Why GTA 3 remains a unique game in the Grand Theft Auto series

GTA 3 was the first attempt to transfer the series' mechanics to full 3D. And it proved extremely successful. The game's concept has been developed over the past 24 years—graphics have been improved, the action has been moved to other cities, new modes of transport, additional activities, and online modes have been added. However, in certain respects, the third Grand Theft Auto remains distinctive and unlike the previous installments. These are the aspects we will explore in this article.

While working on GTA 3, the developers actively experimented with missions. Not all solutions were deemed successful—some concepts weren't developed further in Vice City and San Andreas. However, Grand Theft Auto III still features missions that feel unique by the series' standards.

A prime example is the mission "Espresso-2-Go!". You need to destroy coffee stands found in all three districts of Liberty City. However, they aren't marked on the map in advance—you need to be close to them to see them. As a result, the player is forced to race around the city in hopes of finding the desired object. After destroying the first stand, a timer starts. Failure to do so will result in a failed mission.

Another example is the mission "Bite," where you need to lure the Colombians into an ambush rather than eliminate them. It's crucial that the Yakuza thugs kill the cartel representatives.

GTA 3 doesn't have the familiar global map seen in subsequent games. All you have is a radar in the lower corner of the screen. And it doesn't reflect the actual distance to your target, which could be on the opposite side of the city. So, you have to navigate by memory. In particular, it's important to take into account the complex interchanges in Shoreside Vale and remember the locations of the bridges between Liberty City's various districts.

When it comes to difficulty in GTA games, specific missions like "Demolition Man" from Vice City, where you pilot a small helicopter, come to mind. But shootouts with gangsters and cops in this game are unlikely to pose any challenges.

In GTA 3, enemies are accurate and can kill the main character with a few well-placed hits. Even wearing a bulletproof vest won't save you, as you'll encounter Colombians, often armed with M-16s and pump-action shotguns. The police are also more aggressive here than in later games in the series.

Towards the middle of the game, even simply moving around the city can be difficult. By this time, the main character, Claude, will have fallen out with many gangs, so the gangsters will try to kill him. This is especially true for those who left the taxi driver, medic, and firefighter missions for the end of the game. Completing these missions will result in gunfire.

In the later games in the series, missions are often strictly scripted and don't allow for much room for maneuver. In GTA III, you can use all the possibilities of the open world to achieve your goal.

There are videos online showing dozens of ways to eliminate the head of the Italian mafia, Salvatore Leone. And to kill Lee Chong, you can easily plant a bomb in his car and wait for him to get behind the wheel and turn the key. I also recall the mission "Plaster Blaster," where Leon McAffrey, while in a cast, can be blown up, run over by a truck, or drowned.

If you know how a particular mission will unfold, the game allows you to prepare for it in advance. For example, if you block an NPC's escape route before a scripted cutscene, they won't be able to escape. This way, you won't be caught in a long chase and will make the rest of the game easier.

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