Grand Theft Auto III

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1185 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 953 out of 1185
  2. Mixed: 150 out of 1185
  3. Negative: 82 out of 1185
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. Tagirix
    Jul 5, 2016
    5
    Sorry, but I didn't like this game so much. Yeah, I am not an oldschool gamer who tried this title firstly 10 years ago. My first playtime was approximately 3 years ago and that time I didn't enjoy GTA III. After that, I finally completed the storyline and still didn't enjoy the game. I have to admit that this GTA was one of the worst I have played. Seriously, I was not into GTA III.Sorry, but I didn't like this game so much. Yeah, I am not an oldschool gamer who tried this title firstly 10 years ago. My first playtime was approximately 3 years ago and that time I didn't enjoy GTA III. After that, I finally completed the storyline and still didn't enjoy the game. I have to admit that this GTA was one of the worst I have played. Seriously, I was not into GTA III. Sorry, it's just my opinion. It is not interesting as GTA SA is.… Expand
  2. Br_AgSs
    Apr 12, 2020
    7
    GTA iii was a revolucionary game, except, it didnt aged too well. The game has an ok story, the driving system is nice and the graphics were the best of 2001, Claude is a cool character even though he doesn't talk, makes him look cold. But, playing it in 2019 is a bit weird, the combat is very hard, and the car is very weak, still, a great game.
  3. Xrayplayer
    May 7, 2021
    5
    In 2001 the game is mostly a masterpiece but I'm judging it now in this current date it didn't age that well but it's still okay although the movements are very Clancy and the camera and the shooting don't work smoothly the driving is also kinda bad the car lose control quickly and it explode quickly, the story is a joke but you play as silent character what do you expect, it can be funIn 2001 the game is mostly a masterpiece but I'm judging it now in this current date it didn't age that well but it's still okay although the movements are very Clancy and the camera and the shooting don't work smoothly the driving is also kinda bad the car lose control quickly and it explode quickly, the story is a joke but you play as silent character what do you expect, it can be fun for some reason it deserves a 5 it's a fine game.… Expand
  4. LouisM.
    Aug 20, 2006
    6
    Mediocre. I picked it up after having much experience with GTAs 1 and 2, with high expectations. The environment is detailed, varied, interesting, and with passable interactivity. There's a wonderful variety and sufficient volume of music included. The missions, however, are abysmal. Perhaps the worst I have ever seen in a game. Almost all are incredibly formulaic, and amount to "go Mediocre. I picked it up after having much experience with GTAs 1 and 2, with high expectations. The environment is detailed, varied, interesting, and with passable interactivity. There's a wonderful variety and sufficient volume of music included. The missions, however, are abysmal. Perhaps the worst I have ever seen in a game. Almost all are incredibly formulaic, and amount to "go to these locations with this time limit". Some missions must be thoroughly scoped (i.e., memorizing the positions of all important locations you must visit) and thus retried many times before victory is even possible, which to me seems ludacrous. Also, I'm very fond of GTA2, so I think the "respect" system and choice of gang you show your allegiance to was much more effective and advanced than the mission structure of this game, which is far more linear. Also, skirmishes between gangs on the streets do not occur often enough. Having to go through enemy territory on certain missions while being shot up is incredibly frustrating, given the already often excessive difficulty. The mechanics (especially shooting) are poorly designed and frustrating. Also, the inability to simply start a mission again from the beginning with the same equipment is bizzare. It's an okay game on the whole, but was and still is incredibly overrated and overappreciated. I really don't see how such a flawed game recieved such universally high reviews.… Expand
  5. JakeH.
    Jun 3, 2004
    5
    ok man here it goes they need better fighting styles better mini shitty game things or whatever the RC shit stuff plus whats with two stars when you kill one cop totally gay man get em to fix it I might not bust the games in half like GTA 3 and vice city peace it...
  6. Fdmint
    Nov 6, 2004
    6
    Someone said the game is pointless ... yeah ..why doesn`t Fido just runs away with Maria ..an live happily ever after ???? ...AND MY Question : What ever happened with 8-Ball the demo-expert , "your' friend ?....and the 3 cities are very big U move very slow betwen them ...AND : I was told that there was no 4-th city !!!!!!!! or somebody was talking about that ghost city { wich is an Someone said the game is pointless ... yeah ..why doesn`t Fido just runs away with Maria ..an live happily ever after ???? ...AND MY Question : What ever happened with 8-Ball the demo-expert , "your' friend ?....and the 3 cities are very big U move very slow betwen them ...AND : I was told that there was no 4-th city !!!!!!!! or somebody was talking about that ghost city { wich is an error ? right ? } ...and I like the shot-gun..but it`s to ...i mean U can destroy a car with only 2 shots ...thats to much !!!! AND Another of my Questions : What happened with Donald Love ?? I mean in the last of his mission..that`s just a cut-seen ..he dissapears !!!..where does he go ? and why does he leave ?? … Expand
  7. ApuN.
    Jan 30, 2004
    5
    Good game, 1st city is good but got boring after. plus whats up with old grannys pulling you out of the tank:S
  8. PeteM.
    Dec 22, 2001
    6
    Great game but the graphics are to jerky when u drive around. Should have been done better!
  9. EdwardB.
    Sep 7, 2005
    5
    I have a love hate relationship with this game. Love: Great big cities with many areas to search. Love: Ability to shoot,crash, burn, bash and destroy. Love: realistic environment Love: Ability to steal cars and drive fast as hell and smash and run over people and things. Hate: Radio- horrible music repetitive turned it off second day playing. Hate: Repetitive sayings of pedistrians over I have a love hate relationship with this game. Love: Great big cities with many areas to search. Love: Ability to shoot,crash, burn, bash and destroy. Love: realistic environment Love: Ability to steal cars and drive fast as hell and smash and run over people and things. Hate: Radio- horrible music repetitive turned it off second day playing. Hate: Repetitive sayings of pedistrians over and over they say the same thing by the end of the game if you hear, "my mothers my sister" one more time .... your going to kill someone. Hate: Most missions are just too dam hard..period. I repeat get ready to be unbelivably frustrated and pissed. To add insult to injury when you dont succed on missions (there are many you will not succeed on -like all of them) you have to drive back to the mission trigger location so by the 10th time of doing a mission ( some missions take over 10 to 15 minutes) your swearing more then the game. Hate: Cops are too aggressive they progressively get worse up to 6 levels but by level 2 to 3 they dont stop coming. You cant outrun them as they pop out of no where...unlike Driver which you can. Hate: Targeting system on guns ....this is crap A enemy can be right on you and you cant get him. If mulitple enemie s gather around you forget it. This all adds up to a incredibly frustrating and annoying game...I played Hitman2, rockstars MANHUNT, and the Suffering right before this game and I do not know how this got a higher rating then these other games. I can't see someone playing this game for more then a month and not throwing up -this game gets very repetitive. I played it for two weeks, using cheats ( you will too or you'll be playing it for a year ) and getting 70% that was way enough for me...forever.… Expand
  10. MikeB
    Dec 29, 2009
    7
    This was a good game considering the time it was made. GTA 3 can't be compared to GTA SanAndreas or GTA4, because of graphics and range of vehicles, and weapons. People who are saying it is bad are most likely comparing it to brand new games. If you compare it to games that were made in that time period, you will probally find it is a good game. It could use some work though, like This was a good game considering the time it was made. GTA 3 can't be compared to GTA SanAndreas or GTA4, because of graphics and range of vehicles, and weapons. People who are saying it is bad are most likely comparing it to brand new games. If you compare it to games that were made in that time period, you will probally find it is a good game. It could use some work though, like your character doesn't even talk in GTA3.… Expand
  11. PhoebeR.
    Jun 21, 2003
    5
    This game was ok. Ok so the gameplay and freedom is fantastic, but the graphics are SO PLAYSTATION ONE. Rockstar should maybe put a bit more effort into the graphics and make a better storyline with missions that arn't all the same!
  12. sinadoom
    Jul 30, 2012
    5
    This is of course one of the greatest games of all time both in its own merits and for its innovations for gaming as a whole. Unfortunately however, the PS2 controls make this game extremely awkward to play. nlike the PC version, you can't choose between classic and PC-style controls. Obviously this game would be much easier with a mouse and keyboard but despite the auto-aim even the startThis is of course one of the greatest games of all time both in its own merits and for its innovations for gaming as a whole. Unfortunately however, the PS2 controls make this game extremely awkward to play. nlike the PC version, you can't choose between classic and PC-style controls. Obviously this game would be much easier with a mouse and keyboard but despite the auto-aim even the start of the game can be difficult due to the awkward camera (both in car and on foot), clunky movement and looking around. To turn the camera you go into first person and can't do anything, and the sensitivity is too low. The game is an iconic masterpiece but the controls make it almost unplayable. It owuld be nice to at least be able to use the PC style controls with a controller.… Expand
  13. DaBlackNight
    Mar 10, 2012
    7
    This Game Is Alright For Gamers. I Would Rather Play This Game If I Had Nothing To Do Though. But It Is A Good Game. i Just Wish The Voice, Sound And Lighting Would Improve.
  14. Speed4Runs
    Dec 16, 2012
    7
    Amazing game. Good graphics and big city, for its times, and very good plot. The gameplay is great because you can do a lot of things (although it isn't even comparable to GTA San Andreas). 100% recommended.
  15. SuperDude
    Feb 11, 2002
    7
    It is a really great game, it's just that I can't seem to wanna play it more and more. When I get killed or busted I just feel like quiting.
  16. AndyS.
    Dec 29, 2004
    7
    This is definitely a great game, but when it comes to the story, just like the other GTA's, it's not to addctive. All in all, the gam is good, but it needs more color. Comparing it to the new GTA's, Vice City, as well as San Andreas, it doesn't even make a 6.5.
  17. JesusC.
    Oct 9, 2007
    7
    It's a decent game, but it's also a little stale a little more than 4 hours in.
  18. Cmmcfreire
    May 7, 2020
    7
    Story - 7/10
    Gameplay - 7/10
    Graphics - 7/10
    Soundtrack - 7/10
    Levels - 8/10
    Replay value - 7/10
  19. PresidentTrump
    Oct 28, 2017
    7
    After getting this pain-in-the-ass of a game to start, the ass pain didn't stop.
    The resolution was garbage and alt-tabbing out of the game took forever.
    I installed the silent patch and some other gameplay fixing mods. Now the pain can stop. For now. The story: A guy named Claude gets shot by his girlfriend while robbing a bank. He's arrested but breaks out with his boy 8-Ball.    After getting this pain-in-the-ass of a game to start, the ass pain didn't stop.
    The resolution was garbage and alt-tabbing out of the game took forever.
    I installed the silent patch and some other gameplay fixing mods.
    Now the pain can stop. For now.

    The story:
    A guy named Claude gets shot by his girlfriend while robbing a bank. He's arrested but breaks out with his boy 8-Ball. Claude works up the ranks trying to make money and find Catalina. He works for the Mafia, the Yakuza, and others. He eventually finds Catalina and shoots her down out of her helicopter and Claude walks off with his new girl, Maria.

    The gameplay:
    Some clunky driving. Horrible driver AI since they crash into you constantly because they switch lanes with no warning.
    Bad Shooting. The game is heavily outdated. Most missions suffer because of this. It's either the driving or the Cartel mows you down with their M16 that will kill you in a literal second.

    The graphics and cinematics:
    The graphics in GTA 3 are meh. The game is 15 years old (holy sh*t) so the graphics aren't going to be that great. Even though, the game still looks good. If you get the resolution fix mod, the game looks less pixeled and you can experience the game PS2 style. The cinematics and cutscenes are alright. Although it feels really awkward when Claude walks into this guys house, he tells Claude what to do, and Claude just nods his head after doing so. Claude has no real interaction with characters, which makes them feel flat. Only in missions where two other characters interact, is where the dialogue writing shines.

    Soundtrack:
    Most of it was awful to me. I'm the type of guy that can listen to mostly anything, so that's a lot. I liked Game FM and Flashback. The Jamaican and classical music didn't fit the environment and got annoying. Even on stations, I liked, there were only 6 or so songs. So you're constantly hearing that one song that goes "We're gon give this all that we gooot, keep on risin to the top!" and it gets really annoying. Most of the time I actually just listen to Lazlow talk about stupid sh*t.

    The missions from hell:
    The last about 10-15 missions are so ball burstingly hard, I almost skipped this game and went to Vice City.

    -Donald Love's Missions - Liberator
    Save some old dude from Cartel. Sounds easy until they tear you apart with M16s.
    Donald's Mission - Waka-Gashira Wipeout
    Kill Kenji, a leader of the Yakuza gang (also the guy you worked for) to start a gang war between Yakuza and cartel. You can't leave your car (since it's a cartel car and your identity will be revealed if you leave) so if the car is on fire, it's over. They shoot at your car with M16's which will destroy it in seconds, while you must drive by ONE GUY and if you fail to hit him, it's over.
    Donalds Mission - A Drop in the Ocean.
    Pick up some packages that a plane drops, while each package gives you one star. There are 6 packages. The boat controls are clunky and the water feels really weird. And when you're driving to the paint n spray (THAT ISN'T MARKED ON THE MAP) you're getting rammed with FBI cars and SWAT trucks.
    Donald's Mission - Grand Theft Aero
    Guess what, that last mission didn't matter. It was just a decoy, lol. Drive to another island you've never seen before, then drive back to the other island and kill Cartel members armed with M16 that will kill you damn near instantly. They're hiding around tight corners and the **** aiming doesn't help.
    The rest of Donald's mission isn't bad, Akuza's is though.
    Akuza's mission - Bait
    You drive around the new island, leading Cartel death squads to a Yakuza hid out so they're killed. Yeah, except the Yakuza are garbage and you have to kill them yourself at the death squad, or else they get away.
    Akuza's mission - Espresso 2 Go!
    One of the hardest in the series, trust me I've played them all.
    You drive around THE WHOLE MAP in 7 minutes. AND THERE IS NO FULL MAP ONLY A MINI MAP AND YOU HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND BEFORE DESTROYING THE COFFEE STANDS BECAUSE THEN THE MARKERS DON'T SHOW UP F*CK THIS MISSION!
    Akuza's Mission - S.A.M
    Another one of the hardest in the series. You blow up a plane mid-air in a boat. You have to STOP the boat. And aim your rocket launcher, if it misses, tries again. Or you could cheat in a tank and blow the cartel and police to Kingdom f*ck and get it over with.

    But what there's more!:
    There are some nice side missions in GTA 3 that are nice. Hidden Packages that give you weapon pickups outside your safehouse per 10 collected out of 100. The map is small and easy so it's now that bad.
    Paramedic - Pick people up and drive them to the hospital in a timelimit, and you can't crash. If the Mafia hates you, good f*cking luck since now they got shotguns that blow you to kingdom f*ck.
    Do I recommend the game?
    Yeah. As much as I hated the end missions, I had fun getting the collectibles and a lot of the earlier missions. I recommend on sale or even at its normal price    … Expand
  20. Deathbringer_01
    Feb 19, 2020
    7
    GTA III foi uma experiência legal que tive na era do PS2, mas o jogo pra mim não é lá dos seus melhores, sinto que ele envelheceu muito mal e com razão, o jogo possui algumas missões bizarras ao estilo GTA mas existem exageros na polícia e em outras missões, os carros tem uma dirigibilidade péssima, mas é divertido.
  21. ExplodingWalrus
    Nov 12, 2019
    6
    This game established a genre, and for that it deserves a great amount of respect. What's more, it has held up reasonably well and is still fun to play today. That said, there are a few shortcomings that are worth noting. Often, these make the game a mixed bag.

    The world is a joy to explore, but the plot is meandering and unexciting. While the game features an all-star voice cast, the    This game established a genre, and for that it deserves a great amount of respect. What's more, it has held up reasonably well and is still fun to play today. That said, there are a few shortcomings that are worth noting. Often, these make the game a mixed bag.

    The world is a joy to explore, but the plot is meandering and unexciting. While the game features an all-star voice cast, the script doesn't afford them much of an opportunity to show off their skills. The in-game radio features an impressive amount of content, but the sound effects are oftentimes grating, with shouting pedestrians and engine groans often making for a cacophonous experience. The layout of the game's three islands is enormously memorable, but this may just be a side-effect of the lack of a map screen, meaning that players are forced to memorize the layout of Liberty City's various streets. The controls work quite well while driving, but the on-foot controls are a frustrating mess, particularly during combat.

    This game laid the foundation for what would come after, and for that it remains a giant. There is still a lot of fun to be had here, though it is located more in the random chaos that can come from toying with the game's dynamic systems than with the simplistic and uninspired missions.

    Give the game a shot. It's worth your time. Just tenure your expectations. Later games in the series would do much to refine the formula established here.    … Expand
  22. Sherbert
    Nov 10, 2020
    6
    Obviously, we need to take Metacritic's "must plays" with a grain of salt. I don't care about whether a game was influential, I care about whether it's enjoyable to play now. I played the game to 100%, I did everything. It was certainly fun overall, but I wouldn't recommend it to the average player. The game has aged, if you want to run around and wreck havoc, play GTA V. There is noObviously, we need to take Metacritic's "must plays" with a grain of salt. I don't care about whether a game was influential, I care about whether it's enjoyable to play now. I played the game to 100%, I did everything. It was certainly fun overall, but I wouldn't recommend it to the average player. The game has aged, if you want to run around and wreck havoc, play GTA V. There is no reason to come back to III, unless you want to sit in your car and listen to Chatterbox FM. In that case, it's understandable.… Expand
  23. Dareix
    May 17, 2021
    6
    gli metto un 6 solo perché è stato il primo gta in 3d e perché è uscito anni fa, ma giocarlo oggi è veramente noioso ed è privo di contenuti, idem la storia, interessante ma neanche piu di tanto
  24. donkaapo
    Sep 15, 2022
    7
    blank..........................................................................................................................................................................................
  25. Pereira2000
    Nov 12, 2022
    6
    He oido mucha gente diciendo que este juego es maravilloso por su censilleza pero a mi la historia me parecio muy mediocre. Hay que admitirlo es el gta que lo invento todo y se ve bien para tener mas de 20 años pero no me gusto y tiene la peor radio de toda la saga
  26. imalynxcat
    Apr 2, 2023
    6
    oynarken çok fazla hatayla karşılaştım ve san andreas oynadıktan sonra oynadığım için eğlenemedim.
  27. ElKooi
    Aug 31, 2023
    7
    Graficos para su epoca: 7/10 los personajes les faltan dientes y tienen manos con dedos pegados
    Jugabilidad: 8/10 un apuntado automatico porque aun no habian juegos que adapten bien los shooters en consolas asi que fue bien implementarlo
    Mapa: Mundo abierto 9/10
    Misiones: 7/10 estan entretenidos

    El juego esta bueno pero envejecio mal por sus posteriores entregas por eso un 7
  28. SuperSonicJunus
    Sep 9, 2023
    5
    Never beat this one but I’ve gotten damn close so I think I can give it MY proper rating. Vice City was my 1st played GTA but this one was soon after. This game was pivotal in revolutionizing sandbox games but it’s really not good even for its time. It’s clunky, the protagonist is silent for some reason, and the soundtrack doesn’t come close to VC or SA. I’ll beat it one day, don’t reallyNever beat this one but I’ve gotten damn close so I think I can give it MY proper rating. Vice City was my 1st played GTA but this one was soon after. This game was pivotal in revolutionizing sandbox games but it’s really not good even for its time. It’s clunky, the protagonist is silent for some reason, and the soundtrack doesn’t come close to VC or SA. I’ll beat it one day, don’t really want to. Haha… Expand

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best PS2 Game of 2001
4
#4 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2001
1
#1 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
97

Universal acclaim - based on 56 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 56
  3. Negative: 0 out of 56
  1. Voodoo Extreme
    98
    The end-all, be-all of console action games. Period...For me GTA3 is the best action game I have ever played on a console system and I highly recommend it to adults (the intended audience of this game) who know the difference between good and evil.
    Read full review
  2. Into Liquid Sky
    100
    An insanely deep game that offers a lot to do outside of the 70+ missions. If you understand that it's just a game and that these selfsame actions are not healthy in the real world, you'll enjoy a well-developed world disguised as a deviously fun game.
    Read full review
  3. Next Generation Magazine
    80
    Adding to the frustration is the fact that your targeting system is practically useless, and the vehicle physics model is annoyingly floaty. [Jan 2002, p.78]
See all critic reviews »