Grand Theft Auto
Does GTA 1 still work on modern times and how it is to play.
I bought the original PS1 version of GTA. I played it a bit last summer but didn’t have the time to really dive in. Now I finally have, and this is my take on this classic game.
The first thing that came to mind was: does this still work today? If this exact game were released on Steam now, how would it do? It has aged surprisingly well. If it had never existed and launched today, it would almost certainly be an indie success story. The PS1 version I played is a bit blurry in terms of textures, but graphics have never been the main point. Driving the different vehicles and roaming around the city is incredibly fun. At first, using the paper map that came with the game felt a bit annoying, but even that turned into a great experience when the kids started studying the map and helping with navigation through the city.
It brought back a real longing for the days when games came with detailed box art and extra goodies. Metal Gear Solid even hid one of the important radio frequencies on the back of the CD case. Those are the kinds of moments that are gone in this digital age.
The game is a 2.5D top-down shooter with a strong focus on car mechanics and crime simulation. Many missions revolve around vehicles, and the core game loop is built around them: grab a car from one location, drive it to another, maybe pick someone up, or abandon the car to blow things up. It’s a blast to play, but after a while the experience starts to feel repetitive, which is a common issue in older titles.
The controls feel a bit odd at first, which is typical for games from this era. Pressing X provides thrust for the player character. It works great when driving cars, but feels slightly awkward when moving on foot. It’s not a major issue, though, and might just require a bit of adjustment time for younger players.
Once the thrill of endless citywide destruction wears off and the appeal of a full gangster career kicks in, even more fun opens up. Simply roaming the city can be entertaining for a long time, but the real highlight lies in the missions and overall gameplay. There is a wide variety of objectives, from blowing up police stations to working for the Chinese mafia. The story isn’t the main focus and can be a bit dark for more serious-minded players, but for those familiar with this kind of game it’s all part of the fun. The tone is over-the-top and not meant to be taken seriously, outrageous scenarios are simply part of the experience. Blowing up your mom for rent money is par for the course.
GTA 1 was incredibly fun to play, and it’s a real shame that there’s no way to buy it for PC anymore. The PC version had some differences from the PS1 release and, if memory serves, it even featured trains. It’s a small detail, but riding those trains was always a blast. Many old games rely purely on nostalgia and feel almost unplayable today, but that’s not the case with GTA. It’s a great game that still offers plenty of fun and remains a fantastic way to pass the time.