Grand Theft Auto Double Pack

"A great refreshment for a great game"

Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack includes two of the best games for PS2, Grand Theft Auto: 3 and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. It is just now recently available for Xbox gamers in a bargain double pack that is two for the price of one. GTA:3 is set in a gritty city called Liberty City(take-off New York) in modern day, and GTA:VC is set in a nice tropical city in Florida in the 80's(take-off of Miami). In these two games you become totally immersed in the two virtual worlds, almost as if they were two real cities. Of course part of the fun about the series is the exaggeration of real life. You can jump from a 20 stories building on a motorcycle(only in Vice City) and land clean on the ground with style or take a magazine of bullets from the army chasing you, one man whose got enough fire power to take them all down. The people are exaggerated as well. Its all fun every step in both games.
''warning'': some humor can be offensive to some people

Graphics:
Ultimately the greatest improvement from the PS2 version to the Xbox one, especially in GTA:3. Now in GTA:3 the characters are less blocky,and the weather effects are stunning compared to the blocky original. The graphics have improved not as much in Vice City than in GTA:3. The sun and water are the only real differences that matter. Though now license plates are readable. They are still kind of plain for an Xbox game, but it really brings out lush vice city and gritty liberty city. The sheets of rain shown in VC always gets my attention, especially before a storm. The sky grows light right before it falls.

Controls:
Good, it has a kind of Project Gotham Racing feel to the driving ( the triggers are used to accelerate and decelerate. I however prefer classic( a transfer of the PS2 version controls). I feel its easier to pick up, especially if you played the PS2 version. The set up for both is excellent for shooting(especially because its a 3rd person game), which you'll have to do a lot of.
''Be Warned'': auto targeting is almost necessary with all the cops, and the M16 and other first person guns slow you down a lot.

Sound:
The second best thing about GTA. Either more modern rap or rock from GTA:3, or classic 80's tunes that you could never get out your head, the sound is great. Be sure to listen to the comical talk shows. The wind can be heard, engines, traffic, ect. All dazzling.

Gameplay/Fun factor:
The absolute best thing that thankfully hasn't changed in the transfer of consoles. The characters are all witty and unique, especially in VC. The game is absolutely open ended. The missions are fun though sometimes hard. It's always a blast having the army after you. Killing spree in a modern city or a nice walk on the beach, it doesn't matter. There is so much to interact with. A nice selection of cars and weapons, your like a kid in a candy store. The land owning in VC is always fun. And the low life gangster for hire theme of GTA:3 is also fun.

On a side note and more information:
After or if you beat GTA:VC or GTA:3, its really fun to put on cheats for laughs(just don't save them). Also try to find the hidden packages(before or after you beat them) that unlock cool stuff. There is also a ton of mini games like doing missions relating to a pizza bike, taxi, police car, and many more.

GTA:3 or VC:
Their both equal really, its just a matter of taste. I prefer Vice City, but a lot prefer GTA:3. They both have their differences. Vice City's advantages are of course helicopters and motorcycles, store robberies, more land, and getting out of your car at high speeds. Money is very, very important in Vice City, it drives along the whole story, it absolutely required. GTA:3 has more stuff more people can relate to. I actually feel that GTA:3 is a more do whatever you want game compared to GTA:Vice City for some reason. However, they are 2 of the greatest games ever made, and made even better by the Xbox hardware.

Final Review: 9.8 rounds to a 10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/22/04