Community Blog (dafishies) - 'GTA Chinatown Wars' Review

Here is another review from our rapidly growing Reviews Section over in the forums. Keep it up guys.


Dafishies

Well I am a man of very few words....but when it comes down to something that I truly believe in, these few words grow into...well.... a lot. That's pretty much how I can feel about Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown wars. Starting off its pretty good, but then if your truly devoted or interested in continuing, its well worth the trouble.

If your looking for a game like the PSP version of Vice City, then this will definitely not be your cup of noodles, but if you've ever played a GTA game, and your not so strict on graphics or viewing point this is a great selection. Personally I've only played Grand Theft Auto games at my cousin's house and my friends house. I didn't even realize there was a story untill i played a little bit of Liberty City. Since this is my first "actual" Grand Theft Auto experience, it was a good one. Especially since it was on the DS, a system where if you find a mature game, you've won the lottery.

Starting off first and foremost, if your gonna play a GTA game, you gotta ask the most basic question of all, how is the gameplay? Well to answer that, I would say its pretty much inherited everything from the past GTA games and built upon it. With extra features, and bonus's that'll drive you crazy, the gameplay is phenomenal. Same as always your "free mode" is based upon driving anywhere in the city (which is the same size as Liberty City in Grand Theft Auto 4, minus one city b/c of plot reasons) and cause mischief, mayhem, or you know, help out the fire department for a change.

Now, I've heard people talking and saying they are getting turned down from this game just because the viewing angle is Top down. Well, I've played the old Gameboy versions of GTA and I've not hated them just because of their "top downness" the game is actually a lot easier because of it. Since you can see over building for places to hide and such. This doesn't ruin the game experience, it just lends itself to your own personal gain. Plus the fact that everything is rendered in 3D, with no sprites or 2D pictures. When you see a car flip, it actually flips, no sprite animation cheapness or trickery. The car actually flips. So if your the type of person who hates top down games then maybe this isn't for you.

Another powerful addition to the game is replayable missions. Every single mission you've beaten in the game is saved, and replayable from any safehouse you own. I know that I've personally gone back and beated several missions 3 or 4 times just because they were awesome, and because everytime you replay a mission you get a bronze, silver, or gold medal. All the missions are different with maybe 1 or 2 similar ones, but overall they are pretty decent and story driven, and some of the later ones are pretty badass. You will do things that you never thought was possible to do on the DS. The only thing I didn't like is that since this was rated M for Mature, They decided to Swear........all the time. I was constantly sighing and getting a little tired of the F words, and everything else they say. I know that its a "Mature" game, but really did that guy just have to say the F word in that sentence?

The Shear size of the game speaks for itself. I would say there are over 20 different vehicles, 15-20 weapons, and has drivable motorcycles and boats. If your underestimating the power of the DS, then your severely mistaken. I was astonished when I first started. I did not belive they would be able to pull off this game, but as soon as I stole that first car, I was definately hooked.


~Scores~

Gameplay - 9/10

Story - 7.5/10

Sound - 8/10

Graphics - 7/10

~Overall~ 8/10


-Dafishies


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