Grand Theft Auto III

Posted Nov 30, 2001 by TBO.com

Updated Sep 7, 2007 at 01:42 PM

System: Sony PlayStation 2

Publisher: Rockstar

Reviewer’s rating: A+

Game type: Action

Best feature: Steal a cab and you can make some extra cash by picking up passengers and delivering them to their destinations.

Worst feature: The game’s theme (violent crime) certainly isn’t for everybody. (Kids, in particular.)

The bottom line: While “GTA III” most notably chauffeurs the series into the third dimension, masterful mission design and clever gameplay enhancements quash any thoughts that this is just “GTA2” with a facelift.

The basic premise remains unchanged: You’re a small-time criminal with big-time aspirations in a corrupt city where seven rival gangs offer plenty of odd jobs to anyone willing to get his hands a little dirty.

But your work tends to be more engaging here, mainly because of the way it’s presented. Dramatic cut-scenes make it clear these tasks are part of a larger story arc rather than just a random series of unrelated objectives.

Between errands, take time to explore the game’s huge 3-D metropolis, steal a few cars, shop for new weapons, trade punches for pocket money or just soak up the stunningly realistic sights and sounds of the city.