GTA London 1969, let the good times roll! (Grand Theft Auto London, 1969 (PS))

Name: kotoranka

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Product:	Grand Theft Auto London, 1969 (PS)
Date:	18/04/07 (116 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: music, gameplay, missions are varied and fun

Disadvantages: blocky graphics

GTA London 1969 was the first mission add-on pack from the franchise, which originally needed the first GTA alongside it to work. If like me you have the special Collector's edition of GTA 1, 2 and London 1969 then this is not the case and you will only require the London CD.

Game:

GTA London 1969 is obviously set in London, England during the late swinging sixties where you begin your like of crime working for the Crisp Twins, Archie and Albert (the video game version of the Krays), traversing or driving as the case may often be through the grimy streets of London. Your job varies on what the twins and their henchmen tell you to do, examples of the types of jobs you will be required to do are;
1. Deliver suspect packages
2. Steal cars
3. Kill former members or squealers
4. Beat up people to find out information

The hardest missions often have specified time limits in which you must hurry to complete the mission or you will end up failing it.

Characters:

In total, there are 4 characters you can choose from and the one I have currently saved as my favourite is a very suspicious looking 'Maurice' who resembles a certain Michael Caine. As with the previous game, you are also given an option of changing the name of the character to your own or indeed whatever you like.

Location:

Despite it being London, unfortunately not all of it is covered, (I would have loved to drive up to my house but alas, no) the main areas covered tend to be Westminster, Chelsea, Brixton and the rest of the East. However, all of the main tourist spots like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London are accurately (enough) depicted and there are some missions in which these locations play important roles. I won't ruin any of them for you but you get to fiddle with Big Ben's times and the Queen would not have been too pleased if she found out what you stole from the Tower (hint hint).

Vehicles:

The mini, black cab and also the big red Routemaster buses are all driveable and this gives the game as a whole an added mark of authenticity. There is even a very funky jaguar-esque sports car emblazoned with the British flag (like the one in Austin Powers) which you can drive, and it is one of the fastest around.

Music:

The music is a mixture of funk, classic, rock and pop depending on what car you are driving and who you stole it from. The DJ's are quite funny to listen to but as there is not much talk on the radio, you get more of a chance to listen and enjoy the music whilst driving around.

Weapons:

As with all GTA games, weapons are compulsory if you want the job done quickly and properly. The usual assortment of guns, rocket-launchers and even flamethrowers feature in the game but the real focus is on your character using his fists. This is because there are many instances where you will need to extract information from others, without the need of killing them…yet!

Gameplay:

The gameplay is smooth and as this is just an add-on pack and not a stand alone game, there are not as many missions or tasks to keep you as occupied. However, the missions are very varied and good fun so you won't feel like you are just driving from A to B and getting paid for it.

Positives:

1. Authentic London feeling through location, cars, characters, music etc
2. Music is fantastic and a joy to listen to
3. Missions are varied and engaging
4. You get to drive a Routemaster
5. Should be a great buy for all GTA lovers!

Negatives:

1. Only an add-on mission pack so not as many missions to play
2. Graphics still blocky and pixellated

Overall I think this is a fantastic game, OK the graphics aren't all that and you still have the same top-down view but the gameplay is highly addictive and the missions varied. In my opinion this game should be in every GTA lover's game collection.


Please note that my review is also on ciao under the username there bwerket

Summary: if you haven't played it before, get it now!