Grand Theft Auto III, with its fully-realised 3D open-world and violent shooting set the tone for an entire generation of video games. With a third-person structure never before seen in the medium, Rockstar's transitional release truly solidified the developer as one of the industry's best, all the while cementing the franchise itself as a household name across the western world. However, while the technical achievements of the title should never be understated, the ambitious scale of Grand Theft Auto III pales in comparison to some of the open-worlds gamers have been treated to over the past few years. Without the detail of Sleeping Dogs or the scale of GTA V, going back to play Rockstar's sequel today just simply can't feel that special. Unfortunately, like many early 3D experiments, Grand Theft Auto III was part of a larger evolution - a milestone in video game development at the time but also also a product of its time. Without the sophistication of later PS2 GTAs like San Andreas or even Vice City, this defining title simply can't compete against its tighter and more complete bigger brothers. What game do you feel its impossible for newer players to fully appreciate? Let us know in the comments!
