Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars may be over a decade old, but it contains a lot of advantageous elements which could be incorporated into Grand Theft Auto 6. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars was first released in 2009 only for Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable. Over the years, however, it became available on Apple devices, IOS, Android, and more. Taking place in Liberty City, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars follows the trials and tribulations of Huang Lee, who is on the hunt for a valuable sword after getting mixed up with the Triads.
With Grand Theft Auto 6 reportedly in production, there has been a lot of talk about how Rockstar will improve upon their beloved video game series, but the production company may stand to learn a few things from previous installments in the game – or at least, that’s what some fans are hoping for.
GTA: Chinatown Wars offered some unique features that can’t be found in other Grand Theft Auto games, which has made it a fan-favorite among players. Given how well-received these elements were, Rockstar may benefit from including some of them in GTA 6.
GTA: Chinatown Wars Forces Players To Be Strategic
One of the most notable features found in GTA: Chinatown Wars, especially when compared to other installments in the franchise, is that the drug dealing structure is completely different. Prices fluctuate in different places, and players are able to find dealers all throughout Liberty City. While going to them randomly stands the best chance at making a profit, email tips also help players identify where they can get the best prices.
In traditional Grand Theft Auto games, players can only evade the police by hiding, respraying their car, or speeding so fast that no one can catch them – that, or use a cheat code. But in GTA: Chinatown Wars, players have to incorporate a more strategic approach to ditch the cops. Players are actually able to reduce their wanted level by taking out police officers, whether by hitting them directly with a weapon or forcing them into a traffic collision during a high-speed chase. All this adds a more realistic element to the game that also makes it feel more challenging and rewarding, since players are incentivised to deal with the police head-on rather than just keep running.
The Details In GTA: Chinatown Wars Are Too Good To Ignore
The PDA in GTA: Chinatown Wars contains all the usual elements players expect from the franchise, such as health and money. But it also contains other helpful features, such as showing players the quickest legal way to a destination and giving them the option to modify short-cuts. Gameplay in GTA 6 could be seriously enhanced compared to other GTA games built for PlayStation and Xbox if the developers consider implementing a PDA that parallels the one available in the mobile game.
Moreover, GTA: Chinatown Wars forces players to do certain things in order to complete larger missions or tasks, which end up feeling like mini-missions in themselves. While this may initially seem counter-productive, it adds more realism to Grand Theft Auto and helps the gameplay experience extend even longer. Plus, it makes it all the more satisfying when players accomplish a task, given all the small things they had to complete along the way.
When stealing a car, for instance, players may have to fiddle with the screwdriver. Or, during a mission, players will have to shoot down a security camera to make their operation more stealthy. Even the small features (like the ability to whistle for a cab by blowing into the mic) makes GTA: Chinatown Wars all the more entertaining, realistic, and enjoyable. Of course, Grand Theft Auto 6 won’t be able to incorporate features that necessitate a Nintendo DS or stylus, but forcing gamers to be more methodical and strategic in their gameplay only enhances the player’s experience.
There's a lot GTA 6 could learn from GTA: Chinatown Wars, and hopefully Rockstar keeps some of these ideas in mind.