Grand Theft Auto 2 arrived at the close of the 20th century, retaining the top-down perspective that defined its predecessor. This installment introduced several notable refinements, including a more forgiving save system accessible via churches for an in-game fee and a much-needed health bar, a significant improvement over the original's perpetually precarious state. These additions, alongside a considerably less janky camera and smoother car handling with self-straightening capabilities, make GTA 2 feel notably more polished to play than the first game. Obstacles are less likely to impede vehicles, and the car physics are less prone to frustrating collisions.
Players can now outfit their vehicles with weaponry and gadgets, and the arsenal of handheld weapons has been expanded. New additions include tossable explosives like grenades and Molotovs, a suppressed SMG for stealthy takedowns, a powerful shotgun, dual pistols, and a futuristic electro gun capable of locking onto multiple targets. A mild auto-aim function also contributes to less frustrating combat encounters across the board.
However, the game's chosen setting of Anywhere City, a stylized, retro-futuristic backdrop overrun by gangs and a megacorporation, presents a significant departure from the original's recognizable, contemporary urban environment. This stylistic choice, which merges aesthetics from the 1940s and 50s with a near-future dystopia, is a point of contention. The vehicles, while numerous, often lack distinctiveness and resemble caricatures rather than iconic designs, a contrast to the more easily distinguishable cars of the original GTA. The three districts of Anywhere City, while featuring sharper graphics than its predecessor, can feel plain, with the exception of the more varied Residential Sector.
Despite these shortcomings, Anywhere City does feel more alive and dangerous, with constant threats from muggers, carjackers, and gang members. Yet, it lacks the distinct charm of Liberty City, San Andreas, or Vice City. The game's unique aesthetic also clashed with its own introductory cinematic and box art at the time of release, leading to an identity crisis that initially caused the author to disengage from the game. This disorientation is compounded by the simultaneous rise of 3D action-driving games like Driver, which arrived around the same time and offered a different vision for the genre.
In retrospect, Grand Theft Auto 2's technical advancements over its predecessor are more appreciated now than they were upon its original release. The improved driving and shooting mechanics represent welcome gains. Nevertheless, the retro-futuristic setting remains a difficult element to embrace, leaving a lingering sense of dissatisfaction compared to the more grounded environments of other GTA titles.