So the Nintendo DS version of GTA- is it worth it or does it fail with the stench of a over-rated game.

GTA has always been a great series, though it has had its ups and downs like any other. The 2D games have always been very suggestible in quality. The last 2D game was GTA Advance, which felt like it didn’t belong and the game didn’t flow as well as the 3D titles.

Chinatown Wars takes the series back to the top down style after last years GTA:IV. Which was a very solid appealing title, both graphic wise and game play wise.

This game however still has that charm- keeping GTA to its routes. But the problem with keeping games to their original routes is that sometimes things are missing. GTA: Chinatown wars doesn’t change that- with some of the features and more diverse things to do which we got used to in GTA:IV. These features are more like the original GTA titles.

But that doesn’t mean the title will stick- far from it but the missing features if your looking for them make it seem unfinished and empty. There is however and extensive wi-fi and local set up for communication and playing.

Another disappointment was the quick story and the story itself. Yes after you finish the story you have some things you can do if you choose to- giving you 100% finish. But the games story finishes before then- when the credits role the games done and in this title it roles after a finding out…

The story evolves into a predictable mess of finding out who’s the rat for the most part of the game, while the first part was learning the ropes and a few missions to put you into leverage- wait I always think it was a back and forward rat race just burning everything to the ground from the start. While the story ended quick and wasn’t that much of an experience- it dam well suited the handheld for a quick ending- but at the same time it felt like there could be more.

Don’t get me wrong with all the simplicities of the title and the drug dealing system- it was quite enjoyable. But when it came down to it this game just took everything the GTA series worked to expand it selves on and takes itself back to the start again.

With that though the game does have some nice done smaller things. Such as if your car goes into the water you tap the touch screen to punch through a window. And while your not smashing car windows like on GTA:IV you can still hotwire the car (with a few different modes depending on how ‘good’ the car is).

Score: Thumbs Up

With all said the game was great with its top down perspective and graphics. Its a shame that most side activities and other features which GTA:IV introduced seemed to be missing.