Many gamers are excited to jump back into the critically-acclaimed worlds of theGrand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Editionwith the benefits of modern game design and hardware. However, not all gamers can agree on what order the trilogyshould be played in, as some argue that the big feature variations between each game may unintentionally detract from the overall experience.
For the unfamiliar, to enjoy theGrand Theft Autofranchise in chronological order, players will need to start withGrand Theft Auto: Vice City, then move on toGTA: San Andreas,and finally end withGrand Theft Auto 3.With that being said,Grand Theft Auto: Vice Cityhas several mechanics not seen inGrand Theft Auto 3, such as the ability to pilot planes and helicopters. Likewise,Grand Theft Auto San Andreashas bicycles, gang warfare, and swimming, all things that were lacking in the first two installments.
RELATED:Industry Insider Claims GTA 6 Will Be Set in Modern-Day Vice City, May Launch 2025
These mechanical divides are the crux that started a sprawling debate online, which has led many fans to reevaluate what order to play the games. While certain characters and locations make appearances in other installments, theGrand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Editiongames are not direct sequels, nor are they narratively linked. This means that, in theory, players should enjoy each game no matter the sequence. But for a majority, the gameplay deviations are just too much.
In terms of release,Grand Theft Auto 3would be the first title to launch on November 11. Considered by reviewers to beone of the greatest video games ever made, the most popular reply to the original post explains thatGTAveterans need to experience the 2001 entry in theGrand Theft Autoseries first for nostalgia alone. After all, this was the firstGTAa lot of fans played due to it being the first in the franchise to introduce an open-world with three-dimensional geometry.
However, it seems fans cannot get enough of crime lord Tommy Vercetti plus hisScarface-influenced setting and soundtrack.GTA: Vice Citytakes place in the mid-eighties, and oozes more stylish charm than pretty much any game in the series outside of possiblySan Andreas, with some arguing that the smaller scale of the environment makes it a much more manageable affair than the others. In terms of release date, this should be the second game to tackle. Although, it’s clear some are skipping the dreary streets of Liberty City in favor of sandy beaches, beetle-wing supercars, and Hawaiian shirts.
The last yet newest game in terms of original release, the story ofSan Andreasis filled with many iconic missions. From gut-wrenching betrayals to gut-busting subplots,Grand Theft Auto San Andreasfollows former gangster Carl “CJ” Johnson, who is drawn back into a life of crime after the death of his mother. While the story is one of the main reasons to dive back into Grove Street, the advanced gameplay features like character customization and gang warfare truly separate this instalment from the previous titles, with it being the sole reason some are buying the trilogy.
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Editionreleases June 20, 2025, on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
