The prologue fades to black.

The first major decision Rockstar made was stripping away the UI. For the first few minutes, there are no mini-maps, no weapon wheels—just Niko and his internal monologue. He receives a text from his cousin, Roman, full of unhinged optimism: "Welcome to America! The girls are waiting!!"

The jump from San Andreas to this was mind-blowing in 2008. The euphoria physics and the lighting in Hove Beach still hold up today. What was your first impression of when you started the game? Quick Tips for Your Post: Use a screenshot of