Does anyone else miss the darker tone of earlier GTA games?
I’ve been thinking about this lately and I really hope the next Grand Theft Auto game goes back to having a more serious and gritty atmosphere. The newer entries feel too comedic and over-the-top for my taste.
I loved how the older games had this raw, street-level crime story vibe that felt more grounded and intense. The characters had real depth and the storylines dealt with heavy themes without turning everything into a joke.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the humor in GTA, but I think they’ve leaned too heavily into the satire aspect recently. I’m hoping Rockstar considers bringing back that darker, more cinematic approach that made some of the earlier titles so memorable.
What do you all think? Would you be interested in a more serious take on the GTA formula, or do you prefer the current direction?
I see what you mean. The newer games seem to rely on one-liners and memes instead of genuine character development. Liberty City Stories had a great mix of serious moments and chaos. It made the experience feel more real. I wish they’d find that balance again and give us something that actually makes us care about the characters.
They overdid the parody in V. The earlier games nailed that sweet spot - you’d laugh your ass off but still actually care about the characters and what they were going through.
Totally get where you’re coming from. The darker vibes in Vice City and San Andreas gave the games a real sense of weight. The stories were intense and had impact, even with the humor in there. Nowadays, it feels forced with the jokes in every scene. A return to that gritty storytelling would be refreshing for sure.