In reality, GTA is awesome

Not so long ago I was sat on a plane approaching London Heathrow. As I stared out the window, it was at that moment I knew I'd been playing too much Grand Theft Auto IV.

As the ground got nearer I could make out several small ramps littering the grass alongside the runway...ramps that were very similar to those I'd driven my souped-up sportscar over a couple of days earlier to earn a "rolled over" achievement on my 360! Weirdly, I was considering the best angle and speed to approach the ramp if I actually happened to be driving around Heathrow. Gaming had blended into my reality; I needed some zzzzz.

Problem was, even that couldn't guarantee an escape from the world of Liberty City. The escapades of Nico and Roman had already encroached into my dreams a few nights before.

My point is this...I honestly don't think I've ever been so engrossed in a game. There have been times when Tetris blocks and that Russian soundtrack have filled my sleep or when my subconscious has been plotting tactics or my next transfer in Football Manager. No game, however, has never filled my daydreams!

Granted the visuals are a little cartoony and it has since been superseded by other titles, namely Killzone 2, Gears of War 2 or Fallout 3, which are all beautifully crisp and clean. Nevertheless, as you progress further in the story, getting more involved in the family disputes and dangerous liaisons, the sense that the city is living and breathing is absolutely awesome. Short of getting pickpocketed or some swine nipping into your parking space, this is as real as it gets.

I have fond memories of the entire GTA series - especially the original on Sony's Playstation from 1997. It was a simple top-down affair but a new take on a tried-and-tested genre. The cars were blocky, the buildings a myriad of browns and greys, but it was charming. The missions were a little more basic: kill A or get to B, but it had a certain charm that has transferred very well as it has evolved. And I loved the unpolitically-correct ability to run over a group of Hare Krishnas walking along the sidewalk.

The fourth installment has already had one expansion pack on the Xbox and another - The Ballad of Gay Tony - is due soon.

Frankly, I can't wait.

(Photo credit: radiobread/Video:jasonkapadia)