10 Video Game Entries That Drastically Changed The Formula

5. Grand Theft Auto 3

GTA 3 Definitive Edition
Rockstar

Introducing a generation of gamers to a sandbox of mayhem, Grand Theft Auto III arrived in 2001 and revolutionised everything.

Prior to GTA 3, the series offered up enjoyable automotive chaos but it was the third instalment that set the standard for what the wildly popular series would come to be. Beyond that, it offered players a staggering game world to explore, so many different ways to engage with it, and voice acting and narrative elements that were a huge step above anything fans could have anticipated.

From the controls to the detail-rich map and the sheer scope of the game, it’s pretty fair to say GTA changed everything, not just for its own franchise but the gaming landscape as a whole.

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Jess has been a journalist and content creator in the games industry for over 15 years and has been WhatCulture's resident Australian import and sorry cop since 2020, upping the quotient of swearing and apologising in WhatCulture Gaming's annual blooper videos considerably. She previously worked at GameSpot for 10 years, most notably hosting GameSpot News in addition to E3 live shows, and PAX panels. She regularly livestreams a variety of games on her 'jessmcdonell' YouTube and Twitch channels and hosts the 'Do It On The Day' podcast. She has won awards for her news and feature work in gaming as well as an accolade for her comedic writing (likely an admin error). She can be found on X at @jessmcdonell and Instagram at @jessicamcdonell sharing her current videogame fixations, industry insights, and videos of her cat, Karma.