Grand Theft Auto 5has become one of the most wildly popular games ever made since its initial release in 2013. Part of the game’s success is due to its trademark humor and seemingly endless pop culture references, but these don’t stop with the real world though, as all of the games in theGrand Theft Autoseries are linked in one way or another. This connection to past games leaves room for plenty of Easter eggs and references, andGrand Theft Auto 5is filled with them.
BeforeGrand Theft Auto 5released,Grand Theft Auto 4was still incredibly popular in the gaming world. The exploits of Niko Bellic and his bowling-loving cousin Roman made for one of thebest games of the early 2000s, and a lot of gamers still flock to the game to this day. Leaving Liberty City was tough for some people, and some players wondered ifGTA 5would include some elements ofGTA 4’s story. AlthoughGrand Theft Auto 5brought players back to San Andreas, Rockstar made sure to put a healthy amount of references toGTA 4in the game to show that the two were still connected.
RELATED:Grand Theft Auto Video Game Universes Explained
Niko’s Fate
Niko Bellic became a fan-favorite character whenGTA 4released, but his fate at the end of the story can be pretty uncertain depending on what ending players get.Grand Theft Auto 5doesn’t exactly answer any of the questions that players may have had at the end ofGTA 4, but there is a reference in the game that clearly establishes his connection to the world. In a cutscene for the first heist of the game, Lester talks about an Eastern-European that was doing jobs in Liberty City who has gone quiet. This remark is unquestionably in reference to Niko, and although it doesn’t definitively say he’s still alive, it leaves open the possibility that he succeeded in giving up his life of crime.
Johnny Klebitz
One of the other connections toGTA 4that is present inGTA 5comes in the form of biker Johnny Klebitz. He was the main protagonist inGTA 4’sThe Lost & DamnedDLC, and he made a surprise appearance inGrand Theft Auto 5when the game introduces Trevor. This reunion proved to be pretty short-lived for players, as Klebitz was murdered by Trevor very shortly after he was brought into the game. Although it was unfortunate to seea pivotal part ofGTA 4’s storyget unceremoniously killed, it was still a clever way to show thatGrand Theft Auto 5was connected toGrand Theft Auto 4.
Packie
Grand Theft Auto 5continues its connections toGTA 4with a random moment that players can stumble across. If a player finds themselves near one of the game’s many drug stores, a robbery can take place, and the player will have the choice to kill the two robbers or help them get away. If the player helps them get away, they’ll soon discover that one of the robbers isPackie fromGTA 4, one of Niko’s friends and heist accomplices. If the player decides to help Packie, they are then able to add him to their heist team as a gunman, serving as a nice reunion for players that enjoyed his company in the previous game.
Grand Theft Auto 5’s longevity is due in part to how the game has something to offer for just about everyone. For fans ofGrand Theft Auto 4,there is a treasure trove of references to the game that show how the player’s adventures in Liberty City are connected to their adventures in San Andreas. After spending so much time in San Andreas, many fans of the series have been analyzingevery little rumor onGTA6,like when it will be coming and what it will have to offer. If there’s one thing gamers can depend on, it’s that the next game will likely be filled with connections toGrand Theft Auto 5.
Grand Theft Auto 5is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One. PS5 and Xbox Series X versions are currently in development.
MORE:Rockstar Will Continue to Focus on Both Single-Player and Multiplayer Games
