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