The first of its kind in the series.
The game takes place in 2001 in Liberty City, which is a fictional city based on New York City. While the story-line of this game is improved from earlier versions, it is still not as deep as the story of subsequent games like Vice City, San Andreas and particularly GTA IV. The game begins with a skit that sets the stage for the game's plot. In the skit, your character (a man whose name is not specifically stated and does not talk) is with a group of criminals robbing a bank. While your character runs away, a female member of the group (later revealed to be named Catalina and the girlfriend of your character) tells you she's an "ambitious girl and you're just small time" before shooting him. Your character is then in being transported in a prison vehicle (it is not shown, but is understood that after being shot by Catalina he was caught by police as he lay on the ground). While the prison truck is crossing the Callahan bridge it is attacked and a bomb explosion goes off damaging the bridge, the attackers massacre the prison guards (this was done by the colombian cartel in order to kidnap a certain prisoner). This attack allows other prisoners to escape. This is where the gameplay begins, a fellow prisoner known as 8-ball tells you that he knows "this guy, name's Luigi, he's connected" and offers to help you get a job for him "but my hands are all messed up, so you better drive brother". Before meeting and working for Luigi, you must go to a safe house where you can save your game and where you change clothes out of your orange prison suit (you can also save your vehicles in the garage). Eventually you will work for Luigi and other members of the mob group he works for, The Leone family mafia, as well as for other crime syndicates and criminals.
The game is fun and engaging, though I would prefer the protagonist to talk. Grand Theft Auto III is a somewhat difficult game, some missions are easier than others, as with most games the missions become harder as you progress in the game. I myself found the racing missions to be the hardest. All in all this is a good game and is a must for fans of the GTA series.