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PS2 | Action | Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

Boxart for Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories 16 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 3.50
  • SOUND: 4.00
  • CONTROL: 3.75
  • FUN FACTOR 4.25
  • AVG USER SCORE 4.3
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 3.8

Review: Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

Review by Chris Morell | 06/09/2006 | 13:34:50 PM PST

The PSP's best game finally hits the PS2. Here's our in-depth breakdown of the latest installment of GTA

UPDATE: GTA: Liberty City Stories cheats exposed. Find them all HERE.

ALSO: Check out this great graphics comparison gameplay video HERE. It's interesting to note that GTA 3's graphics are far superior, but to compensate, Rockstar Leeds made Liberty City much brighter and shinier.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories was, and still is, the most impressive game on the PSP. You could argue that other PSP games are more fun, but in terms of size, scale, and pure gameplay horsepower, LCS is unparalleled on handheld systems as far as what it brings to the table: more than 20 hours of ripe GTA goodness.

Mere months after LCS hit the PSP, rumors began to fly of its release on the PS2, and sure enough, Rockstar soon confirmed that LCS would in fact land on the PS2 in the near future. After a bit of delay and a no-show at E3, LCS has arrived where the rest of the GTA installments began: on the PlayStation 2.

Same Difference

If you've played the PSP version, then you know that LCS is another commendable extension of the GTA franchise. It has a better story and more interesting plot lines than GTA 3 and Vice City, though San Andreas outdoes it in terms of character development -- well, with the main characters at least. LCS follows Leone mafia member Toni Cipriani through his many adventures in the three islands of the city: Portland, Staunton Island, and Shoreside Vale. You'll meet familiar characters such as Salvatore Leone (Toni's boss), Donald Love, and 8-Ball, as well incur several run-ins with the ol' Triads and Yakuza. And, as expected, there are lots of new characters to meet along the way; women, the mayor, and even Toni's mom (we soon find out Toni is an interesting breed of mama's boy).

In general, the story is good. It takes surprising turns, and unlike GTA 3, the transitions between the three islands are very fluid. For example, a chase and jump over the Callahan Bridge leads Toni into Staunton Island. Very fun.


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