Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 3 for PlayStation 2

Some of you might have heard of an old PSX title called Driver 2. Those who had actually played this game were probably complaining about not being able to shoot or run people over. Other than that, Driver 2 is your typical 'drive from point A to point B' type game, like Crazy Taxi without having to pick up passengers. GTA 3 has a somewhat similar feel but expands on an element that Driver 2 left out. Rather than just simple carjacking as seen in Driver 2, you get to do a whole lot more in GTA 3. Simply imagine both the original GTA & GTA 2 in 3D and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about here. Similar to both its predecessors, your primary duties involve something that would probably get you arrested or even killed in real life. Such tasks may include killing off the local drug pusher, engaging in drive-by shootings & planting car bombs.

To help you along the way, our friends at Rockstar Games have decided to throw in a collection of toys that would put the ones in games like Resident Evil to shame. Aside from the usual hand guns, Uzis & assault rifles, you also get to use flame throwers & rocket launchers, which are particularly useful on a killing spree. Due to the game's unusually violent nature, it shouldn't even be called Grand Theft Auto since this title would have look more appropriate on something like Driver 2. As mentioned, GTA 3 is not your average carjacking simulator where all you do is steal cars and wait for the cops to notice. If the game lets you have something like an AK-47 or M-16 assault rifle, you had better damn well make good use of it. And what better way to start than to take out a couple of people on a busy street plus a couple of mafia hoods & triad henchmen to go along with them. You could also go at it without weapons using just your plain old fisticuffs, however this may result in your character being sent to the emergency room in hurry when messing with the wrong people. The 3D beat-em up model is similar to games like Fighting Force, minus all the taekwondo style spin kicks. You have both your punch & kick buttons and that's about it.

GTA 3 deserves another plus point for all the cool cars featured in the game. You'll find close replicas of such favorites as the Mack truck, Dodge Viper & Ferarri Modena. It would have been really great if they made all the cop cars look like Crown Victorias, but I'm already pretty satisfied from getting my hands on the Viper. With GTA 3 being on the PS2, I found the graphics to be far less pixelated compared to most of the other driving type games I've played so far. There is a great amount of detail in every screenshot, right down to character facial expressions. Both character animation & frame rate is about average given the game's immense size. The playing area is huge filled with thousands of pedestrians, cars & buildings. If you thought gameplay alone was reason enough to buy the GTA 3, wait till you get a load of the awesome sound effects. The trademark radio stations you get while driving have become synonymous with the GTA series with each having a particular theme or flavor ranging from classical music to raunchy talk programs. The level of profanity has been toned down somewhat compared to GTA 2. No worries though as this minor setback is compensated with double the amount of bloodshed & violence. Characters bleed profusely upon being shot. You could even turn corpses into big red bloody messes by repeatedly shooting at them. With all that in mind, it's no wonder why this game was banned in several countries including Australia. You can bet Joe Liebermann isn't too happy with the folks at Rockstar Games for churning out games like these.

In spite of all the good thing mentioned, GTA 3 is not without its flaws though. My main complaint lies with the occasional bad camera positioning which tends to block out your character from view. This usually happens when standing too close to a wall or large object and this forces the camera to take up an awkward position behind it, thus blocking out your view. There is another flaw in which your character would still take a hit from a molotov cocktail fire when standing behind a brick wall. You won't be able to shoot anyone standing behind it but for some reason, you get to torch them with your flame thrower. The in-game targeting system is another common complaint among gamers. Imagine your character being stupid enough to target someone 30 feet away while being attacked by a gang of club wielding thugs at point blank range. Doesn't make sense now does it?

GTA 3 is not a perfect game, neither should it be played with kids present. It is however a title well worth owning a PS2 for. Unfortunately for me, all I got was 3 day PS2 rental which left me with a burning itch for more mafia style action with my soon to be favorite title. Go grab yourself a copy if you've got the dough to spare, then lock your doors to keep the kids out. Have fun and remember, it's only a game. Overall Grade: B+