one gang often mean doing things to piss another gang off.  Finding a good balance and playing the sides against each other was the path to success.

I honestly hate that they got rid of this mechanic.  GTA2 was what GTA is all about, freedom and choices.  I know I'm getting nostalgic, but it's Thursday.  I hope that GTA IV gets back to this, but I really doubt it. It's probably focused on hair cuts, hamburger, and ho killing like the other full 3D incarnations.  Man, GTA2, those were the good old days.

If you want to check this classic out FOR FREE, go to http://www.rockstargames.com/classics/ to download it. 

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