For you console gamers who have managed to go this long without playing any of the 3D GTA titles, I’ll go over how the game handles. First of all you have your basic on foot controls, pretty standard stuff, analog moves, buttons run/jump/shoot and the like. You can also “borrow” yourself a passing car or motorcycle if you need to get someplace more quickly.

The cars handle like an arcade type racer, not realistic at all. Just about anyone can pick up the controls of this game and figure out the basics here. The most fun for me has to be the small fast motorcycles, they can weave through traffic as fast as the fastest sports cars, and handle quite a bit better, too. I also like the ability to fire my submachine gun forward off the front of the bike. This is very nice when your mission requires you to destroy a vehicle you are chasing, or if you just feel like plowing through a bunch of people.

The story really only stays interesting long enough for you to unlock the weapons you want, and the rest of the town. After that, this game becomes more fun to just run around and mindlessly release aggression through killing innocent bystanders. The controls still have a very clunky feel, which isn’t good when the missions start requiring more precise movements. Even some of the best gamers will find themselves frustrated sometimes.

This is an open world game though, so there is plenty to do other than just the storyline missions. Sometimes you’ll run across a vehicle that is a mission, all you need to do is get inside. You rarely know which vehicle it will be though, as there is nothing special about these. Just look around parking lots, behind buildings, in alleyways, out of the way places; you’re sure to run across a few.

  There isn’t character progression like there was in San Andreas, I guess they realized that no one wants to lift virtual weights, or ride a virtual exercise bike. I do miss the ability to tattoo and do customization other than just wearing certain outfits. Although tattoos were never required to finish missions, outfits have been, so it makes sense why they stayed around when tattoos left.

As you move along in the game, you will acquire safe houses; these have multiple purposes and are very useful. First and most importantly, these are where you save your progress. Saving the game will take you 6 hours ahead, so it can be used to transfer from daytime to nighttime if you so choose. Your safe house will also contain a garage that you can save cars at. Inside you will also have a place to replenish health, and a place you can change outfits if you want or need to.