"Finally, the PC version arrives!"

Let me start off by saying that the port of GTA3 to PC is better and much improved from the PS2 version. There are virtually no differences between the PC version from the PS2 version for the exception of the PC having graphics that are superior to the PS2 and the ability of being able to port your favorite MP3's to GTA3 so you can listen to them while you drive. Loading times are also much better than the PS2 version.

Story 12/15

The story takes place in third person in the city known as Liberty City. Liberty City is divided into three parts, Portland, Stauton Island and Shoreside Vale. Doesn't this city look vaguely familiar?.... Sure does, it looks like NYC! Portland is Queens, Stauton is Manhattan, and Shoreside is New Jersey. The story is quite plain and simple, like any basic gangster movie or plot. Your girlfriend backstabs you in a robbery and you end up arrested. During the transfer to a different jail, you manage to break out with your friend 8-Ball. Now you have opportunities to work for several gangs. Different gangs have unique jobs for you. The people you work for range from the Mafia to a crooked disgraced cop. The main plot or idea of this game is the drug called spank. Every gang seems to hate this drug since it ruins their businesses in some way. The most hated gang, the Cartel is the mastermind behind this drug. The plot builds up from missions where you have to kill people who traffickick spank to getting revenge on your former girlfriend at the end of the game. Simple story to begin with but builds up to a somewhat complicated (and somewhat confusing!) one near the end.

Gameplay 33/35

Missions range from picking up hooker to completely bombing out enemy gang bases. Some of the missions are challenging while other missions are pretty simple. Missions range from you requiring to run some guy off the road to sniping a guy's head off. There are a ton of side missions such as off road, toyz, rampage missions and etc. You can also find secret packages, do ''vigilante'' missions, firetruck missions, paramedic rescues, or taxi missions. In order to get a 100 % complete, you MUST finish all these missions. I think there are approximately 73 missions in total (Correct me if I am wrong)
There is also a wide variety of cars in this game. They range from eco cars to army tanks. Many of these cars actually resemble real cars, for example, the Blista, a van, resembles the Toyota Sienna.
The AI in this game pretty well done. For example, when you start beating and old lady to the ground and police witnesses you doing that, the police man will start coming after you. Enemy AI isn't too bad either. If they see you as a enemy of the gang or a threat because you seem to snooping around their base, they will start shooting at you. Their accuracy isn't too bad either.
If you are bored from doing missions you can always do the old fashion hit and run to an innocent pedestrian or better yet, start sniping innocent civilians. The fun in this game never stops.

Graphics 24/25

The graphics in this game are done very nicely. They are superior to the PS2 graphics as I said earlier. The textures are done very well done compared to the PS2. You can set resolutions from low detail to the very highest detail you graphics card can support. Buildings and car details are done very well in this game also. When a car is dented, it really shows it, sometimes a bit too much. Shooting someone with a gun causes them to bleed (duh) but when the person starts to move, he/she will leave blood footprints or drops of blood when they run. IMO graphics are done very well in this game.

Sound 13/15

''Hell no!'' is what the trench coat man says as you grab his arm and throw him out of his car. Sound is done very well in this game, especially the radio stations. Many of the NPC's in this game react differently to you. Enemy gangs may swear at you or say some hilarious things at you (The Triads for example) Pedestrians seem to swear at you when you push them. The radio stations are the best part. Listen to Flashback if you like old 80's music, Kjah if you like Jamaican music, or Chatter box if you enjoy talk show radio. There are many radio stations ranging from Pop to Opera. Chatterbox is probably everyone's favourite station since they have the most hilarious conversations, ranging from people who fear the government to people who want to talk about spanking their children. If you get bored from the radio stations, you can always port your favourite MP3's and listen to them instead!

Replay 10/10

Replay is excellent in this game. As I said before, if you get bored of all the missions, get a sniper and start sniping innocent civilians! Or if you want just cruise around Liberty City.

+Tilt 5/5

This is a great game and deserves a +5. It's one of my favourite games. It's just too hard to pass up the opportunity to be a gangster and work for gangs!

FINAL SCORE: 97/100

Eh, I'll just round it off to a 100.

Gamefaqs Score: 10/10

One Final Question: Rent or Buy?

Well, as many reviews have already said, get the game! Its $70 CAD but is damn well worth it. Heck, I don't even know there is actually a place where you can rent PC games.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 08/16/02, Updated 03/06/03