GTA2

GTA2 (Grand Theft Auto 2) is a legendary open-world action game, developed by Rockstar North and published on the PC platform in late 1999. This precursor to the modern 3D open-world action genre is today regarded as the important stepping stone that enabled the celebrated and award-winning Grand Theft Auto franchise to evolve into the 3D presentation, which quickly managed to dominate the world and become the most popular gaming franchise in modern history.

Set inside the fictional Anywhere City, players are tasked with becoming the ultimate criminal while managing the ever-increasing attention from police, city officials, and the members of the seven large gangs that control various parts of the city. The Grand Theft Auto 2 gameplay is presented with a top-down 2D view of the city streets, with players being able to move, shoot and interact with their environments both on foot and while driving.

All the core gameplay and presentation aspects found in its seminal sequel GTA3 are found here, only smaller in scale and with a subdued presentation that is limited by the 2D approach the game focuses on. The only truly stylish part of the game was its game intro, which was filmed as a live-action video.

During the main campaign that on average lasts around 12 hours (with the potential to be stretched to double that for completion of all in-game challenges), players are given the freedom to explore and roam Anywhere City in any way they want, with a wide variety of jobs that can be performed for various crime bosses. As the campaign goes on, the city becomes a melting pot of violence, and player is often involved in large shootouts with opposing gang members, police, and innocent civilians.

The city features three visually distinct districts (Downton, Residential, and Industrial), interactive pedestrians and AI-controlled street vehicles, and other improvements of the original GTA title. Quality of life is increased with the presence of a competent save system, and the performance of players in their task can build respect with various criminal organizations, leading to the dynamic appearance of opponents in competing gangs.

While this game did serve as the important base for future projects developed by Rockstar North, its original release did not attract large praise from the gaming press, who cited almost identical visuals when compared to GTA1 and simple combat systems. However, this GTA game did receive praise for its varied mission structure, soundtrack, and 8-minute live-action introductory film.

FAQ

What platforms is GTA2 available on?
Answer: GTA2 was originally released for PC in 1999, and later made available on PlayStation and Dreamcast consoles. It can now be played on modern PCs through digital game stores like Steam and GOG.

Can I play GTA2 multiplayer?
Answer: Yes, GTA2 includes a multiplayer mode that allows up to six players to compete in various game modes over a LAN or the internet.

How do I save my progress in GTA2?
Answer: You can save your progress in GTA2 by finding and entering one of the many church buildings scattered throughout the game world. Inside, you can interact with the save point to save your game.

Is GTA2 suitable for children?
Answer: GTA2 is rated M for Mature, meaning it is intended for players ages 17 and up due to its depiction of violence, crime, and mature themes. It is not recommended for children.

System Requirements

• Pentium 266 MHz Processor
• 64 MB RAM
• 8X CD-ROM Drive
• 500 MB Hard Disk Space

PROS

• Important stepping stone for the GTA franchise
• Varied mission structure
• Competent save system
• Wide variety of jobs for crime bosses
• Easy to play on any desktop or laptop PC

CONS

• Limited by 2D approach
• Simple combat system
• Almost identical visuals to GTA1
• Received mixed reviews upon original release

Today, GTA2 represents an important piece of gaming history and a title that due to its simplicity can easily be played on any desktop and laptop PC.