Pros: Massive Game, Great Visuals and Sounds, Oh The Game Is Massive!
Cons: Hours of Your Life Will Pass You By!
The bottom line: GTA On The Go! The Game Will Occupy Your For Hours! Great Visuals and Sounds, All Round Superstar
INTRO

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!

THE GRAPHICS

The graphics in this game easily outshine every other game on the system to date. The graphics look stunning. If it weren't for the fact that the screen is smaller, I'd swear that this was a PS2 game. Slow downs are very rare, except for the usual ones in GTA games where there is a pileup of 40 cars on a freeway and the helicopters and swat team are chasing you, with stuff blowing up in the background this game runs very smoothly compared to other titles. With more detail than any other GTA games, this game is definitely as pleasing to look at as it is to play. Who on earth ever would have thought that a handheld could have games that look so stunning!?!

THE SOUND

The sounds in this game are like any other GTA game. A great collection of music, voice acting, and sound effects. Everything is of high quality. As i mentioned earlier on the Radio music itself will appeal to almost everyone, but if for some reason you do not like the music included on the game Rockstar also included the option to put your own custom soundtracks in the game! If you have MP3's stored on your memory stick you can listen to your own music! How cool is that!?! This is a great touch for those who hate late 90's music.

THE CONTROLS

The controls will either make or break a game, and i was concerned about how GTA: Liberty City Stories would work on the PSP. Many might wonder how it's possible to control a game like GTA on the PSP, since GTA relies on a lot of controls and the PSP is somewhat limited.

Rockstar solved this problem, and the overall controls are actually very easy!. You use the analog stick to control your movement, all of the other buttons perform the same functions as the PS2 version. To do a drive-by, simply hold the left trigger and push the analog stick in the direction you want to shoot. Then press the circle button to shoot. The camera is also controlled with the left trigger and analog stick, where the direction you point the analog stick is the direction that the camera faces.

Right trigger is lock-on, and you can cycle targets with the D-pad. Down is to enable free aim, where you see the crosshairs. When in the car, the D-pad honks the horn, starts submissions, and changes the radio stations. Overall, this is quite possibly the best use of the PSP's controls, and after 5 minutes of playing you will have them down!

OVERALL

Overall, GTA: Liberty City Stories is an experience that all PSP owners must experience! It is definitely worth the $50 price tag. The game is huge and will keep you playing for hours upon hours! Even after i have the game at 100% complete, i will still be playing it, it is that good!

It also proves that the PSP itself can handle games of this size and caliber! GTA: Liberty City Stories is quite possibly the greatest portable gaming experience I have had since, well, ever.