Few video game franchises have been as successful over the past two decades as Rockstar Games' brilliant Grand Theft Auto. The game has been widely praised by both critics and fans, with the various GTA titles having shipped over 250 million units since the original Grand Theft Auto debuted in 1997. The game has evolved from the 2D platform car game of GTA to the massive 3D open-world extravaganza of GTA V, where players can play as three different characters and immerse themselves in 𒀰the fictional state of San Andreas.
While there are many things to like about GTA, from the over-the-top missions, incredible gameplay, fantastic characterization, well-written storylines, top-level voice acting, and unbelievably life-like graphics, it's the actual GTA setting that helps make the games so great. Every incarnation of GTA has been based on a real-life city or state - Liberty City from GTA III represents New York, Los Santos, San Pierro, and Las Venturas from GTA: San Andreas is based on Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas respectively - helping define the game and give fans new yet familiar worlds to explore. When you play GTA: Vice City you really feel like you're involved in the extra fun business of 80s Miami, or when driving through the suburbs in GTA: San Andreas it really feels like downtown Los Angeles.
It's been five years since GTA V dropped and fans are looking forward to the next game in the series, with many speculating about where the gam𝓰e could be set.
20 𓆉 Go To: Tokyoꦏ
Top of the list of cities the GTA world should explore is Japan's Tokyo. A vibrant hub of culture that's like no other place on earth, Tokyo is the ideal location for the next game in the series. Forget what you saw in The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift, the Japanese capital is more than just fast cars and Bow Wow. Anyone who's played Sega's epic Yakuza video game franchise understands the city has much to offer in the way of locations and interesting missions and storylines. Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis connecting the old with the new where players could immerse themselves in the busy streets of Shibuya, get lost in the dizzying commercial center of Shinjuku, explore the seedy nightlife of Roppoingi, or wander off the beaten path and 🎀explore the surrounding countryside.
19 𝄹 Avoid: New York
The hustle and bustle of New York should be left by the wayside for the next incarnation of GTA. As much as I love the city it's been done to death within the GTA world, along with a number of other successful video games. The fictional Liberty City that's based upon New York has been the setting of four official GTA games and it will be hard for developers Rockstar Games to improve on the fantastic GTA IV.
The only exciting way they could re-introduce New York would be to set it in the future and make it like a cross between Blade Runner and Escape From New York.
This way you could include all types of new technology and vehicles and have the city look completely different to what it does today. While this might take th🍒e series int𓂃o more science fiction territory, it's the only way I can see them improving on the setting and creating another must-play game.
18 ꧂ Go To:🌺 Miami
The setting for fan favorite GTA: Vice City, Miami is an exotic and colorful city that's another excellent location for the next game in the franchise. Trade the flashing neon and hair metal of Vice City era Miami for the trendy high fashion and hip-hop dominated Miami of today. Modern-day Miami combines the Cuban influence of yesteryear with the arrival of new wealth in the form of celebrities and musicians, particularly rappers. The likes of Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Ace Hood, and Drake all own property in Miami and could be used to cameo in the game. It also allows storylines revolving around hip-hop, and as anyone knows, hip-hop has a history of shady characters, dod💎gy deals, and awful crimes that could all be intertwined into the main plot.
17 🉐 Avoid: Bangkok
As a city, Bangkok is a wonderful place to visit. A cultural delight, Thailand's capital is another city on this list that merges the old with the new in a bustling and highly populated location. There's much to love about Bangkok, from the tasty street food to the towering skylines and cheap markets, it's a wonderful holiday destination, but one that doesn't quite work in the GTA world. The biggest problem is the traffic. Sure, Rockstar doesn't have to fill the streets with vehicles but this takes away from the🌊 feel of what it's like to flirt with dea෴th every time you step foot in the streets.
16 𓂃 🔥 Go To: London
Back in 1999 after the success of the first GTA Rockstar took things outside of the continent with two mission packs set in London. Both games took place in the swinging 60s and allowed players the opportunity to experience life in 2D🥂 London. Now with 3D capabilities and the advancements in gaming technology there seems no better time to head ba▨ck to the land of fish and chips, cockney accents, and red telephone boxes.
London is a vast city with winding roads, numerous bridges and tunnels, and ඣa massive underground transport network. The lack of a grid system means there would be plenty of small laneways and alleys for players to manoeuvre through.
Iconic locations such as Big Ben, London Bridge, and Buckingham Palace could all be represented while the main plot could be a mixture of classic UK gangster flicks, such as Snatch, 𒀰Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, and Get Carter.
15 Avoid🧸: Venice
If you've never been to Venice be sure to put it on the top of your list of places to visit. Built on more than 100 small islands, the water logged city is a fascinating construction that defys logic. Walking through the many cobbled streets and archways takes you back in time while the multiple canals running through the city can be explored by gondola or various watercraft. While this is great if you're on foot, Venice doesn't translate well to a game that involves driving. Sure, players could use water vehicles or motorbikes but the lack of four wheel vehicles would be disappointing. Another downside of Venice is the city isn't that big. GTA players are used to ever expanding maps, with GTA V covering an entire state.
14 🧔 Go To: Rome ♔
Rome is one of the most remarkable and historic cities in the world. From ancient landmarks such as the immense Coliseum, beautiful Trevi Fountain, and the world famous Pantheon, through to delights of Italian food and drink, Rome is the lifeblood of Italian culture and a great place to set the next GTA game. Being able to drive like a manic through Rome's busy streets while exploring ancient ruins and famed buildings is just one of the m꧑any activities players could experience. Imagining a final showdown in the Coliseum or chasing down bad guys through the Roman Forum.
The city itself provides classic architecture for players to gaze upon while Rockstar would no doubt incorporate a heist mission involving Mini Coopers like the classic Micheal Caine film The Italian Job.
13 Av𒐪oid: Paris
The city of love is another mesmorising European city full of impressive architecture, incredible monuments, and ancient landmarks. Although it does provide the opportꦰunity for some breathtaking scenery and awesome mission ideas (breaking into the Louvre or scaling the Eiffel Tower would be awesome) the use of Paris🍷 as a unique location has already been done before by a variety of similar first and third person games.
12 ꧟ Go To: Mexico City
The capital city of Mexico is a densely populated region with a rich history that is slowly turning itself into one of the most attr🐭active tourist destinations.
As the city is located in a valley, a complex underground water system is in place to keep Mexico City from flooding, giving players another area to explore.
Add in the ancient Aztec ruins scattered throughout the landscape with little mythology and supernatural elements throw in, and Mexico City becomes an intriguing mix of urban splendor and ancient architecture providing a great world for a new GTA game to exist.
11 ಞ Avoid: Las Vegas
If Rockstar reveals the next GTA game is to be set in Las Vegas I imagine this would please many gamers. The setting could enable players to cruise the strip in fancy cars and tackle missions involving robbing a casino or dealing with the local mafia, while also showcasing the seedy side of old Las Vegas where it all began. The downside of a GTA game set e𒉰ntirely in Las Vegas is it's been done before. Moreover, the size o🦩f Vegas would also be a problem, as compared to the majority of major cities in the world, it's quite small. Rockstar are best leaving Las Vegas as a side mission and concentrating on a new location they've never ventured too.