Grand Theft Auto has been a favorite series for many gamers, not only because of the quality of the series, but because of the game's shocking over-the-top violence. Being an extremely gruesome game for its time, the original Grand Theft Auto was ridiculed by politicians and parents alike as being violent and inhumane. But this didn't stop Take 2 Interactive. The controversial remarks only added to the series' success as the first two original games have sold well over expected sales. (Remember, any publicity is good publicity.)
The series' third outing builds on to the formula which made its predecessors so popular and throws it all into a 3D world. The top down view is replaced by a more traditional 3rd person view and the graphics have been greatly improved and made to look more ‘real' than the past two titles. Furthermore the game is much more storyline-based and the missions have become center-stage rather than just something extra to do if you have time. The GTA series has truly evolved.
The game begins with an opening cinema showing you and your girlfriend in the middle of a bank robbery. But it's a set-up. Your girlfriend pops a shot into you and runs off with the money as you're lying on the ground with a gun in your hand. The cops come soon after and throw you in the back of their van ready to haul you off to jail. As the van is en route something happens but I'll let you find out what that something is for yourself.
After the ‘something' happens you find yourself at Luigi's, the first person that will give you some things to do in your new life. The opening mission involves picking up a girl and taking her back to Luigi's. The real beauty of this game is that this can be done in so many ways. You could steal a taxi and go straight to picking her up or you could carjack a Banshee and cruise around a bit before meeting up with her. After you complete your objectives whatever they may be you are given another mission.
Although Rockstar has made the missions more of a priority, you are allowed to do whatever you please in between missions so the game never gets stale. It's amazing how huge the game world is. Liberty City actually feels like a living breathing place. Hundreds of people crowd the sidewalks and dozens of cars stop at red lights and turn at intersections. The best part is that you can interact with all of it. Want to blow up a car at the corner of 5th street and 2nd? Go ahead. Want to attack some old ladies walking in front of a payphone in Chinatown? Fine.
Keep in mind that this means this game is not for children. You can run over innocent pedestrians walking down the street, ram a semi-truck into the back of a station wagon until it blows up, or walk down the street pumping out shotgun shells and never really get penalized. Yes, you will be attacked by the police if something like this happens, but this, more often than not, just results in more bloodshed. If the words "Grand Theft Auto" create a picture in your mind of someone doing something that benefits society than you need your head checked.
The visuals in this game are absolutely superb. Everything has somewhat of a cartoon feel to it and it works. The game is streaming off the disc so most load times are usually less than five seconds. And even if Liberty City is so huge, the frame rate only very rarely suffers.
Likewise, the sound is great as well. Rather than having a set soundtrack, GTA3 features digital radio stations. Each station covers a different variety of music and is complete with a DJ and commercials. I love this because it enables you to listen to what you want when you want. Have I mentioned the great voice acting yet? The voiceovers are done by some of Hollywood's best including Joe Pantoliano, Robert Loggia, and Michael Madsen. This makes the game all that much better and definitely gives it a more polished feel.
Beyond all the cool missions and the gigantic landscape, GTA3 gives us tons to do. There are hidden packages to be found all over the city. Secret missions can be opened up by jacking certain vehicles. The game also keeps track of all your kills and other statistics, such as your best "stunt" in an automobile. The driving system is in itself fantastic, as all the different cars have a different feel to them, and they break apart in ways no other driving game has done.
Although extremely violent and bloody, GTA3 is one of those games that you actually feel like you're a part of. Every component of the game fits together like a puzzle and combines to engulf you in an amazing experience. No other game can match Grand Theft Auto 3's ambition. Rockstar set out to make a worthy successor to the series, and they not only succeeded but created one of the best games I have ever had the pleasure of playing.
-Sam
Company Line
The previous incarnations of Grand Theft Auto have achieved cult status worldwide and have sold over 4.5 million units to date. Now, the third instalment of Grand Theft Auto is set to hit the world stage October 2001 on PlayStation 2 as a ground breaking, genre busting title. Capturing the same freedom and non-linearity of the original games, Grand Theft Auto 3 now lives and breathes in a diligently reengineered, complete 3D world. The new perspective and stunning graphics will now allow an even wider audience to explore their inner criminal and immerse themselves in all the dangers, threats and possibilities of a city without end.
FEATURES: CRIME
Liberty City is a complete physical universe with laws, rules, standards, ethics and morals. They are yours to shatter.
Over 80 gangland missions and loads of side missions.
Work your way through the hierarchy of the gangs, meet bigger bosses, get better jobs.
Multi-layered missions interweave story elements from level to level.
Revenge plot drives the player through the game, whilst retaining non-linearity and freedom of previous games.
Over two dozen ways to take out another character: fist fighting (punch, kick and head butt), base ball bat, handgun, Uzi, machine gun, M-16, rocket launcher, grenade, Molotov cocktail and flame thrower.
Organized police forces including cops, SWAT Teams, FBI, and the Army work strategically to keep Liberty City properly corrupt and somewhat safe.
THE CITY
Liberty City is divided into 3 districts: industrial zone, commercial district and suburban neighborhood all connected by bridges and tunnels. Each has its own look and feel - different kinds of buildings, cars, and inhabitants. As you progress through the game, new areas will open up to you eventually allowing access to the whole city.
The streets of Liberty City are jammed with over 50 vehicles, each with their own physics. All ripe for the plucking, cabs, sedans, family cars, mini vans, SUVs, trucks (pick-ups to 18 wheelers), sports cars, convertibles, buses (school buses and metro buses), fire engines, ambulances, SWAT vehicles, and even the ice cream man are on the move in fear of losing their ride. When trying to escape a jam, boats and trains help transport players from one side of the city to the next.
Vehicles take damage on 18 different panels.
The time of day and night affects every mission. This city is a very different place at night and some missions can only be performed at certain times of day.
A full-weather eco-system (including rain, fog, thunder and lightning) also affects gameplay. For example, rain makes roads slippery, fog reduces visibility, etc.
Unpredictable pedestrian AI makes for wicked nights and strange days throughout Liberty City. Hundreds of pedestrians each with their own characteristics populate Grand Theft Auto 3's intersections and alleyways. Businessmen hurry to work, gang members look for trouble, and hookers prowl for business. Each character acts and reacts to situations and the activity surrounding them in their own unique way.
Over two hours of music make up the soundtrack for the City. Each vehicle is tuned to its own radio station playing a combination of licensed tracks, specially created music and talk radio.
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