Every GTA Game, Ranked by Metacritic Score

The Grand Theft Auto series, renowned for its high Metacritic scores, has undergone several updates since its inception. As the highly anticipated GTA 6 nears its release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, a ranking of the series’ top games by Metacritic scores is presented. Notably, GTA 5, released more than a decade ago, holds a high position among these titles.

The game Grand Theft Auto Advance, originally for Game Boy Advance, is a prequel to GTA 3. Critics found it a bit out of step with the series' new direction, but it established key elements that later games would refine, such as street races, firefighting missions, and vigilante actions. Despite its smaller scope and less polished radio stations, it laid the groundwork for future Rockstar innovations.

GTA 2, a top-down sequel, received mixed reviews. While its soundtrack and early loyalty system were praised, critics like Jeremy Dunham felt the controls were shoddy. The game's simplistic mission structure and lackluster gameplay mechanics led many to deem it a rental at best.

GTA: Liberty City Stories, a PSP prequel, was commended for its technical prowess on a handheld console. Although reviewers appreciated the empire-building mechanics, they felt the core GTA gameplay had become somewhat outdated. The game also introduced the hallmark open-world sandbox that would become a series staple.

Chinatown Wars, a hybrid of the original top-down style and later open-world mechanics, saw Huang Lee recover his late father's stolen sword in Liberty City. Critics like Tom Bramwell hailed it as a triumph, citing its improved gameplay on the Nintendo DS platform and its focus on police chases and kill-crazy rampages.

Rockstar's Miami-inspired game, Vice City, introduced a more detailed open world and freeform gameplay compared to GTA 3. Reviewers lauded its music and the game's freedom in mission design, although they also pointed out areas for improvement in controls and mission design.