Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars reworks the formula of the series to fit a portable device. It is hugely fun and offers tons of depth. It includes the standard taxi, firefighter, and ambulance driving missions but also drug dealing. Drug dealing is more than just narrative dressing in this game; it is a core mechanic that provides huge paydays.
It was removed from the PlayStation Network
GTA Chinatown Wars brings murder and mayhem to a tiny screen in Grand Theft Auto’s first outing on the Nintendo DS. The game stars Huang Lee, the spoiled son of a Chinese Triad crime syndicate leader, who returns to Liberty City with his family’s heirloom sword. His arrival sets off a war of wills between his father’s rivals and the cops.
The game is viewed from a rotatable overhead view, instead of the 3D behind-the-shoulder perspective of recent GTA games. The cell-shaded graphics are well done, although they lack voice acting. The music is surprisingly good, but the PSP’s tinny speakers may detract from the experience.
GTA Chinatown Wars brings most of the gameplay from the previous Rockstar Leeds games to Sony’s handheld. It also re-introduces some features that were removed from the DS version, such as cutting out car windows and door panels to find contraband. It also re-introduces the Wanted system, which rewards players with the satisfaction of driving a police car into the corner of a building to hear its sirens die.
It was removed from the UMD
Unlike previous games in the Grand Theft Auto series, Chinatown Wars uses a fully isometric rotatable aerial camera angled down at the action. The game also contains CCTV cameras that can be destroyed by throwing a Molotov cocktail bottle or grenade at them.
The PDA system introduced in GTA IV returns in Chinatown Wars as the way that the protagonist receives missions. The player can also order weapons from Ammu-Nation via the internet through the PDA or from a computer present in their safe house.
It was removed from the Xbox Live Arcade
GTA Chinatown Wars is the first game in the series to be designed specifically for a handheld console. While it may not be as impressive or technically cutting edge as the games on consoles, it is still a good time. It is a worthy successor to the original GTA and offers some great new features.
The story in GTA Chinatown Wars centers on Huang Lee, the spoiled son of a murdered triad crime boss. He arrives in Liberty City to avenge his father’s death and becomes embroiled in the power struggle between rival gangsters trying to succeed him. The game’s story is light and lacks the wit and satire of past GTA games.
The game’s controls use the touch screen, which can be used to manipulate items around the world. Players can also use the touch screen to assemble weapons before attacking enemies. In addition, the game can be played with local multiplayer for two players.
It was removed from the Xbox One
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is a fun, fast-paced gangster game set in Liberty City (the instantly recognizable one from GTA IV and previous Rockstar Leeds titles). The player takes on the role of Huang Lee, a spoiled Triad crime boss who’s on a mission for honor, riches, and revenge.
The gameplay is reminiscent of the top-down GTA games of the early 1990s, with a cartoonish, top-down view and a variety of mini-games. The control system is smooth, and combat is easy and satisfying. The R button locks on enemies, and the face buttons control entering/exiting vehicles, attacking, and jumping/rolling.
While the story lacks the wit and flair of past GTA games, the gameplay makes up for it. The addition of drug trading is a great touch, and the new Wanted system—which drops your heat to zero by destroying cop cars—is simple but immensely satisfying. The stealing system also uses the touchscreen in clever ways: older cars require turning screws and hot-wiring, while newer ones use a computerized immobilizer that you can hack by playing a Simon-like mini-game.