Review: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (PSP)
Rockstar's DS smash hit makes the jump to PlayStation Portable. Related stories (more)First Level: GTA: Chinatown Wars (PSP)
Chinatown Wars Sneaks Onto PSN
GTA: Chinatown Wars PSP Trailer
Article written by nofi in Featured Stories, PS3 News, PS3 Reviews, on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 8:00.
New York, Liberty City, wherever. As is the par for Rockstar and their Grand Theft Auto view of the world, Chinatown Wars offers a glimpse into a desperate, flea-ridden pit of crime – a microcosm viewed through the scope of a rocket launcher and as effervescently potent a mix as anything you’ve seen in previous games. This latest in the venerable series might well be GTA on a portable, but make no mistakes: GTA-lite it ain’t, and despite essentially being a port of the Nintendo DS version this is one hell of game.
First things first, the viewpoint. It’s neither behind the character 3D or top down 2D, but somewhere in between. In fact, the freely rotatable camera manages to display a lot more of the action than you might at first think, and certainly more in this newly revamped PSP version than in the dual screen wonder that’s already enjoyed months of shelf life. There’s a whiff of cel-shading in the various human models (and certainly so in the cut scenes) but everything else is convincing and impressively solid polygons that burst with life and character. It takes a couple of missions to get used to the camera, and then that’s you sorted for the rest of the game.
And what a game. As with all Grand Theft Auto games the main story is one filled with twists and turn, the plot shifting focus and pace brilliantly and the script, despite lacking voice work, is as solid as ever in written text. Close up conversations are handled by comic book-esque drawings crafted in a distinct, individual style that helps give Chinatown Wars its own aesthetic and works well with the other various on-screen windows which we’ll come to later. I’m not going to spoil the storyline here but the Triad theme is a fresh angle for the series and lead character Huang Lee is certainly likeable enough. The villians are the centrepieces of course, and the double crossing plot is a delight.
Where the game really comes alive is the sheer variety of gameplay mechanics on offer. Like previous GTAs there’s a wealth of mission types to play through, introduced slowly but soon interweaving and becoming more and more complex, but this version of Chinatown Wars takes the multitude of touch-based minigames and converts them perfectly to the tradition button controls of the PSP: as an example, you no-longer need to pull out the stylus mid-mission and unscrew the metal plating of a bomb before snipping the correct wire, it’s all handled with the analog stick and the X button, and because these sections use the standard controls already in use they’re better integrated.
The movement and shooting controls work nicely too – walking and driving is either the d-pad or the analog stick (you can switch) with the right trigger to lock on, circle to punch and fire, X to run (or accelerate) and square to roll and climb (or brake). If the game wants you to do something else, like the aforementioned bomb disposal, on-screen prompts will always ensure clarity. So, you could be asked to drive somewhere, get out, defuse a ticking bomb, take out some bad guys with your ever expanding arsenal of weaponry and get back in the car, all of which quickly becomes second nature with, most of the time, only your lack of skill to blame if it all goes terribly wrong.
In the spirit of this being a portable game, Rockstar Leeds have worked hard to minimise loading (with great success) and keep the mission lengths to reasonable bursts of time – long drives are few and far between and a mission retry, should you fail, is just a tap of the select button. Green letters on your GPS (handily placed in the bottom left of the screen) signify a mission for that particular character, but alternatives and subplots are normally conveyed via your in-game PDA, accessed with the start button. This cool device not only handles your email and maps, but also keeps you up to date with your finances, your trading statistics, contacts and the multiplayer mode.
The trading sub-games, if it wasn’t for the bloody violence and coarse language, make up the remainder of the game’s ‘18′ certificate. Dealing drugs is a story-long side quest and throughout the map (Chinatown Wars offers an almost perfect replica of the PS3 and Xbox 360 version of Liberty City) are various shady characters specialising in one or more of the various types of narcotics. Like a street-based version of Elite, you’re free to buy and sell at your leisure, the law notwithstanding, to buy your way into the hearts of the game’s gangsters or just to make yourself a little cash to fund your property buying empire. The game doesn’t hold back on this, so keep it away from the kids.
Likewise, the bloodshed, despite being a handheld title, is visceral and gory – whether at the hands of your weapons or in the cut scenes, newly rendered and as sharp as a blade for the PSP iteration. The polygons might be fewer but the visual impact is just as real and whilst very much in keeping with the game (and perhaps less of a shock than the first time I played the DS version) there’s no escaping the fact that you’re going to have to kill a lot of people in Chinatown Wars. Guns are plentiful and there’s a massive selection of weaponry that slowly unlocks as you make it through the game. Cars, too, are in good supply with some old favourites lining up against vehicles new to the series.
It’s not perfect, though: I did come across one bug that got Lee trapped under the scenery (and making swimming noises) resulting in me having to load a prior save game and some of the missions demonstrate a little too much trial and error, and when you fail because the AI had shot a van full of explosives accidentally two attempts in a row it’s a little frustrating to say the least, but there’s enough charm in the main story to push any such niggles under the carpet. On the plus side, the way the police chases are handled (you have to take the cop cars down, rather than outrunning them) is genius and absolutely should become the norm for future Grand Theft Autos.
The game also comes complete with selectable radio stations, a full rack of multiplayer modes and full Rockstar Social Club online interactivity. It’s worth repeating again: this is a full Grand Theft Auto game, not a slimmed down mini version or one missing any of the main features from GTA IV – sure, it’s a brand new story but it’s set in the same persistent world: you can hail a taxi, go street racing, be a vigilante, steal an ambulance and cause havoc at the airport. It’s everything that’s made the GTA series such a massive critical and commercial success in the palm of your hand, and this all singing, all dancing PSP version has enough improvements to make it worth buying all over again.
Pros:
- Great Grand Theft Auto ‘feel’ – this is Liberty City in the palm of your hands.
- Fantastic graphics – probably the PSP’s best looking third-party title.
- Massive lifespan – lengthy mission, lots of sidequests and a great multiplayer selection.
Cons:
- It’s the same storyline as the DS version – you might have played this before.
- Occasionally troublesome AI – failing a mission isn’t always your fault.
- No voice acting – and the radio stations could have done with a bit of a bump, too.
Verdict:
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is a brilliant game – the initially odd camera fits perfectly after a half hour and from there on in this is classic GTA gaming. Sure, it’s essentially a port of the DS version but that’s really not a negative – the storyline is great, the visuals are frequently stunning and there’s more life on the streets of this handheld game than most consoles could ever hope to offer. If you have a PSP you owe it to yourself to get this game now, on either UMD or via the PlayStation Store, and if you don’t yet own one, well, perhaps this was the title you were waiting for.
More PSP exclusive content would have sealed the deal, but as it stands this is wonderful stuff: 9/10
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
PatrykJP19 | 26/10/2009 08:07
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One of the best games for PSP! I love it!
darknight88 | 26/10/2009 08:27
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I know your probably experimenting with the different ways of formatting the reviews Nofi but i have to say i prefer the breakdown of Graphics, Gameplay etc.
Anyway, great review for what appears to be a great game but i think i’ll hold off for a month or to for that hefty £30 price tag to digitally download it off the store.
Radboud | 26/10/2009 08:37
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I was actually gonna say that I really like a Pro/Con section instead of a breakdown in graphics/gameplay/sound….
Well, each his/her own I guess
fogcity94 | 26/10/2009 11:26
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240 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2009
Am I the only one who thinks it would be good to have both?
darknight88 | 26/10/2009 11:47
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Yeh maybe fogcity but the review would look a bit cluttered and divided into loads of mini sections. In a review i like to read a bulk of writing about the actual game, then a breakdown of its qualities such as graphics, gameplay, story etc…
a inferior race | 26/10/2009 11:49
I'm special
1415 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009
No you are not the only one. Although who the other guy that wants it is lost on me.
P.S. It’s me really
Radboud | 26/10/2009 08:36
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Nice review Nofi, you always write up your reviews in a way that is catchy
Not gonna be a purchase for me though, to many games on my PSPgo already and to many games coming out for the PS3 the next few months…..
gazo69 | 26/10/2009 10:04
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Great review, I’m just waiting on my copy coming today, can’t wait now
gazo69 | 26/10/2009 10:20
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Speak of the devil, it’s just turned up
bunimomike | 26/10/2009 11:45
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Great review, nofi. I like the pros/cons/verdict and score.
a inferior race | 26/10/2009 11:50
I'm special
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Is this better than Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories
nofi | 26/10/2009 11:55
Wants a custom tag.
3870 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
It’s too different to compare. Think GTA IV but from a different angle with more to do.
cc_star | 26/10/2009 11:57
Team TSA: Writer
5869 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
I like the pros/cons because I can look at the cons and see if they’d bother me personally, if they don’t then I’d be likely to add a point or two on to the reviewers final score.
Graphics/sound/gameplay scores out of 10 or whatever are pointless arbitrary numbers
wedgehog | 26/10/2009 12:31
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560 TSA Points | Member since: Mar 2009
I agree – it’s the overall feel of the game that matters most, many pros & cons won’t fall into the previously used specific categories.
FRUIT0FDOOM | 26/10/2009 12:06
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490 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2009
I love that a review on TSA turns into a “review of the review” by the readers.
I played this on the DS and for my own reasons didn’t like it. I’m not saying it is a bad game – I was impressed with what it offered – but I don’t really do lengthy portable gaming. Peggle is just the right amount of game in the pocket for me. But as far as value for money goes in portable gaming – you review suggests you can’t go wrong with this title in your pocket
Gastos84 | 26/10/2009 12:14
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Comment review: 8/10
Roynaldo | 26/10/2009 12:21
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I also played it on the DS but didnt much care for it, just couldnt get into it.
Review score 7/10
FRUIT0FDOOM | 26/10/2009 12:41
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490 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2009
Gastos Comment review 10/10 Roynaldo gets 9/10 because Gastos’s smiley has whiter teeth (theirs a smudge on my laptop screen over Roys). My review score for the review is 1/10 based on the one paragraph i read thus a demo
nofi | 26/10/2009 12:48
Wants a custom tag.
3870 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Come on guys, this took me hours to write… =(
FRUIT0FDOOM | 26/10/2009 12:50
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Nofi – play the game bud. You now have to email me asking me to alter my review of the review to make sure the meta-critic score is higher
Roynaldo | 26/10/2009 18:52
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This convo just made me smile.
For that I up my review score to 8/10 so as to not hurt Nofis feelings.
10/10 for effort
9/10 for written content
9/10 for pictures
Hang on….. that doesnt average out
deadwelsh | 26/10/2009 12:31
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have ummed and ahhd about getting this, i love the series but dont want to over do it, and also thought the ‘GTAstories’ on the PSP although great achievements technically, suffered from a poor control system. Hopefully the top down view will make it more playable.
This review has sold it to me, but i think the £30 is still steep, might try to find it in a deal somewhere on UMD, although i would prefer the DL instead. Either that or i’ll get home and think f*ck it and pay
gazzagb | 26/10/2009 12:51
Master of speling mitakse
2396 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
Much prefer this review format. The pros/cons bit easily shows which bits you like and dont like. For me, the cons you listed dont really bother me (except the troublesom AI) so i think i might get this off the store later!
iNsAnE_gAmInG | 26/10/2009 12:53
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The pro’s and con’s section is great but I think the little box at the end should return that sums up certain aspects of the game. With the P’s and C’s section as well we can get a detailed but quick idea of how you found the game when we are too tired or lazy to read the review.
iNsAnE_gAmInG | 26/10/2009 12:52
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This game seems worth buying but I don’t want to blow £30 on a PSP game when I can pick up say Fallout GOTY. Perhaps I’ll pick this up when I next go on holiday to provide me with some entertainment, plus it will have significantly decreased in price by then.
The only thing that tempts me is the unique style and originality this game seems to carry and a new take on the brilliant Grand Theft Auto series can only be positive. It seems like a cross between the original GTA (the really old, top-down view one) and the modern GTA’s, which is quite an interesting combination for me.
mynameisblair | 26/10/2009 13:59
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I’m loving the Pros and Cons section.
My friend has this for DS and he says it is brilliant, and it does look pretty good.
Anyway, atleast no one can argue about the pros and the cons not adding up.
Quinlank | 26/10/2009 14:19
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661 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2009
Like the new review structure, works much better than the last one imo.
But is Chinatown Wars seriously one of the best looking PSP games? The screens don’t look all that much better than the DS version… certainly not as nice looking as Vice City Stories far as I can tell.
Kevling | 26/10/2009 14:31
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1851 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008
I’m guessing it’s one of those games that looks better in motion… Having said that, the review has made me interested in a game I had no interest in before (mainly due to the graphics) – nice work Nofi. Can I have thirty quid?
gazo69 | 26/10/2009 15:16
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Been playing all day, it’s brilliant and a 9/10 is the perfect score for it.
BadBoyBoogie | 27/10/2009 10:10
Let There Be Rock
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This will definitely be my next full price PSP purchase, but it won’t be for a while as I’ve got too many PS3 games to work my way through at the moment!!