Grand Theft Auto 3

Return to Liberty City with classic open world crime and 3D action

Rockstar’s landmark crime saga makes a confident jump to handheld play, delivering a faithful take on the 2001 original that still knows how to shock and entertain. Built to mark the series’ milestone anniversary, this version keeps the gritty mood and sprawling freedom that put Liberty City on the map.

You play as Claude, a silent antihero climbing the underworld ladder after a double cross. The city is a dense playground for mayhem and exploration, blending third person shootouts, high speed chases, and story missions that gradually escalate toward revenge. The presentation holds up well: there are fully voiced cutscenes, a mix of radio stations as you cruise, and 3D visuals that capture the stark streets and neon nights of this New York inspired setting.

Controls are comprehensive and flexible. On screen buttons cover essentials like shooting, sprinting, melee, and entering vehicles, while swiping lets you pan the camera. The default left and right taps for steering can feel cramped due to small touch targets, but the layout is customizable and you can switch to analog style or tilt steering. If you prefer physical inputs, improved gamepad support is available, and haptic vibration adds a satisfying buzz to collisions and gunfire. There are also video display options to fine tune the image to your liking.

This is a mature game through and through. Expect carjackings, rough language, and adult scenarios, so it is intended for players 17 and older. Technical hiccups do crop up, including occasional bugs and minor collision quirks, though continued technical fixes have addressed various issues over time.

For veterans, it is a respectful return that preserves the tone and structure of the original. For newcomers, it remains a compelling open world crime story with strong atmosphere, extensive mission variety, and enough control flexibility to make touch play workable with a bit of tweaking.