Description
Grand Theft Auto Advance, also known as GTA Advance, is a video game that represents the seventh installment of the Grand Theft Auto saga. It was released exclusively for the Game Boy Advance (GBA) on October 26, 2004. This title was developed by Digital Eclipse and distributed by Rockstar Games, marking a unique adaptation of the series for a Nintendo handheld console. Unlike its 3D predecessors, GTA Advance returns to a top-down perspective, similar to the franchise's first games, such as Grand Theft Auto and GTA 2.
The plot of GTA Advance takes place in Liberty City, a fictional metropolis based on New York and other cities on the east coast of the United States, such as Philadelphia, Detroit and Baltimore. The protagonist is Mike, a low-level criminal who becomes involved in a network of betrayals and crime after the death of his friend Vinnie in a car bomb attack. Throughout the game, Mike interacts with various characters from the GTA universe, such as 8-Ball and King Courtney, as he seeks revenge and tries to get his money back.
In terms of technical improvements, GTA Advance was the first game in the series with interludes between missions that include dialogues to deepen the story. However, due to the limitations of the GBA hardware, the game does not feature animated cutscenes or the detailed pedestrian audio characteristic of GTA III. The scenes are presented with text and hand-drawn drawings of the characters' faces.
Despite these limitations, the game offers solid gameplay with movement in cardinal and diagonal directions, and the ability to perform secondary missions as a taxi driver, firefighter, or paramedic. In addition, it includes classic elements of the saga such as massacres, street races and collecting packages hidden on the map. With 41 main missions, GTA Advance provides a complete experience in a portable format.
However, the game is not without criticism. Some players have noted the difficulty in navigating Liberty City due to the representation of streets and roads in straight, square shapes, which can result in a less intuitive navigation experience compared to the 3D versions.
History
The story of Grand Theft Auto Advance focuses on the character of Mike, a low-level criminal looking to rise in the crime world of Liberty City. The plot begins with Mike and his friend Vinnie preparing to leave town with a large sum of money. However, plans go awry when Vinnie is killed in a car bomb explosion, and Mike is drawn into a search for answers and revenge.
Throughout the game, Mike works for different crime bosses in Liberty City, including the notorious 8-Ball. The missions Mike carries out range from robberies and murders to racing and other criminal work. As the story progresses, Mike discovers that Vinnie's death was no accident and that a deeper betrayal is at play.
Mike encounters several notable characters, such as King Courtney and Asuka, who help him or use him for their own purposes. The story becomes even more complicated when Mike realizes that he is being manipulated by those he trusted and that the corruption in Liberty City goes deeper than he imagined.
The climax of the game is reached when Mike discovers the truth behind Vinnie's death and confronts those responsible. In a series of tense and dangerous confrontations, Mike seeks justice and ultimately decides his own fate in the city.
The game concludes with Mike settling scores and making decisions that will affect his future in Liberty City. Although the story is self-contained, it leaves open the possibility of future adventures for Mike in the Grand Theft Auto universe. The narrative of "Grand Theft Auto Advance" offers a unique gameplay experience with its top-down style and focus on a single character's story in the vast and dangerous world of GTA.