GTA III: Anniversary Edition Review

It's hard to believe it was 10 years ago when Grand Theft Auto III blew the minds of every gamer across the world. The PS2 classic was the first to introduce us to an epic 3D sandbox with the expected GTA flavour. It was huge, it was insane and it was the pinnacle of gaming for many years. Now, Rockstar Games brings the classic to life once again for iOS and Android devices. How does it hold up? Join us as we take a look at the iPad version of the game.

What GTA III: Anniversary Edition Got Right

Increased framerate and lighting effects - If you played a lot of GTA III back in the day, the first thing you will notice is that the framerate has seen a considerable jump. It works well to add a bit of fluidity to the animations, which do look a little rigid after the effects of old age have set in. It seems that the lighting effects have been increased also, however this could simply be due to the iPad's impressive screen. Whichever way you look at it, the graphics and animations are still the same as they were 10 years ago, but on the iPad 2 at least, GTA III: Anniversary Edition is running as smooth as butter.

Tight and intuitive controls - Surprisingly, GTA III: Anniversary Edition has tight and intuitive controls, for the most part. Driving is smooth and easy thanks to three control options, and walking around Liberty City is easy to master after just a few minutes playing the game. Slight changes and enhancements have been made to suit touchscreen controls, leaving gamers feeling satisfied with what Rockstar has served up.

Captures the GTA III spirit - How do you truly tell if a video game can be considered one of the greats? Games such as Super Mario Bros. 3, The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past and Half-Life can all be played decades later, and still be relevant and just as enjoyable as they were on day one. GTA III: Anniversary Edition proves that Grand Theft Auto III belongs in that category. The setting, story, gameplay and overall feel of the game is something special, an experience that transcends modern gaming to become an icon of sorts. If you're re-living the experience from the depths of your past, or even checking it out for the first time, this mobile version of the game captures the heart and soul of GTA III.

What GTA III: Anniversary Edition Got Wrong

Shooting controls are awkward - Remember how I said that the controls were tight and intuitive for the most part? Unfortunately that most part pertains to the shooting controls. The game relies on a very poor auto-aim system that will see players shooting innocent bystanders or random walls more often than not, which will usually end up with a shotgun to the face. It doesn't entirely break the experience, but it does add a level of frustration at times.

The Final Verdict

Grand Theft Auto III: Anniversary Edition re-captures the greatness of the original a decade later, and proves that it will always be a timeless classic. The story is still relevant and interesting today, and the gameplay itself is unbelievably fun. Despite the frustrating shooting mechanics, the rest of the game controls quite well on a touchscreen device. Whether you are reliving your memories, or making new ones, GTA III: Anniversary Edition belongs in your collection.

By Stephen Heller