Very innovative and a gem of a game. They could've made some great changes before putting it on the PlayStation though.
This game is great. I love the originality and when you really get into the game and the creative missions it has you doing it can be a great experience. The only honest to God, horrible mistake Take Two made here was not having an ingame Save feature. Besides the fact you start the level with out 3 lives and any multiplyers and weapons you collected are confiscated when you're busted, it sometimes leads to dozens of replays through the same city just to get it right. We are talking about hours and hours with no breaks simply because you can't save.
At least on the computer you could just minimize and leave it like that. But I wouldn't dare have the PlayStation on all night just cause I can't finish the level. In my opinion, the PC version is better in many ways but the PS version isn't bad either. I love the small details in the game like how when you honk the horn you can actually avoid running somebody over or how shooting someone when they're still will knock them down, but shooting them when they're running away will have them skid across the ground leaving a trail of blood.
The graphics are whatever, but what really wins you over here is the audio. You have to give alot of credit to whoever thought of the radio stations in the cars. This lead to the future games having amazing licensed soundtracks. Too bad you couldn't chage the stations inside the car like in GTA2.
Now I personally wouldn't recomend this game to anybody on the Playstation. I would rather tell them to pick up the PC version, but had the port of this game to the PS had the significant changes noted in GTA2, like changing the radio stations, being able to save in the middle of a level and more weapons to choose from, then this game would be 10x more enjoyable and I'd rightfully give it a higher score for simply for being innovative. Sure it's really hard but games need to be challenging not like this new generation of games that you will eventually beat with no thanks to skill.
If you've played the GTA series on the PlayStation 2 and you've never picked this game up, you should try it. Otherwise stop calling yourself a GTA fan.
-Impostorzim