Grand Theft Auto

About Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto launched on October 21, 1997 as the first entry in a franchise that would change open world gaming forever. DMA Design developed this title while BMG Interactive handled publishing before Rockstar Games took over later. The game arrived on PC, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and DOS systems. Players control an ambitious thug working for organized crime in a top-down perspective. Three distinct cities serve as the backdrop for a series of criminal missions involving car thefts and violent encounters. This sandbox experience mixes shooter mechanics with racing elements to create a chaotic urban playground where you steal vehicles to reach your targets.

Gameplay

Sessions break down into short levels set across three different cities. You start each mission with five lives and must reach a specific point total to advance. The score counter acts as both your progress tracker and your wallet since you can spend earned points on paint jobs and upgrades. Spending money pushes your final goal further away, creating a constant tension between customization and completion. Gameplay loops involve committing random crimes like hit-and-runs or murder to rack up points before driving to a designated exit zone. Controls feel tight in the original top-down layout as you navigate traffic and evade police. The game supports both single-player campaigns and multiplayer modes for those who want to compete directly against others.

What Players Think

Critics loved this release immediately with OpenCritic giving it a 92 out of 100 score while 91.60% of reviewers recommend it. IGN awarded the original title a perfect 100 rating calling it one of the best games available. IGDB shows a solid 77.6 average based on 476 user ratings. Community data from PlayPile reveals a split in how people view the game today. The top vibes include Story-Driven and Casual with three votes each, followed by Atmospheric with two votes. A smaller group finds it Competitive or Chaotic with one vote apiece. This mix shows players appreciate the narrative structure while still feeling the wild energy of the original crime simulation.

PlayPile's Take

This is a must-play for anyone interested in gaming history even if the graphics look dated now. The price point is low since it is an older title on modern platforms. You can track your progress through a simple achievement system that rewards completing levels and reaching score targets. It is not for players who need modern conveniences or 3D movement. The core loop of stealing cars and evading cops remains fun despite the simple controls. DMA Design created something special here that influenced countless games since 1997. Buy it if you want to understand where the open world genre actually started.

Storyline

As an aspiring young thug, your mission in this video game is to perform odd jobs for the mob, picking up points along the way by committing random crimes ranging from auto theft to hit-and-runs to murder.