the mighty Grand Theft Auto 5 It quickly cemented its place as one of the most successful games in history. I remember all the excitement of its release, and the absurd popularity that followed Grand Theft Auto Online This meant players couldn't even load the opening cutscene. A decade later, it's still the biggest thing Rockstar has ever done, though Grand Theft Auto 6 is looming on the horizon and is sure to shatter sales records by itself. These games are so big, though, that we can lose focus on the Rockstar games which are probably, in their own way, good.
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From Arthur Morgan and John Marston's western adventures to the previous trip through Los Santos, here are some other Rockstar releases that are celebrated for their action, storytelling, and the company's famous attention to detail.
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5
Red Dead Redemption 2
A prequel to the popular Prequel
indeed, Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 The last couple of Rockstar titles, the company is working to deliver something extraordinary at the peak of its powers. At the time of writing, we haven't seen the impact that GTA 6's launch and string of review scores will have on the landscape, so it's sure to be seismic, but for now the two aren't being topped.
Red Dead Redemption 2 It currently ranks fourth on OpenCritic's list of the best games of all time, only topped by its score of 95. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Baldur's Gate 3Both in 96, and Super Mario Odyssey Top of the heap at 97. It's also a little surprising, as it's still the open-world experience that impresses me the most. Its legendary attention to detail means that small touches such as the barrels emptying when struck by a shot are still found today. Zooming out to the bigger picture, the story strikes extremely emotional chords. It's not just a backdrop for gunplay, but a raw, emotional story about loyalty, trust and finding your place in a dramatically changing world.
While it's not perfect (the controls are a bit awkward and the game is known for pushing realism a bit too far in places), this second ride with the van der Linde gang is an absolute masterpiece. There is no doubt that this title changed gaming.
4
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
“Ah… here we go again”
If there's one thing fans of the series enjoy, it's debating the best entries. To this day, it is difficult to argue Grand Theft Auto 5 Not the most completely exclusive and ambitious entry available, but what happens beyond that? of 2004 GTA San Andreas and of 2008 GTA 4 Both are excellent entries with their own unique strengths. First, we have San Andreas.
It may be over two decades old, but even then, a rockstar's penchant for the little details shines through. The iconic Carl Johnson's body can change depending on the activities you participate in and the food you eat, and the gangs that are central to the game's story have different identifying factors and behaviors that set them apart. These are the little things that the player might not notice if they weren't present, but which make for a richer and more vibrant world to inhabit.
I marathoned all the mainline Grand Theft Auto games before GTA 6, and here are my official rankings
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There is an awful lot to do. According to How Long to Beat, the main story is about 30 hours long, but you'll need 71 hours to do everything. The game's vast open world covers three different cities, so it's no surprise that it's rife with sidequests. My favorite thing about them, though, is that they aren't just a chore and you get a unique bonus for sticking with them. For example, if you complete all twelve firefighting sidequests, you earn both a healthy amount and immunity to fire. Your relationships with different girlfriends also translate into distinct gameplay bonuses.
A wide, diverse open world and wealth of rewarding side content don't make up for the lack of a main story, in my eyes, and San Andreas Not disappointed there either. I was very invested in Johnson's efforts to revive his fortune and GSF after his mother's tragic death. More than I expected, actually, but Young Male's performance really sold me on the character.
3
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Perhaps Payne's finest hour
original Max Payne It was an extremely impressive shooter combining fantastic comic book stylings with iconic bullet time action. When the sequel came about two years later, it was a case of keeping the things that made the original so unique, but enhancing them even more. A tall order, but Remedy Entertainment (and producer Rockstar) understood this important assignment.
This second outing revolves around the Cleaners, and is a more personal tragedy for Payne as he discovers who sent these assassins after him and the true nature of Monaco's mission. It's a more compelling story than the first game, I think, but I liked the fact that it picked up so soon after the events of the original. That title ended with Payne's capture by the NYPD, and I was curious to see how the whole thing unfolded without becoming a bit cliche. Fortunately, the multifaceted story The Fall of Max Paine It had some surprising twists.
Importantly, this sequel had to further refine the beloved bullet time action of the first game. The mechanic was expanded upon in a way, rewarding players for successful use and constantly boosting them as they fought their way through encounters. It reminds me of the concentration mechanic Ghost of YoteiAlthough less attractive. During Atsu's Adventures, I loved crafting based around focusing, expanding, and preserving it, and the changes to Bullet Time for this game had a similar feel. The Fall of Max PaineFor me, the best in the series, and a great example of how to get a sequel right. There were some great moments Max Payne 3 Also, like the iconic airport shootout, but as far as I'm concerned, there's no top.
2
Red Dead Redemption
John Marston's Last Ride
Red Dead Redemption 2 More than two decades of work had begun Red Dead Revolver Back in 2004. It's hard to see how it will build on the former team, and for many fans, it's even harder to separate. Red Dead Redemption and its prequel. With their intertwining stories, they are often played back to back, and both acts are a complete treat for fans.
I'm a player guilty of occasionally skipping dialogue and leaving out hidden lore notes, but within RDRI drank in every detail as much as I could. I was in it for the story and the action, and that was mainly because I had played the prequel first and was curious to know what happened next. After being introduced to the van der Linde gang in 2, I found the game's central idea of allying with the government to be deeply affecting. With Marston's family at their mercy, the authorities keep the stakes of each setpiece extremely high for the hero and his former allies.
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The two games definitely have a different feel, with RDR 2 feeling somewhat slower and less arcadey than the first, but Rockstar pulls off both styles of gameplay with aplomb. John Marston's Adventure may not be as committed to realism as later titles, but it still has plenty of depth. For me, the massive expansion of West Elizabeth, New Austin, and Nuevo Paraiso in 2010 was absolutely terrifying, and I hold the game responsible for my very high standards when it comes to Open World titles. It was probably the first time I really lost myself in the world and its wide array of sidequests. A true open-world masterpiece.
1
Grand Theft Auto 4
A huge expansion of Liberty City
Because of rather confusing naming conventions, Grand Theft Auto 4 There was no subsequent series entry Grand Theft Auto 3. This was another mainline numbered entry, however, after the game took that first bold step into 3D. the suburbs and San Andreas Among the entries that started in between, but did GTA 4 Be more successful than the last? That depends on who you ask.
Personally, I would choose San AndreasCarl Johnson's story and for the varied and rewarding sidequests available outside of it. GTA 4 Somewhat less 'excessive', offering a more realistic take on key features such as vehicle controls and a darker, cinematic tone to the story. This is not exactly the difference between a Crazy Taxi and a Gran TurismoBut Rockstar definitely tried something different here. I feel like I'm playing in a movie of this title, experiencing Nico's plight as he works for various criminal enterprises, crosses others, escapes their wrath, and continues the cycle.
I think many of those who know the series best for the multiplayer carnage GTA Online One may not appreciate the nuances that a GTA plot can offer. This title is one of the deepest in the series, with less focus on parody and silly jokes. There are always tragic twists and turns for the heroes, but this title is most effective for making important choices that empower the player. The game really emphasizes the consequences and impact of the violent actions players embrace in these titles, while at the same time the Euphoria engine makes combat the best it's ever been.
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Many of Rockstar's games are easy to pick up and play, but not all of them are walks in the park when it comes to overall challenge.
