Overall Rating

Grand Theft Auto 3 (PS2) - 1Although the film industry has seen many classic movies that could not have been conceived without the R rating, with rare exception, the M rating in videogames has been attached to games that relied heavily on shock factor and were lacking in compelling gameplay. Enter Rockstar Games' "Grand Theft Auto III," which, while heavy on violence, creates a compelling and addictive interactive world that could not have been realized within any other rating level's guidelines. The finished game is an amazing experience, resulting in a classic crime drama on par with "Heat," "Goodfellas," or "Casino."

Gameplay: Immersive
Needless to say, the level of violence, sex- and drug-related references, and colorful language result in a game not suitable for children, but any adult who enjoys a good gangster tale will find it nearly impossible to put down. In fact, given the complex nature of the title and its immersive appeal, "Grand Theft Auto III" could very well be the gaming industry's "Godfather."

The third in a line of games from DMA Design, "Grand Theft Auto III's" gameplay mechanics are built around the acts of theft (namely carjacking) and battery. The first two games featured diverse and open-ended gameplay, but the 2D delivery hampered the concept's execution. With GTA3, the premise and plot are fleshed out to a fully realized story line against the backdrop of a 3D world that literally lives and breathes around you. Not only has DMA crafted a large virtual city for players to explore on foot or by car, it has filled it with enough detail and nuance to continually surprise and impress you as you dig into the game's hundred-plus hours of gameplay.

"Grand Theft Auto III" takes place in Liberty City, a metropolis with three distinct sections that are unlocked as the game progresses. At the game's start, you find your character in a robbery gone wrong. Flash forward to an escape from a prison transport, and the actual gameplay begins as you acquire a car and attempt to make a fresh start working for the mob. The early missions familiarize you with the game's controls, and give you ample opportunity to explore the city on foot or by car. However, if you want to get anything done in the game, you are going to have to get your hands dirty, inflict some pain, or stop a vehicle, yank out the driver, and take off before the police catch you.

Grand Theft Auto 3 (PS2) - 2Violence
At times in the game (more often than not) you will be required to use violence, and not the typical "stomp-the-evil-bunny" or "the-monsters-are-bleeding-green-ooze" types. The first few missions get you acquainted with the lay of the land, but eventually you are going to have to cause some damage if you want to progress within the game. The game will let you attack anyone if you get close enough to them, using your fists, blunt instruments, or an array of firearms (including an Uzi that can be used while driving).

What is perhaps most interesting, however, is that you choose how violent you get to be. Very little about the game is linear, though you can progress through all of "Grand Theft Auto III" sticking to the basic missions and just taking on fellow underworld scum. But to really get the full effect of the game's seemingly endless possibilities, you can cause some mayhem of your own, indulge in many of the game's side missions, or just go on a virtual crime spree. Though walking into a park and shooting at civilians will result in your character finding himself on the receiving end of a police-assisted suicide rather quickly.

Surprisingly, some of the game's best side missions involve stealing a taxi and collecting fares, or carjacking a police car or fire truck to "give back to the community." But for those of us who will never experience the life of a criminal, there is still a deviant thrill in grabbing a police car, turning on the siren, and fleeing a crime scene. There is also something quite satisfying about rising up within the ranks of the underworld -- at least for anyone who appreciates a good mafia movie or "The Sopranos."

Smooth control
The actual execution of gameplay is quite amazing, and the play control seamlessly blends the walking and driving interfaces. Moving throughout Liberty City takes some getting used to at first, but it is rather easy to get the hang of things within the game's first hour. Walking can get tiresome after a while, but each car has its share of nuance throughout that keeps driving around rather fresh. (If anything, you have to love the stunts you can pull off once you master the controls -- and each car can be totally destroyed if you mess up.) Plus, each of the game's three sections offers new vehicles, which keeps the gameplay fresh as things progress.

"Grand Theft Auto III" looks quite good as well, though it never depicts violence in an overly graphic manner. (It never gets gorier than a comic book.) The 3D world has an amazing amount of detail, especially considering how large each section of the city is, and while you can't enter every building that you see, they at least offer plenty to look at up close. Every in-game movement, even switching back and forth between walking and driving, is smooth and the game feels rather polished. The game's cut scenes are quite solid as well, moving the story along while not overdoing it.

Grand Theft Auto 3 - 3Sound
When it comes to the game's soundtrack, however, it is hard to think of a game that ever packed in this much high-quality audio. Instead of your normal hodge-podge of licensed music from punk and metal bands, "Grand Theft Auto III" offers nine channels of in-game radio, in addition to original music, voice acting, and sound effects. The radio aspect is phenomenal, blending a mix of licensed hip-hop and opera music, as well as original (and very funny) virtual radio stations ranging from talk radio to pop, which can be changed while driving any vehicle throughout the city. In addition, the game features an impressive array of voice talent, including Joe Pantoliano, Robert Loggia, Michael Madsen, Kyle Maclachan, Michael Rapaport, Debbi Mazar, and Frank Vincent, which make the game sound like a very well-acted crime story.

While some people may be turned off by this innovation in Mature-rated games, "Grand Theft Auto III" is one of the best titles released for the PlayStation 2, and surely one of the most impressive and ambitious ever released for any system. The storyline, extensive gameplay, and excellent presentation make for an amazing experience, and older gamers will find themselves drawn into the seedier world the game depicts. Even though some people may see the violence as a novelty, once you get past the first few missions, this is a game you will not want to stop playing until you've explored everything it has to offer.

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