The last 2D GTA, Grand Theft Auto 2, was released almost a decade ago. Since then, Rockstar has churned out numerous 3D games in the series, each more grandly ambitious and envelope-pushing than its predecessor. Technological overachievement itself is now a trademark of the series, and to regress to 2D in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, back to 1999, would be a step backwards, and a betrayal of what the franchise (and Rockstar) is about.
But were the 2D GTA games not polished, fun titles in their own right? Well, yes, they were. Play one now, however, and you'll find that the experience has faded with time. Camerawork feels sluggish and claustrophobic, cities are far more under-populated than you might recall, and the controls are, frankly, a bit of a mess.
Since its shift to 3D, Rockstar has truly realized GTA's potential, producing the most immersive sandbox games in existence. That's why the DS version must be 3D -- and I believe the little handheld has a demonstrable ability to handle the third dimension rather nicely.
Early games such as Super Mario 64 DS and Metroid Prime Hunters were spectacular successes, and since then the likes of Dementium and Moon, both built on Renegade Kid's Renegade Engine, have produced eye-catching results; I mean, just look at them. If a new studio like Renegade Kid can produce such accomplished games, would you really bet against Rockstar having the pedigree, the ability, and the resources to at least match it?
3D games are massively under-represented on the DS, and that's something I'd like to see change. If Rockstar demonstrates it can be done, then who knows how many other developers will be inspired to stretch boundaries on the platform? 3D might not only benefit Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, but future releases also.
