True Crime: Streets of LA

"You faught the law and Kang won."

Graphics - 8

Some might say the graphics are rather sub par, but if you look at the mass size of this game and how well this game renders it all, and how nice it all really looks--then some of the lesser things like trees and odd looking bushes kind of make less of a difference.

Sound - 10

The car sounds are great, screeching tires, honking, shattering glass--all sounds great. So are the guns, loud blasting fire, works really well. And the inside fighting, everything cracks and snaps as you kick people threw tables and chairs, its awesome.

Music - 3

I separated the music from sound just because I have a lot to complain about. The soundtrack is 90 percent rap and Hip-Hop, with a couple metal and rock songs. Not that there is anything wrong with rap, but this completely un versatile, all rap. Its just unpleasant, especially for GC and PS2 owners, being forced one genre is lame. If the music is forced it should be instrumental. However luckily on the Xbox there is a rather buggy custom soundtrack option. The CS is kind of touchy and it refuses to show all your songs (if you have a lot) and often decides to play what it wants. But its still cool.

Controls - 8

There pretty good. Well rounded, and you can switch them around. Nothing special but they respond well and do what they need. Not to much to say about this. It only gets an 8 cause sometimes arresting people and flashing your badge or jumping in slow mo in a certain way doesn’t work so easily. But generally its great.

Game play - 10

This is where the game truly shines. It is three genres perfectly crafted into this beautiful piece of storytelling. The driving is great, you can shoot out tires, bust cars totally, huge high speed chases, steal any car you want--its awesome.
Shooting--some people might complain because you cant really keep the extra weapons you can pick up, but this works really well in game. You can kick any fallen enemies weapon up in your hands and use it till its spent, two shot guns, two Uzi’s, a shotgun and an M-16--whatever. And when its done you go back to your trusty pistols that you can upgrade three times and end up being totally badass. Plus don’t forget the plethora of upgrades, fast reload, fast lock on, laser sight, neutralizing shot--it adds a lot of fun extras.
The fighting--this is what fails in a lot of games like these (gta, punch, kick, done.) But in True Crime its great, lots of combos, finishing moves--and don’t forget that inside the environment is COMPLETELY intractable, everything breaks! The fights are so much better when you kick a guy into a table and it breaks, instead of him bouncing off it.

Replay ability - 10

Tons! Sure your a cop--but your a total badass! If you want you can waste people and drive up your civil unrest meter to a point where gangs or cops or the swat team will come and totally mess you up. Or you can solve the hundred random crimes that are a lot of fun, car chases, hold ups, street fights, it rocks. And there are a bunch of upgrades for driving, shooting and fighting that makes each thing even more of a blast.

Overall - 10

This game rocks. Hard. Do not pass this up it has a really interesting story, great game play, none of it feels like a choir--you can play this game over and over and over. Get it, now.

The True Ness

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