Now is the time for the DS to get out its white flag and bow down to the PSP and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.
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Last year, Rockstar Games released another episode of their overly-controversial Grand Theft Auto franchise, GTA: San Andreas. Non-PS2 owners weeped until the PC and X-Box versions came out this June, but not before being recalled due to some very hot coffee, but that's a different story. Now, exactly 1 year (minus a day) after GTA: San Andreas hit stores, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is released. But you won't be seeing this GTA on the PS2; you'll be seeing it on the console's younger cousin, the PSP.
That's right: the newest GTA is on a portable device. And it's so good, that the fact that it's on a handheld makes it all the more remarkable. LCS looks, sounds, and plays exactly like GTA3. Why GTA3? The hint is in the game's title. Liberty City Stories is set in Liberty City, the same setting as GTA3. The city is virtually identical with a few subtle changes. I won't spoil any of them, but I will tell you that there are now snow weather effects (which has rare occurences and won't appear until later in the game). It's 1998, and Toni Cipriani (the guy in GTA3 who hated the the Triads so much) is forced into hiding after killing a rival mob boss. Many corrupt groups and even his own mom stand in his way. Him and his boss, Salvatore Leone, must work together to take control of the criminal underworld of Liberty City.
The first great thing about LCS is that it is extremely addictive. As I write this review, I'm still holding my PSP in my other hand. Even people who have already played GTA3 before will have a lot of fun! The core part is the same with a few new additions. Most noted is the addition of motorcycles. Yes, the motorcycles that weren't present in GTA3 are now in LCS (it was clarified that motorcylcles were banned in Liberty City before GTA3 took place circa 2001). Not many of the cars have been changed. A few new weapons have been added, and this game feels more like a mix of GTA3 and Vice City, minus the helicopters and the 1986 time setting. Toni can choose outfits by walking into an icon, which was the same machanism that was used in Vice City.
I haven't tried the multiplayer feature yet, so I have no comment on it, except you can only play it in Ad Hoc mode. Sorry, online gamers.
Like all good games, there are some bad things about GTA: LCS. Some framerate hiccups can show up in really busy areas, but other than that, everything else runs fine. The storyline may not go anywhere, but all is forgiven. If you want a game with a story, go play an RPG. The soundtrack isn't too good. As all of us know, 1998 was the year of bad pop bands like Hanson and the Backstreet Boys. And although none of their songs are in Liberty City Stories, the artists that are aren't too good, excluding the rap music from the Liberty Jam radio station; there's no rock stations. Nevertheless, the commercials in between songs are downright hilarious. Consider using the Custom Soundtrack feature that plays songs saved onto your PSP's memory stick. GTA veterans may not find this game a real challenge. Anyone that has played GTA3 is likely to already know every crook and cranny of Liberty City.
In conclusion, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is most likely the best PSP game yet, but it's definitely still up to debate if it's the best GTA game. Who knows? Maybe we'll see Vice City Stories or San Andreas Stories in the next couple of years ...
HIGHS: Excellent graphics for a handheld game; superb voice acting; the flawless core game has been untouched; Grand Theft Auto in the palm of your hand!
LOWS: The manual doesn't tell very much; framerate issues; multiplayer limited to Ad Hoc; crappy soundtrack; GTA regulars will find some of the missions a cinch.
BOTTOM LINE: Forget what Gerstmann said. It's time for the DS to pull out its white flag and bow down to Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (and the PSP).