JUST ME AND MY LITTLE EDITORIAL…

Seriously folks, I think I have a problem.

So I’m at the bar a couple of days ago and my buddy Jeremy is bartending. As I drink my Captain and Coke, he’s talking about how he loves his roommate’s Xbox 360 and how he would love to get a PS3 when he got some money. As a huge fan, I immediately bring up GTA IV. Much to my chagrin, he doesn’t really dig the game all that much – he thinks there wasn’t enough to do (he prefers GTA: SA and GTA VC). I guess he has a point. But man, do I love GTA IV.

Then it dawns on me. I don’t have GTA: SA anymore. Having foolishly traded it in at the local Gamestop (which I’d rather piss glass than do these days, by the way) when I saved up for my first 360. It’s the only console GTA I don’t own. Admittedly, I wasn’t all that “wowed” by the PSP GTA’s. Fun of course, but a little too “more-of-the-same” for my tastes in the long term.

Anyways, the next day I go to pick up my beloved 360 Elite (my fourth 360 to date) from my buddy’s house (I let him borrow it for his birthday). I get it home and check out what I’ve missed on Live and *POOf*! There’s San Andreas staring me in the face (1,200c is a bit much I think but ehh, fuck it).

Then it dawns on me. Which is my favorite in the series? It’s not an easy answer for a game geek, let me tell you…

I suppose it’s a question of size, goals, story, realism and relevancy. Yeah, let’s start there.

For size, realism, goals and relevancy, it’s really quite simple. The realism in IV takes the cake, but that’s to be expected after those crazy Scots friggin’ mapped NYC. The detail is staggering and unmatched for a game its size. As far as size and goals go, San Andreas has those on a lock. Think about it – how long did it take to fly across the entire game area in the Hydra? How long did it take you to 100% it? Some people actually complained that there was too much to do. I always found that to be humorous. If you think there’s too much to do, stop playing the game. Dumbasses.

Then we come to the matter of relevancy. That goes to GTA III.

Meow in my world there should be no explanation past this point. But then again, in my world, clowns come in the night, steal your clothes, make you drunk and place you outside your local police station wearing a sock over your junk. So, maybe I should explain further.

With every new release in the GTA series, the games before it become more and more antiquated (that is especially true for the first four games). Most people I know never even played GTA I, II or the London expansion, which is a damn shame in my eyes. And GTA III is no different. I don’t think anyone plays III anymore. I do for the sole purpose of remembering the first time I played it.

The only other open-world game I had played before was Shenmue from Sega. And while I was impressed at the time, it was boring as all hell. That boredom made the open-world aspect seem like more of a gimmick. Then I played GTA III at my brother Izy’s house. And I cackled at that TV for at least a couple of hours. It was like nothing else I had ever played. Imagine, an open world with things to do. Fun things. I always wondered if Yu Suzuki ever just shook his head and thought to himself “way to drop the ball, Yu.”

And it was a similar thing for millions of other gamers. It’s become very hard to not see Rockstar’s GTA influence in 70% of any games that have been released since October, 2001. That’s where the relevancy lies for me.

Now, here is the hard part. Which game in the series had the best story? Which is the best game in the series? It’s a question that really has no single answer. It is, of course, all up to the individual. So, instead of an answer, I will provide a question for our readers.

Which game in the series has the best story? Which is best overall?

Which one indeed. I myself see it as a dead tie between Vice City and San Andreas. Both were compelling and had me playing until my eyes started to dry out at 4am any given night. Both I can return to and just walk around in their worlds – or even start a new game for that matter.

So, what’s your verdict people? Which GTA is your GTA? We’d love to hear from you.

Durka!!