Grand Theft Auto is no stranger to the handheld market. They’ve conquered the Sony PSP with Liberty City Stories as the all time best seller on that system. So, it’s no surprise to me that Chinatown Wars would succeed on the Nintendo DS, because although they are making their first appearance on this system their “back to the basics” fundamentals won us over. For those who loved the early GTA, the 3D top-down overview is back, and it’s awesome!
You begin as Huang Lee, a spoiled rich kid from Hong Kong, where your mission is simple. Your father was murdered by unknown thugs, and you are asked to deliver a sword, Yu Jian, to Liberty City (yes the same), to your Uncle Wu “Kenny” Lee. But if RockStar made missions that simple they would yet to be the juggernaut of game developing they are today. As your flight lands, you are greeted by ambushers who kidnap you, and the bullet that grazed your temple leaves you a bloody mess. So here you are; bleeding and left for dead trying to escape from a car that was driven off a pier. Oh yeah, and No Yu Jian! Welcome to Liberty city!
Control your Huang. Let’s get the control mechanics out on the table. If you’ve played Grand Theft Auto 2 (Taxi drivers must die soundtrack version), you’ll pick up the button configuration instantly. For you slackers, you’ll find the controls easy to remember. “B” is used for acceleration/walking/running, “Y” is to go in reverse, and jump while on foot. “X” allows you to enter a vehicle, I use the word “enter” loosely as most of the time you’ll be stealing them. And “A” shoots/punches your enemy and using the right bumper targets them. Left bumper reset your view behind Huang.
Several means to make green. You know, being the son of a rich Triad boss (before your father was murdered) should give you access to money. Not the case here, but Rockstar has made many attempts that allow you to do so, as money is the force that drives you. I’ve found myself taking up the occupation of drug trafficking as it was the most fun buying low and selling high.. get it?! Throughout the map, there will be rival gangs driving minivans marked with a red dot on your radar. These vehicles can be hijacked and returned to your safehouse. Once you arrive, you’ll be able to slash open the dashboard revealing smuggled drugs which you can then add to your inventory.
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