| Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories was hailed as | | | | vehicles. The directional buttons are used for |
| the "killer PSP game". The popular GTA series had to | | | | changing weapons and starting various side missions. |
| make its way onto the PSP sooner or later, and it's | | | | Of course the PSP has less buttons than the PS2 |
| PSP debut is great.The game takes place, as the title | | | | controller, so condensing everything was not an easy |
| suggests, in Liberty City, which is the city that Grand | | | | task. Sometimes the controls do feel very fiddly and |
| Theft Auto III (the series' first 3D game) is also | | | | it can be frustrating when you need to target things |
| situated in. Rockstar Leeds simply converted the city | | | | quickly.Adding on to the "Toni Can't" list, is the ability |
| onto the UMD, and changed a few things to make it | | | | to swim. Implemented in San Andreas, this feature is |
| look more modern, as LCS is set after III. Having said | | | | absent. It's only really missed when you fall off a cliff |
| that, the only real changes are shops, which have | | | | into the water, as you could swim to the side and |
| different names and styles, which is quite | | | | get out. Instead, Toni simply drowns. All of the |
| disappointing. A new city to explore would have been | | | | abilities to increase stats are no longer present, but |
| much better.You play as Toni Cipriani, a no nonsense | | | | it's not particularly missed.Toni can change clothes, |
| guy who's willing to do anything and remove anybody | | | | and there are some nice options. He is unable to |
| in his way. Unlike GTA III, he can talk, which makes | | | | change specific body parts, instead you choose from |
| the cutscenes better. The basic story mode consists | | | | full suits. Though changing clothes is a small part of |
| of missions that do tend to get repetitive. You'll go | | | | the game, you probably would never notice this |
| to a guy on your map, he'll give you a mission that | | | | option if it wasn't required for some missions.If you |
| usually involves killing someone, and you get paid | | | | don't want to do any main missions, you can engage |
| once you're done. Once you've completed enough | | | | in some of the side missions. Famous in all PS2 GTA |
| missions, you'll move on to the second island of | | | | games, these usually involve Taxi missions, in which |
| Liberty City. There are three islands in total, and you | | | | you act as a taxi driver and deliver passengers |
| unlock them over time. It's a good incentive to | | | | before time elapses. Ambulance missions, where you |
| complete the missions, but for people who have | | | | take sick people to hospital. Firetruck missions, which |
| played GTA III, there's nothing really new.Though the | | | | involves putting out fires like burning cars. A new side |
| game focuses on missions, the free roam ability is | | | | mission is the dump truck mission. You simply need to |
| truly magnificent. You may find yourself playing it | | | | collect all the green trash cans within the time limit. All |
| over and over again, and rarely getting tired of it. | | | | these missions are basically the same repetitive |
| There is no free roam mode, in fact there are no | | | | actions. The rewards are worth the effort |
| modes, the game simply loads when you turn it on. | | | | though.There are also hidden packages throughout |
| Whether or not you choose to engage in a mission is | | | | the game in various locations. Nothing new to the |
| up to you. If you choose not to, you can roam | | | | series, but collecting all 100 adds weapons to your |
| freely around the city, causing havoc, or just | | | | hide out. Unique jumps are large jumps where the |
| exploring. You can also collect a number of weapons, | | | | camera changes and it goes in slow motion. When |
| ranging from pistols and UZI's to rocket launchers, | | | | you successfully complete a unique jump, you'll get |
| flamethrowers and sniper rifles. You'll also have melee | | | | money for your effort. While these things are by no |
| weapons such as knives and baseball bats. Or, if you | | | | means new additions, they are nice to have, and it |
| want to do some damage from a distance, use a | | | | expands the game.We all know that the PSP has |
| grenade or Molotov cocktail.The amount of weapons | | | | wireless capabilities, and Liberty City Stories takes |
| in the game is similar to the PS2 versions, which | | | | advantage of that. The wireless multiplayer action is |
| means there's loads.The cops are still present, so if | | | | staggeringly good. You must have friends with PSP's |
| you blow off too many heads, you'll get some heat | | | | and copies of the game, but if you do, you're in luck. |
| on you. The cops are divided into levels with the | | | | The game allows for total free play with your friends. |
| usual system. You have 1 star at the beginning, and if | | | | There are many different game modes which adhere |
| you keep blowing things up, eventually it will increase | | | | to the capture the flag premise. Most of the games |
| to 6 stars, and you'll have the army after you.The | | | | work in this way. Liberty City Survivor allows players |
| vehicles in the game are again similar to previous | | | | to play against each other. This is the mode you'll be |
| versions. Veterans will remember the Patriot, | | | | playing none stop. Even after you have finished the |
| Cheetah, Infernus, Banshee and so on, although | | | | game, it is unlikely that you will get bored of the |
| some have redesigns which look more modern. You | | | | multiplayer action.Liberty City Stories has the same |
| can also have motorbikes, which have never been | | | | radio themed soundtrack. When you enter a vehicle |
| seen around Liberty City before Motorbikes are | | | | you can choose from a number of radio stations, all |
| generally faster and have better handling than the | | | | of which have different styles of music. The |
| cars, and make it easier to perform unique jumps, | | | | soundtrack has some known tracks from the era, |
| and such. There are no bicycles in the game, which | | | | but nothing too impressive. In comparison with the |
| was a nice addition to San Andreas. As you progress | | | | Vice City and San Andreas soundtracks, this is |
| through the game you will also have the chance to | | | | sub-standard.The graphics throughout the game are |
| ride boats. It's not as fun as it sounds, and it never | | | | fairly cartoony. The series was never meant to be a |
| really has been in any of the GTA games. Boat | | | | simulator, but some smoother graphics would have |
| handling is sluggish and it's not fun to drive them. You | | | | been nice. Sometimes it can seem that Toni has |
| can no longer fly. Anything. Not a thing. The Dodo | | | | several legs when you are running. Also, at times the |
| was a plane on GTA III that was located in the | | | | frame rate has trouble keeping up, but only when |
| airport, which you could fly, or at least try to. This | | | | there is lots on the screen at once. For the most |
| time there is no Dodo, no helicopters, no planes | | | | part, the frame rate holds up well. The loading times |
| whatsoever. It really feels like a missing factor, | | | | are acceptable. There is a loading period at the start |
| although in one of the missions it is possible to steal a | | | | and then as you cross between islands, a loading |
| helicopter, so the physics and controls are still | | | | screen will appear, but only for a few |
| technically in the game. Why there are no planes to | | | | seconds.Overall, it's a great addition to the Grand |
| fly is confusing. The police still have choppers | | | | Theft Auto series, and the PSP line up. You can't help |
| following you, so watch out.A new mode of | | | | but feel it's just a watered down version of a PS2 |
| transportation is the ferry. It's basically a slow boat | | | | GTA, or simply an expansion pack, that doesn't |
| ride and you don't get to drive the boat. You even | | | | expand on much. Nevertheless, the action in single |
| have to pay for the service. It is a quick way of | | | | player, and in particular, multiplayer, is well worth the |
| getting from island to island though, and you do get | | | | purchase. was created to provide articles on a |
| to keep your car.The general controls of vehicles is | | | | number of different subjects ranging from PSP game |
| good. Sports cars have great speeds and handling, | | | | reviews to Science.The site is owned and run by Carl |
| and slow cars have reduced turning capacity. The | | | | S. Richardson and Joe Denison, who are also known |
| controls on foot have been changed dramatically. You | | | | for a number of other websites including a Playstation |
| use the small analog style stick to control Toni, and | | | | gaming website. |