Grand Theft Auto III

"The shrine of gaming mayhem has arrived .:. !!!"

Let us celebrate and rejoice ~~ It has arrived!

It has seemed like an eternity to me. I have been waiting for what seems like beyond the boundaries of temptation, anticipation, and patience. A year has never seemed so long in my trivial life, for once this time period one year ago, my heart started pounding, my nose started bleeding, my legs started jumping, for all I knew, I had a severe case of the wiggles. That's right folks, the wiggles; but I was far from that terrifying false assumption. While visiting a great medical person I would regularly prefer to call a doctor, we arrived through careful disconcernment and symptom-izing, that the wiggles would create a momentous rejoice to poses. The horrible fact was eventually revealed that my case was in fact incurable, I had a GTA Syndrome.

Calling me a liar and shutting the door in my face solves nothing, so keep reading: Anyway, after this horrible announcement I quickly got over it and was seriously running up and down the house, jumping up and down, and crying for joy that such an under-rated series (in my opinion) would receive a sequel, not just any regular sequel, but a tremendously improved three-dimensional perspective sequel that consumed 87% of my gaming anticipation.

Why was I at such a great assumption of a masterpiece arrival? I mean after all, the first two games in the series were a bit bland and tiresome after several hours (even though I enjoyed them very much). Who dare give me the right to grant perfection against a 5% completed project? Well, one year later, I have the game, I have played it tremendously, I have analyzed it, I have enjoyed it, and I shall continue to prove why my postulate for this unique work of art indeed was true.

Let us triumph, the expectations for “fun” have been elevated.

Let us classic Grand Theft Auto fans admit, the amplitude of joy for GTA 1 and 2 always rested in the hands of unique gameplay. As in most other games rely on this necessary device, the GTA series was about 95% complemented by it. The former graphics were far nothing to marvel at, the sound was pretty decent, the control was iffy, and the replay value was kind of struggling; but even with such negative remarks, I always enjoyed the games tremendously; because of the pure original and entertaining gameplay.

The third installment into the mayhem simulator is no exception indeed. It clearly takes the fun-factor, huge originality, and everything else to absolutely exceed my former expectations beyond oblivion into a whole other level. Actually, maybe not that great, but it is going to be hard to ensile my exaggerations, simply because they are barely reach that tale. Okay, I am sure you have heard enough of my fantasies, dreams, and meaningless opinions, now it is time to get down to the nitty-gritty of this hallmark--Grand Theft Auto 3 for the Sony PlayStation 2 gaming console...

Like I said before, GTA3 is none other than simple mayhem simulator brought to new heights. The list of things to do through a GTA3 journey is merely endless. Feel like going mad and destroying everything and every person in sight (no children), then strap on that buckle and hop to it. The variety of weapons is marvelous. You have the simple choice of the fists or a bat, or even to the extravagant selection of a M-16 or a rocket-launcher. Hell, why not just go steal one of the eighty-plus different cars roaming the massive streets of Liberty City, the city the game centers around, and take a lil‘ cruise on the sidewalks. Hey, it is possible... Use that automobile for whatever purpose you please. Run over pedestrians, ram police cars, drive off a bridge, ram police cars off a bridge, or the obvious and exciting act of speeding down the streets of Liberty City at one hundred miles-per-hour.

Of course the car selection will not be a simple task (a good thing). All cars have individual physics, speed, endurance, pretty-factor, mobility, durability, and other various miscellaneous properties. The selection of vehicles is widely ranged from the fast and the furious sporty cars, to the law abiding (not much longer) police cars, or to the massive fire trucks or tanks. Speaking of fire trucks, they also hold a special purpose other than the dignity of ramming everything that comes by--helping out the community (in a legal way). Yes, that is correct, you can actually take/steal a fire truck on a fortune cruise to save a few fires and collect extra cash.

Moreover, the player can control and do other legal mini-missions, such as entering vigilante mode with a stolen police car, doing an actually exciting Crazy Taxi type mode by being a taxi and picking up/dropping off pedestrians. It is quite exhilarating and contributes greatly to the supreme quality of DMA’s masterpiece. The list reminds me of an Energizer battery, it just goes on and on and on.

On, and on, and on! The list of events to do in GTA3 is nearly endless for such a game; much more is to be sought for in a criminal career of exciting mayhem. Which leads to the magnitude of the slaughtering and possibly offensive action of.. murder. If you are new to the GTA games, then you will thoroughly shocked [and impressed, or possibly offended] at the tremendous freedom you are aquatinted through your tour of vengeance against authority, often faced with the gruesome, yet exciting quest of ending ones life. Often the killing of game people is required for the respect of the many gangs of the game, such as the Mafia or Triads; however, the real enjoyment comes when the assignee of this action is none other than, yourself! Nothing pleases me more than to go run over the fool who just bypassed me on a four-lane road, he shall rest-in-peace... under my car, beyond my fists, or through my double-barrel shotgun.

ESRB didn’t rate it “Mature” for nothing...

However you see it, this game is not an entertainment feast for only the mean and cruel hearted gamers of the universe, it is none other than an original force of entertainment brought to you by the team of Rockstar Games and DMA Design Limited. It is essential for adults and parents to often watch over what games the children get their tiny fingers on, Grand Theft Auto III is by far no exception. With shooting, killing, stealing, hijacking, destroying, and every other type of mayhem possible, this game should not be for the weak hearted. If you are willing to cope with all of the illegal concepts in a videogame, do not pass this one up! It is all about the fun-factor one receives in a game.

Hey Mr. Mafia Man, reveal me my duty!

You should have comprehended the virtual datum that GTA3 is an intensely free-based game that offers much more liberty than most other videogames, but the shear fact that a story line, actually, a very intriguing story line at that is impressive. The mass variety of missions is incredible and creates a more intriguing experience for the gamer. Each optional mission is started off with a full-motion-video scene of vocal directions from a gangster(s). The videos are very detailed and look of great sweetness... along with common humorous instances.

The quests are not just randomly done and repetitive like foreseen in the other two games, they are actually very well planned out by the game’s designers and all multi-hundred of them are super-enjoyable! No, that wasn’t a typo, GTA3 has a massive selection of missions to perform and collect prizes for, such as money, items, weapons, etcetera. They range from taking out the leader of a gang to the complicated task of destroying a car at a certain location with the cops, gangs, and any other pissed off organization after your ass. Even though each individual mission is very entertaining in Grand Theft Auto III, they can get a bit repetitive...

go <here>, kill <him>, get back alive
go <here>, get <this>, take it <there>

...That is basically a more summarized description of the variety of missions one gets commanded in GTA3, possibly leaving you a very little bit bored. But with the extra variety of things to do in this game, getting completely bored would probably be hard to someone to be. The story is good never the less, but I feel that DMA should probably have put a little more linkage between the captive events for an even more wonderful experience.

Sit back and hear the beauty of success!

Best. Game Sound. Ever. By saying them four opinionative words, I am not necessarily exaggerating. The sound of Grand Theft Auto III is by far imperial most other games on the market, period! What makes the sound of GTA3 so spectacular, you ask? It all lies within the sound effects, music, soundtrack, voices, and the whole bundle! As if the sure fact of stealing cars and speeding down the highway at one hundred miles-per-hour was not enough, the ears of a gamer are also rewarded with an ultimately grand experience...

You have many beyond plenty of sounds to be embarked upon, such as plenty radio-stations, which include an acceptable variety of music, along with funny radio talk shows and even hilarious commercials. GTA3 easily has more than two pure hours of sounds to enjoy. Even though the radio selection is quite massive, they can be a bit more selective for the genres selected, let’s just say after a huge amount of time spending in the car, many radio stations are probably already memorized.

The screeching and movements of the vehicles of GTA3 are very well done and the sounds of explosions, gun shots, and everything else provides very little space for improvement. The voice acting is plain professional in my opinion. When listening to the comments of characters of the game, you learn that DMA has done some extreme stuff to satisfy the gamer. You hear what you might expect to hear from a one hundred million dollar movie directed by George Lucas. Just that damn good!

Not Gran Turismo 3 in the control department, but pretty damn good!

Control... It is apparent that such knowledge of gaming physics is immediate in the brains of the creators of Grand Theft Auto III. The handling of the cars and physics they prop are “super duper!” Each car tends to be individually detailed and developed in the control department. Don’t get me wrong and take the wrong assumption, the control is far from what you might expect in a racing simulator such as Gran Turismo 3. No no no, they are mostly pure, fun, and without a worry arcade like. This is definitely a good thing, considering the prospect of worrying about spinning out on while being chased by the army is daunting to hold. I congratulate you DMA for the excellent job you have done with the game’s cars.

As for the control of the human, I couldn’t ask for anything better. You can run, walk, jump, and run some more; not too fast, not too slow! The handling of the weapons may get a little complicated at the beginning, but just after a couple hours of experience, they are no problem. You can even use a button to lock-on to the characters of the game, a handy feature for all at times, however even with hours of pure gaming bliss with GTA3, you can still get frustrated with how the gun/camera system can often work. The camera bit was added precisely because it is basically a major reason to several complications of controlling this game. When jumping/walking/shooting you usually face/shoot in the direction is camera is faced for your character. It is not always positioned right behind the player, which like I just said, it is a bit frustrating.

“Look mommy! Daddy is watching a Rated-R movie with the controller in his hand!”

The graphics of Grand Theft Auto III are without a doubt, spectacular! The transition made from top down 2D to full-fledged 3D is nearly flawless. The FMV’s of the game are highly elaborate and even has some pretty damn good lip syncing of the characters. While actually in the game, the environments of embellished with superiority. You can see the individual news paper laying on the ground, the security locks of a pawn shop, the waving water of the rivers and lakes, the raggy old coat of a homeless person, and much much more! Like I said, the characters are highly detailed with plenty properties to their personality! The cars are wonderfully recited with plenty separate and/or detachable damageable parts which each look distinct according to however the car is damaged. Even the guns held in your hands on the game are elaborate.

Let’s say you still prefer the classic “top-down” look of Grand Theft Auto I and II, you can still switch the camera angle and play that way, along with many other camera angles. DMA has done something for everyone with GTA3. Although I can say many splendid things about the game, it does have very, I mean very, small graphic problems. Such as a minimal amount of pop up and if you drive quite fast on the roads, it can be hard to direction yourself on the road, but that is life and isn’t blamed toward DMA. Overall, GTA3 is a pure feast to look at and deserves high gratitude in the graphics department (except for the earlier stated camera problems).

Could it be possible to have an unlimited amount of replay in a game? Just about!

I really don’t know what this section is for, to any dude with a reasonable sense of education, the verity of GTA3’s replay factor is obvious. I guess the purpose is to emphasize the superiority of Grand Theft Auto III in detailed sections. It is just that damn good! When you take tons of miles of an open active city, combine is with extremely open-ended gameplay, throw in some extraordinary graphics, supply a hardcore sound department, and embrace the player with both legal and illegal activities to perform, the suction of a game is invulnerable. This game should easily hold anyone with a good, strong, and solid sense of fun of videogames for over sixty hours (more like 160 for me!)

Overall, Grand Theft Auto III is an absolute blessing to all the “mature” gamers out there (and the immature who still enjoy harsh gaming entertainment--still not recommend though). Like I said before, if you can cope and deal with the extreme violence and harsh language, it should be a necessity of you to go pick up this game if you haven’t already. Whatever you do, do not use any past experience of the previous games in the series as an excuse for not playing this gaming masterpiece. If you enjoy a gaming bliss, you must play GTA3, you MUST. Now, I conclude this review with a sole purpose to go have some massive PlayStation 2 fun with a game that exceeds all exaggerated levels of entertainment! See-you later...

<< Wrap-up >>

.:. Scores .:.
Graphics: 9.1
Sound: 9.8
Replay: 9.5
Control: 9.0
Gameplay: 9.6

Overall: 9.6

.:. Positive Remarks .:.

+ Great Graphics
+ Great Sound
+ Great Replay Value
+ Great Control
+ Great Gameplay
+ Great Everything, Duh!
+ A Must Buy!

.:. Negative Remarks .:.

- Very minimal pop-up.
- Frustrating camera, sometimes.
- Sometimes, too addictive.
- Lose of valuable sleep time.
- Drop in school grades as a result.
- Fools who don’t at least try it out!

Buy. This. Game!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 10/25/01, Updated 11/07/01