There is no stopping the wave of games that have been inspired by the now classic and innovative game called Grand Theft Auto 3.  The PS2 has already seen these clones and, for the most part, gamers have enjoyed them for the very same reason they adored the GTA games . . . complete control over what you can do and when.  True Crime: Streets of LA wants to offer something a bit different while still staying fairly familiar to those gamers that are fans of causing chaos in the streets.  But is this game fun enough to be considered a worthy brother of the GTA games or just a poorly designed clone?

I’m happy to report that True Crime is certainly a game that’s worthy of being mentioned with the Grand Theft Auto series.  The game, while clearly playing in the same field, is actually a more original imitator with its own unique personality.  Yes, loyal reader, this game cheerfully mixes several different gaming genres (it’s a driving simulator, a kung fu fighting game and a fancy shootout game).  It’s also an excellent game with an excellent story.

You play Nick Kang, a Los Angeles police officer who suddenly finds himself joining an Elite Operations Division that is focusing its eye on the Asian crime syndicates in the city.  With crime on the rise and the sudden movements between the Chinese triads and the Russian mafia, Nick’s unflinching approach at police brutality and his itchy trigger fingers make him the perfect candidate to put an end to those criminal groups that have their own wicked agenda.

As I mentioned before, the game uses the same Grand Theft Auto 3 and Vice City formula so the game will most definitely feel very familiar to those gamers that have played through Rockstar’s now classic games.  The only thing that really sets this game apart is the fact that you assume the role of a police officer and the fact that the main character is very talented when it comes to kicking bad guys about using skilled martial arts moves.  The game also has numerous shootouts so a different gunplay scheme is used.

The game’s missions are sequenced in chapters and following each mission path is really not a requirement but rather a suggestion since this is the only way to advance the story.  You can abandon various missions just to spend it driving around the city and answering 911 calls that range from muggings to recovering a stolen vehicle driven by a crazed ex-convict.  You also have the power to frisk people off the streets and you’ll often find that doing this can often lead to arrests since even pedestrian’s break the law by carrying illegal narcotics as well as weapons.  Or you can ignore the dispatcher and simply stick with the mission--the choice is left entirely up to you.

Each mission revolves around many of Nick’s many talents.  There are missions that require you to be quite the driver in order to make it before a certain timeframe.  There are also missions that have you putting your twin guns to work or missions that have you using your martial arts skills against groups of bad guys.  Luckily you have access to 24/7 facilities that are used to upgrade your guns, refine your kung fu moves or teach you new driving skills.  This RPG-like quality builds your character up and this is most definitely needed in this game, especially for the game’s harder missions.

As far as the controls are concerned, True Crime feels familiar and rightfully so but thankfully the game runs rather smoothly.  Pulling out your guns or jumping into a car just feels easy enough since the control scheme is handled right.  Nick can fire quick bursts or concentrate the gun at a target more accurately when pressing and holding the fire button.  You can also dive in slow motion . . . a feature that has been seen before in many games but still pretty useful.

Graphically speaking, the game is really a most impressive looking PS2 game.  Not only does the game truly capture the essence and practically every street corner in Los Angeles, but also seeing it from Nick’s point-of-view is quite a feat.  The streets are alive with random things that go on in any street corner and just watching things happen around you is a rare treat indeed.  The characters also look nicely detailed, especially the main character in action as well as in the cut scenes.  Overall, we’re talking about a job well done.

True Crime’s sound is very street and laced heavily with the thumping sounds of hip-hop--with a light dash of heavy hitting songs just to add variety.  Mostly you will find that your car’s radio blasts the hip-hop while cut scenes are accompanied by a cinematic score that works well.  And speaking of cinematic, the voice work is performed by some very familiar actors that are quite surprising to find here.  Gamers will find Christopher Walken’s voice as the game’s main narrator and great voice work from action star Russell Wong (of the Jet Li kung fu action film Romeo Must Die).  The sound effects are also quite stellar.

True Crime: Streets of LA is a fast-paced action game that truly does deserve its own place in a genre we have all just come to love.  While the game’s style owes everything to the Grand Theft Auto franchise, this is a game with a lot of heart and thus a lot going for it.  You owe it to yourself to buy this one, action fans.  It really does belong in your library of titles.  

Gameplay: 9.5
Unlike The Getaway, True Crime’s major achievement is offering gamers a comfortable control scheme in both the driving and movement of the main character.  Nick moves smoothly on foot and he can easily ready himself for hand-to-hand combat or for shootouts.  Each vehicle--obviously--handles differently but the controls make driving less of an awkward feat and more a fun challenge.  The total freedom is also a most addictive quality and there are several petty crimes you can turn your attention to when you want a break from the main story.

Graphics: 9.2
Visually the game looks quite beautiful, especially with all the things that happen all around you when you’re out of the car.  Los Angeles comes alive with pedestrians, passing vehicles, flocks of birds that take flight from the palm trees and the occasional passing drive-by shooting.  The characters look pretty good in motion as well as during cut scenes, although there are several clipping issues.  Still there is really nothing bad that can distract you from the wonderful rendition of the city or the vehicles that seem to shine with the warm Southern California sun.

Sound: 9.0
As far as the sound is concerned, True Crime excels in the dialogue department and rightfully so since some of Hollywood’s major talents voice the majority of the cast.  Russell Wong does a marvelous job of voicing the main character and Christopher Walken, as his friend George, is just a real treat to hear (especially since he practically narrates the story from beginning to end).  Aside from the great cast of voices, the game’s sound effects also do a great job of pushing the cinematic feel of the game.  As far as the score, the game uses plenty of hip-hop from artists such as Snoop Dogg and Ice-T. 

Difficulty: Medium
The variety of missions comes with its own set of challenges.  Some missions have you concentrating on hand-to-hand combat while others have you concentrating on your skills as a driver.  The missions that are sure to frustrate gamers are the driving missions, especially those that require you to be at a certain location before a timer runs out.  There’s one mission that has you speeding through a freeway that intersects with other freeways and thus causing you to lose time.  This could be slightly remedied by sharpening your driving skills in the 24/7 training facilities.

Concept: 9.0
If Grand Theft Auto 3 has taught us anything, it’s that gamers are addicted to games that give them complete freedom to choose their own path and to simply cause as much mayhem as possible.  While True Crime has you playing the role of a police officer--the polar opposite of a gangster and all around thug--Nick Kang hardly shows any remorse over running somebody over or accidentally shooting an innocent bystander.

Overall: 9.0
True Crime blends all the things we love about the Grand Theft Auto series and blockbuster Hollywood action films to bring us a most riveting and highly entertaining hybrid action fans will love.  With a stellar cast of characters voiced by Hollywood talent and free-roaming action that allows you to go wild in the streets of Los Angeles, this is one of those games action gamers will be playing for quite some time.  Buy this one right away, it would be a true crime if you didn’t.