Grand Theft Auto III

 PC
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1725 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,253 out of 1725
  2. Mixed: 398 out of 1725
  3. Negative: 74 out of 1725
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Hurutmester
    Mar 16, 2021
    1
    The people that came up with the 12 level ambulance mission are probably all psychopaths with no experience in game making. It's not just purely unfun, but also has the worst mission design I have ever seen. The AI and the driving experience is so bad, that the mission is literally unplayable. Cars just get spawned around you, they turn at max speed in impossible ways and they also changeThe people that came up with the 12 level ambulance mission are probably all psychopaths with no experience in game making. It's not just purely unfun, but also has the worst mission design I have ever seen. The AI and the driving experience is so bad, that the mission is literally unplayable. Cars just get spawned around you, they turn at max speed in impossible ways and they also change lane without any warning and only when you are behind them, so you can bump into them. The patients' AI is also trash, they gonna run into the car every single time, so you can fail the mission or lose 15 seconds waiting for them to stand up. Oh, and i didn't mention the fact, that there is a chance for the patients to just completely stuck inside a building at any point and there is nothing you can do about it. If you got this bug it's technically instant mission fail and you have to start all over again. Challenging games and missions are one thing, straight up unfun ones with **** mechanics are an other.
    For the rest of the game, well every single thing about it is bad, probably even for 2002. A lot of things just doesn't make any sense, the missions are boring even for GTA and the so called "gunplay" is miserable. I had the most fun doing the taxi missions, because at least the driving is slightly enjoyable if you don't have to do it for an hour, without any mistakes.    … Expand
  2. tufekciero
    Mar 12, 2021
    6
    BRONZ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  3. nazarkin123
    Mar 10, 2021
    7
    I was my first GTA game played ever amd it was fantastic that days. Just to steal a car a sold it on trash lol
  4. Zodiac_A
    Mar 7, 2021
    7
    This game is the first great title of the legendary game series. However it has several disadvantaged: serious graphics bugs at several locations, very simple fighting/shooting technique, the game story isn`t deep only 25-40% are really interesting. Anyway it was great as a beginning of a great game series.
  5. GODvaria
    Feb 1, 2021
    9
    Фаворит,без базару,лучшая часть из всех.Геймплей для того времени пушка-вышка.
  6. Arbores
    Jan 28, 2021
    9
    Oynanış: 40/40
    Hikaye: 20/30
    Grafikler: 20/20
    Sesler ve Müzikler: 7/10
    Sonuç: 87/100
  7. snootchie
    Jan 22, 2021
    10
    One of the greatest games of all time. Revolutionized open-world games. Still holds up beautifully today.
  8. Limefong
    Jan 14, 2021
    8
    This game is groundbreaking and is good for its time but it still hasn't aged well. Still a great game afterall.
  9. Shrimps
    Dec 22, 2020
    0
    GTA 3....simply put....hasn't aged well. At least the PC port of it hasn't. I've heard it's pretty good on PS2, so I reckon you should play that version instead. The steam version (which I am reviewing) is just terrible. While it's easy to run, the controls are horrid and the driving is just awful. The shooting is just plain bad and the game has an unappealing artstyle. I'll admit theGTA 3....simply put....hasn't aged well. At least the PC port of it hasn't. I've heard it's pretty good on PS2, so I reckon you should play that version instead. The steam version (which I am reviewing) is just terrible. While it's easy to run, the controls are horrid and the driving is just awful. The shooting is just plain bad and the game has an unappealing artstyle. I'll admit the soundtrack is good, the cutscenes are well done and I enjoyed the story, but besides from that, I'd say skip this one and go with Vice City.… Expand
  10. teenageSpirit
    Dec 22, 2020
    8
    "I'm sorry, baby. I have my own plans, and you ... I don't need you anymore."
    (c) Catalina, "Initial cut-scene"
    Well, that came to an end my passage of this legendary trilogy, or else as it is called "3D Universe". I went through all the old parts of GTA (VC, SA, III) and I liked this one less than the others. When I just decided to take a three-ruble note, it seemed to me that after    "I'm sorry, baby. I have my own plans, and you ... I don't need you anymore."
    (c) Catalina, "Initial cut-scene"

    Well, that came to an end my passage of this legendary trilogy, or else as it is called "3D Universe". I went through all the old parts of GTA (VC, SA, III) and I liked this one less than the others. When I just decided to take a three-ruble note, it seemed to me that after passing it I would not get the same impression as from VC or SA, but still this is a classic without which there would be no GTA at all.
    Let's move on to the review itself, otherwise I'm not on the topic: D. I'll start with what I liked about this game: ch. the hero Claude (I must admit that I liked him more than CJ from SA or the same Tommy from VC, although he did not utter a word for the whole game, but there is something in him, probably his charisma), the atmosphere of Liberty -City of the beginning of zero, 3 cities and shootouts (in any GTA you will not see severed limbs lying on the ground), perhaps that's all.
    Now what I didn't like: the plot (many missions made purely for the sake of the game not being prolonged), add. missions (especially missions on Marty Chonks, 4 missions are absolutely the same ...), the behavior of bots (traffic that constantly crashes and makes nonsense on the roads, pedestrians always throw themselves under the wheels attracting you to the cops, and the cops are hardcore in three rubles ...), Well, actually the most important thing: if you suddenly want to complete the game, then you just need to stuff the game with various fixes, because the game will be 30 fps and a bunch of missions thwarted due to the fact that the cut-scene simply cannot load or the game is deadlocked. For example: once I shot down a helicopter, when it crashed into the water, the game froze tightly so that even the task manager did not help, then I just turned on the frame limiter and everything became normal, the conclusion: the game is really outdated by its optimization (and I did not only about GTA III, this also applies to VC and SA).
    Bottom line: I do not want to say that I do not recommend going through GTA III, but if you want to play comfortably, then you should bother with plugins and various fixes. If you are a fan of the Grand Theft Auto series of games, then you simply have to go through this part like all the other old parts of this game franchise and not immediately take up GTA V as many of my friends do.

    P.S. You will remember the laughter of a kamikaze addict from the mission "Set-up", stoned by SPANK: D    … Expand
  11. Torgall
    Dec 12, 2020
    8
    I really loved the transition to 3d after playing some the previous GTA II. I spend countless hours just messing around the game world.
  12. notrust
    Nov 21, 2020
    10
    What an absolute classic. When it came out, it was legendary. Modern open world city that had 3 different city areas, you can drive any car, with solid story. This game was revolutionary!
  13. Babutto
    Nov 2, 2020
    9
    I was a big fan of GTA 2 back then, and it was a big surprise when GTA3 was released. I had immediately bought the disc and played the game. It reminded me of GTA2: the mute main character, style, driving, radios. At the same time everything was on the new scale: 3D, music, hits, the solid story line. I was disappointed that no story was continued from the second game, I couldn't seeI was a big fan of GTA 2 back then, and it was a big surprise when GTA3 was released. I had immediately bought the disc and played the game. It reminded me of GTA2: the mute main character, style, driving, radios. At the same time everything was on the new scale: 3D, music, hits, the solid story line. I was disappointed that no story was continued from the second game, I couldn't see Zaibatsu again (except a commercial). However, overall impression was positive.

    After many, MANY years, more then 19, I played again with the graphics upgrade pack.

    Well. Let's compare the reviews.

    Me, teenager.

    Pros.:
    - Awesome music. Especially RISE FM.
    - Sniper rifle. LOVE IT!
    - Driving, can steal any car, drive sport cards, some of them remind of GTA2 (Yakuza stinger).
    - The story is so cool!
    - Very sad to finish the game. I tried to finish all the missions but... Whatever. I finished.
    - I just like to drive around the city!

    Cons.:
    - Some missions are hard, had to replay over and over again. That goddamn truck and Colombian mafia trying to destroy it.
    - Goddamn airplane mission when you need to find the boat. I almost destroyed my keyboard.
    - That's it I think.

    Me. 2020.

    Pros.:
    - Music, Rise FM.
    - Versatility of finishing some missions.
    - Different ways of reaching parts of the city (tunnel or bridges).
    - More weapons, more missions, more characters. Characters are memorable. Even though some of them are not really recognizable from the concept arts.
    - The opening and ending theme. Attaching and fulfilling.
    - The attempt to add some cinematography into the game. It's not a complete attraction like GTA2, full of **** and giggles. It's more serious. Even though some missions are fun, posters (Bad Fellas, for example). All these references to pop culture and movies (the Godfather, Reservoir Dogs, etc.).
    - The system of hidden packages. The more you get, the better default equipment you have near the hideout. PRICELESS! You should plan the game play. AGAIN.

    Cons.:
    - Overbuffed Italian mafia with their shotguns. But it may be a cons, because you have to PLAN how to play. For example, finish side missions first.
    - I miss that system of gang reputation from the second game. If you kill other gang members, you may restore the reputation.
    - I REALLY MISS ZAIBATSU NOW.
    - The music tracks is very VERY limited. I ended up listening to nothing, because I have heard it all.
    - The graphics look awful. The game is dull. Physics are OK, but the details. The game required more details I suppose.
    - The story is quite short. And characters are not that attaching. It was fixed in Vice City I guess.
    - No bikes.
    - No **** swimming. It's ridiculous.
    - There should be payment for the hideout. Like in GTA2. Of course, the **** the cheaper.

    Anyways, the game is a LEGEND! Worth showing to the kids.    … Expand
  14. geekslayer
    Oct 13, 2020
    10
    Grand Theft Auto 3 не сговариваясь признали лучшей PC игрой 2002 года практически все ведущие игровые издания Запада. Тернистым был путь к успеху, GTA 3 кое-где (а именно - в Австралии) даже пытались запретить, что не помешало этому шедевру достичь всемирной славы. Причины тому:
    - Впервые в истории серии город, в котором происходит действие, стал большим, трехмерным и красивым. День    Grand Theft Auto 3 не сговариваясь признали лучшей PC игрой 2002 года практически все ведущие игровые издания Запада. Тернистым был путь к успеху, GTA 3 кое-где (а именно - в Австралии) даже пытались запретить, что не помешало этому шедевру достичь всемирной славы. Причины тому:
    - Впервые в истории серии город, в котором происходит действие, стал большим, трехмерным и красивым. День сменяет ночь, туманы чередуются с дождями, а огни фар выхватывают из темноты небритых молодых героев в спортивных костюмах...
    - Озвучкой героев занимались известные профессиональные актеры. Музыка на всех радиостанциях играет разная - от попсы до хип-хопа, от транса до классики.
    - Около восьмидесяти видов авто. Будете дотошными - насчитаете, что по ходу погони от машины может отвалиться семнадцать деталей.
    - Десятки миссий.
    - Залезть можно куда угодно, вплоть до заброшенных станций метрополитена.    … Expand
  15. alanbessa
    Sep 13, 2020
    7
    Its kinda dated, but it's hold up as a good GTAesque game, the missions are incredibly fun, the lack of features as swimming sucks and you need to mod to be able to swim, but still a good game.
  16. Denizarasgulle
    Jul 29, 2020
    10
    This game is my childhood. Cant give a low score because is didn't age very well. Storytelling is still good tho. Openworld is OK. This game will always have a very soft place in my heart...
  17. JMPC2000
    Jul 12, 2020
    10
    Excellent game and story. Still playing in 2020 and it´s still addictive. Simply excellent
  18. dlcatalin
    Jul 12, 2020
    10
    I loved this game so much i would enjoy even watching other people play it. One of the best ever
  19. EsteticBomzh
    Jun 23, 2020
    6
    Неплохая игра, первая игра серии в 3D. На момент выхода наверняка была прорывной игрой. Из минусов довольно скучный сюжет и никакущий главный герой.
  20. hundead309
    Jun 1, 2020
    9
    the pc version is much better than the ps2, unfortunately the steam version is a bit buggy, with car colors being dark and the npcs AI getting more stupid, but nothing that a downgrade version doesn't solve the problem, I recommend the mod that simulates the version of the first xbox and a texture pack that corrects the textures of the cars.
    the gameplay is better, playing on the keyboard    the pc version is much better than the ps2, unfortunately the steam version is a bit buggy, with car colors being dark and the npcs AI getting more stupid, but nothing that a downgrade version doesn't solve the problem, I recommend the mod that simulates the version of the first xbox and a texture pack that corrects the textures of the cars.
    the gameplay is better, playing on the keyboard is completely different and the crosshair of the character and weapons is better    … Expand
  21. LordUhtred
    May 29, 2020
    8
    The legendary game, which is the main starter game of the GTA legend. Even though its story is not at the forefront, it is a peak production for 2001 with completely different missions. When I go to the discount, I would say it would be more convenient to buy the package containing GTA 3, GTA: VC, GTA: SA games.
  22. mugsy
    May 9, 2020
    9
    The historical leap of GTA franchise to 3D. It was probably the most anticipated game in my life. And it was a damn good game too. It was not perfect, the graphics kinda sucked even back in the day, but gameplay-wise with its open world and realistic detailed city where you can do anything you want it was unlike anything we have ever seen before.
  23. GameSpirit
    Mar 28, 2020
    10
    Mind blowing for it's time. Defined a genre. Depicts dark, gritty and gloomy atmosphere of New York. Who else could put you with Mafia, Yakuza, Triads, Cartel and more.
  24. Wiebe
    Feb 25, 2020
    7
    Cool game for its time, but a bit simple compared the to amazing installments that came later.
  25. JungwooYom
    Feb 18, 2020
    10
    Masterpiece. Beginning of legendary series.

    It's my second best game I've ever played. It's not a perfect game, especially for PC version. Still, city design is the best of every games including other GTA series, and gameplay is not obsolete even in 2020.
  26. Tomicsavo
    Feb 4, 2020
    10
    Like anyone else in my childhood, I used to play this game, but I still enjoyed it. I was glad it ran on win7 without any problems
  27. stasyansuperboy
    Feb 4, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Если твоё детство прямиком из начала нулевых и если ты хочешь глоток ностальгии...… Expand
  28. EnzictheWolf
    Jan 24, 2020
    8
    GTA 3 is a fun sandbox game.
    It's an very important game for video game history.
    Even tho GTA 3 is a good game there are many problems. I would say that the biggest problems are the driving physics, the time limits on some of the missions are too short and of course the fact that your vehicle explode when it lands upside down. Good things. As I said this is a fun sandbox. There    GTA 3 is a fun sandbox game.
    It's an very important game for video game history.
    Even tho GTA 3 is a good game there are many problems.

    I would say that the biggest problems are the driving physics, the time limits on some of the missions are too short and of course the fact that your vehicle explode when it lands upside down.

    Good things.
    As I said this is a fun sandbox. There are a decent amount of thing to do and stuff to find and of course great cheats.
    I grew up with this game so it will always have a place in my heart.

    Thanks for reading.    … Expand
  29. Diptanshu
    Dec 19, 2019
    7
    Its a nostalgic Game Ever but playing it in 2019 was not that satisfying! compare to trilogy its my least favroite as it contains no maps no directions as for a game of that time it was in developing stage so that might not come as bad aspect of the game but playing it now feels too irritating!i liked somethings in game which are you are playing a normal human as if youre having cheatIts a nostalgic Game Ever but playing it in 2019 was not that satisfying! compare to trilogy its my least favroite as it contains no maps no directions as for a game of that time it was in developing stage so that might not come as bad aspect of the game but playing it now feels too irritating!i liked somethings in game which are you are playing a normal human as if youre having cheat codes but bullets and physics is great compared to other gta"s! although its a classic but playing in 2019 makes us feel irritating!… Expand
  30. Genek13
    Nov 20, 2019
    7
    First GTA installment in 3D graphics and few new mechanics.
    Feels like GTA and plays same :)
    Didn't finish game because of technical problems on my PC with Windows XP, which was new back then.
Page:

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PC Game of 2002
4
#4 Most Discussed PC Game of 2002
3
#3 Most Shared PC Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. FiringSquad
    84
    There’s more senseless violence in GTA3 than there are bleeps in an episode of "The Osbournes."
    Read full review
  2. netjak
    98
    The interaction between player and environment sets the bar so high for other games, that it is nearly inaccessible.
  3. GameSpy
    94
    It's a game you could play for weeks -- maybe even months -- and still discover something new every day.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »