I was first introduced to the GTA series by my brother. We had a desktop computer in my childhood and my brother – I don’t know where from – grabbed a copy of GTA II. He installed the game and let me play it. That was probably the first time I was playing an isometric game. So I had a bit of different experience from the beginning.

Grand Theft Auto II was appealing to me for the same reason everyone else likes it: the ability to hijack any car. Back in those days, being able to get on any car I wanted and drive around the city felt so awesome even in isometric view that I was practically in love with it.

The three-colored gangs that I had to keep working for, the police barricades that looked like a cartoon but still was an awesome experience, the fourth job – the bank robbery – which made the game sound even more appealing. Remembering those moments makes me nostalgic at its best.

When we used to discuss the game, my brother would say that the later games had the ability to steal helicopters. I now know that he was referring to GTA Vice City, the most classic version of the whole series, but back then we didn’t have a computer that would run the game. Neither did I know that in later life, I would be hooked up with the GTA franchise and spend thousands of hours playing Vice City and San Andreas.

It wasn’t just me, it was a lot of people

With each release of GTA, the game was gathering more popularity as it continued to pack more cool things to do. I haven’t had the chance to play GTA IV yet, which set world records on the first week of release, but I think after seeing the gameplay video and the large world to explore, I don’t want to play GTA IV anymore.

I’m not a hardcore gamer. If a game is too hard, I stop playing it. I don’t have the luxury to upgrade my PC to make it capable of playing games. But just the trailer of GTA V made me seriously consider getting an Xbox 360 just to play and explore this large world.

And I’m not the only one. You’ll know that by the end of this week when sales figures are published.

The ability to roam, do almost anything you can do in real life, is what attracts most of people. Now, GTA isn’t entirely realistic. Some would say GTA is satiric. But that’s what makes this game even more amazing. You can make your own little action movie, take on side jobs, date girls, drive like a mad and do a lot more things in the vast world of GTA that you can actually live into it.

However, there is a minor group of people who takes GTA seriously.

Violence Begins

After GTA IV was launched, a Thai teen killed a Taxi driver attempting to hijack the car just the way it is shown in the game. That sparked some controversy. I understand the majority of people won’t be that fool to think that you can live a GTA life in real world, but when I caught this article on TIME, I was wondering if that’s violence even before they begin to play the game.

According to TIME, a person was mugged on his way back to home after getting his hands on a GTA V copy that just launched yesterday. The incident took place in London where the attacker attacked with a brick, stabbed and grabbed the victim’s phone, watch and a fresh new copy of GTA V.

Grand Theft Auto is a fun to play game. Starting with GTA San Andreas, the game also added a large world to explore and have fun. That makes this not just an action-packed but also an adventure-packed game. You can play countless hour, go beyond the core storyline and make your own little mini games in this virtual world. And with the added multiplayer option due soon, you may ultimately end up living in the GTA world if you’ve got enough time.

But please, always remember that it’s all a game, and that’s for a reason. Don’t be inspired to do stuff – such as snatching, stabbing, killing, carjacking, drug-dealing, etc because you’ve been doing so for too long time on GTA. If you spend the rest of your life playing GTA on your couch and grow to be a fat old dude, I have no trouble. But please keep a separation between your playable life and real life. Don’t hurt others.

Just to comfort myself..

I hope everyone will enjoy their copy of GTA V. J And me? I may have to stick to GTA San Andreas for now. I personally love GTA San Andreas because of its both urban and rural areas. When I’m not feeling good or I’m sad for some reason, I fire up GTA San Andreas and take a long drive to the rural area. While driving, I enjoy the beautiful scene of sunset as the urban constructions begin to disappear into the calm and quiet rural areas. I love those moments. They are literally livable moments through a computer (Since I never had the luck to actually have an experience like that.).

Yes, I actually did photoshoot of San Andreas using the camera found in CJ’s first safe house! See the album below.

I’m also considering playing GTA II again for the love of good old days.

What about you? Are you determined to play GTA V at all cost? Or will you stick to an older game in the series? If so, which one would you prefer to stick with while the world goes crazy over GTA V?