REVIEW - Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (NDS)
When Rockstar Games first announced Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the DS, everybody was looking forward to it, even with the lack of details at the time. Almost every week, more screens, trailers and details were being released which did their job – keeping people interested. But despite all of the build-up surrounding Chinatown Wars, there was always a chance of it being terrible. Luckily for everybody, it isn’t.
In Chinatown Wars, you play as Huang Lee. Huang goes to Liberty City to give his Uncle a sword that Huangs father gave to him just before being assassinated. Huang takes a plane to Liberty City to give his Uncle the sword, but just as he lands his bodyguards are assassinated, his car crashes into the sea, he gets shot in the head and the sword is stolen. Huang then swims to shore and he has to find his own way around the city after escaping from the sinking car. You first start off getting missions from your Uncle ‘Kenny’, and you progressively unlock more and more wannabe Triad bosses and Gang members who can give you more missions to help you move up in status in the city, and eventually get back your sword. It’s just a regular GTA story, but it’s fine for what it is.
The thing that pissed people off the most (for an unknown reason), were the graphics. Everybody was annoyed that the game has cel-shaded graphics, and that it looks more like the first 2 GTA games, then any of the actual 3D games. Well yes, in screenshots it does look similar to the older games because it has an overhead view. Though in this game the camera’s 100% rotatable, and the game actually looks really impressive in motion, but not so much in screenshots. Watch gameplay videos, you’ll most likely be impressed to see how far Rockstar pushed the DS to its graphical limits. The graphics are also very suitable for the system because unlike the PSP versions, the DS is trying to create it’s own experience and not just emulate the console games (though it would be nice to see GTA 1 & 2 on a compilation cartridge on the DS).
There’s also loads of features that Rockstar implemented that are only possible on the DS. There’s many touchscreen-based mini-games that you can play throughout the game, and even a few microphone-based ones aswell. For example you can hot wire a car, search through garbage bins for guns, crack open car windows and even deal drugs… but more on that controversial feature later. You can also whistle Taxi’s by whistling into the microphone of your DS. Pretty nifty, yes… the first time I tried it. But it got pretty annoying after that, so I just kept pressing X. Or you know, I jacked the taxis. Well it is cheaper, you know.
Since the DS doesn’t have an analog stick, they had to make compromises to help you aim your gun, otherwise it would be impossible because otherwise you could only shoot in 8 directions. They help you out by implementing a good lock-on feature.
Of course just like in every other GTA game, you can play for hours and hours without even scratching the surface of the storyline. Some of the extra things you can do outside of the main story are trying to win Scratch cards (lottery), practicing your inking (tattooing) skills, exploring the city and you know… killing dudes. Seriously, just run over people, shoot some more people, smash cars, steal cars, steal a bulldozer… THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS. Seriously, try it out sometime. It’s even funnier on Chinatown Wars than the console versions because it’s so cartoony and unrealistic, it suits it actually.
GTA: Chinatown Wars does have Multiplayer, but unfortunately I haven’t played any of the modes… I NEED MORE FRIENDS. Though according to the official website there are 6 Multiplayer modes. They’re Race, Stash Dash, Defend the Base, Gang Bang, Liberty City Survivor and Season Race.
Race mode is just a simple racing game.
Stash Dash is where you’re driving in a van full of cash to a warehouse, and your opponent is trying to stop you.
Defend the Base is where you defend your base from enemies, with each wave getting harder.
Gang Bang is where you’re a leader of a gang and you have to defeat other gangs to take over their turf.
Liberty City Survival is pretty much your basic deathmatch but with 5 different scenarios.
Season Race is just a racing tournament, with 20 races.
GTA: Chinatown Wars is a truly unique experience and there’s nothing like it on the DS. It’s very different from every other GTA game because of the hardware. It’s even different than the Grand Theft Auto game on the GBA. It’s a truly fun game and everybody should at least have a chance to try it out.
BUY IT, BORROW IT OR BREAK IT?
You should definitely buy this game. It will last you for many hours even after you finish the main storyline. The story isn’t as deep as GTA IV but it should still keep you interested.
I give Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the Nintendo DS 5 out of 5 stars.
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