The most wasted opportunities in each GTA game.....

[watersgta3]

So I've been analyzing all the GTA games, from GTA 3 all the way to GTA 5, and I've been thinking about the opportunities in each of the games that were missed/wasted. So here's mine:

 

GTA 3

Okay, so this is a revenge storyline, right? And considering that the main character was betrayed by his ex-girlfriend, who was involved in the SPANK Cartel, it would've been much better to put the focus more on that to learn more, what would especially help give more relevance to the main character's revenge plot.

 

GTA Vice City

We could've had a mission where Tommy decides to build his own empire to have enough of the cash and drugs to send to Sonny. I mean what good is being the kingpin when you can't even make your own empire?

 

GTA Advance

Mike has little to no personality. Even Claude has more of a personality than he does.

 

GTA San Andreas

Well aside from the......obvious missed opportunity (you should know what I mean by that), there's also the fact that we don't get any missions after the riot where we get the chance to have characters such as B-Dup and Big Bear play a bigger role on this part of the storyline, not to mention that we never get to see Seville and Temple Drive call it truce after beefing and getting along better to help end the riot. That would've been far more interesting than just taking over gang territories.

 

GTA Liberty City Stories

Vincenzo could've been more of the Big Bad since his high rank of the Leone family would mean that he would've been far more of a threat by making him betray the family for the other gangs Toni had beef with.

 

GTA Vice City Stories

Considering that Louise is Vic's love interest, it's pretty jarring to not have her develop more as a character by making Vic help improve her life. I mean she IS one of the main characters of the plot after all.

 

GTA 4

I think we could ALL agree in this one. I was very disappointed to see Bulgarin disappear halfway in the storyline considering he had a far more connection to Niko than Dimitri did.

 

GTA The Lost & Damned

Not sure.

 

GTA The Ballad Of Gay Tony

Considering that Luis tells his mother to stay away from the loan shark after paying off her debts, there could've been a mission where Luis should try to save his mother from the loan shark.

 

GTA Chinatown Wars

Ling Shan would've made an interesting love interest for Huang. But they had to kill her off after her second appearance.

 

GTA 5

So many missed opportunities in this game, but if I had to choose one of them, it would be the part with the conspiracy theorists.

Edited September 16, 2020 by watersgta3

[GrudgefromSanAndreas]

Wasted opportunities and gripes not about story:

• GTA: nothing to say
• London 69/61: -
• GTA2: inconvenient way to save the game
• GTA3: no whole map view on pause menu, no bikes, no helis, no solid rooftops, no nu metal radio station
• VC: no swimming, no climbing, small map, turned into islands, can't fly to the highest rooftop, no volleyball nets on beach, no metromover knockoff and more...
• Advance: -
• SA: can't climb ladders, outdated vehicle flipping physics, inaccessible SF trams, and a lot more...
• LCS: no proper properties, lacking rooftops (again!), atmosphere not gloomy enough, and more...
• VCS: atmosphere too colourful, empire building being more of a chore, hardest game to get to other island early (afaik theres only one way on both platforms yet apparently 3 or 4 on ps2 and theyre all tricky ofc)
• GTAIV: no stealth mechanics, island locking and getting wanted when crossing is outdated and very unrealistic (afair nyc wasnt that paranoid that you couldnt go from brooklyn to manhattan for instance without having the entire law enforcement on you in 2008), some bad details that make V look better, lack of stuff to purchase, weird and outdated wanted level evasion system (basically the wanted radius), lack of car (and maybe ped) variety
• TLAD: TOO many bikes in contrast/comparison to cars
• TBOGT: good things removed from vanilla iv
• CTW: way too low-poly car models
• GTAV: everything good removed from iv and eflc, i cant even count how many faults this game has, let alone the online component

[universetwisters]

III - Making Shoreside Vale into an actual suburb instead of Portland Lite with a few mansions

VC - They should've made the map a lot better, and replaced the strip club with another asset you could do missions with, as opposed to making it a money pit

SA - They should've done more gangbanging sh*t!!!! Damn!

LCS - Why the f*ck didn't Luigi and Joey show up ingame? They were Leones and they would've been better mission givers than the Asian chick who hates her husband and the crooked cop etc etc etc

VCS - They wasted the opportunity to make Vic not a whiner

IV - They should've made the last 1/3 of the game a lot more unique, as opposed to Niko being a generic errand boy for the mob. You can tell the writers were getting worn out by this point.

TLAD - Johnny should've been a more antagonistic protagonist. If he was willing to rip off Ray for the diamonds, what would stop him from getting Billy set up to be arrested so he could become the president? 

TBOGT - More Armando + Henrique missions because you just kinda forgot about them after their missions.

V - Consistent antagonists. 

[TheSantader25]

IV: sh*tty representation of New Jersey and No Atlantic City. 

 

V: Restrictions of the Multiple Protagonists system. 

Edited September 15, 2020 by TheSantader25

[Willman249]

III: where to start

VC: Limited in aviation and height of flying vehicles, also lack of mini games, also would’ve been cool to have gone more in depth with the drug trading
SA: Better physics, better driver AI, also would’ve been cool if the gang operations and running would’ve been more detailed and in depth 

LCS: adding the improvements of VC and SA also too much construction feels like a city that was built in half a century

IV: Too limited in items for sale, side missions and mini games, also physics engine too ambitious 
V: can’t drive the trains, more antagonist character exploration

[GTA-Biker]

GTA 3-as already mentioned,making a proper suburb in Shoreside Vale

GTA VC-maybe add some countryside with swamps

GTA Advance-never played it

GTA SA-they could gave us ability to climb ladders, ability to ride SF tram, give Italian and Russian mob turfs, program those cobra bikers as an actual gang, and make a few more missions for Families (getting more guns from Emmet, revealing what happened to OG Loc and B Dup, showing Big Bear after rehab, etc.)

GTA LCS-there should have been more mob stuff,instead of Toni wasting his time with Donald Love and a bunch of other characters

GTA VCS-character customization should have been more complex like in GTA SA at least when it comes to outfits,maybe they could have returned car customization

GTA 4-they should have added vehicle customization,maybe have some more eastern European weapons like Tokarev pistol and Škorpion SMG since the protagonist is a thug from the Balkans and a fairly large part of the story is focused on the Russian mob

GTA TLAD-they should have added bike customization,as well as some character customization (Johnny could have had a variety of different motorcycle gear and biker-style clothes and accessories instead of only one outfit),and maybe have some more bikes (some touring bike based on HD Electra Glide or Honda Goldwing, some European and Japanese cruisers, maybe something like a classic HD Knucklehead or Indian Chief)

GTA TBOGT-haven't played it much,so I don't remember

GTA CTW-never played it

GTA 5-too much to list

Edited September 15, 2020 by GTA-Biker

[LowTierDude]

41 minutes ago, RenegadeAngel said:

feels a bit forced and bland. needed more side content and distinctive features

Tbh it had more than enough side activities

 

The problem was just the story. Toni was just so unlikeable that i didnt really gave a sh*t about the game

[.Ryan.]

GTA V: The properties should’ve been more integrated into the story as opposed to feeling like tack ons for something to spend money on.

San Andreas: The Doherty garage should’ve been more unique.

 

I thought it was cool how CJ obtained the deed to it and it sounded like it was going to get fixed up over time, but it just stays as a run down garage with nothing useful/unique you can’t find with other safehouses.

 

It should’ve had its own mod shop IMO.

 

Vice City: Diaz gets killed way too soon. Granted Vice City was a step up from GTA III in regards to writing, but this is probably the most disappointing part of the story for me since it feels like the rest of the story stalls out until Sonny arrives.

 

GTA IV: For something different other than the usual “there nothing to do after after the story”, “there’s nothing to spend money on” kind of complaints I thought it was a missed opportunity how characters like Florian/Bernie, Hossan etc weren’t utilised as friends.

 

Now simply because it would’ve probably been too much I can understand why R* wouldn’t have wanted to overwhelm the player with too many friends, but I think I would’ve sacrificed Brucie and maybe Dwayne for Florian/Florian and Hossan.

 

Besides Roman no one else knew Niko before he arrived in America so it would’ve been nice if these guys were friends to contrast the new friends he made.

 

Edited September 16, 2020 by Algonquin Assassin

[String]

TLaD should have had underground cage fighting, it fits this games aesthetic more imo

Also Johnny should have been able to recruit Lost members once becoming president rather than just having Terry and Clay as backup. I can't resist making this comparison sorry but CJ not even being the gangs proper leader and being able to recruit GST members while the chapter president of the Lost can't recruit members in free roam is kind of a fail

 

In general Trevor Phillips Industries could have been so much more, when T enters Los Santos it doesn't feature that much after that iirc which is kind of a shame

[B Dawg]

IV: No Demolition Derby arena. You got the best crash physics (and overall vehicle physics) in an open world game but not an activity/mode to really take advantage of it.

Edited September 17, 2020 by B Dawg

[KingAJ032304]

On 9/15/2020 at 7:46 PM, DownInThePMs said:

Tbh it had more than enough side activities

 

The problem was just the story. Toni was just so unlikeable that i didnt really gave a sh*t about the game

I'll do you one better, the problem was everything from head to toe.

On 9/17/2020 at 9:18 AM, B Dawg said:

IV: No Demolition Derby arena. You got the best crash physics (and overall vehicle physics) in an open world game but not an activity/mode to really take advantage of it.

The lack of abusing all the cool new features, mechanics, engine, physics, and overall just now having a lot of side activities is BY FAR my biggest problem with GTA IV. Feels like free roam wise the game still had a lot of untapped potential.

[KingAJ032304]

On 9/16/2020 at 2:09 AM, Algonquin Assassin said:

GTA V: The properties should’ve been more integrated into the story as opposed to feeling like tack ons for something to spend money on.

San Andreas: The Doherty garage should’ve been more unique.

 

I thought it was cool how CJ obtained the deed to it and it sounded like it was going to get fixed up over time, but it just stays as a run down garage with nothing useful/unique you can’t find with other safehouses.

 

It should’ve had its own mod shop IMO.

 

Vice City: Diaz gets killed way too soon. Granted Vice City was a step up from GTA III in regards to writing, but this is probably the most disappointing part of the story for me since it feels like the rest of the story stalls out until Sonny arrives.

 

GTA IV: For something different other than the usual “there nothing to do after after the story”, “there’s nothing to spend money on” kind of complaints I thought it was a missed opportunity how characters like Florian/Bernie, Hossan etc weren’t utilised as friends.

 

Now simply because it would’ve probably been too much I can understand why R* wouldn’t have wanted to overwhelm the player with too many friends, but I think I would’ve sacrificed Brucie and maybe Dwayne for Florian/Florian and Hossan.

 

Besides Roman no one else knew Niko before he arrived in America so it would’ve been nice if these guys were friends to contrast the new friends he made.

 

Here's another one that goes for the HD universe in general, please... go off with the whole not bringing friends and homies to a mission mechanic. Imagine us CHOOSING to call Bernie about Darko.

[Krymefull]

On 9/15/2020 at 7:56 PM, TheSantader25 said:

IV: sh*tty representation of New Jersey and No Atlantic City. 

I mean NJ was already sh*tty already so rockstar just did their best to capture their s*ttiness 

[universetwisters]

On 9/17/2020 at 9:18 AM, B Dawg said:

IV: No Demolition Derby arena. You got the best crash physics (and overall vehicle physics) in an open world game but not an activity/mode to really take advantage of it.

I know I’m quoting a 3 year old post but I’m not entirely sure if something that’s really more common in rural parts of the country would make sense in an urban metropolis like LC.

 

That said, there’s nothing funner than defacto demo derbies at that arena in Meadow Park in multiplayer. Sometimes unstructured fun is more fun than anything official

[PhantomGamerUser666]

yeah

 

[Guest]

To name a few:

GTA VC - No drug dealing when it's literaly Miami in the 80s.

GTA IV - No stealth mechanic like takedown and silencer attachment when Niko works as hired assassin.

TLAD - No bike customization in a game about bike gang.

GTA V - Michael and co. stop doing heists after the story's over. There should've been more free-roam heists: robbing jewel stores, banks, or facilities around Los Santos/Blaine County whenever you want with any crew member you want.

[The Coconut Kid]

39 minutes ago, wise_man said:

GTA VC - No drug dealing when it's literaly Miami in the 80s.

Absolutely this.

 

It staggers me when people refer to Tommy Vercetti being based on Tony Montana. The sum of the drug dealing we do for ourselves is selling grams out of a Mr. Whoopee truck. The only time we are involved in a drug buy is when we're shopping party favours for LOVEFIST.

 

I will concede that Vercetti uses the boatyard to collect cocaine drops - anyone can fill in the blanks that Tommy has arranged to buy the cocaine and it will be sold offscreen. This is his drug business. But it is extremely disappointing that this is never referenced in game and we have no opportunity to explore it as players. It should have been one part of a detailed and dynamic gameplay feature based around the import and sale of cocaine.

[LowTierDude]

6 hours ago, PhantomGamerUser666 said:

yeah

 

Makes me think of this scene

 

 

[B Dawg]

14 hours ago, universetwisters said:

That said, there’s nothing funner than defacto demo derbies at that arena in Meadow Park in multiplayer. Sometimes unstructured fun is more fun than anything official

It doesn't really work unstructured imo. There is no attackers advantage mechanic present so you have no incentive to hit others because you take just as much damage(or more), so the optimal strategy is not actually having fun.

Edited March 5, 2023 by B Dawg

[Comrade Monke]

III: No minigames. Seriously even VC had some minigames (Beach ball for example).

VC: Despite it being my favorite game, I will say that they definitely could have added more drug stuff and detailed empire building.

SA: bigger role for Claude

IV: buying assets

V: Asset missions like in VC

 

15 hours ago, The Coconut Kid said:

Absolutely this.

 

It staggers me when people refer to Tommy Vercetti being based on Tony Montana. The sum of the drug dealing we do for ourselves is selling grams out of a Mr. Whoopee truck. The only time we are involved in a drug buy is when we're shopping party favours for LOVEFIST.

While I don't entirely agree with your comment, I will agree on this. I never got why people say Tommy is based on Montana? Aside from similar first name and the mansion, they have nothing in common. Tommy is based more on classic mobster characters.  I 've always viewed Vito Corleone as the true inspiration for Tommy. I've even added this on the GTA wiki:

 

Quote

Vito arrives in America after being forced to leave Sicily, he becomes involved with feared mob boss Don Fanucci, and eventually kills him. Vito takes over, and begins to expand his criminal organization into a large empire. Both of them also hire lawyers as relatively high-ranking members of their organization. Both of them are extremely loyal to their friends and associates, but seek vengeance if betrayed. Just like Tommy, Vito took pains to ensure that those loyal to him felt valued and important because of their loyalty, not merely grunts to be used. https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Tommy_Vercetti

 

[Pistol Bobcat]

III: The ability to exterminate at least half of the gangs who are out for your blood after the final mission.

 

Vice City: Swimming (if you can ride a bike or helicopter I expect you to be able to swim too) more activities that lean into Tommy being a drug kingpin, something VCS and the Scarface videogame both did well much later.

 

San Andreas: Not being able to climb ladders? Also more safehouse interiors (some of the unused ones are sick).

 

Liberty City Stories: Game could've had a lot more licensed music for the time (Garbage, Nirvana, TLC) also Massimo Torini barely existed as a villain and doesn't even speak a line to Toni the whole game.

 

Vice City Stories: A return to both the Malibu Club and Pole Position would've been cool, surprised we didn't get that.

 

IV: Hate to be one of those guys but.... fingerless gloves!

 

TLAD: Damn good game with a cool atmosphere and refined bike physics, wish it was longer.

 

TBOGT: Reopened Bahama Mamas, what the actual f*ck were they thinking!? This place was plastered all over trailers and marketing only to be used in one mission... Also wish there was more of Luis's hood life with the ND3 instead of merely Armando and Henrique

 

GTA V: As much as I enjoyed the major heist updates between 2015-2019, I still wonder how the cancelled SP DLC would've turned out.

 

[Slezzy]

IV: wish to see more of Pegorino family aka the Alderney mob (based on New Jersey mob) and a bit longer story and more missions from Phil Bell, Ray Boccino and Jimmy Pegorino and call any of the 3 for backup or recruit mobsters, a mafia social club where you can play darts, cards, pool with Pegorino mobsters, to see and hear more from Ray Bulgarin and not Dimitri since Ray and Niko go way back, more side activites and missions, car, bike and appartment interior costumizations, more unique weapons just like TBoGT and TLaD.

TLaD: story should have been a bit longer, bike costumization, more different clothes styles, recruit more lost member and not only calling Clay & Terry for backup. 

TBoGT: a bit longer storyline, more missions from his childhood friends like Willy and his ND3 ties, dealing dope, recruit ND3 members, more missions of Rocco even tho he was an as*hole sc*mbag and could introduce us to Giovanni Ancelotti and later having him as the main antagonist, instead of Bulgarin who had no bad history with Luis (unlike Niko), visit Bahama Mamas 'cause tbh I liked that club and the music more than Maisonette9 and Hercules.

CW: wish it was in the same third-person perspective and same game like IV.

V: the Families having a bigger role and Franklin care about the hood and Lamar and his friends, recruit families members, property missions like VC, car, bike and house interior costumizations, lowrider meeting just like SA, dealing dope, more side activities and missions especially after finishing the story, night clubs like Bahama Mamas, restaurants and fast-food stores available, make new girlfriends, see more of Stretch how he became a threat to Lamar and Franklin.

Edited March 7, 2023 by Nicki

[Thelema93]

IV..Bulgarin/Petrovic and the Russian mob. I still think the Pegorino/Bell storyline is still the weakest part of the plot. Good missions but weak characters. (Ray Boccino is great though) I think Niko working for some hardcore Russian mobsters like Petrovic instead of the Italian mob would've benefitted the plot greatly. Petrovic could've also been the one to ask Niko to do the Heroin deal with Dimitri and been the final antagonist if the revenge ending was chosen. 

[E Revere]

On 9/14/2020 at 3:17 PM, watersgta3 said:

Mike has little to no personality. Even Claude has more of a personality than he does.

I disagree with you there. His character progression was simple and clear. As he states himself, he was a clueless, impressionable kid at the start and turned into a more hard-on man by the end of the game. Now, I understand where you're coming from but saying Claude has personality is too exaggerative. Claude can't be compared to anyone. He never had any personality and wasn't designed to.

[E Revere]

Toshiko and Toni being love interests. I really wanted to see this, but god forbid if they gave Toni any personality other than being Salvatore's lapdog

[Evil empire]

The quadruple insane stunts not available in GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas. It woud have been good for the console players especially in GTA 3 because it pays a lot. At least it's easy to fix on PC.

Edited March 21, 2023 by Evil empire

[Patrizio]

I've said this before but...

 

V being released and set at the height of Breaking Bad's popularity, in California, and with little to no real involvement of Mexican cartels nor hispanic street gangs in the game. Madrazo was the biggest joke since Wuzi and Trevor single handedly taking on the Aztecas was laughable. This is to me is the single biggest wasted opportunity in GTA's history - imagine LC without any real Italian mafia involvement?

[cant remember]

San Andreas:

 

Working highways. To this day I still don't get this one, the map has a whole highway system, but it's a completely broken mess of cars going at lightspeed, teleporting to different lanes, exploding, getting stuck into the roadway, piling up,... Would have been cool to have actual highway police chases on them. Such a wasted opportunity to include this whole highway system but not adapt the engine for the highways to actually be functioning in-game.