Nine years after its launch, this San Andreas still feels like a vibrant open world - if a culturally dated one - and there’s always the simple joy of colliding with motorcycles on the highway to watch NPCs ragdoll over your supercar. Your phone might ping with mission invites a random event on the street might challenge players to cause the most property damage, or speed into oncoming traffic without getting hit (for as long as possible). In effect, GTA Online’s conceit is to offer a theme park that functions as a facsimile of the modern world. If you remember the days of popping in cheat codes and equipping a rocket launcher to shoot at the poor citizens of San Andreas, or the scheming, cigar-smoke hazy ’80s vibe of Vice City, then you can absolutely capture that. Rockstar has created a series of open-world activities and structured game modes that allow people to essentially pick their own flavor of Grand Theft Auto - at least, once they’ve settled in and unlocked the various modes.

From there, they connect with the city’s south side, and work their way up to being a multimillionaire mogul committing high-end car thefts and celebrity robberies. The player first arrives with a small fund, a car, and a mugshot. GTA Online does its best to offer all of this. Rockstar’s crime franchise has vacillated wildly in scope and tone over the years, from grounded, small-time drug robberies to wild, wacky, satirical characters who love cocaine and murder. We’re still a ways out from any official information on Rockstar’s next narrative campaign in Grand Theft Auto 6, and so, GTA Online serves as an accessible outlet to indulge in all things Grand Theft Auto.

“GTA” is a household name, used by bored teens and concerned media pundits alike. I don’t have to introduce Grand Theft Auto Online to you it’d be like asking someone if they’ve ever heard of a director named Steven Spielberg.

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