I cant believe how many people missed out on this. (Grand Theft Auto 2 (PC))

Member Name: Mutalisk

Product:	Grand Theft Auto 2 (PC)
Date:	26/02/09 (57 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Intense gameplay, light-hearted, cool visual effects, hasn't dated, diverse arsenal.

Disadvantages: Not a great deal of cars, missions are ever so slightly repetitive

In my opinion, the best game in the series. This side-scrolling crime-spree action game is thoroughly entertaining and intensely playable, good for hours and hours of quality gameplay. Despite the gangs being more-or-less interchangeable and the cars being a bit limited in number, the gameplay itself is fantastic.

Many people have ignored this gem, in favour of its sequels, in spite of the fact that the game has scarcely dated at all. Needless to say, the graphics are unrealistic, but so is the idea of blowing up 12 police cars before dispatching 3 swat teams with a flamethrower, only to steal a riot van and mow down 100 more pedestrians before being pursued by the armed forces.

The 'respect' system is a nice touch, as it means that gangs in certain territories will protect you by providing cover-fire when fighting off lawmen, whilst gangs in other territories will hurl molotov cocktails and fire off automatic weapons at your vehicle as you speed through the area with scant regard for civilian life.

Whilst the game is for ages 18+, the silly cartoony graphics scarcely encourage street-violence or carjacking due to their light-hearted nature. Even thought the game was controversial when it came out, it was not nearly as much of a concern to parents and general moral adjudicators as its sequels, GTA 3, Vice City, San Andreas and the recent GTA 4.

It has some cool special effects, just small, well-done, non-ostentatious animations such as the effect of cars crashing into the ocean or being obliterated by grenades, and pedestrians being blown 300ft into the air by the errant missile of a rocket-launcher.

The cars vary from levels, as the player (the identity of whom is known little about) moves through different zones; the "Downtown" "Residential" and "Industrial" district. Although the specialist cars of gangs remain the same. For example, the Z-Cars of the Zaibatsu Gang, the Krishna buses and the Redneck trucks! There are 7 different gangs in the game, each with their own areas.

The game is light-hearted and doesn't take itself too seriously, in spite of the car-jacking, cop-killing subject matter. It is definitely worth playing.

Summary: A challenging, fun little game thats good for hours of intense gameplay.