Grand Theft Auto III legacy review examines industry impact

A legacy review of Grand Theft Auto III on the PlayStation 2 examines the title's impact on the gaming industry. While the original gameplay is described as frustrating and cumbersome by modern standards—noting fussy shooting mechanics and a need to manually return to mission markers—the game is credited with fundamentally changing the trajectory of the series and the business of gaming.

Despite being surpassed in style by Vice City and scope by San Andreas, the review asserts that Grand Theft Auto III remains a unique and trendsetting title. It is recognized for radically integrating driving, action, story, and exploration, effectively demonstrating the potential of the open-world genre.