Grand Theft Auto III

Grand Theft Auto III is a sandbox-style action-adventure computer and video game developed by DMA Design (Rockstar North), and published by Rockstar Games. GTA III was the first game in the series that was in 3D. It was first released on PS2 in October 2001, then in May 2002 on Windows and in November 2003 on Xbox.

The game takes place in Liberty City, the city that also appeared in the first game of the series. Liberty City is a fictional city that is based on New York City. We follow a nameless criminal who successfully robs a bank, but his girlfriend betrays him and their companion afterwards and they're sentenced to jail. While they're being transferred, the police convoy comes under attack by some criminals and you are free again. However, the criminals destroyed the bridge which goes to the other part of the city, so you're unable to travel to this part in the beginning of the
game.

This game is the first game that follows a storyline. You don't have to earn a certain amount of money to get to the next level, you can go wherever you want to go, with a few limitations. The first limitation is water, because you can't swim. However, later on in the game you can find some ships and then you can travel on water too. The second limitation is the bridge that leads to the other part of the city. But after you've completed a certain amount of missions the bridge is repaired and then you're able to travel to the other part too.

To gain ground on the criminal ladder, you have to complete several missions for rival gangs. At first, they're very easy and the reward is low, but after you complete more missions they'll become harder and reward more money. There is something I find strange with these missions, since you're character never talks. Sometimes you'll get missions by cellphones, but how do those guys know that it's you? The only thing that your character does is nodding, even on a phone.

There are also other ways to earn money, such as taxi-missions (you need a taxi for that) and vigilante missions (only available when you're driving a police car). There is also a collectible mission where you have to bring certain cars to the port, the wanted cars are on a list in the harbor. The strange part of these missions is that it's often hard to find these cars, but after you found one almost everyone is driving in the same car. For example, it's hard to find a Whoopiee ice-cream car, but after you found one and you're driving it to the port you'll encounter more ice-cream cars on your way.

As usual, there is also a police force in this game. Criminal offences, such as carjacking, murder and theft will result in increasing levels of resistance from the authorities. If the player's wanted level reaches certain levels, the police, FBI, and army will respond accordingly. When the player character collapses from his injuries or is arrested, he will re-spawn at a local hospital or police station, at the expense of losing all weapons and armor and an amount of money for medical expenses or bribes. While this is similar to previous Grand Theft Auto games, the player character is essentially offered an unlimited amount of lives.

Just as in GTA I and II you're able to respray or rig your car, which is needed in some missions. There are also some arms dealers in town where you can buy guns and armor.

As I mentioned before, this game is the first GTA game that is in 3D, and DMA did a great job with that. You really get the feeling that you're a part of the city now, instead of that eagle view. There is also a day-night cycle now and a dynamic weather system. Another thing that is added is a mini-map, so that you can navigate yourself around town. It also shows you where to go in your missions.

I own this game on my PS2 and I have to say that I liked it a lot, but the GTA I liked the most will be my next review: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, which I also own on my PS2. Oh, and if you ever stumble across this game, I guess you could buy it. It is a fun game to play and it might keep you busy for some weeks, just like any other GTA.