Colin Anderson, the audio manager and co-composer for Grand Theft Auto II at DMA Design, recently paid tribute to the game, calling it the “unsung hero” of the franchise. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, many see GTA 2 as a misstep, but Anderson believes that it was pivotal in shaping Grand Theft Auto’s future.
GTA 2 introduced several innovative features such as the gang reputation system and fictionalized radio commercials. It also moved the setting to “Anywhere USA,” a retrofuturistic metropolis inspired by films and comics like Terry Gilliam’s Brazil and Frank Miller’s Hard Boiled. These elements made it one of the more experimental entries in the series.
Anderson highlighted that GTA 2 was key for experimentation over perfection, making it a critical step in the franchise’s evolution. The game moved away from simple point-and-click mechanics and towards creating a meaningful immersive world.
Do you agree that GTA 2 is an unsung hero of the franchise?
For those who want a top down GTA experience slightly newer than GTA 2, check out GTA Chinatown Wars.
It was PSP and Nintendo DS only but had a decent story and had the precursor to the drug trading that’s prominent in GTA 5 now. I enjoyed it but remember it having almost no marketing when it came out.
GTA Chinatown Wars probably got most of its promotion from the South Park episode where Cartman really wants it.
It’s also (still) available on Android and iOS.