"FRCG (free roam crime game) is taken to the next level."

Yes, this game is somewhat similar to the GTA series (which is why I will be using GTA for comparison in this review). People who tell you different are lying. You can steal cars. You do have a free roam city to do whatever you want in. You do have firepower to kill whomever you want. You also have missions to complete. But, beyond that, GTA can't compare to True Crime: Streets of L.A. (TC: SoLA).

Graphics---9
The city is huge. The size of the city alone attests to the power of the game. The city is wonderfully detailed. You can read every sign. There are some small jaggies, but, for the most part, everything is very crisp. GTA (even on the XBOX) is nowhere near this game. TC:SoLA also has some very great cut-scenes. They aren't Final Fantasy X quality, but they get the job done. Let it be known, this game, while not the best looking, is so detailed for such a large city, that it can't get below a 9.

Control---8
Controls are hard to get used to, but once you get the feel for the game, everything will be second nature. The one thing bad though is the amount of moves you can pull off. Many maneuvers require multiple button pressing (while not terrible, does make it harder than a single button press). Also, control isn't as tight as it could have been. When in stealth mode, Nick moves sort of awkward. Controlling the car is very easy. You shouldn't have any problems using the automobiles.

Story---6
Trite. Banal. Hackneyed. Take your pick. The story isn't bad in any sense. It just isn't original. There must be over 10000 stories about a badass cop avenging some family member (and games: Dead to Rights, Max Payne). Plus, the story starts getting a little weird. When you get to the point, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Gameplay---10
Holy Jebus. Let me say it first: this game is fun. It will be hard to tell you everything about this game. I'm sure I'll miss something. But, here it goes: you go to a specific designate spot (like in GTA) to start a mission (which will be tailing a suspect, sneaking somewhere, killing someone, etc.). You can never fail a mission- it just goes down a different path in the game and on to different missions. Between missions, you can go around doing whatever you want (like in GTA). But the city is so huge, you could never explore it. It took me 15 minutes to get from East L.A. to Santa Monica, going on the freeway, with not traffic. I can't stress how many streets there are, how many back alleys there are to explore, there are just too many. There are also random crimes happening throughout the city every minute or so (usually out-of-control drivers and fights). You can choose to solve it or not. If you choose to do so, you will get cop points which you use to earn moves.
You have a lot of moves in the game. You can fight with punches, kicks, jump kicks, and grabs. you also get an assortment of guns to use. The only bad thing is that you can't take too many guns. You always have your default pistols, and are only able to pick up 2 other guns, always having your pistols with you. You are also allowed to own 4 cars of your own (which you park in garages around the city). I also have to mention something about the 24/7 upgrade places. You can upgrade your fighting (getting new moves), gunplay (new techniques, like Laser sight and body specific targeting), and car maneuvers (two wheelers, peeling out). They add some RPG themes to the game.

Final Thought---(Buy or Not)
BUY-BUY-BUY!!!! It is too good to pass up. There is a huge number of missions, and each time through the game, chances are that you won't play all the same missions. Plus, the random crimes allows for unlimited replay. The city is so huge that you will never see all of it. And if you have never been to Los Angeles, you can say you have, with True Crime: Streets of L.A.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/06/03