True Crime: Streets of LA

"A short, but extremely fun GTA-type game"

True Crime:Streets of LA, is set in LA. Shocking, eh? Anyway we start the game in the shoes of the out-of-control cop, Nicholas Kang Wilson. His extreme and violent methods to resolve crimes are what got him suspended. However now that LA is getting worse by the minute and Nick is brought back from suspension to work for the E.O.D(Elite Operations Division). Now it is up to you to clean up the streets of LA.

Story: 8/10

In the story of True Crime :Streets Of LA, you need to clean up the streets of LA. While doing this you will tangle with the Triad, Russians and even the Koreans. You'll also finally come to the truth as to who killed your father and how he died. The story is actually pretty good, my only bone to pick with it is it's length. It's one factor that has cost this game a lot. It's just too short, you will end up flying through the first few episodes and you'll feel somewhat upset about how easy and short it is.

Gameplay: 9/10

The gameplay is really great, far better than GTA's. Through the numerous 24/7 Upgrade centres across the city you can learn numerous fighting and driving moves aswell as upgrading your guns and your gun-skills. You can go to these 24/7 centres by solving crimes to earn yourself points. Every 100 points you earn gives you a shield, these can be thought of as tokens as each shield gives you a chance at earning the unlockable move or skill you're trying to attempt. Upon completing episodes you are given the chance to earn a new grapple hold, car and/or a gun that holds more bullets. This reward can come in handy, especially in times you're in a big gunfight or car chase.

A unique factor in this game is the good cop/bad cop aspect. You can choose to be either. However note that what you choose will affect you later. By being a good cop you'll be able to progress through the game smoothly, you'll be able to unlock the best ending this way. Playing as the bad cop is probably more fun but by doing this you won't be able to progress through the story in some chapters and by repeatedly doing things to increase your bad cop status, i.e. Shooting at everyone you see will eventually raise the civil unrest meter.

The Civil Unrest meter is another unique feature in this game. The higher it rises the more likely the civilians will react violently to you, eventually you'll have gangs after you and even the SWAT team.

Sound: 8/10

Most of the soundtrack for this game is Rap and Hip-Hop with some rock in it. The various styles of music are good in the way that they suit the different moments throughout the game. For example in gunfight sequences you're treated to rock music to get you pumped up, whereas while cruising around the streets busting perps you'll get some rap and hip-hop playing in the background.

Graphics: 9/10

The graphics in the game are really nice, the scenes and places in LA are shown really good. It has great graphics just like any other good X-Box game out there.

Replay Value: 7/10

Upon completing it you may feel like playing some bits again, possibly just the shoot-out and fighting sequences to relive some cool moments in the game or to earn all the unlockable moves, skills and cars you may have missed. Otherwise you probably wouldn't feel like playing it anymore.

Closing Comments:

True Crime is a really good game, though short and lacking of replay value, it is indeed a good game. I believe it's received too many bad reviews from people who are strictly Grand Theft Auto fanboys. It is better than the GTA series in some aspects, but enough of that. True Crime is a game that you should check out if you were/are a fan of the GTA series. It features a cool lead character, a good storyline and fun gameplay. Everything a good action game needs.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/28/03