Grand Theft Auto III

Starting at $139Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Play Store

Get on Apple Store

"Grand Theft Auto III" is a critically acclaimed game that brings players into the criminal underworld of Liberty City, with a massive open world, diverse cast of characters, and freedom to explore. The game features updated graphics, custom controls for touch screen devices, and hours of gameplay. With stellar voice acting and a darkly comic storyline, it defined the open world genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,996 reviews

story137 positive mentions

stability182 negative mentions

story
630 mentions
22 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The story of the game is generally considered engaging, with many players appreciating its connections to previous installments and the nostalgic elements it brings. However, the execution of missions can be frustrating due to poor controls and bugs, leading to difficulties in progressing through the narrative. While some players find the storyline compelling, others criticize it for being simplistic or lacking depth, particularly when compared to newer titles in the series.
- “The story is great but I would give it one more star if the controls don't make missions impossible.”
- “The story is simple yet nice, the ending though is really worth the time and effort in beating the game.”
- “I love this game, its actually really fun and has a pretty good storyline too.”
- “The controls are awful, especially the sniper controls, which is really bad considering there is a mission based around sniping that feels impossible.”
- “The mission 'silence the sneak' is nearly impossible; you have to get ridiculously lucky to aim the grenade into the window... there's no good way to aim it in the mobile version.”
- “Some missions are impossibly frustrating because of the controls, making it nearly impossible to complete them.”
graphics
557 mentions
50 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the improved visuals compared to the original PS2 version, noting that they look better than expected for a mobile port. However, some users have reported issues such as graphical glitches, low-quality textures, and a desire for further enhancements to match modern standards. Overall, while the graphics evoke nostalgia and are generally well-received, there is a consensus that they could benefit from additional updates and improvements.
- “The game itself is a great port of the original and the improved visuals are a great plus.”
- “The graphics are clear and smooth, better than what it was on PS2.”
- “This is a brilliant remaster with excellent graphics.”
- “The graphics are terrible & it's hard to look around you.”
- “Very poor guys..the graphics are horrible on my samsung galaxy tab 2..pls fix it in the next update.”
- “The graphics suck this is nothing like gta4 you should take the gta name out of it this is a disgrace to all gta games.”
stability
220 mentions
15 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game is mixed, with many users reporting frequent glitches and freezes, particularly during missions and while saving progress. While some players experience smooth gameplay with minimal issues, others face significant bugs that hinder their experience, such as unresponsive menus and crashes. Regular updates are suggested to address these ongoing stability concerns.
- “Nothing wrong with it, no glitches; it runs smoothly and everything is good!”
- “This game is great, no glitches, no delays; it is a perfect game but it does take some time to download, but no other problems.”
- “Runs great, looks great, plays great.”
- “The game freezes after destroying the helicopter in the exchange.”
- “Game freezes every time I shoot a gun.”
- “It freezes up too much and often times won't let me drive when I'm in a car.”
gameplay
109 mentions
55 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Overall, the gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, with many users praising its nostalgic value and smooth mechanics, while others criticize clunky controls, unbalanced gameplay, and various bugs. While some players find the missions satisfying and the graphics appealing, many express a desire for improved combat and driving mechanics, as well as better controller support. Despite these issues, the game retains a solid core experience that resonates with fans of the series.
- “Amazing port from previous versions, compelling story, great gameplay, and overall a masterpiece!”
- “The gameplay is awesome!”
- “Gameplay is great, just as I remember.”
- “This is a pretty fine port of a pretty good game, but the game contains many annoying bugs and glitches both visually and gameplay-wise. The missions in this game are extremely frustrating, but somehow extremely satisfying to beat.”
- “The targeting system is utterly useless and the driving mechanic is so bad it makes the game almost unplayable.”
- “I was initially excited about playing this game, but the gameplay is too slow, the controls are too glitchy, and some of the menu items are just missing altogether.”
optimization
65 mentions
55 % positive mentions
28 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is inconsistent, with many users reporting smooth performance on higher-end devices, while others experience significant issues such as stuttering, crashes, and poor controller support. Some players noted that the game runs well on older devices, but it struggles with optimization for newer hardware, leading to compatibility problems and graphical glitches. While some users praised the game's performance and controls, the general consensus indicates that optimization remains a major concern that needs addressing.
- “It runs smoothly and is very enjoyable!”
- “This game is greatly optimized for phones and some textures actually seem to have been updated.”
- “Grand Theft Auto 3 with the Xperia Play's optimized controls makes the game work flawlessly.”
- “It runs fine, never crashed on me, but the game itself isn't optimized very well at all.”
- “The game does not render correctly, and there are significant performance issues; both of these issues would render the game unplayable on their own.”
- “I don't understand how it runs better on some 2 to 3 year old phones with old graphics cards and dual-core CPUs; I guess it's just badly optimized.”
music
31 mentions
29 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its nostalgic value, with many players appreciating the original soundtrack's inclusion and the ability to relive the experience from 2001. However, some users note the limited number of radio stations and songs compared to later titles like Vice City and San Andreas, expressing a desire for customizable music options. Overall, while the soundtrack evokes fond memories, it lacks the variety and features found in more recent installments.
- “A classic with the entire original soundtrack intact.”
- “Still amazing gameplay, and what really brought me to purchasing it again were the radio stations and awesome soundtrack.”
- “Worst part is only a few radio stations and has two songs on each.”
- “The music is like being back in 2001 all over again and it feels good.”
- “Music is a little drab and samey...but that was GTA 3.”
humor
18 mentions
94 % positive mentions
-11 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its hilarious moments, satirical elements, and entertaining interactions, particularly with pedestrians and radio stations. Players find the absurdity of the gameplay, such as over-the-top car crashes and funny character dialogues, to be a significant source of enjoyment. Overall, the game combines action with a comedic flair, making it a memorable experience.
- “Amazing game full of action, funny moments and lots of gangs.”
- “This game is very funny, satirical, and rather crazy in an enjoyable way.”
- “The radio stations are hilarious.”
- “Playing it on a Galaxy S2 is not funny.”
- “The jokes fell flat and felt forced.”
- “I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
monetization
9 mentions
56 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of ads and in-app purchases, providing a straightforward experience without monetization pressures. Players appreciate the absence of annoying notifications and the ability to enjoy the game without additional costs, although some mention that certain missions can become frustratingly difficult. Overall, the monetization model is seen as favorable, enhancing the enjoyment of the game.
- “Works great on smartphones and no stupid notifications or in-app purchases.”
- “Lots of fun without having to buy in-app purchases.”
- “No rip-off in-app purchases.”
- “The game isn't like in the ads, and I can't manage the game because of the controls.”
- “Cheat engine should be integrated into the app instead of requiring a separate download that is filled with ads.”
- “There are no rip-offs in the in-app purchases.”
emotional
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, often reminiscing about nostalgic experiences shared with loved ones, particularly those who have passed away. While the gameplay mechanics can be frustrating, the emotional weight of the memories associated with the game enhances its significance for many, making it a heartfelt experience despite technical challenges.
- “I get so emotional every time I play because I used to play this with my older brother all the time, but he's dead now.”
replayability
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Overall, players express mixed feelings about the game's replayability. While some appreciate the infinite replay value and improved playability compared to previous titles, others criticize aspects like respawning with all weapons and camera controls that detract from the experience. Technical performance issues on certain devices also impact the overall enjoyment and replayability for some users.
- “Awesome! I can't believe I am playing GTA on my phone. Who could ask for a better game on mobile? The replay value is infinite and the touchscreen seems good to me. Works perfectly on Note 2. Thanks, Rockstar! :))))”
- “Even more playable than on the console because the game saves its state when you put it in standby.”
- “It made the game a lot more playable compared to Vice City, which I loved.”
- “It would have been perfect if I didn't respawn every time with all the guns I died with. It used to be you lost it all, making the game more playable.”
- “Camera really kills all the fun. If only we could set it as in Vice City, the game would be 10x more playable.”
- “This game runs pretty slowly on the Xperia Play. I have turned the graphics down to low and the render distance down to make the game a bit more playable, but it still runs slow.”