More than just a cheap, GTA clone
The game also has an all-too-sharp difficulty curve, as early levels are extremely easy, then suddenly, they become seemingly impossible over the span of just 2 or 3 levels. You'll spend all your time either driving through London and avoiding cops and gangsters or on-foot trying to kill cops and gangsters in an attempt to save your son from a vile London mobster. Voice-acting is extremely good (although the heavy accents and British slang make much of it hard to understand). The car missions are usually pretty hit-or-miss since the car controls are not quite as tight as I'd like them to be. Traffic is also surprisingly heavy, which is both good (in that it makes chases more intense) and bad (in that it makes weaving in and out of traffic extremely difficult). Combine that with the poor controls and a strict time limit and you will often have a recipee for disaster.
The on-foot missions are usually more enjoyable, since you can take them at your own pace. You will mostly have to take cover behind walls and objects and shoot any guns you happen to pick up on the floor until its out of ammo, then pick up another one. The action button is context-sensitive, so it will either have you take cover by leaning against a wall or crouching behind low crates, barrels or walls or rolling when you are running. The target lock works fairly well most of the time, but it might cause you a couple cheap deaths. The main problem with the on-foot missions is often the "puzzles" that they make you solve. Some missions have you avoiding traps or trying to make your way through an enemy hideout undetected. These parts can be extremely frustrating.
Despite its many flaws though, the Getaway is a pretty solid game and is a welcome relief from GTA. Its story is quite good (for an adult audience), and the gameplay does have some worthwhile segments.