• ID = PS0916
• STYLE = Mission-Based Racing
• DEV. = Luxoflux Corp.
• PUB. = Activision Inc.
• R-DATE = Nov-06-2003
• ESRB = M / For Mature
• PLAYERS = 1 player
• LIST PRICE = $49.99
  

The streets of Los Angeles are being overrun with criminal scum and it's going to take a renegade ex-cop like you to clean them out for good. As Nick Kang, your brutal reputation and lethal skills have landed you a nasty job: heading up an undercover task force to stop the Chinese and Russian gangs from turning the City of Angels into their hellish playground. Across hundreds of square miles of L.A., you've got to drive, fight and blast your way through a branching storyline comprised of a massive array of unpredictable missions, using stealth techniques, martial arts moves, and an ask-questions-later arsenal. Looks like the hardcore streets of L.A. just met their match.

From the Manufacturer
As Nick Kang, your brutal reputation and lethal skills have landed you a nasty job: heading up an undercover task force to stop the Chinese and Russian gangs from turning the City of Angels into their hellish playground.

Drive, fight and blast your way through a massive array of unpredictable missions, using stealth techniques, martial arts moves and an ask-questions-later arsenal. For maximum replayability, a changeable, branching storyline gives you the freedom to complete missions as you choose--however, you also have to face the consequences of those choices for better or worse. Successes or failures lead to entirely different game experiences, unveiling multiple storylines with no repeated missions.

Build skills as you progress, learn new fighting moves, more sophisticated shooting skills and driving maneuvers. Get all the gritty detail of the real undercover world in a painstakingly recreated Los Angeles featuring recognizable landmarks and famous streets. Cruise the city taking down or harassing the scum of the streets. Bust drug dealers and prostitutes, shakedown informants and confront gang members to get the job done.

Looks like the hardcore streets of L.A. have just met their match.

Amazon.com Review
True Crime: Streets of L.A. is a Grand-Theft-Auto-esque action/driving/shooter that allows you to take control of Nick Kang, a cop out to solve a strange rash of crimes and solve his father's mysterious murder. The game treats itself like a movie, with frequent dialogue and cinematics, a soundtrack filled with some of rap's heavy hitters, and some surprising voiceover talent, like Christopher Walken and Snoop Dogg.

The missions given to you tend to involve shooting up or beating up (there is a big distinction between gun fighting and kung fu) a room full of bad guys, or simply have you racing against the clock in your car. In between, you can roam around and solve simple street crimes (mugging, car jackings, etc), or earn upgrades for your driving, shooting, and fighting abilities.

The upgrade mechanism is important because while it's an entertaining way to add new gameplay elements several hours in, the early game leaves you with so few moves that the game is hard, or worse, boring. The game also features a Good-Cop/Bad-Cop karma system that rewards or punishes you for doing the right or wrong thing. Arrest criminals in non-lethal manner to get better endings, or terrorize the populace and have both citizens and police turn on you.

While it can be an entertaining take on the Grand Theft Auto genre, True Crime tends to suffer from hit and miss execution. For every compelling game element, there's another equally awful one. There are several mission types that are completely devoid of any fun, melee fighting favors button mashing even after the nearly-useless string of upgrades, and the controls and camera seem to work against you more often than for you. Ultimately, hardcore Grand Theft Auto fans and the infinitely patient may be in for a treat, but everyone else is advised to think twice about this game. --Jon "Safety Monkey" Grover

Pros:
Variety of mission types keeps game from getting overly repetitive.
Karma system and plenty of alternate cinematics add to replay value.
Excellent voice work and above average graphics.

Cons:
Controls feel sloppy and the camera will make you want to punch out your TV.
Certain mission-types are just plain boring.
Melee fighting favors button mashing over thought-out, timed attacks.