Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PlayStation Portable, 2005)

The GTA series of games redefined the way we play video games. The series has been surrounded by controversy because of it's very mature game play. Thousands of people have protested because the game is so violent, but us gamers just can't get enough of this series! The GTA series now makes it's way to the PSP so we can be as violent as we want while we are one the go!

LIBERTY CITY, WHAT A LOVELY PLACE

Ever since the PSP came out, I have cross referenced every single game that also has a cousin on a larger system (PS2, XBOX) and all of those games have been modified, trimmed, and remade in so many ways to make it a different experience from its console cousins, however that is not the case with GTA: Liberty City Stories. I started playing GTA from the very first one. GTA3 was my favorite, so you can imagine my delight when I discovered that this version of GTA takes place in Liberty City, before the events of GTA3 take place.

In this version of GTA you play Tony Cipriani. Toni Cipriani is back in Liberty City after laying low for awhile and he is working hard. He doesn't even take a break after laying low for a few years as he gets right back to working his way up the ladder of Leone family. The Game is set in 1998, before the Callahan bridge was built and before the underground system was finished, apart from that everything else about Liberty City is the same as it was in GTA3 on the PS2.

There are some differences in this game, the main differences are of course the missions within the game. All of the missions are action packed and will keep you coming back for more and more. The difficulty level of some of the missions is high and on others quite low, so there is a nice mix there. There are hundreds of side missions within Liberty City for you to complete, so if you want to take a break from the main story line you can! As you expected there are also the hidden packages for you to find that are scattered around the city! The more packages you find, more items will be unlocked for you to use, like new weapons or new threads

The developers though have taken the best from all of the other GTA games and have placed them into this version for the PSP. There are vehicles from all of the GTA games, including the bikes from Vice City, other characters such as pedestrians from all of the other games have been imported into this version as well.

The one thing that really makes the GTA series stand out above many others are the Radio stations that you can listen to while you are playing, for me this is what really makes this game. What with all he pedestrians going about their lives, night time and daytime, and various weather You actually feel like you are in a living, breathing city. DJ's will talk about current events that are happening in the city, you will hear them talk about all the death and destruction you are causing within the city, they will talk about the weather and so on and so forth! The music is just outstanding as well and adds so much atmosphere to the game, it is quite incredible!

This game will last forever! I have already put 6 hours into this and have only completed 16% of the game! I haven't even started looking for the hidden packages yet, nor have i really tried any of the many side missions. The replay value is very high, you will just keep on playing! It is so much fun just to turn on the game and go on a killing spree or just go for a drive around he vast area that is Liberty City!