Does GTA 3 Take Place After Liberty City Stories?
Yes, Grand Theft Auto 3 (GTA 3) takes place after Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (LCS). While they share the same city, Liberty City, and some recurring characters, LCS serves as a prequel to GTA 3. LCS is set in 1998, whereas GTA 3 takes place in 2001, establishing a clear chronological order where the events of LCS precede those of GTA 3. This means that the narrative in LCS unfolds before the events that players experience in GTA 3.
Chronological Order and Story Significance
Understanding the placement of these two games in the overall GTA timeline is crucial for appreciating their respective storylines and the evolution of the game world. Liberty City Stories provides a backdrop and context for certain characters and locations that reappear in GTA 3. It follows the story of Toni Cipriani, a mobster rising through the ranks of the Leone family, giving players a glimpse into the city’s criminal underworld a few years before Claude arrives in GTA 3.
GTA 3, on the other hand, picks up the narrative threads and features different circumstances, and characters including a new protagonist, Claude, a bank robber seeking revenge after being betrayed. The fact that the games are separated by three years highlights changes within Liberty City and the shifts in power among the criminal factions. Therefore, playing LCS before GTA 3 offers a richer experience by providing a historical understanding of the city’s landscape and character dynamics.
Shared Universe, Different Storylines
Although both games exist within the same “3D Universe” timeline of the GTA franchise, it is worth noting that later games like GTA IV and GTA V are set in the “HD Universe.” The Liberty City depicted in GTA IV, while inspired by New York City like its 3D universe counterpart, is a completely redesigned iteration, not a continuation of the map used in GTA 3 and LCS. This distinction is important for fans attempting to piece together the full GTA timeline and is crucial in understanding how the narratives are connected (or not connected) across various titles.
In summary, while the geographical similarities might confuse some players, LCS is a prequel to GTA 3, providing a foundational story within the same setting with different characters and narratives occurring before the events of GTA 3.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When Was Liberty City Stories Released?
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories was initially released on October 24, 2005, primarily for the PlayStation Portable (PSP), with subsequent ports to other platforms.
2. What Year Does Liberty City Stories Take Place?
Liberty City Stories is set in the year 1998.
3. What Year Does GTA 3 Take Place?
Grand Theft Auto 3 takes place in the year 2001.
4. Who is the Protagonist of Liberty City Stories?
The protagonist of Liberty City Stories is Toni Cipriani, a member of the Leone crime family.
5. Who is the Protagonist of GTA 3?
The protagonist of GTA 3 is Claude, a silent character with a thirst for revenge.
6. Are the Maps of GTA 3 and Liberty City Stories Identical?
The maps are nearly identical, with some minor changes. Liberty City Stories uses a slightly earlier version of the Liberty City map that players are familiar with in GTA 3. These minor differences contribute to the story’s time placement.
7. Do Any Characters from LCS Appear in GTA 3?
Yes, some characters from Liberty City Stories, such as Salvatore Leone, also appear in GTA 3, though sometimes in different roles, reflecting the passage of time.
8. How Does the Liberty City in GTA 4 Differ from the One in GTA 3 and LCS?
The Liberty City in GTA 4 is a completely redesigned and more realistic version, based on New York City, and it belongs to the “HD Universe.” This makes the Liberty City of GTA 4 distinctly different from the one in the “3D Universe” of GTA 3 and LCS.
9. What Universe Does GTA 3 and LCS Belong To?
GTA 3 and LCS are both part of the “3D Universe” of the Grand Theft Auto series.
10. What is the Chronological Order of the 3D Universe Trilogy?
The chronological order of the 3D Universe trilogy is: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, then Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and finally Grand Theft Auto 3. Although, Liberty City Stories takes place before GTA 3, but it was released after it.
11. Where Does San Andreas Fit into the GTA Timeline?
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas takes place before GTA 3, specifically in the year 1992. It is the second game in chronological order of the 3D universe games.
12. Did CJ (Carl Johnson) Ever Live in Liberty City?
Yes, before the events of GTA: San Andreas, CJ lived in Liberty City for about five years, working for Joey Leone.
13. Is the Liberty City in GTA Based on a Real City?
Yes, Liberty City is loosely based on New York City. The various boroughs within the game map reflect New York City’s own diverse boroughs.
14. Is There a Plan to Remaster Liberty City for GTA 6?
According to some rumors, Rockstar Games may have plans for a remastered Liberty City in the future, potentially in conjunction with or after the release of GTA 6, but there is nothing official yet.
15. Will GTA 6 Include Liberty City?
There is no confirmed information on whether Liberty City will appear in GTA 6. The game’s setting is still under wraps, but fans speculate that other locations are more likely, as it will introduce a new chapter in the series. It’s possible, however, that Liberty City may appear in some form in the future through DLC or remasters.