Grand Theft Auto III for Android – Review

Our rating:

By: Rockstar Games, Inc.

Version #: 1.3

Date Released:

Developer:

Price: 4.99

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Grand Theft Auto III is unequivocally one of the finest and most important games of all times. Its release back in 2001 did what many believed wasn’t possible at the time, by bringing the previously birds-eye-view criminal world of the earlier games in the series into an open-world 3D environment. It pretty much spawned a whole new genre by itself, and will always be remembered for the contribution it made to the industry.

Now, a decade on and the legendary shooter has arrived on Android, indeed to celebrate its 10th birthday. The game runs in a crisp HD resolution on mid-high-end devices, and it’s certainly one to tickle the nostalgic heartstrings, even if it’s flawed in many aspects.

The biggest problem with GTA III is the control system, which is often the case with open-world games that involve a combination of driving and running around. The combat system feels very clunky and dated, with melee combat being restricted to a single button which punches and kicks the shit out of your victim. Shooting, meanwhile, is assisted by an auto-aim, but running and gunning feels awkward after all the advancements that games have seen over the years. The driving controls, meanwhile, are customisable, which means that you can find a layout which suits you.

Graphically, GTA III still looks great (particularly with the HD upscaling) for an Android game. It looks no worse than Gameloft’s Gangstar games, which owe a lot to GTA III in the first place. There is the occasional graphical glitch, but this doesn’t detract from the overall quality of the game, and the fact that Liberty City is a great big violent playground.

The humour and soundtrack of GTA III remain legendary, and while it doesn’t quite have the wit of its successors, Vice City and San Andreas, it’s still got brilliant referencing to pop culture, gangster films, and other games all over the shop. The radio stations are many, and the music on them really is timeless.

The fact that the hero’s a mute feels a bit surreal in this day and age of smart-quipping heroes, but it’s something you can easily adapt to seeing as is Grand Theft Auto-goddam-III on your Android phone! It’s a little bit dated, and really works best with a physical controller, but for the modest asking price this really is a blast to the past that’s worthy of any handheld gamer’s collection.

We rate this app 4.5 out of 5 stars.