Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto III - Double Pack (PS2)

The medley of missions and side quests, as I like to call them, positively ooze with variety and are limited only by the imagination of the beholder, well almost.

These remarkable and prodigious masterpieces must really be seen to be appreciated. They are in essence life itself, only with more violence. A whole world to traverse with different experiences to be gained everytime.

Few other games can offer such rich entertainment and divergent forms of enjoyment in one package. I can only see these games being bested by rockstar itself. What other developer can tackle the earnest issue of violence and crime in such a gratifying and ultimately jocular manner. Marvellous.

GTA 3
The game starts with you robbing a bank with your girlfreind, all goes well until you try and escape and your girlfreind shoots you and runs off with the cash. on your way to prison your police car gets ambushed by a local Mafia who are trying to save their man 8-Ball. you escape with him and as a result he reccomends you to his boss, Luigi. After doing Various Missons you move up the Gangster ladder and start to work for The Don. Now that you've got contacts it's time to get revenge on your Ex, and get back your cash!

VICE CITY
You play as Tommy Vercetti, a ex con who has just got released from prision after sevring 15yrs for his boss Sonny Forreli. When he gets back to Liberty City Sonny packs him off to Vice City to complete a drugs deal. Tommy gets double crossed and ends up losing the money and the drugs. Tommy now has to stay in Vice City to earn the money back that he owes to Sonny and to find out who's got his drugs and punish them!

The GamePlay --

GTA 3
GTA 3 has a living, breathing city. you can go anywhere, shoot anyone, do, to a certain degree, anything! The Game is spread out over 3 islands, Portland, Staunton Island, And Shoreside Vale. they aren't all open from the start though. The break out of 8-Ball left the first Bridge severly damaged and it must be fixed. The Driving is great, you do mostly driving so it has to be. The shooting is very good aswell, you have auto rageting by the tap of R1 but occasionally it locks onto the wrong person which can get annoying

VICE CIY
As with GTA3 you have a lvingm breathing city. but more so this time. Gangs walk in bunchs, have wars with other gangs, and Cops chase other criminals aswell as you.The Islands open up alot quicker this time, and the Islands are two and a half times bigger than those in GTA 3. Aswell as Cars theres also Motor Bikes and Helicopters. a big gimmick of Vice City is the 80's theme. This adds greatly to the game. Turn on the radio and you'll be greeted by over 9hrs of offical 80's tunes from Ozzy Osbourne to Brian Adams.

The Graphics --
Both are pretty impressive, if not pushing the PS2 to the limit. Theres pop-up and things go through walls but with gameplay like this you will not give a damn!

LifeSpan --
The fact that this is the closest we'll get to a living city that we can do anything and not end up behind bars in real life means that this has near limitless gameplay. After you complete all the main and side missions you will have funs for weeks just droving about and causing havoc! the same goes for Vice City but more so!

Overall -
These are two of the best games ever, if you haven't got these you really, really should. They'll entertain you for months after you have completed them. Many have tried to copy but you cant beat the feel of driving down Liberty or Vice City in a stolen car. PS2's Best!

97%

GTA3 drops you into the action almost immediately, your first assignment being to pay a thug a visit who has been a bit rough with one of your boss's "ladies" - and introduce him to Mr Baseball Bat - those of a nervous disposition need not apply, as the violence escalates from there into full bloodied street wars with the police, SWAT and ultimately FBI.

Vice City is more of the same, but with the inclusion of motorbikes and helicopters, and more importantly a rocking 80s soundtrack. The sound of "She's a Japanese Girl" pumping from the stereo as you drive over a string of cooks chasing you with their carving knives is one of the more surreal experiences you'll find here.

Again, if you don't have this game, get it immediately. Now now now!!