Recently, I’ve been playing classic computer games, many of which are considered some of the greatest games of all time: Total Annihilation, Half-Life, Baldur’s Gate, and Planescape: Torment. The latest one on my list was Grand Theft Auto III (GTA 3). This was the breakout title in the GTA series. It featured 3D graphics and “open world” gameplay that was impressive when it debuted in 2001 on the PlayStation 2. The PC release came in 2002 and it was eventually ported to the Mac as well. I finished the game by following the main storyline. Along the way, I completed quite a few side missions as well. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. In fact, it has knocked Max Payne out of the top spot as my all-time favorite third-person action/shooter computer game.

I had a bit of a misconception about GTA 3. I thought there would be more shooting. There was plenty to be sure. However, it is mainly a driving game at its core. There are over 50 different vehicles in the game to acquire or steal. Each vehicle has its own unique characteristics. This is arcade driving and not a realistic driving simulation. GTA 3 doesn’t take itself too seriously. It focuses on action, humor, and a sense of fun. Set in Liberty City, there are three islands to explore. First is Portland, then Staunton Island, and finally Shoreside Vale. It was a bit challenging early on when I didn’t know the layout of the streets very well. This was particularly true for the timed missions, which are usually not a favorite of mine. Before too long, however, I felt pretty comfortable zipping around and between the three boroughs.

Overall, the difficulty level felt about right. Some missions I completed on the first try. Several took multiple tries but they usually weren’t too frustrating. The final two missions of the game came close, however. I struggled with them but eventually made it to the end to see the final cinematic scene and end credits.


The sun sets over Liberty City