Released to coincide with the introduction of the PSP, Liberty City Stories brought the Grand Theft Auto series to this unique console. Containing all the ease of play of the original games whilst making the storylines simple enough to put up and enjoy at any point, LCS has brought the best of both worlds together - the intense addictiveness of its PS2 brother and yet quick and enjoyable.
Whilst other games were falling by the wayside, LCS pulled itself up to become one of the best games to reach the PSP upon launch. Many thought that this would be an immense failure but all the critics have been proven wrong.
----- Storyline -----
LCS follows Toni Cipriani, once a trusted wise guy in the Leone Crime Family but sent into hiding for killing a made man, who has returned to make the streets of Liberty City safe and under Leone control once more. You must complete missions, find secret packages, collect cars and complete rampages along the way to dominance in Liberty City.
The story is prequel to the GTA 3 story that was created in the PS2 game, which was the first to allow the 3D action we have
come to love in this series. I thought it was very good the way they had done this game. It allows them the opportunity to maintain all the same familiar settings but without infringing on the storyline that occurs later. It is very well executed and done quite superbly.
----- Game play -----
Since I have played all the last games in the series, and GTA 3 especially, I was able to pick up this game with great ease. Following the same formula or good graphics and easy controls that occurred in the previous games, it is not difficult to follow right on from where we left off. However I do think, even for new gamers, it would not be difficult to learn the controls from just playing this game. It is really astonishing how well they have adapted this game onto the PSP without sacrificing anything. The gang mentality that occurs in these games where if you shoot members of the gang others attack you and how reputation is build up is just the same as in previous games.
----- Graphics -----
Okay, I must admit that when you look back at GTA 3 the graphics do appear much crisper than in this game. There is clearly poorer shading on characters, facial expressions and cars. However I do not believe that this makes much of a difference to the overall feel of the game. Being set in the same city as in GTA 3, it is clear that nothing has been changed. The buildings are in the same place, the movement of characters in certain areas is exactly the same and the overall feel of the game has not changed. The graphics are still good enough to allow you to recognise the realism in the game whilst maintaining the slightly cartoonish feel that all the GTA series have contained. And if you look at many of the other games that need high levels of graphical input such as with Medal of honor or Pro Evolution Soccer 5 and 6 that appear on the PSP, this game is right up there.
----- Multiplayer -----
Being a one-player game throughout the series, I always thought that it would be a good idea to allow a multiplayer function. They seemed to introduce this is the San Andreas game on the PS2, however this seemed very poorly done and rather pointless to be totally honest. And since the PSP has offered wireless connection the boys at Rockstar must have thought this was the time to have a proper go at it. And my god is it good. I have played this many times. You can have deathmatchs between up to 6 people, where you can create teams to fight between as rival gangs. These deathmatchs can vary from simple killings to other games like capture the flag. It is so fun having the opportunity to go through the game with your mates and it is brilliant for a good 15 or 20 minutes of joyous shooting. There are the usual problems associated with the wireless that I have experienced on all the games I have played on the PSP, such as the slowing down of the game and certain little glitches that can occur. But overall this is a great feature.
----- Minor downsides -----
Okay Firstly I would like to say that all the things I am about to mention do not really cause much problem, but could have made this game just that bit better than it already is.
1. No Flying!! - Although they introduced bikes into the city (a great touch that was definitely missing from GTA3) they have forgotten to allow you to fly planes! Or if they haven't then I cannot ever find a plane to fly, which is just as bad.
2. What! He still can't swim! - In San Andreas, they finally got someone who could swim. This was a great addition that meant you could quickly get away from anyone without having the problem of dying. Now I know Tony couldn't swim before but please why not allow him to swim now. I'm sure nobody would have minded.
3. I can still get trapped in the walls some times - Dunno how I ever do this and nobody else can. But I have trapped myself in a wall quite a few times. Although it is pretty simple to get out it can be annoying sometimes.
----- Final Conclusion -----
The same old GTA. Now some might think I am being negative about that but I am not. It is exactly the same as the old GTA, but what do they really need to change. The winning formula has been kept and all of the cracking features that were in the game before have returned. Fantastic, just a few minor glitches that stop it being the best. 9/10
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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It`s time to return to Liberty City, the town where all the rules were broken as Grand ... more
Theft Auto 3 revolutionized gaming and made the GTA series the biggest franchise on the planet. The PlayStation Portable edition is an all-new game set in the see...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
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wise guy in the Leone crime family, Toni Cipriani was forced into hiding after killing a made man. Now he's back and it's time for things to be put right.The stree...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: Out of stock
Advantages: Dazzling 16.77 Million Colour Screen, MP3 & MP4 Player, 802.11B/G Wireless LAN, Amazing Graphics! Disadvantages: The Expensive Memory Stick Duo - Soon To Drop Down In Price!
Advantages: Good game selection, good battery life, some nice touches, expandable memory Disadvantages: Chunky design not quite suitable to carry in your pocket.
Feb 21st, 2007
very helpful by (89%):
helpful by (11%):
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